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DIXIE CROW CHAPTER: Andersonville Park Ranger Shares History, Experiences of POWs
Ms. Stephanie Steinhorst, acting chief of interpretation and education at Andersonville National Historic Site, was our speaker for the June meeting. For the last four years, she has studied the heart-breaking experiences of prisoners of war throughout history and focused on the history of Camp Sumter Military Prison – called Andersonville – with its stories of both immense tragedy and triumphs of the human spirit.She began her presentation by first thanking the Dixie Crow Chapter for its great support by placing flags and providing lunch to all the volunteers on May 23. There were a total of 20,000 flags placed this year.
Ms. Steinhorst also spoke of an upcoming event to be held at the historic site later this year called a Funeral for 13,000. On September 19, 2015, Andersonville National Cemetery will host a ceremony to remember the nearly 13,000 American soldiers who died while being held captive at Andersonville prison. These soldiers are part of the 56,000 Americans who died as prisoners of war during the Civil War, and this service will be the funeral they never received. Ms. Steinhorst also added that, as one of the 14 National Cemeteries administered by the National Park Service, Andersonville National Cemetery remains open and active for burials. It is the largest National Park cemetery, and they average about 200 burials per year.
Andersonville National Historic Site is the only national park within the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war.
