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Date Posted: 20:14:17 05/14/02 Tue
Author: John Schwarz
Subject: Se Habla Espanol

Boys,

The bilingual interpretive program at Pea Ridge National Military Park that Robert Serio and I have been discussing is tentatively set for the early fall, probably in mid-September. The object of this program is to reach out to the large, new, Hispanic community in northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri, and so we will attempt to teach a few of the fundamentals of Civil War soldier life, the battle of Pea Ridge, and the War in the Trans-Mississippi west, focusing especially on the role of Hispanics in the Civil War. Co. K, 3rd Louisiana Infantry, "Pelican Rifles" had several Hispanic names on the roster, and that will be the base impression for Robert and I. However, since we are going to try to interpret with a broad brush, any and all quality impressions would be acceptable and useful.

The larger mission is to introduce the immigrants to all of the resources this region and America has to offer for all. These people have expressed the view that they thought the parks were just for the white people, and very very few of the natives are extending a welcome to them; indeed, there seems to be a lot of prejudice, and I've witnessed the bad vibes myself. OK, so they see one Civil War program--they've seen them all. I'm having difficulty imagining what the next step is after this park program, but I'd like some help in extending the scope of this project. Any ideas?

All FGLHA affiliates are welcomed, and I've gone ahead and used that name as the event sponser with the park. Robert Serio's wife, Beth, sponsers the only almost all-Hispanic (except for Beth and Sarah Serio) 4H club in the state of Missouri, and these kids are going to serve as bilingual docents. Also, the new Spanish-language newspaper, El Tiempo, is going to serve as a mouthpiece, helping us to advertise and to cooridinate.

Guys, you don't have to speak Spanish to help. But, if you'd like a challenge and want to take part in this unique and important program, please drop me a line at: JPSchwarz1979@aol.com. I'd especially like some support from any bilingual or Hispanic living historians, or anyone with an interest in Mexican participation in the Civil War. Also feel free to post any comments, questions, or suggestions here, and perhaps we can polish this event and make it really special. More details to follow shortly....

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