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Flags help us remember service and sacrifice of Civil War soldiers

Michigan Public | By Stateside Staff

Published July 7, 2016 at 5:28 PM EDT

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Michigan’s 24th battle flag, carried at the battle of Gettysburg. Nine color bearers were killed or mortally wounded carrying the flag at this battle.";

Courtesy of Save the Flags

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The officers of the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment in camp at Grass Lake, Michigan. They carry furled flags.

Courtesy of The U.S. Army Military History Institute

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A flag of the Sixth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. The regiment was part of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, composed of the 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th Michigan Cavalry Regiments. It was commanded by General George Armstrong Custer.

Courtesy of Save the Flags

When the Civil War broke out in April 1861, Michigan was one of the states to quickly answer the call for volunteers.

In fact, when the 1st Michigan Infantry marched into Washington that May, Abraham Lincoln reportedly exclaimed, "Thank God for Michigan!"

This coming Saturday, July 9, we're all invited to the State Capitol to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the return of the Civil War Volunteers and their battle flags, as well as the 25th anniversary of Save The Flags, the effort to preserve and display battle flags carried by Michigan troops in the Civil War.

Matt VanAcker is co-chair of Save The Flags. He joined us today to talk about the project, their focus on conserving these flags rather than restoring them, and what those flags meant to Michigan troops in the Civil War.

GUEST Matt Van Acker is co-chair of Save The Flags. He helps manage the project's collection of Civil War-era Michigan battle flags.