Text of Rep. McDaniel's letter:

House of Representatives

State of Tennessee

 NASHVILLE

 DEPUTY SPEAKER

 March 11, 2011

 The Honorable Bob Shutt

Mayor, City ofSavannah

465 Main StCourthouse

Savannah,TN38372

The Honorable Jai Templeton

McNairyCountyMayor

170 West CourtAvenue                                                          
Room 201                                                   
Selmer, TN  38375

Dear Mayor Shutt and Mayor Templeton:

I am writing to endorse the proposed 150^th anniversary reenactment to commemorate the Sesquicentennial Battle of Shiloh next March-April 2012 being put on by Lee Millar and the Battle of Shiloh Association and the Blue-Gray Alliance of reenactors.  Recreations of events of the American Civil War, the most tragic time in our nation’s history, can enhance the public’s interest and knowledge of our history.   This will help to educate the general public regarding our strong heritage and will promote tourism in the region.

I have been chairman of the Parker’s Crossroads “Living History & Reenactment” since 1982.  Lee Millar has been a major player in our event since the mid-1980s.  There are few people with more knowledge on how to properly portray our history through such an event as the one being planned for McNairy andHardinCountiesnext year.

Lee has been involved in several major reenactments over the period of the past 25 years, including the 125^th Anniversary of Shiloh (where 6,000 reenactors participated), as well as events at Brices’ Crossroads, MS Franklin, Spring Hill, and others.

Lee serves with me on the board of directors for the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association.  I know him well and believe he will make you proud of theShilohreenactment.

The Blue-Gray Alliance, working with the Battle of Shiloh Assn, represents over 12,000 reenactors nationwide and have recently presented the reenactments at Brice’s Crossroads, the Twin Rivers Campaign, and will put on the 150^th Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) this July and the 150^th Battle of Wilson’s Creek (MO) this August.  They too have a great deal of experience with national events. 

I believe you will find you can count on Lee Millar, the Battle of Shiloh Association, and the Blue-Gray Alliance to do what they promise, put on a quality event, and give a boast to both historic preservation and heritage tourism in our community and region.

Please feel free to contact me if I can answer questions or provide you with more information.

 Sincerely,

 Steve K. McDaniel

Deputy Speaker