Which individual from the Civil War would be the most interesting to sit down and speak with over dinner or a tasty beverage?
By William F.B. Vodrey – debate moderator
The Cleveland Civil War Roundtable
Copyright © 2025, All Rights Reserved
Editor’s note: The subject of the annual Dick Crews Memorial Debate at the January 2025 Roundtable meeting was: “Which individual from the Civil War would be the most interesting to sit down and speak with over dinner or a tasty beverage?” Five members made presentations on the topic; the article below was the opening remarks made by the moderator of the debate.
We’re here tonight for the annual Dick Crews Memorial Debate, named after my longtime predecessor as moderator, Dick Crews. Dick once told me that the debate got its start as a Roundtable tradition because of the difficulty of finding speakers who were willing to travel to Cleveland in January! In moderating again tonight for, God help us all, my 21st year, I stand on the shoulders of giants, including Dick.
Continue reading “The Great Debate of 2025: Opening Remarks”