Members of CWV Post 1562, Derby, CT are pictured above with Kevin Johnson as Pvt William Webb. CWV members from left to right: Paul Varsanik; Post Auxillary President Loretta Budd; State & Post Commander Thomas Voytek; 3rd Vice Commander Maureen McDonnell; Trustee Joseph DelGrande; Kevin Johnson, CT State Library History and Genealogy Unit.
DERBY — “Freedom! It sounds good, and it sounds nice. Got to be Free!”
This was the theme on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, sung, shouted, and woven throughout a one-man performance by Kevin Johnson, an employee of the CT Library’s History and Genealogy Unit.
Mr. Johnson mesmerized the 4th through 8th Grade students of Derby’s St Mary St Michael Grammar School with his portrayal of Private William Webb, who, during the Civil War, enlisted in the CT 29th Volunteers Infantry Regiment.
Wearing the uniform of a Union soldier, Johnson’s engaging performance provided the students a glimpse of life from the perspective of Pvt. Webb, a free born African American determined to prove himself as a man engaged in the fight to end slavery and to advance the cause of freedom.
The tale of Pvt Webb’s daily hardships, his experiences in battle, the poignant retelling of the horrific loss of the lives of friends and enemy soldiers alike, served to teach the students about the heavy sacrifices that put such meaning behind Webb’s heart rending cry of “Freedom! Got to be Free!”
A lively question and answer period with the students followed the performance.
This was Kevin Johnson’s 650th performance as Pvt Webb. He has been portraying Webb for the past 26 years.
The event was sponsored by Catholic War Veterans Post 1562, Derby, CT.
