HISTORIAN and Civil War re-enactor Brian C. Pohan- ka spoke at the dedication of a monument on the Spotsylvania battlefield a few years ago.
Robert Hodge, a friend of Pohanka's and a fellow re-enactor, remembers the occasion well.
"The dedication was the same weekend as a re-enactment of the Battle of Spotsylvania being held in Orange County," Hodge recalled. "And several of us rode over with Brian for the ceremony.
"He didn't have any prepared remarks, but he spoke in a very inspirational way, wearing the uniform of a Union officer. He just spoke from the heart, with a degree of intellect and compassion.
"And while he was speaking, you could faintly hear the sound of cannons in the distance from the re-enactment in Orange. It seemed like the veterans were channeling their presence through Brian. It was just a perfect moment."
The stage is set for another such moment Friday night, when the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust will honor Pohanka with the second annual Ralph Happel Award in recognition of Pohanka's efforts to preserve Civil War battlefields.
Happel retired in 1972 after a 35-year career as a historian with the National Park Service. He died at age 91 in 2002 and left $150,000 to the CVBT.
"We decided to earmark a small portion of his bequest to fund an annual award recognizing those who emulated his example by contributing notably to battlefield preservation in central Virginia," wrote CVBT president Mike Stevens in an e-mail.
Stevens said Pohanka was selected "for his longtime and very effective advocacy and leadership in the preservation field."
Pohanka, who lives in Alexandria, has authored or contributed to more than 20 books on the Civil War. He also was a regular contributor to The History Channel's "Civil War Journal" television series and an adviser on the popular Civil War movie "Cold Mountain."
Pohanka is a re-enactor with the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry and currently is writing a regimental history of that unit.
The Civil War Preservation Trust presented Pohanka with the 2004 Carrington Williams Battlefield Preservation Award in April in recognition of his commitment to preserving Civil War battlegrounds throughout the nation.
"Brian is one of the three or four most significant people nationally in Civil War preservation," said Jim Lighthizer, president of the CWPT.
"He is one of the founders of the movement and has been critically involved at a number of levels. He's a writer and speaker, but he's also done the yeoman's work for which there is no glory."
Pohanka was one of the founders of the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites, a predecessor of the CWPT. He also is a charter and life member of the CVBT, which has acquired more than 200 acres of land associated with Fredericksburg-area battles since it was formed in 1996.
"Brian has been a strong supporter, not only financially but also giving of his time, for the pres-ervation cause," said Stevens.
Hodge, a CVBT board member, said it was Pohanka who inspired him to become involved in Civil War preservation in 1991.
"Brian's the person who really made me aware of the dire need to focus on the loss of historic sites," Hodge said. "He is kind of a stoic spirit a man of high virtue who knows that we need to do more if we value our history."
The first winner of the Happel Award was former New York Congressman Robert J. Mrazek, who was the original sponsor of the Landmark Preservation Act of 1989, a law that provided protection for the Manassas Battlefield.
Mrazek, who has been honored with several conservation and preservation awards, also has written two Civil War novels, "Stonewall's Gold" and "Unholy Fire."
Happel was a native of Fredericksburg and spent most of his career with the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. His work is reflected by maps and signs throughout the local park that have been read by thousands of visitors. He also wrote histories of Salem Church, Chatham Manor, and the final days of Confederate Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, who died at Guinea Station in Caroline County.
Hodge, for one, believes Pohanka is very deserving as this year's recipient of the Happel Award.
"If there were more men like Brian Pohanka in this world," he said. "well, first it would be a better place. But secondly, we wouldn't have to worry about how much of our battlefield land is protected. He is just a truly compassionate person."
LEE WOOLF, a longtime reporter and editor with The Free Lance-Star, is bureau manager at the newspaper's North Stafford office. Contact him at 540/720-5470, or lwoolf@freelancestar.com