Naomi Scott, Alex Tweed, and Parker Smith (l-r) are among the cast members of the upcoming “Under the Banner” production in Fayette. (Jerry Wadian photo)

Tribute to Grannis set to S.H.I.N.E.

In the fall of 1861 on the campus of Upper Iowa University in Fayette, a young man named Henry James Grannis was chosen unanimously to be Sergeant Color-Bearer for Company C, the 12^th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He proudly fulfilled his duty in 27 battles and skirmishes, holding the impressive position of being the only flag-bearer, Union or Confederate, to persevere the entirety of the Civil War without injury.

The U.I.U. Collegian wrote at his death, “No son of Upper Iowa was ever more deserving of the laurel wreath of veneration than this noble, heroic soul. The story of his life must long be an inspiration toward the highest virtues of manhood, courage, patriotism, sterling integrity, the highest and truest citizenship.”

In this 150^th anniversary of the conclusion of the Civil War, the local homeschoolers called S.H.I.N.E. (Students Homeschooled in Iowa’s NorthEast) are paying tribute to Henry Grannis in their spring musical entitled “Under the Banner.”

Forty-five students, under the direction of Aaron and Karla Bicknese, will share a collection of favorite Civil War era songs and tell the story of a modern boy who is studying Civil War history and meets the real Henry Grannis while attending a Civil War re-enactment in Clermont.

Performances will be Saturday, May 2, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Fayette Opera House in Fayette.

The performance is free, and the public is welcome to attend.