CWHI is pleased to announce Brian Gesuero has joined its board as Reenacting Liaison Director. In this role, Brian will bring considerable experience and skill as a leader within the hobby.
With an ever increasing passion for history, Brian became a reenactor in 1980 in joining an infantry unit to portray an enlisted soldier. Marching shoulder-to-shoulder to face destiny as one of “A Band of Brothers”, he learned the value and importance of taking care of the men next to him, knowing the others would do their all to do the same. This was to be a life lesson that would follow, if not pursue Brian, in real life situations as well – first as a member of the fire company within his local community and, for the past twenty-plus years, as a career fire fighter at the Baltimore Washington International Fire & Rescue Department (BWI FRD).
The lessons learned in over 30 years involvement with Public Safety have also been invaluable in guiding him through his subsequent positions within our hobby. In 1993, Brian incorporated his love for horses and riding into reenacting by joining a cavalry unit. Soon thereafter he was asked to serve as a staff officer for General Don Patterson of the Army of Northern Virginia. Brian has since served on the staffs of General Patterson, 1st Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia; General Clark, 1st Division, Army of Northern Virginia; and General Bair, 1st Legion, Provisional Army of the Confederate States.
In his career to date, he has been a company commander, Assistant Adjutant, Adjutant, Chief of Couriers, Aide-de-Camp, Chief of Staff and is now in his ninth year as General in command of the 1st Legion, Provisional Army of the Confederate States (PACS). Brian has served as the Confederate Commander at many of the 150th Anniversary events including the 150th Antietam/Sharpsburg, 150th Gettysburg and the 150th New Market as well as multiple events at Cedar Creek. He has also helped with the planning and execution of multiple events, large and small.
Through it all, whether a company commander serving the rank and file, a staff officer serving a commander, or a commander serving the troops, one thing Brian has never forgotten is that the “rank” worn in this hobby is a privilege bestowed upon leaders by the people they serve. Accepting that rank means accepting the responsibility to serve them well.
In becoming a board member, Brian remarked that it is an honor to serve in such a capacity to advance the mission of Civil War Historical Impressions, Inc. and steward its people. His hope is that his many years of reenacting and varied life experiences will help make his work with and for the board a success for the reenacting community and public alike. An organization serving to protect the memory of and educate about such a pivotal moment in American history deserves nothing less! Likewise, Civil War Historical Impressions is honored to welcome Brian Gesuero to its board and looks forward to the great things he will contribute to our shared enterprise.