The 2019 CCU & OLLI Film Series begins with the locally produced film Gettysburg: On Fields of Fire & Valor on April 13^th at 1:00 PM. Produced and narrated by historian Rod Gragg, this film chronicles the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, which was the decisive battle of the American Civil War. At the Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg on July 1-3, 1863, more than 95,000 Northern troops led by General George Meade engaged in battle with approximately 75,000 Southern soldiers under the command of General Robert E. Lee.  Meade’s Army of the Potomac was defeated by Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia on the battle’s opening day, but held off Lee’s attacks for the next two days, and the battle ended in a major Northern victory. Lee’s army was forced to retreat back to Virginia, and although bloody warfare continued for two more years, the Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War.

“Gettysburg was the largest battle ever fought in the Western Hemisphere,” says historian Rod Gragg, the documentary’s producer. “It’s a dramatic and moving story – both tragic and inspiring – and today it remains an unforgettable example of American courage and sacrifice.”  Gettysburg: On Fields of Fire and Valor was originally produced for the annual Veterans Day event – “Salute to American Veterans” – under the sponsorship of Goldfinch Funeral Home, Coastal Carolina University, HTC and Joey Sanders Dentistry of Conway.  It was filmed on location at Gettysburg National Military Park and other historic sites.

This program is free to the public and will be held in the McCown Auditorium at the Horry County Museum, located at 805 Main Street, Conway, SC 29526. For more information about programs at the Horry County Museum, call 843-915-5320 or e-mail hcgmuseum@horrycounty.org. To view a full list of Museum events and programs, visit www.horrycountymuseum.org.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Coastal Carolina University provides opportunities for adult and noncredit students to achieve intellectual stimulation, as well as cultural and social growth. Lifelong Learning courses are designed to meet the needs and interests of mature adults in the local community. Courses are offered during day and evening hours at various locations. For more information about OLLI, visit https://www.coastal.edu/olli/.