Vol. 42, No. 10 George H. Lomas: Patriarch, Titan, By Susan Saum-Wicklein George Henry Lomas was born on September 7, 1942, exactly, as would recount with a sparkle in hi eye, nine months to the day after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. H was born into a working class fami in Germantown, Pennsylvania and was the fifth and last child born Anna and William Lomas.
From an early age, George exhibited the determination and energy which marked the foundation for his success as an adult. As a youngster, he would sell the local newspaper from his red wagon on the local street corners. His early display of determination and motivation marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial pursuits. The Boys Club became a favorite hangout for George. During his days at the Boys Club, he made the acquaintance of Art Zippler, an ad volunteer active in the club’s act ities. Art made a connection with young George and became a mentor to him. Art was involved in competitive black powder shooting and the Civil War. Also, exhibits of Civil Wa dressed figures in the department store windows in Philadelphia furthered George’s interest. As a young man, George developed a great passion for American Civil War history, so much so that easily became his second career. In 1964 he received “greetings” from Uncle Sam and joined the Unit ed States Army. He served two year
Mentor And Friend of active duty and four as a reserv Fort Jackson, South Carolina, was his principal duty station. His assignment as a regimental quartermaster honed his skills of thrift and conservative spending. Unfortunately, the U.S. Army didn’t see these qualities as quite the as George did. A phone call from his commanding
officer emphasized the imperative t spend the budget allocated. George did as he was ordered, but shared with friends throughout his life, t he thought the government spent money too carelessly and with no regard for the taxpayers providing the funding. On May 20th, 1966, George received a letter from Brigadier General L. H. Walker, Jr. informing hi he had been awarded a Certificate o Achievement for “Your enviable record” and that “service such as you represents the finest traditions of United States Army.” George may have had philosophical differences regarding the spending, but he neve would do any less than his best. After the service, George returned to his family home in the Philadelphia area and worked at a tool and die company. Later he took a job with Bell of Pennsylvania which eventually became Verizon. He retired from Verizon in 1998. As a young man, George started making canteens which he would sell to help offset the cost of his powder shooting and reenacting hobbies.
The first canteens were offered a wholesale to John Ferry of “Old Sutler John” sutlery. John declined to buy them, so George laid out a blanket at the next reenactment and sold them himself, at retail. John would later state, “Not buying those damn canteens was the worst decision I ever made.” Another influence which impacted the development of George’s entrepreneurial dream which would manifest itself as Regimental Quartermaster was Sue Hawkins from the newly formed Taylors and Company. Sue urged George to look at reenactments as a venue for his ever increasing reenacting products. George knew the reenacting community. He participated in the Centennial events commemorating 1st Manassas, Antietam and Gettysburg. His hobby merged with his developing entrepreneurial interests, and a business was born. Still working full time for the phone company, George managed to attend countless Civil War events
during the year as well as establish ing a mail order operation and a
Warminster, Pennsylvania. Having attended and participated in so many reenactments across
the country, George emerged as a resource for organizing committees and not for profit organizations pro moting reenactments. His influence could be felt throughout the hobby as more attention to the details of event production became a standard. George recognized the importance of the reenactors’ experience and safety as well as creating an environment where spectators and visitors could learn more and appreciate better the vibrant and transforming events of 1861 to 1865 in the United States of America. As the “big” anniversary years grew nearer, George transitioned from participant to event organizer. The 135th Gettysburg Reenactment was the product of conflict, compromise and cooperation. Several groups vied for the opportunity t produce this reenactment. The Civil War Reenactors Alliance wanted one event. Their determination to bring the factions together to create the most rewarding experience for the reenacting community succeeded. Civil War Heritage led by George Lomas and Gettysburg Living History headed by Randy Phiel and Tony Strickland joined forces to stage th largest and most successful Civil War reenactment ever. Over 22,500 reenactors participated during that event commemorating the 135th anniversary of that pivotal battle of Civil War. The 135th created a gold standard for Civil War Reenactment event production.
Regimental Quartermaster in Gettysb Gettysburg event, the Gettysburg Reenactment Committee was formed between George, Randy and Tony and continues to stage the mos
successful annual Civil War reenact ment commemoration in the country. A totally privately funded event, the GAC has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to historic land conservation, preservation and veterans initiatives. Regardless of event’s profitability, George, Rand and Tony fulfilled their commitment to the not for profit organizations the Gettysburg community. Establishing Regimental Quarter-
tysburg solidified George’s commitment to the town which became his home. George’s story would not be complete without mentioning his avid and voracious need to learn more and become more knowledgeable. He was not a highly educated man, but he was intelligent, thoughtful and very well accomplished. From his younger years helping to unload Bannerman’s Island, handling original Civil War artifacts, to vi ing museums and historic sites and learning minute details regarding lock plates, artillery shells, muskets, and cannons, George became a walking encyclopedia of Civil War knowledge. Even with all of his experience and knowledge, he was always open to learning more. He was not
Inside this issue: 46 – Advertisers & Book Reviews 23 – Ask The Appraiser 4 – Black Powder, White Smoke 26 – Book Reviews 44 – Classifieds
(Julio Zangroniz) prideful and readily embraced new information and insight. To his cre he was generous with his expertise, never hoarding it like a miser. He
was willing to share and impart his experiences and knowledge to anyone seeking him out. George had a twinkle in his eyes disarming smile, a generosity of sp it to be envied and a self-effacing humble personality which was welcoming to everyone he met. George was a man of character; whose word was his bond. George let slip his mortal chain on the morning of September 19, 2016, for his eternal journey, one that we hope he will leave from tim to time to grace us with his spirit George Lomas, “Patriarch, Titan, Icon, Mentor and Friend,” you will be sorely missed. Please join family and friends o George on November 20, 2016, from 1-4 p.m., for his celebration, at t tail end of Remembrance Day weekend at The Lodge (685 Camp Gettysburg Rd, Gettysburg 17325). A trust in George’s honor has be established for disadvantaged young men to pursue higher education. Donations may be made out to the George H. Lomas Scholarship Trust and sent to: Raffensperger, Martin
dle Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325. The Regimental Quartermaster will continue to operate business a usual continuing George’s legacy.
40 – Events Section 14 – Inspection, ARMS! 3 – Preservation News 2 – Roundtable News 6 – The Source 5 – Through The Lens