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Gettysburg's 'boys from Berks' gain a 'monumental' champion
CONTACT: Jay Purdy (717) 787-7895
HARRISBURG, Jan. 7 - Add another recruit to "Readshaw's Raiders." State Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny, founder of the drive to preserve Pennsylvania's monuments at Gettysburg, today announced that an influential House leader has launched a campaign to ensure the preservation of the monuments dedicated to the actions of the men of his home county on the historic battlefield.

Readshaw said that Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone, D-Berks, is spearheading a drive to raise the funds needed to restore and endow the 12 monuments commemorating regiments that included recruits from Berks County. By providing an endowment in addition to restoration money, the funds will be available to maintain the monuments into perpetuity. The total cost for the Berks County monuments is estimated at $28,900.

Volunteers from Berks County made up portions of the 46th, 88th, 93rd, 96th and 151st regiments of the Army of the Potomac that held its ground in July 1863 against assaults by the Army of Northern Virginia commanded by Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Caltagirone is Democratic Chairman of the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. Rep. Caltagirone has already supplied a down payment of $675 to get the ball rolling on his pledge.

"Through Rep. Caltagirone's commitment, 12 of the irreplaceable icons of freedom on the Gettysburg battlefield will stand for many generations to come." Said Readshaw. "They will continue as constant reminders to Pennsylvanians young and old that in 1863, on that those very spots, volunteers from Berks County fought and died to preserve our great nation." In all, there are 135 monuments and markers in the Gettysburg National Military Park that were originally paid for by the Commonwealth. Further information on contributing to the preservation of the Berks County and other Pennsylvania monuments can be obtained by calling Rep. Readshaw's Harrisburg office at (717) 783-0411. In addition Readshaw can be contacted by e-mail at gettysburg@pahouse.net.

The Carrick Democrat's campaign to preserve the Pennsylvania monuments and markers already has raised well over $30,000. National Park Service experts estimate that the cost of restoring and endowing all of the state's Gettysburg monuments, including the domed Pennsylvania Memorial, will approach $4.5 million.