Hello, my name is Aasta Carver.  I am representing my family, and we have written a few comments that I would like to give today.

     One hundred forty years ago, sons, brothers, husbands, and fathers from the First Congressional District hastily assembled about fifteen miles from my home today as the 80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.  They arrived here at Perryville with only about four weeks between these hills and their peaceful rural lives.  These men would trade the cornfield for the battlefield, hearth fire for cannon fire, and tragically for many, the churchyard for the graveyard.

      As for many of you, the scenes I have observed here today and the events I've witnessed have a special meaning and have been emotional for me because one of the men was my great grandfather, Sergeant Albert Pancake, Company H, 80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.  On this very soil only one month after receiving their weapons, your ancestors along with my great grandfather me their first battle experience in a bitter bloody fight.  When welcome night came to this field on October 8, 1862, these men of Gen. Buell's army measured their results in blood, dust, powder, and lead, with dozens dead, scores wounded, and many captured, scared and broken.  Despite all that, it was a victory that prevented the loss of Kentucky and thereby played a critical role in the Union winning the war.

     After Perryville, the 80th charged on to East Tennessee, Resaca, Kennesaw, Atlanta, Franklin, and Nashville, and met each struggle head on, willing to die rather than see their fellow countrymen walk separate paths into the future.

     Today though this memorial service, we take a small step in reconciling our long overdue gratitude with their sacrifice.  Let us continue to honor those who fought here by remaining dedicated to the principles their sacrifice helped preserve for us: the equality of the human race, the reconciliation between brothers, and the preservation of these United States.

     I have spoken to you today on behalf of my family -- my brother and sister, and especially my 87 year old mother, Geneva Pancake Mason, the granddaughter and oldest living descendant of Albert Pancake.  Also I am pleased that my husband and our children and their spouses are here today, including our grandson, the great, great, great grandchild of Albert Pancake.

     I am proud to be a descendant of one of the 80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and I am honored to have been part of this 140th anniversary reunion of the Battle of Perryville.  Thank you.