Photo by Sharyle Kuhlemeier Leidy

 

Friends of Civil War Alcatraz Activities
 

Upcoming Events at Alcatraz:

Living History is coming to Alcatraz April 14th, 2012. Mark your calendars for this exciting event!
 

Past Activities and Events:
 

Retired National Park Service Ranger, author and historical consultant to FOCWA John Martini led a tour of Fort Point, Battery Cavallo and Alcatraz Island on Saturday October 15. 

Tour was to teach volunteers the significance of these three installations in the defense of San Francisco.  Rangers Emelda Zuschlag and Jayeson Vance led a group of 20 volunteers during the day long tour.  Friends of Civil War Alcatraz members Brad Schall, Chuck Gardali and Steve Johnson were part of the group.  Walter Page will be joining the FOCWA and is excited about being a member.

Activities for the day started at Fort Mason, then to Fort Point for a tour of the construction, life inside the fort, it’s fortification and the artillery at Fort Point, then to Battery Cavallo in Marin Country for a study of a one tier earthen fort, Alcatraz was our last stop with a study of the Sally Port, tunnels, magazines and the Citadel.  Everyone enjoyed the workshop.

FOCWA wishes to thank John Martini, the National Park Service and the Rangers for putting on this tour.

Saturday, October 1, 2011: Civil War Day on Alcatraz:  Re-enactors will be coming to Alcatraz for a day of Civil War history. Drills, displays, and special tours will be offered. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

De-Briefing Report by Jayeson Vance
150^th Anniversary of the Post at Alcatraz Island
December 30. 2009

Where: Alcatraz Island Dock
When: Wednesday December 30, 2009 0900 -1300 hrs
Who: U.S. Army Personnel:  Elements of the 63^rd RSC Command

Group, 1SG Barlow 191^st Army Band “Band of the Wild West,” Eldon P. Regua, Major General, Commanding General 75^th Battle Command Training Division, Armed Forces Reserve Center Houston Texas. Brigade Command Sergeant Major Roy A. Wells 91^st “Wild West” Training Brigade Ft. Hunter Liggett, California. Thomas Christianson CIV 63^rd RSC Historian.  MSG Stanley Kamiya acted as point of contact for the Army and coordinated their end of the event.

National Park Service Personnel:  Craig Kenkle Acting Deputy Superintendent, Golden Gate NRA, Amy Brees Supervisory Park Ranger. Jayeson Vance, Owen Simcoe, David MacDonald, Lori Brosnan, Craig Glassner, Volunteers in Parks: Bob Hubbs, Brad Schall, Sean Dempsey, John A. Martini, John Nevins, Friends of Civil War Alcatraz members.  Jayeson Vance acted as point of contact for the National Park Service and was overall event coordinator.

What: Twenty-one gun rifle salute in 3 volleys with M-16s, Color Guard with replica original 3^rd Artillery Regimental flag included. Bagpiper played “Garry Owen,” bugler “Ruffles and Flourishes”, National Anthem and remarks by Major General Regua and Deputy Superintendent Kenkle, followed by “Taps.”

There followed a special behind the scenes program lead by John A. Martini and an additional program by Ranger Vance.

In December of 1859, the first Post Return was written for the “Post on Alcatraz Island.”  One hundred and fifty years later, the original garrison was officially and formally remembered on Wednesday December 30, 2009.

Click for Fort Alcatraz 150th Anniversary Photos
 

FRIENDS OF CIVIL WAR ALCATRAZ INVITE YOU TO ATTEND
Subject: 150th Anniversary of Military on Alcatraz Island

On December 30, 2009 there will be a military ceremony honoring the 150th Anniversary of the first garrison on Alcatraz Island by the U. S. Army. The first garrison on Alcatraz Island was during the December month of 1859. To honor those who served and defended the San Francisco Bay area,  members of the 75th Division (Battle Command Training Division) will be present on Alcatraz Island. Major General Eldon P. Regua, commander of the 75th Division, will address those in attendance. Those public visitors on the Island will be greeted by those Military Personnel present and members of the Golden Gate National Park Service. It is with pride that Rangers, staff, and volunteers have assisted in the organization and presentation of this special event.

Please consider being one of the visitors to enjoy this ceremony. Thank you.

Robert R. Hubbs
Alcatraz Island Volunteer
Friends of Civil War Alcatraz

From the San Mateo Daily Journal
January 18, 2010
Susan E. Cohn

Union soldiers clad in blue moved out of the fog to stand by their modern day counterparts at Dec. 30 ceremonies commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the first U.S. Army garrison on Alcatraz Island.

Honoring those who have served and defended the San Francisco Bay Area were members of the 75th Battle Command Training Division. Army Maj. Gen. Eldon P. Regua, commander of the 75th Division, addressed those in attendance, including hundreds of public visitors on the Island, sharing with them stories of the rich heritage of this famous outpost.

Soldiers involved in the ceremonies were from various U.S. Army Reserve units in the 63rd RRC. The Color Guard was from the 2nd Medical Brigade from San Pablo. The Firing Detail consisted of six Soldiers from the 5th Brigade, 75th Division (BCTD), from Camp Parks. One soldier was from the 91st Training Brigade out of Fort Hunter Liggett and one other from the 2nd Medical Brigade. A bagpiper and a bugler were from the 63rd Reserve Support Command. Those in Union blue were members of the Friends of Civil War Alcatraz

Fort Point event Jan 31st and Feb 1st, 2009
     View Flyer 1     View Flyer 2

Civil War Experience Announcement Flyer 5/2009

National Park Service Interpretive Training
January 22-25, 2008

The National Park Service put on a four day Interpretive Training Class at Ft. Mason the week of January 22^nd.  Board members Brad Schall, Fred Bohmfalk and Bob Hubbs were among the 20 volunteers and employees of the NPS that attended.

NPS objective was for Park Interpreters, Park Rangers, and members of the Conservancy to be educated on the techniques of modern interpretative methods and styles.

Classes started with a reminder of the 1916 National Park Service Act Mission statement:

“To conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

During the four day period students were presented classes on:

• Why we give interpretative talks

• Different models of an interpretative talk

• Preparation for a talk

• Outlines

• Tools and techniques

• Creativity

• Practice talks

And finally a 15 minute evaluated talk by each student.

All three Board members passed the tests and are now certificated to give interpretative presentations at Alcatraz.

Volunteer Appreciation Day
Saturday December 1, 2007
Volunteer Appreciation Party at Ft. Mason
historic Officers’ club in San Francisco.

The picture above is (left to right), Bob Hubbs, Ranger Lori Brosnan and Brad Schall.

            Board members Bob Hubbs and Brad Schall attended the Volunteer Appreciation Party and enjoyed the luncheon put on by the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the Presidio Trust.  Lunch and dessert were served before a slide show presentation was made on the volunteers in the Golden Gate National Park system.  Last year over 17,000 people volunteered in the Parks with a combined effort of about 400,000 hours. A nice gift of an insulated lunch bag was given to the volunteers for their service this past year.

            Bob and Brad along with Fred Bohmfalk, John Nevins and Greg Tracy are part of the Friends of Civil War Alcatraz commitment to volunteering at Fortress Alcatraz.  All encourage fellow Friends members to become a volunteer at Alcatraz and would be glad to put you in touch with Alcatraz volunteer coordinator Ranger Lori Brosnan.  It takes time and commitment but it’s a lot of fun and a very worthwhile endeavor.

            Fort Mason Historic Officers’ Club is another example of our Civil War heritage in northern, California.  The Officers’ Club at Fort Mason is one of the most historic buildings in San Francisco. Originally built in 1855, the area was taken over by the Army in 1865. For years, what is now the Officers’ Club was the home of the senior army officer on the Pacific Coast. A total of 44 generals, including several noted Civil War officers, lived there. A bronze plaque in the entrance area list many of the notable officers who used this building during their army careers. Presidents Rutherford Hayes and Ulysses Grant were entertained at the Officers’ Club.

For many years the San Francisco Roundtable held their meeting at the Ft. Mason Officers Club.

Friends of Civil War Alcatraz to restore Citadel model that was vandalized.  Friends of Civil War Alcatraz, under the direction of new Board member Gary Lee, will have the Model restored and then securely sealed to prevent future vandalism.  This model is a visual aid that has been placed next to the Citadel entrance.

Friends of Civil War Alcatraz provide the Rangers at Alcatraz Island National Historic Landmark with Cannoneer certificates to be awarded to young people who act as the cannon crew.  Young people get to experience how a Civil War soldier might have fired the 24# Howitzer that’s located in the Guardhouse.  This is another example how the Friends of Civil War Alcatraz has partnered with the NPS in interpreting the American Civil War on Alcatraz Island.  Click here to view the certificate.

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