BATTLE: ‘It’s great and it’s fun’

said. “Most people think history is boring and they don’t have the passion for it.”

Not Dahl, whose father, a retired history teacher at Live Oak area schools, instilled a love of history in him and helped out by talking about field hospitals and performing a mock leg amputation on Friday.

Eighth grader Myla Correia, 13, was one of the Confederate soldiers fighting a battle on the school’s soccer field.

“I’m nervous and scared because I want to get it right,” Correia said. “I like the interaction – I get to do it out here instead of just learn about it.”

Across the battlefield, Gehrig Larrigan, 14, held the American flag and led the Yankee soldiers into battle.

“It’s great and it’s fun because we get to learn about it in the classroom and then reenact it,” Larrigan said.

Dahl said about 10 teachers and 80 parents come together to make the event happen – which includes students and chaperone parents camping overnight at the school.

Three of Jill Patrick’s children have participated in the event over the years.

“He does a spectacular job bringing this to life,” Patrick said. “It’s a very hands-on experience that every kid should have an opportunity to do.”

The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1-3, 1863, is considered to be one of the most important engagements of the American Civil War.

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