14 Comments
User's avatar
Mike Wicklein's avatar

Gerry, thanks so much. Before I read your stories, I have to tell you that I REALLY wanted to be on set in some capacity. But when pre-production began Pat & Nancy were doing the re-enactor coordinating. At that time we were not speaking. I had done the video or filming of several of their Napoleonic Tactics 125th events...but by the time it got to Appomattox I was not interested any more. I don't recall the details...so I stayed away from Killer Angels...I love that book...and Jeff and I have been friends for years. I didn't find out until filming was wrapped that Pat & Nancy only lasted a few weeks.... So I look forward to your stories.

Expand full comment
Gerry Regan's avatar

Brave of you to highlight Trump's mendacity, Mike! And clearly heartfelt, as is your love of storytelling! Thanks for bringing me back. I was on set for nearly a month, and here's some of the stories that I can share from that experience. https://gerregan.com/shooting-at-gettysburg

Expand full comment
Mike Wicklein's avatar

Gerry this is really good stuff...we need to talk. Please e me at m.wicklein_group@verizon.net and we'll get a conversation going.

Expand full comment
Gerry Regan's avatar

Will do, Mike. You cast me as Gibbon in the Classic Images Gettysburg video, BTW. And I portrayed Sylvanus Cadwallader in the Appomattox film. That was yours, wasn't it?

Expand full comment
Mike Wicklein's avatar

That was Jack Foley. My company was Video Vision. We did 125th Antietam, Chickamauga, New Market & Monocacy and filmed the 125th G-burg with Jay Wertz for his Smithsonian's Greatest Battles series. The we did the 135th Antietam and G-burg. Pat wanted Jack to have competition to pump up the royalties they got...so he invited me to bid.

Expand full comment
Gerry Regan's avatar

I thought so. I enjoyed your work immensely also, appearing in all you mentioned but New Market. Sorry for any confusion!

Expand full comment
Bill Alstrom (MA/Maine/MA)'s avatar

I like the analogy of holding the high ground. And I am intrigued by the book.

Thanks!

Expand full comment
Mike Wicklein's avatar

Bill if you have not read it, it's brilliant. Michael Shaara wrote mostly Sci-Fi and taught at a college in FL. His son Jeff was a Civil War buff and they went to Gettysburg on the way home form the NY World's Fair. Michael got sucked in by the ground and monuments and spent 8 years researching & writing...he had a VERY hard time finding a publisher and then won the Pulitzer for fiction. Jeff and I have become good friends over the years. It's a great read.

Expand full comment
Joan Patf's avatar

Pat says thanks for the mention. Good analogy.

Expand full comment
Mike Wicklein's avatar

Once I started writing I knew that AP Falci had to get a minute...

Expand full comment
Long Live the ABB's avatar

Direct descendant of Buford; he was my great-grandfather’s uncle.

Expand full comment
Mike Wicklein's avatar

Have you ever visited Gettysburg ?

Expand full comment
Long Live the ABB's avatar

multiple times. I have a photo of the Gettysburg statue on the cover of my 3rd book https://www.amazon.com/American-Association-History-Making-Public/dp/1442264144?

Expand full comment
Mike Wicklein's avatar

Have you been to Antietam ? Specifically for the annual Illumination ?

Expand full comment