Gifted singer, actor, inspirational speaker and accomplished historian Noah Griffin recites his Ode In Memoriam to the Massachusetts 54th at the Col. Robert Gould Shaw memorial near the Shaw family plot. On the eve of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Wagner, he recites from memory his poem originally written in 1998 for the dedication of The Spirit of Freedom Memorial for African-American soldiers of the Civil War. The bronze sculpture in Washington D.C. depicts the soldiers of the 54th.

The video includes Griffin’s introduction to his recital where he eloquently appreciates the history of the 54th. The poem follows with some images from the 150th anniversary dedication to the 54th at Augustus St. Gaudens’s sculpted memorial on Beacon Hill. Noah Griffin also planted a flag at our Shaw Memorial. Enjoy!

Video by Jeremy Meserve