New Gettysburg documentary
offers insight, emotion and discovery

Alan Stout

Dr Anthony Mussari and his wife Kitch are shown with the students from North Plainfield High School who appear
 in their new documentary, ‘Walking Into The Light at Gettysburg." 

“Walking Into The Light At Gettysburg,” a new documentary produced by Dr. Anthony J. Mussari of Dallas, offers more than just a remarkable history lesson on what remains the most intense military battle on American soil. It also offers a lesson in self-discovery.

The film is part of Mussari’s ongoing "Face of America" project, which he has developed with his wife, Kitch. For “Walking Into The Light At Gettysburg,” the two bring 10 students from the North Plainfield High School in New Jersey to the Gettysburg National Military Park. And not only does the group find the visit to be educational and enlightening, but in some ways, life-altering.

And why wouldn’t it be?

Standing on the grounds and amid the monuments where there were more than 51,000 casualties and where more than 7,000 fell to their death, the students – and those that view the film – are provided with not only some staggering statistics on the battle of Gettysburg, but also poignant human stories that made the battle even more heart wrenching. The group also receives “visits,” courtesy of gifted actors, from General Robert E. Lee and Abraham Lincoln, who offer some thoughtful perspective on the Civil War.

Throughout the documentary, Mussari continuously paints the perfect backdrop to the tour. Stunning quotes from Lincoln and Lee frequently appear on the screen, as well as timepiece photographs, paintings and video reenactments. There is also appropriate music and – most importantly – appropriate sentiment. Indeed, when the students offer their final thoughts on their time at Gettysburg during the film’s final moments, some important lessons are revealed. And as one young teen recites a poem that she had written inspired by her visit, there are also a few tears.

And perhaps that is the greatest triumph of “Walking Into The Light At Gettysburg.” It teaches. It inspires. And it captures the emotions one might feel while standing at one of America’s most hallowed grounds exactly 150 years after it became such a landmark. For schools that are unable to take such a memorable field trip, the film in many ways, can take them there. And, after seeing the film, those schools within driving distance of Gettysburg that have never offered such a trip to their students may be inspired to do so. Regardless, those that view it will likely look at their country and perhaps even themselves a bit differently. And, as is the case of 10 bright-eyed kids from New Jersey, both might be for the better.

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Friendship
Written by: Tony Mussari
Photographs by: Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2013, Face of America, Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD

It takes a good soul to be a good friend, Anna Robertson-Brown

Throughout the Gettysburg Project, Tom Mazur has been a wonderful friend. He was there with great enthusiasm at the beginning, and he was there sharing the joy of accomplishment at the end.

During all the days and months in between, he was there working hard to guarantee the success of the project.

He composed music for the project.  He coordinated all of the logistics for the project in North Plainfield, New Jersey.  He set up the workshop for the students and he coordinated the in-service for teachers. He drove to Dallas to attend meetings, and he hosted our visits to North Plainfield.

No job was too big or too small for Tom. Every job was done with competence, care and good will.

He gave more than was expected to guarantee the success of the project. He gave willingly, enthuiastically and generously of his time, energy and talent.    

This is what I learned about friendship working with Tom during our Gettysburg Project:

A friend brings you up;

A friend is always available to help;

A friend shares your dreams;

A friend gives without expectation of return;

A friend offers support, and translates that offer into meaningful action;

A friend always goes the extra mile for you;

A friend reduces anxiety;

A friend lifts your spirits;

A friend keeps you focused;

A friend clarifies things you don’t understand;

A friend stands with you when everybody else walks away;

A friend is caring, kind and patient;

A friend stands behind you so he/she can always cover your back.

Joe Katz defined friendship with these words:

“Friends are part of the glue that holds life together.”

Tom Mazur is the glue that held the Gettysburg Project together.

When Coach Herb Brooks said these words to his Miracle team, he was describing Tom Mazur:

“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

Thanks Tom for making the dream become a reality.

Please provide feedback to:

tony.mussari@gmail.com

Sophia Bacho: A Hero Without a Headline

Written By Tony Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

Watching a peaceful death of a human being reminds us of a falling star; one of a million lights in a vast sky that flares up for a brief moment only to disappear into the endless night forever.  Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.

The Setting

On this beautiful November morning, my Face of America journey took me to a place of Justice, Hospitality, Mercy and Service.

At 9:45 a.m., I entered Mercy Center on the campus of Misericordia University. This is where I said good-bye to my mentor Sister Mary Hilary in 1990, my debate coach Sister Mary Felician in 2006, and this is where I would say good-bye to Sophia Bacho, the grandmother of one of my students, Christopher Boos, on this autumn morning.

A few minutes after the door to this place of care, comfort and peace closed behind me, I had an unexpected rendezvous with one of my high school classmates.  In 1959, I knew her as Mildred Lockman.  Today she is Sister Robert Marie R.S.M., a woman of dignity and class who carries on the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy. My classmate and friend is blessed with the voice of an angel. During the funeral service she used it to praise the God she worships and to celebrate the woman who is resting in the serenity of His eternal grace.  

The Service

During the service, Father John Kulavich described Sophia as a woman of music, a woman who had the gift of faith, and a woman who held her family close. Sophia was married for almost 64 years.  People who knew her and her husband Michael marveled at the beauty of their relationship.  They were always together, and when they were together they usually were holding hands. According to Father John, Sophia and Michael celebrated their marriage every day of their life together.
Sophia was not a celebrity.  Her name is not a household word, but her example eclipses the notoriety we shower on famous people. She lived a life of integrity, service and love.

Born, raised and educated in our little corner of the world, she lived for a time in New York City. She was a receptionist at the Bulova Watch Co. During World War II, she worked with radar systems as part of the war effort.

She and her husband returned to the place of her birth. They married, and for 63 years Sophia and Michael modeled the behavior of America at its best for their two children, Jeanne and James, and their spouses Bob and Mary Jo. Sophia was the proud grandmother of three grandchildren Christopher, Laura and Thomas.

The Message

Listening to Father John’s eulogy, I heard a litany of the characteristics of America at its best. Sophia was a woman of creativity, loyalty, service to church and community, musical talent and strength. She was a welcoming woman who was quick to give encouragement. She gave comfort to others in time of need. She and her family made positive memories drawn from the little things in life.

After the burial service, family and friends gathered for lunch and conversation. It was a marvelous moment of community. Many of us were perfect strangers, but at that table we were family. We shared stories of success and failure. We shared stories of those moments when we were challenged to do the right thing even when the consequence was not pleasant. We shared our concerns about the seismic shift in our culture and the brave new world for those who have crossed the digital divide. Our conversation was pleasant, uplifting and without rancor.  We talked about the things we learned from our parents at the kitchen table, and the values of industry, perseverance and thrift they taught us.

As I sat there listening to the stories, I thought to myself, this is Sophia’s legacy. This is her light and the light of millions of parents just like her who wanted their children to live virtuous lives of hospitality, justice, mercy and service.

Maybe that’s why the words of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross ring so true.

For those of us who were privileged to share this moment with Michael Bacho, Jeanne Boos and James Bacho, this was a celebration of a wonderful mother and friend who is now one of the millions of lights that will live forever in the world beyond the vast sky.

Please provide feedback to:
tony.mussari@gmail.com