AOH Junior Division Tours Antietam

Thirty Bishop Canevin High School Jr. AOH members along with advisor Jim "Bear" O'Connell, Division 32 AOH member Ed Blank, and parent Tom Kennedy visited Antietam on Tuesday, April 3.

Brian Baracz, the National Park Service Ranger, did a great job of giving Irish Brigade information. He complimented the group on their interest and decorum. They asked many good questions.

The group left their school at 6:00 a.m. and watched a DVD called Lincoln and Lee at Antietam on the bus for background.

The group arrived at the visitors center at around 10:00 a.m. and got and overview of the battle from Brian. Afterwards, the group went to the observation tower and walked the route of the Irish Brigade until they went into action at the sunken road -"Bloody Lane."

Then the group returned to visitors center to see the NPS film, went to Burnside's bridge, and then returned back to Pittsburgh with a greater appreciation of their Irish ancestors and the sacrifices they made for freedom.

Click here for more information about the Irish Brigade.

Visit our photo album on the right for more pictures of teh Junior Division's Antietam trip.