The Battle to Preserve Gettysburg's Monuments

 "Poor is the nation that has no heroes, shameful the one having them that forgets," has been the motto of state Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny, and his supporters in his four-year crusade to preserve the 146 Pennsylvania regimental monuments and markers at Gettysburg.

 A key element of Readshaw's Raiders, as those supporters came to be known, has been elementary school students, who raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project. 

 Funds are in place to restore and clean the monuments, and Readshaw has redirected his campaign to raising money for perpetual endowment trusts to fund future maintenance needs.

 The Pennsylvania State Education Association joined Readshaw in promoting the Monument Challenge program in schools across the state.

 "Teachers recognize that the Monument Challenge can be used to make the Civil War come alive to kids in their study of American and Pennsylvania history," said Readshaw. "When they raise funds to help the monuments, be it through a walk or bake sale, they're making a personal investment in American history. For the rest of their lives, they will be able to stand in front of a monument at Gettysburg and tell their children and grandchildren the monument is there because of them.

 "They will have become a part of the tangible legacy of Gettysburg"
 In addition to the educational benefits, each participating student and teacher will receive a Readshaw's  Raiders T-shirt.

 More information about the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project and the Monument Challenge can be obtained on the campaign's Web site, http://www.fourscore.org.