The Confederate Soldier Who Risked His Life to Aid Union Wounded, The Angel of St. Marye's Heights and Boyhood Dream Turns into Career, Joe Klimchak KNEW He'd Work for the Pittsburgh Pirates Since He Was 7

This is our stories we tell stories about everything 00 including yours. Send them all American stories.com. Some of our favorites and next is a listener story from Valencia, California. This is a history story that is fascinated listener Richard Hood for a long time and he wanted to share it with us. Take it away Richard you probably heard that the darker the place to brighter any light appears well. I like to share with you a story about a very dark place in a very bright light. In fact, an angel of light known as the angel of Mary's Heights. It all happened back in the month of December, 62, and I'm talking about 1862 during our country's bloodiest war, the Civil War, officially known as the war between the states, but more poignantly as the brothers wore one reason why was called the brothers war is because the war actually did fit some in some cases brother against brother, you can imagine. You know if you have an older brother and he's gone off to Afghanistan to fight. That's one thing. What if he was going off to Afghanistan to fight you the kind of changes the whole familial situation and in the Civil War. The brothers war that not only happened on occasion a father was sometimes pitted against son so complicated, so let me tell you more about this angel because at the Battle of Fredericksburg there was an important vantage point the cliff top called Mary's Heights.

The southern Confederate Army was wisely using it as a Canon placement below this cliff with protective wall keeping the northern army from gaining that cliff top hunkered down behind this wall protecting the stronghold was one of many soldiers in this case a Confederate sergeant who would during America's bloodiest battle to come and Tito would later lose his life but he will survive this day and a good thing for you because otherwise you won't survive either.

So are you ready to do a little pretending ready to travel back to your fateful day and time.

Okay well here we go.

Then, so Europe before reveille today and even Tony had a thin dirty old blanket to cover your during the night and can't really sleep that well anyway but the beetle does sound you hear reveille, and so you get up splash some water on your face to relieve yourself of the dust that covers everything and adds to the dry mouth.

The battle that's to come look down at your socks, filthy socks, barely holding together and you put on your boots that have holes in them, but you're grateful because you actually have boots start to smell the coffee that someone is started and that's can be one of your soul pleasures today and you grateful for that to little comforts pretty big when that's all you got your in the Army now as they say, and your infantryman in the Army of the Potomac, the northern army of the union. Abraham Lincoln as your president and you're facing off against the Confederate states of America. The southern states whose president is Jefferson Davis want you to take a moment and notice the coarseness of your blue uniform, you also I want to put on that rucksack again today and as you do so you try and adjust your shoulder straps to find an area of your shoulders that have the been rubbed raw.

Yet, this is going to be adjusted throughout the day to be trading minor pains for greater pains and you're also notice that pack smelled strongly of salt and you come to realize that from your own sweat and within an hour the year packs going to be soaked again. Just as will the back of your uniform. The enemy sergeant behind that wall that you're approaching was promoted on the battlefield. Having survived the battle of Chancellorsville. The fabled Gettysburg and then Chickamauga to in his luck better not run out today because it's tied directly to years Europe against the real hero. The last thing you're feeling like being and I hero not do to what is already done. Survived.

But what he will do from the other side of that wall. He's hunkered down behind from behind that wall separating today. Not just the quick from the dead, but the quick from those not very quietly or quickly die so on Thatcher a note. Let's load up and start marching in the direction of that enemy wall is not until around noon that the first wave of your assaults begin in front of that wall and no wave reaches as far as that wall the continue though one after another, and there also mow down one after the other reports are not favorable. Your comrades get as close to 75 feet away from that blasted wall and that's it.

It's going to be your turn any minute but before you go you get the chance to look around and see all the carnage that is gone on before you and you see how it's likely to go for you.

You see, the killing field between you and that wall and you see a bottleneck in a ditch that has only three possible crossbow bridges in a matter which one you choose, it appears to be nothing but a slaughter and you were listening to Richard Hood by the way you use a listener as we said before, from Valencia, California and a heck of a storyteller putting us in the spot in the time in the context which is so important as a storyteller. How we should always look at history. I wonder was going to happen in that war when it started. No one knew it was going to happen when they charged the next wall or the next hill except from what happened in plain sight from the other guys were just short and so true. This Civil War, this war between the states did fit brother against brother, father against son Revolutionary war did the same thing in large measure to when we come back we can continue this remarkable story. The story of the angel of St. Mary's Heights here on our American story books.

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While the world around you appears more more like some kind of outdoor insane asylum above the wall up on Mary's Heights. The opposing Confederate cannons begin to let loose. So when you hear the origin charge not only face a continuous sheet of flame from frontal small arms fire directed at you dismembering and deadly artillery fire rating from above as well and later one of the Confederate artillery men would remark that not even a chicken could live on that field you're looking for some way to increase the odds of your survival and you can't think of a thing in the insensible amount of death along with its apparent utter randomness.

Second, from what you can see, you should be one of this days, 12,600 casualties, and it doesn't look like you're going to be evacuated. Should you become loaded, which is likely nor does it appear that you will receive first aid but instead, it does appear that your will either unattended becoming just one more member of the choir moans you can ask veterans of any hotel you that of all the floors were the psychologically worse they will be the tortured cries their brothers in arms in insufferable agony when there's nothing they can do to come to their aid without exposing their position, putting others in danger or becoming just like them. Another screaming casualty and whether it's medieval or modern weapons use the cause. This carnage you will always hear cries for one thing for water, but this dehydration is because from blood loss. Now, as in any fight. Your mouth is dry and any moment. It might become drier still from the loss of your blood and then surprisingly to you despite its overwhelming odds and predictability that indeed happens with the realization of your fears.

Having come upon you pain and its companions of shock and immobility join forces against your now one casualty among the days 8000 casualties. So you're asking yourself what was so important about that wall. Why couldn't your commander simply have gone around it. As you drift in and out of consciousness, whether half dreaming or awake. Thoughts are distilled for you and reduce to one thing and one desire only for water. Finally night comes on. And though your groans and please are lost among the thousands of the others around you.

You have never felt more alone no one is coming. No one will be coming in time so weary from battle himself and desperate for rest the Confederate Sgt. has been kept from sleep. All the same night thanks to years and all the other pitiful, disturbing and debilitating cries of those not quite yet.

Dad by morning he can't take it any longer. So this enemy soldier asked permission to put you out of your misery and in both sides, and your own sufferings is just stared at me, stared at as if these losses senses are as battle fatigue sniping at the wounded, just not done. But he's no sniper and what he's asking his commanders for his permission to go over that wall and meet you had on become, not to silence but to bring the water. His commanders tell him of the bullets awaiting him on such a fools errand, making him a casualty of well either enemy or mistaken friendly fire and they tell him no, but he is totally aware and totally determined and persistent. Yes, most of the wounded are like you is enemy or were now you see more like fellow mortals just leading out and drying up. He requests to carry a white handkerchief is a Sino cease-fire and he keeps asking until he gets permission he seeks.

But he is told that no handkerchief, no flag of truce will be allowed will be on his own and he'll be all you've got your last chance for tomorrow meet your sworn enemy Richard Kirkland Confederate Army Sgt. age 20.

The odds of help coming to you via Kirkland are less, than the odds were being wounded.

There are just too many wounded sprawled in front of that wall and Kirkland has well he is alone and he has no plan except for the filling of every canteen he can find, and it seems time itself holds its breath is over the wall. He slips with you and that no man's land between earthly consciousness and eternity eventually he does indeed stumble upon you literally falls over you and reaching down to support your head.

He gives you all he can from the canteens left.

He takes off his jacket covers you try to raise your hand and an astonished thanks but there is no need as he can read the gratitude in your eyes, not a shot is heard in that hour and 1/2. Kirkland spends racing from soldier to soldier as if in respectful of what is happening what he's risking all that is heard or the plaintiff cries for the water that is now at least a possibility he attends to friend and foe alike both sides. Americans both sides brothers of a sort. Once again, even if only brothers of the desk. Years later, some will claim it wasn't Kirkland someone else for many other someone else's others will claim that he was sniped out even wounded but you know better because you were there, although your wonder for the rest of your life why he did it. What was it that was worth more to him than his own physical life. How could he be so certain there was something even more important than his own fears what or who puts that instinct or knowledge into people that results in bringing the kingdom of heaven, not just on earth but overcoming a hell on earth. You will hear Kirkland's name mentioned nowadays, but you see, it doesn't matter. He's not a household name. Because heroes don't do heroic things for the fame their selflessness can inspire us other lesser acts of love love, we must remember is an action while Kirkland indeed survived this day.

As a result, you did as well. His eventual dying concern was still for others, particularly his father whom he wanted to know that his son had died right perhaps more important is living right. Day by day and to do that you and I must know what we are living for. Why we were given life.

This is everyone's foundation so that building up out from that foundation brings meaning and purpose to our lives so that as much of our lives as possible bring relief in life to others you know you have to wonder why such stories of heroism create such a unique responsiveness psychologically, physiologically, spiritually, it seems to contradict the spirit less self-serving survival of the fittest and purposeless worldview. Perhaps the brothers wore was but one act in a long plate designed to help us recognize and appreciate the true cost of love of redemption and reconciliation and special thanks to Monty Montgomery for the production Richard good story. The angel of St. Mary's Heights dear on our American stories.

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It really was a walk in it was everything about the ballpark.

It was it was the bright green turf.

It was the lights. It was the sound of the organ. It was the smells of nachos and popcorn and cotton candy and peanuts and grub smoke and selective smell of cigars are lighter than beer all mixed up in the water that was great.

There is the big Jumbotron in centerfield he was. Sensory overload is amazing. Sometimes it is click. Sometimes it is like this. This space makes me really happy. I thought this is atmosphere is the amazing everybody is happy here on the Pirates or are losing it and there were years of the we we lost more than we won the championship years tube in the mid-70s were good will call the lumber company. I have a program for my first metaphors in the big thing for me was this voice than the came over the PA system that was rich, deep and beautiful. I thought I heard that voice, I said that fit. Somehow, someway, that's the job I want. I somehow have to be an announcer in the big league ballpark at the age of seven. I knew exactly what I wanted to do it like this is definitely the place and that's definitely the job I wanted.

His name is Art McCann. The public address announcer use a PA announcer for almost 50 years. It was like the tones of the Stradivarius is way as was described as it was so beautiful and I made that connection. My dad was it when we went to games. After that I would spend as much time in my seat twisted around watching part of the fourth level make the announcements or watching the radio and TV guys in the third level and I was just I was locked in the announcer first steps he was researching guys and reading about that I my first book was voices of the game to read about all the that was more about the public address but the radio announcers that Harry carries the very calluses Vince gullies that it was really just watching these announcers on TV doing game sportscasters game show host. I was a big Richard Dawson fan Bob Barker for Alex Trebek fan.

It was more about the show less but the game was like he was like what they did was their nod was her wings. It was her gestures.

I was just absorbing all of that. The evening news and network news to be Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw Dan Rather watching them. The little it has other voice inflection is study that constantly it would memorize her scripts.

I would rehash them. However, being in our house and exit my two younger sisters. What a blessing was built exit play along with me for at least five minutes.

I believe I was in my bedroom. They were in there is and I would actually do a little radio show through the heating vent of my bedroom because I think I sit here and a couple announcements a couple new stories given the scores from last night and I had to work extra hard because I attended Center School district in Beaver County and Aliquippa, and in my class of the hundred 86 students. There was only one that needed remedial speech training that one was me and my mom actually save that intermediate unit form and I have it from 1979 was 10 years old and I had had a bad list could say my S is clearly an exercise reason for Simon to see poor articulation.

II just generally horrible.

My words so not a good start for guy wants to be a major league baseball announcers. I had to work extra hard. The list thing.

This was terrible for it. It took me so many so many practice sessions that I still didn't get. I was I was a member. I was in this session with another girl who was another grade she was in my grade. She's actually younger than me, but she got it right away because I just couldn't do it for me to make an S sound actually had to bite down in my S's work's which is the kind of sloppy but that was the best I could do until it finally clicked like I hear later constant repetition, constant studying announcers, memorizing scripts, rehashing scripts, Art McCann and had a drill that he would actually is a long time. Answer. He had a drover he would read through magazine articles, and if he skipped a line or how to pick up or mess up you have to go back to the beginning and start again. I would read every article my sorts of assertive magazines.

When I read through all those I got my moms woman's days in family circles. I read all those Al-Aqsa guys want to get as much repetition as I could because somehow, someway I wanted to be an announcer so I I'm at Grove city College and major in communications among the radio station staff and II kinda carry that passion for announcing to call because I want to get as much experience. Now that I could there and with the radio station, I became the sports director, news director, I hosted a morning show had productions to that I was always doing announcing in that station. Spent most of my time there. Most of my time was spent there.

I was also the public address announcer for all the sports such as football and basketball but the live exports to APA for soccer for volleyball for swimming for baseball and gathering all the communications announcing experience I could. That's what for me, Grove city College is a perfect fit because I was hands-on is able to refresh my freshman year for four years to do all that announcing collected all this great great experience and it was because of that is actually I was a sophomore. I said okay now with some real experience.

Now, now that it's time to let the Pirates know that I'm interested in working for them because I don't couple years. The time graduated. I would love to roll right into a big announcing job, but those jobs will come up very often, so I remember writing a letter and at this time. Now Art McCann in a long time. Answer who I heard the seven he was the backup public address announcer now. He was the backup he was too old. He was in his 80s. Tim DiBacco was a regular announcer art was doing game with games on Sundays. Tim was doing every other game but I decided to write a letter to the Pirates and say Pirates dear Pirates my name is Joe.

I've collected all his announcing experience, I know you have a regular public address announcer and a backup public address announcer, but I really think I really really think you need a backup to the backup public address that's what you need to consistently in the event the tenant art can't work a game. You need somebody reliable to fall back on and on your man because I've been listening to these guys for years memorizing the scripts inside and out.

Would you please hire me or least give you listen or keep me on the list so we flitted back now.

We thank you for your interest but we have to announcers already.

We don't need a backup backup announcer and I remember the last line actually save the rejection letter.

Best of luck in your efforts to work baseball for me the time of the crushing lie, because all all my life I wanted to do with the Pirates and other satellite no thanks and and and good luck.

Try somewhere else. We don't have any interest in you. But of course I was obsessed with getting this job so I wrote them another letter.

I said, you really need to hire you really really detail all experience a good one in more detail in a setting of the rejection letters known really really think you best of luck in your efforts with baseball so I was crushed to rejection letters now because of the persistent is and keep trying to keep going after the so what I decided to do is ask to write a letter to Art McCann Delphi roof to the 85-year-old backup public address announcer long time PA legend announcer. Art McKennon art.

I really appreciate what you do your your your amazing you inspired needed to do this, I heard your voice at the age of seven. I said that's the job I want. Is there any chance that you can work me. Somehow into the organization.

I've tried to the participants in rejection letters.

I would love to get on a list of announcers are you give me any guidance any any help whatsoever.

I'd appreciate it. And when we come back you can hear more of this remarkable story of perseverance we learned early that he didn't have the talent for this. Certainly not naturally you have a list and if you've ever seen the movie the natural again.

He's not a natural in the movie the natural great baseball movie with Robert DeVol and with the Robert Redford Bernard Malamud's classic novel was all about a guy let everything come easy to him and how he squandered it a couple of mistakes this guy what he had to stick at it and stick at it and stick at it. When we come back to hear the rest of this remarkable story of perseverance and persistence, overcoming objections and rejection we continue with Joe from check story a great expert story.

A great baseball after these commercial I know everything there is to know about running a coffee shop for small business insurance. I need my State Farm agent and make sure my business days equal incompetent business owners to help you best. State Farm is in your corner and on like a neighbor.

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Whatever your wildest dreams. See if you can imagine it via tour probably has an experience just for you. Download the via tour app now in use code via tour 10 for 10% off your first booking in via Tor's world of wonderful experiences via tour. One site over 300,000 experiences you will remember, and we're back with the rest of Joe check story here on our American stories. The age of seven knew he wanted to be a big week announcer. The Pittsburgh Pirates we last left off. You'd written a letter to the man who inspired his dream. One time, Pittsburgh Pirates announcer, Art McKennon get back to you. I'm now working at Grove city College and graduated and the college was a blessing he hired me to work as the sports information Dir. met my wife is now 27 years Jennifer at the college and we were going back to my apartment one night and this is back in the days of enter machines at flash when there was a message so there's a big red one hit play and I can remember like it was yesterday. Joe, this is Art McKenna I have your letter carrier very nice letter. I'm under the weather but I promise to write you back goodbye Joe I cried when her the front of the goods that Art McKennon is called me Joey Clint Jack up here in Grove city, Pennsylvania, and he can write me back and I from attorney Jimmy said that's the crack in the door I needed.

Somehow, someway one day on Libyan announcer are did write me back.

He was true to his word.

He wrote back exiting rightly that he typed me back is this typewritten letter that I could have hang on my wall right now and he essentially the letter said appreciate your kind comments and you feel you pure very qualified to public address but my connections are what they once used to be and I really can help you. But don't pass up on any bets, work hard and essentially saying not in so many words.

Best of luck on your efforts were to baseball, it is the same thing is that I can't help you, but thanks for writing, and good luck. Again, a fellow crushed again but was not to be deterred, Pushing, I wrote Art back again and I said, Art. Thank you so much for the letter, not a pushy guy that got little pushy with art in a way I said. Art is there any way that I can actually watch you do public address for an ending during a Sunday game I should pick up again.

September 20 Pirates against the Phillies 1992, can I show up at the ballpark and watch you do public address what he would say he wrote me back received your letter.

Don't buy tickets report the press gate, a and I'll see you on September 20. This is great. So Jennifer and I shot that there is a beautiful day of member Mickey Moran D&E the Phillies for the triple play that ever ever thing about that day. It was only for six out.

It was amazing it felt like it was without a body of the cloud nine. But the success came in when he turned around he shook my hand to thank you walk me out the door and Tim tobacco who the regular announcer. He was there, shook his hand.

He said nice to meet you said good luck next thing you know about in section 600, whatever sitting there with Jennifer saying well that was great and all but I made some good contacts.

I suppose, but I'm really not there. Haven't got my big break yet I am still waiting have not gotten my big break yet so still little frustrated but my big break did finally come.

Months later I work in a Grove city College sports information directors lunch break and I was going to head down to get a sandwich on Main Street and I turn on an AM radio station. A small Mercer County radio station WPIC and the announcers Dave Hanahan and comes on the air and why he read this announcement.

I have no idea. This is Mercer County. This is like 60, 70 miles north of Pittsburgh. But he read this. He said the Pirates and decided to this upcoming season have high school games after Pirates games on Sundays and the first one was to be May 16, the rim of the two teams is in the greater Latrobe against dairy and I heard that instantly I was like oh my goodness lightbulb went off, I might get a sandwich today and the double back to my office before cell phones at my office phone call the Pirates, obviously thinking like they need announcer for such a long time for the person in charge finally got a line they select had even considered having an answer for this game, since you're interested sure will listen to a tape the production studio.

Of course I memorize the scripts inside and out to all the fanatics in every thing the positive inflections the ladies name was Jackie. She called me back the next day. She said Joe we heard your tape and if you're willing to work for free. Congratulations, you are the announcer of our high school games after Pirates games on Sundays. I was like wow that's great I'll see that on May 16. I can't wait to do this so that was a big breakthrough that that was huge and in ill I would've done anything but notice what the floors are free for the chance to announcement Bigley ballpark that was that was in the same booth that is in the booth. Now that I'm at Art McKennon's microphone that was crazy announcing the stadium with 60,000 seats nevermind only 60 of them were full.

For my games but it was still a great experience. I did that for a for a year. Months later, the Pirates give me a call and let me know that the Pirates are going to be soon. Having an audition for the backup public address announcer position. Art McKennon is now too old to be the backup. Answer to the asking if I'd be interested in showing up in you that I'd written as letters years ago. They knew that I was a high school announcer they expect that I would be interested in.

Obviously I want to set sure, I loved I love so I showed up for this addition. Hoping to see me in a couple other people, but it was me, and eight other people and they were all people from the Pittsburgh media. I like to know so on paper.

I really had no chance when I was a kid is a couple years of college.

These are all seasoned professionals. They probably actually handpick these people to come in the guise of them and exited one lady to the listening to a watching for years so were all assembled nine people auditioning to become the backup public address announcer for the Pirates the Tagus up to the booth one by one got to be my turn and they said okay to hear here's your first announcement fits the crowd control actually said I don't need the script without actually I know that one by hearts open microphone.

Ladies and gentlemen remind you please not going to the field or in any way interfere with baseball still in play with projects of any kind on the idea that one by heart did it went well. I see that one backward, backward playing still baseballs with interfere way.

Any interfere with the two ongoing not to please you. Remind me to the ladies. It was crazy when you when you want something that dad you get a little freakish about it and I was freakish about getting this job a week after the addition my director came over and said Joe congratulations, you won the addition of the backup public residents of the Pittsburgh Pirates that was huge.

I was excited. Wow. Okay, I finally did this the backup and the backup you will get many games. I got my first initially gave my first, and usually I would hello, I would only get a game and Tim chemically hasn't had a family emergency, but they gave me my first and May 26, 1994. Again, remember like it was yesterday was a 13 inning game Pirates 111 10 of the Mets and it was it was� It was a dream come true for me the next season, I worked three games, but after seven seasons as the backup public address announcer. I'd only done 70 it's the late 90s now and rolling over 2000 of the building PNC Park in the open it up in 2001 I went to my director. I said Eric come, obviously, is the backup PA announcer not working many games. Is there any chance there might be a new job in the scoreboard department that I could do to work more games. There was a Pepsi bottle that sat over the Clemente wall of the over the PNC Park. When the Pirates hit a home run. Smoke came out of the Pepsi bottle.

It was my job in the Pirates hit a home run to hit the button that made the smoke, the Pepsi bottle for anyone who dates year in 2001 to 3, four. The 2005 holes around what we do before every seasons. We have a rehearsal of the ballpark before opening day is an empty ballpark. It's late March. I'm in my Pepsi smoke chair replace simulated game up on the video board, and if the Pirates hit a home run yell, hit the button but otherwise have nothing to do I'm going to the pregame script and I see there's a little line that says radio MC. That means that somebody from the Pittsburgh media comes to the ballpark and they stand on the field and address the crowd and say like they say their name the station there from when their shift is that okay it's snowing. It's late March is an empty ballpark. Nobody showing up to this position. I want my director. I said Eric since I've nothing to do in the pregame. Can I go down. Can I be the radio MC today and he said want to do that. I said I said I left to grab a microphone microphone went down to the field found the camera guy and a 642 they queued me on the preparation that I really hadn't prepared for this. All my announcing really had been not on-screen. This is the first thing on the video board so I cannot know where to look, but I soon looked into the camera and it went well, and after that rehearsal, my director Me on the shoulder and he said he said Joe watch there and we thought it looked really good and we would like you to actually if you're interested, post one of the games we play between innings on the video at the end of the fourth any leave your Pepsi smoke. I position will go down the Riverwalk and for for that happening, play a game with the fan and then come back to the scoreboard room, great sundown actually announcing all 81 games and couple years later and I'm doing like five inning breaks. The next year I'm doing all of pregame and then now I sit here 15 years later. I've been the in game close the Pittsburgh Pirates have about nine in game breaks all of pregame. I don't take a single day for granted Mrs. 15 years later and I'm just as excited 15 years later as I was the first dead when I walked out of the field in the first actually do.

I walk onto the field and look over my left shoulder. I do this every game to remind myself the top of the video board says home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and this is a reminder like it still hits me like I don't look at myself as is and announcer as much as I do a more like a fan of the microphone.

I want that to be my persona here, but I treat every day like it's opening day because I feel like it's opening down that excited. It wouldn't have happened if his dad and take him to a ballpark you dads out there who think you're not making a different spending time with your kids and he's not rejected once folks are twice or three times and he just kept at it.

Joe claim check story a great story and thanks to Robbie Davis for doing such a great job on this piece of contract story here on our American