South Central PA News

Several years ago, Representative Dan Moul joined his friend and fellow motorcycle enthusiast, former Representative Harry Readshaw, on the annual Ride to Gettysburg. This event raises money for the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Fund. Known as Readshaw’s Raiders, members of A.B.A.T.E-PA gather annually at the state Capitol to make the nearly 40-mile trip to Gettysburg. The ride has been ongoing for 26 years.

Rep. Moul, who grew up in the Gettysburg area, learned from Readshaw that each state is responsible for maintaining its own Civil War monuments. Over time, many had fallen into disrepair and needed restoration and care. In response, Readshaw started the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project in 1997 to repair and preserve these national symbols. The project's annual Civil War Ball and the Readshaw Raider’s Ride to Gettysburg have raised over $400,000 for monument preservation.

In 2003, with help from the nonprofit Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association, the Gettysburg Pennsylvania Monuments Trust was established. It identified 146 monuments representing Pennsylvania regiments that needed ongoing care and maintenance.

Harry Readshaw believes in remembering the Battle of Gettysburg and honoring those who fought there. He refers to these monuments as “icons of freedom” and emphasizes their importance as reminders of past conflicts that should not be repeated.

Registration for this year’s ride will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 30th at Soldier’s Grove behind the state Capitol. The ride will start at 1 p.m., concluding at Battlefield Harley-Davidson in Gettysburg.