A dispatch from the desk of The Ghost of Mark Twain; dateline April 10th… Yesterday, at 3:15pm, church bells rang out across this great land of ours, commemorating the sesquicentennial of the end of the Civil War, a war that cost us more than 750,000 precious lives, over seven million in proportion to our population today.

In pouring over this morning’s photos of the reenactment of the battle of Appomattox, I had to think of Josephine Baldassare, as behind every one of those living history reenactors is a talented, dedicated and caring seamstress who is able to take an ordinary man, and turn that man into General Grant, or General Lee, a soldier, or a young drummer boy. It is the seamstress that sews the fabric of that moment in time together for us to witness in the 21st century, and remember that moment, so we might never allow ourselves go down that road again.

I had the pleasure of meeting Josephine Baldassare 28 years ago, when I arrived on her doorstep in Carson City with a folder full of photos of Mark Twain. I asked her if she could, “make me look like this.” She laughed that hardy laugh of hers and said, “Yes, I think I can.” And she did.

Josephine made it possible for me to visit our schools and talk about Nevada history first hand, in first person. And as Mark Twain published General Grant’s memoirs, I was able to talk about the General too. “Manifestly, dying is nothing to a really great and brave man.” It was, and is, a wonderful journey.

Over the first few years that I portrayed Mark Twain I always looked forward to my fittings with Jo, as she took great joy in turning out one white suit after another. She was always good company, pleasant company, and she had a divine sense of humor. She told me while she was fitting that first white suit, “Well, McAvoy, if Mark Twain does not work for you, you can always go to work for Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

Jo Baldassare has been called home, but her work continues to keep the memory of Mark Twain alive in our schools. Jo’s gift to me was more than a white suit, she gave me another life, and I will always be grateful to her for that gift.

What I might like to suggest in closing is, whatever talent you might possess, extend that talent freely, to enhance somebody else’s life. Your contribution will be significant, and very much appreciated.

Today I wear a black armband on my white suit, in memory of all those we lost in the Civil War, and Josephine Baldassare, may they rest in eternal peace…