IN CHARACTER-Simi Valley resident Jason Rhoades, middlewill be participating in his 5th Blue and Gray event put on by the Rotary Club of Moorpark. "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but we can never forget what they did here."

-Abraham Lincoln, 1863

These powerful words, part of President Lincoln's now famous Gettysburg address, were spoken on a silent battlefield in rural Pennsylvania, where four and a half months earlier 50,000 troops-Union and Confederate-lost their lives, one side fighting to preserve the union, the other to break it apart.

The memory of these brave men and the historic battle they fought will be brought to life this Saturday and Sunday at the Tierra Rejada Ranch as part of the fifth annual Civil War reenactment put on by the Rotary Club of Moorpark.

"More than anything else, it's an historical event," said Lyle Pennington, club member and media chair of the event. "It's an exciting event to watch but, at the core, it teaches people the history of the country. How so many gave up their lives to secure the freedom we enjoy today."

Simi Valley resident Jason Rhoades, 25, has participated in the reenactment since 2002. He's enlisted again this year to play the role of a Confederate foot soldier.

Rhoades, who started doing reenactments at the age of 14, said he enjoys the excitement of the battle and the chance to don the Civil War uniform.

During the fight, he'll use a black powder charge in his Sharp's carbine rifle to give the effect that he's firing a real gun. Death, he said, is based on the honor system.

"You're looking down the sight of a rifle and someone is aiming directly at you and pulls the trigger," Rhoades said. "You know you're dead. You go lay down the rest of the battle."

In the summer of 1863, the battle raged over three days before swinging the tide of the Civil War. Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's plan to capture Washington, D.C. was cut short by the Union army under the command of Gen. George G. Meade.

More than 50,000 soldiers were killed, making it the costliest battle of the Civil War.

While live ammunition isn't used in the reenactments, the promoters promise plenty of action and noise.

"It's going to be a big bang, plenty of cannon fire and mortars," said Dale Parvin, chairman of the Civil War committee. "The good thing is, nobody dies in our battles in Moorpark."

In addition to battles, there will be Yankee and Rebel encampments spectators can visit.

"The reenactors have to give up cellphones and modern conveniences," Parvin said. "They will be living in tents just the way they did back then. They really strive for authenticity."

In 2005, more than 800 reenactors from 13 states participated. Many are history buffs and some are women.

"Women were on the battlefield," Parvin said. "They put their hair under their hats and went to war with their men."

Last year the event raised about $100,000 for local charities and scholarships and the Moorpark Boys & Girls Club. As many as 10,000 people are expected to attend this year.

The public reenactment tomorrow and Sunday, Nov. 4 and 5, will be at 3370 Sunset Drive in Moorpark, just behind the entrance to Underwood Family Farms. Gates open at 10 a.m. both days, and battles will take place at noon, 3 and 5:15 p.m. on Saturday and at noon and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

More information is available at www.moorparkrotary.com.

Tickets can be purchased on the website for a reduced price of $13 for adults, $8 for students.Ticket prices at the gate are $15 adults, $10 students. Children 5 and under are free.             What Gettysburg Reenactment           Where   Tierra Rejada Ranch,             Moorpark             When   Saturday and Sunday,           Nov. 4 and 5     How much $15 adults, $10 students, children 5 and under free