Rich Reccardi has had a long interest in the Civil War, which has been elevated since moving south several years ago to Maryland. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Rich got the Civil War bug on a field trip to Manassas as a young teenager. “They gave me a ribbon with a picture of Stonewall Jackson and Confederate flag on it,” recalls Civil War buff Recarrdi.
A staunch Union man, Rich nevertheless has soft spot for famed Confederate General. “How could he win with so few troops and equipment—he was always outnumbered.” The connection to Stonewall occurs on a number of fronts with Rich including our friendship and my subsequent lineage to Thomas J. Jackson. Richard’s admiration for the famed 14th Brooklyn Regiment, New York State Militia is another connection. “It was Stonewall at Manassas who gave them their name, “Those Red-legged Devils.”
Rich is in the process of putting together an impression of a 14th Brooklyn soldier. “When I look at photos of members of the 14th, they look like the guys who I grew up with in Brooklyn,” admits Rich. “I want to be as accurate as possible in putting the uniform together—because if you’re going to do it, you got to do it right.”
Both Rich and I are Knights Templar and Rich has attended the ceremony of the laying of a wreath at the Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial at Gettysburg. Rich says of my recent coming on board with the Templars, “Now you can wear your own Templar uniform at the next ceremony!”
I am looking forward to it immeasurably, as I am looking forward to teaming up with Brother, Friend –-fellow Brother Sir Knight—and Civil War enthusiast extraordinaire, Richard Reccardi. And although we will be on opposing sides—he “Blue” and me “Gray,” nothing in this world, or the one beyond, could ever truly separate us as we are indeed Brethren!
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