Blue-GreyArmy, Inc. Policy Statement:

The Blue-Grey Army was first incorporated in December, 1978.  Stated within the Articles of incorporation, as well as the organization's By-laws, is that the primary purpose of the Blue-Grey Army is to increase the knowledge of its members and the public about the historical events of the Battle of Olustee.

Among the purposes shall be the promotion and presentation of various festival events from time to time and which shall show honor to all veterans of the War Between the States, the encouragement of the study and knowledge of history, teaching of the horror of war, and the promotion of the United States.  Additionally, support will be given to the local historical museum.  A basic tenet of the Blue-Grey Army is that war is not something we celebrate, but it is something we should remember. 

While on occasion, one might wonder if the organization or the re-enactment might further the cause of those who flew the rebel flag, that is not the purpose.  The name "Blue-Grey" should be the first clue to representing both the North and South, or the Federal and Confederacy.  Yes, we may play "Dixie" from time to time, that is because we are in the south and it represents the local heritage. However, as we conduct our annual memorial service at Oaklawn Cemetery, we remember all that gave their lives in this Florida battle and fought so gallantly. 

Neither the Blue-Grey Army, nor the re-enactment, suggest "The South will rise again," but just a history lesson that the battle was fought by men on both sides who stood for important causes to them, many having made the ultimate sacrifice.  Yes, the Confederates may have won the Battle of Olustee, but America won the war.

The Blue-Grey Army and organizers of the re-enactment have been sensitive to how the annual event is perceived and has successfully confirmed to demonstrate the horrors of war, our heritage and local history.  This has been helped and promoted by the participation of local African Americans within our organization and those who participate with the re-enactment as part of the famous 54th Massachusetts Regiment, whose valor and honor has been chronicled in history and further publicized in the movie "Glory."
 
 

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Board of Directors Officers:

 

President/Commanding General

Judge Tom Coleman

 

First Vice President/General of the Army

Harvey Campbell

 

Vice President/Senior Military Officer

Faye Bowling Warren

 

Secretary/Adjutant

Ann Brown

 

Treasurer/Paymaster

Betty Trawick


Executive Committee/Military Staff:

 

President/Commanding General

Judge Tom Coleman

 

First Vice President/General of the Army

Harvey Campbell

 

Vice President/Senior Military Officer

Faye Bowling Warren

 

Secretary/Adjutant

Ann Brown

 

Treasurer/Paymaster

Betty Trawick

 

Director/Aide to Commanding General

Bud Thayer

 

Director/Aide to Commanding General

Director/Aide to Commanding General

Tony Buzzella

Bill Gootee

 

Director/Aide to Commanding General

Stephen Witt

 

Director/Past Commanding General

Dewey Weaver

 

Director/Junior Military Officer

Mike Null

 

Director/Chief of Staff

Alfonso Levy

 

Director/Chaplain

Rev. Robert Davis

 

Directors/Aide De Camps

Lynn Nicely             
James Montgomery

Patty Melgaard        
Tracy Hillhouse              
Paul Anschultz        
Jeannie Wilks        
O. J. Lake               
Steve Knight            
Vic Vasco               
Elizabeth Porter

Nancy Nicely
Mary Jane Weaver
Marlin Feagle (JAG)
Tom Brown (JAG)
Michael Leonard (Civil War Correspondent)

Ginny Thayer
Joseph Wilson

 

 

 

Board of Directors:

 

Paul Anschultz

Ann Brown

Tom W. Brown

Tony Buzzella

Harvey Campbell

Judge Tom Coleman

Rev. Robert Davis, Jr.

Marlin Feagle

Bill Gootee (Provost Marshall)

Sue Rowan Heavrin

Tracy Hillhouse

Steve Knight

O.J. Lake

Michael Leonard

Alfonzo Levy

Patty Melgaard

James Montgomery

Lynn Nicely

EX OFFICIO:  Representatives of--

Olustee Battlefield Citizens Support Organization

U.S. Forest Service

Florida Park Service

Lake City Downtown Action Committee

First Federal Bank of Florida

 

Nancy Nicely

Mike Null

Elizabeth Porter

Lynn Reeves

Dennis Roberts

Bud Thayer

Ginny Thayer

Betty Trawick

Vic Vasco

Faye Bowling Warren

Dewey Weaver

Mary Jane Weaver

George Wehrli

Jeannie Wilks

Ron Williams

Joseph Wilson

Stephen Witt

 
 
 

Associate Board:

 

Hal Adams

Jeff Bertam 

Colen Boutwell

Judge Paul Bryan

Keith Brown

Dewitt Cason

Ross Chamberlin

Heyward Christie

Adrian Cox

Nancy Crews

Vivian Douberly

Judge Vernon Douglas

Bruce Drawdy

David Eversole

Ben Fauer 

Jim Gipson

Bonnie Gootee

Earl Green

Randy Heavrin

Thomas Henry

Mary Kay Hollingsworth

Louise Huelskamp

Mike Huelskamp

Donald Johns

Phyllis King

Imogene Lawrence

Roger Little

Paulette Lord

Sandy Markham

Elaine McGrath

Mike McKee

Sean McMahon

Denise Mears

Pinky Moore

Frances Murry

Mitzi Nelson

Laura Null

Elaine Owens

John Pierce

Jim Poole

Andrew Porter

Frankie Powers

Joey Raulerson

John Shoemaker

Duffy Soto

Kim Sweet

Randy Sweet

Ginny Thayer

Robert Tucker

Betty Vasco

Ray Walker

Grady Warren

Irma Wehrli

Gerald Witt

Jody Witt
 

 

  Blue-Grey Army Committees (PDF)

 

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Blue-GreyArmy Membership Application

 

LAKE CITY - COLUMBIA COUNTY ROLLS BACK THE CALENDAR TO THE YEAR 1864, THE YEAR OF THE HISTORIC EVENT - The Battle of Olustee - when we lost many of our local family people as well as many union and confederate soldiers. In an effort not to lose our heritage, the Blue-Grey Army, Inc., contributes to the support of the annual Re-enactment, which is held at the Olustee Battle Park. YOU now have an opportunity to be a part of what we are doing by becoming a member. Should you desire to work with this group on a volunteer basis, please indicate below and we will invite you to our membership meetings where you can meet and talk with various committee chairmen. As a member of the Blue- Grey Army, Inc., you have shown outstanding concern for your community, and will have an opportunityto participate in what we feel is one of the best volunteer organizations in our community.

 

As a member of the Blue-Grey Army, you will also become a member of the Columbia County Historical Museum. The museum is opened during the week and schedules various displays and exhibits that we feel you will enjoy. The B/G Army has a room at the museum dedicated to the Civil War era of this community. We invite you to take this opportunity to join both organizations by paying one of the following designated fees annually.

Membership Application Information:


Name

 

 

Street address

Address (cont.)

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal code

Country

Phone

FAX

E-mail

Membership Fee:

*NOTE: This is a non-profit 
organization, please use 
your check as a receipt.) 


$15.00 Individual
$25.00 Family
$50.00 Individual Professional
$100.00 Corporate/Business

 

Additional Info:

I would like to be an active participant
I wish only to make a financial contribution at this time: 

 


Once you have submitted your information, please send your membership fee in the form of a check payable to: 

 

Blue-Grey Army, Inc.
P.O. Box 2224
Lake City, Florida 32056-2224

We thank you for your support! 

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