Military history and Vicksburg are synonymous.
The home to one of the Civil War's most pivotal battles was the backdrop of a Memorial Day experience that took visitors on a trip through time.
"It's kind of a living history program, we got soldiers portraying American fighting men and women from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War," said Tim Kavanaugh with Vicksburg National Military Park.
Military Through The Ages" also introduced visitors to the soldier's experience of the second World War, as-well-as the Conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. Kavanaugh believes the event captured the essence of Memorial Day.
"Just to give folks on a Memorial Day weekend, which is designed to give us pause and think about the sacrifices of America's fighting men and women," Kavanaugh added.
Participants got the full experience, getting to see the equipment, weapons and uniforms that the service men from these eras had to live with. One of the re-enactors is also a history professor at the Tulane Campus in Madison.
Sunday, David Slay's classroom was the battlefield.
"Educating the visitors about the sacrifices that the soldiers during these various wars," said Professor David Slay of Tulane University, Madison campus.
Slay, who teaches African-American History, said the Civil War was about defending what we as Americans hold most dear.
"The Civil War was all about freedom," said Slay.
Kavanaugh said the weekend's events in Vicksburg are about freedom as well. And remembering the cost of that freedom.
"For me it's a time to pause and not only give thanks to my fellow veterans and their service, but to the veterans that went to war and never came back," Kavanaugh added.
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