Pete Peters of Whitehall adores all things Civil War.

Peters, commonly known as "Doc," has been participating in Civil War reenactments for well over 50 years. He and his group, Association of Civil War Impressionists, traveled to Washington, D.C., May 2 and 3 to take part in the To Heal a Nation ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial. At the memorial, they set up a medical field site, where Peters played the role of Civil War U.S. Army Gen. George Meade.

"We were all proud to be invited," he said.

When the group woke up Sunday morning, they decided to travel over to the memorial to take photos. Instead of the group photographing themselves, the public photographed them, he said.

"We had thousands and thousands of people there who wanted to take pictures of us," Peters said.

Peters' interest in the Civil War began after he was discharged from the U.S. Army in 1963. It was during a trip to the Gettysburg battleground that his passion peaked.

"When I got out of the service, I fell in love with Gettysburg," he said.

The reenactments, Peters said, require an enormous amount of personal preparation. A room in his home is filled with Civil War books.

"You study and you study and you learn," he said.

Peters has traveled to many states to participate in reenactments, including North and South Carolina and Virginia.

He has also appeared in movies such as "Gods and Generals," "Gettysburg" and the documentary "Lincoln," as well as appearing on the Smithsonian Channel.

In addition, Peters also visits schools to speak with students and gives classes on the Civil War era.

"I love it," he said of reenactments. "I enjoy the camaraderie and the friends."

Those interested in having Peters give a talk should contact him by email at culphill@aol.com. Indicate "Civil War" in the email subject line.

Peters' group will again participate in the yearly Lehigh Valley Civil War Days June 13 and 14 at the Whitehall Parkway.