It has become a tradition on Opening Weekend to tell the story of Oliver Clarke, the first caretaker of Grant Cottage. This year a second voice will join Oliver. Oliver Clarke and Ray Gantter had several things in common. Both were from central New York; both became soldiers who rose to the rank of sergeant; both saw combat and, after being mustered out, did something most enlisted men couldn’t do: they wrote about their war experiences. Oliver fought in the Civil War, was captured and imprisoned at Andersonville. Eighty years later, Ray survived the Battle of the Bulge and took part in the conquest of Nazi Germany. The stories of Sergeants Clarke and Gantter will be told in their own words. Their dual accounts will prove that uncommon heroism, paralyzing fear and the struggle to maintain one’s humanity in battle unite veterans of all wars in all eras. The program will be presented by Steve Trimm, Grant Cottage tour guide, and Ray Gantter’s nephew