Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Antietam

Two neighbors on North Main Street in West Hartford have filled their adjoining front yards with a huge Halloween and Civil War exhibition.  I don't get the connection between Halloween and the Civil War, but, hey, it's not my yard.

It is the sesquicentennial of the Civil War -- 150 years, for those dashing to the dictionary -- so we see lots of Civil War-related information.  Among the materials on these yards are placards with information about Connecticut soldiers killed at the battle of Antietam in 1862.

22 comments:

Kate said...

Terrible war, as all are...but one of the worst! Perhaps the gravestones, death and Halloween are the connection?

VP said...

Quite strange connection, as you said...

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

As distant as the Civil War seems in time, my father talked of his grandparents' memories of the Civil War.

Antietam was horrific. The bloodiest single day of a war noted for staggering casualties. I used to work as the Legislative Director for Congressman Goodloe Byron, who represented Western Maryland. He died of a heart attack at age 48 while running on the C & O Canal towpath in Sharpsburg, just a few miles from Antietam.

He was buried at Antietam Cemetery. His gravestone says "He ran from this world to the next."

Halcyon said...

I don't see the connection either. Probably they are just war buffs and want to show off their knowledge!

Taken For Granted said...

As a boy I remember a Life Magazine article about the last four surviving Civil War Veterans. Perhaps the connection is that they are all ghosts now, and Halloween is all about ghosts.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I'm a big fan of multi-tasking! Good spotting Jack.

Lois Evensen said...

We have been to Antietam. The connection with Halloween doesn't work for me. Antietam was a place where many brave people died.

Sharon said...

Hmmm...that is an interesting combination.

Paul in Powell River said...

I don't see the connection either, and you're right, it's not your yard. :D

Sylvia K said...

Like you and the others, I don't see the connection between Halloween and Antietam, but it surely was one of the most horrific battles of the Civil War! The number of soldiers killed is staggering, but then the deaths in any war are too many and heart breaking. Maybe we should try harder to prevent wars???? I know, I'm unrealistic!! Hope your week is going well, Jack!! Watch out for the witches!!

jennyfreckles said...

Neither is something I'd choose to commemorate in my yard, but as you say this isn't my yard!

EG CameraGirl said...

Brother against brother is pretty scary! Maybe that's the connection.

RedPat said...

I'm sure the connection is obvious to the homeowners!

Unknown said...

Original to say the least! :-)

LOLfromPasa said...

Well now I have seen it all. Any thoughts about going and knocking on one of their doors to ask 'why'?

cieldequimper said...

How to kill two birds with one stone... ;-)

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Curious but instructive.

Lowell said...

Fascinating display. Is it possible that memories of Connecticut solders who were slain in the Civil War are still fresh in the minds of their families?

It's all rather ghoulish!

Randy said...

That's different.

Mildred said...

Great shot of this strange display!
Can't see the connection either! The skulls maybe?!?
Thanks for sharing, Jack. And thanks for your visit and nice comment.

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Hope you are having a fabulous week****

Bob Crowe said...

That's a really strange association - day of the dead? The Civil War was as bloody as it gets.

Malyss said...

Mixing Halloween and Civil war is strange, but at least, it makes people ask, learn and remember.A weird but efficient way to make a tribute!