81 years ago today I arrived at the battlefield with my Dad who was transportation coordinator for Civil War veterans from the D.C. area. It was the start of the 75th and final reunion of The Grand Army of the Republic. I walked the route of Pickett's charge with some Reb vets. Today after my 34 years of service and three wars in the US Army those four days at Gettysburg still evoke the strongest memories of my life

That's amazing that you were there. I believe I remember you posting about this once before. I'm a huge history buff, so it's just mind boggling to me that you were able to meet and talk to actual veterans of the Civil War.

Thank you for your service and enjoy these videos:

Paramount and Universal newsreel coverage of the 75th anniversary:


1938 silent film coverage, including some color footage, from the National Archives:



Home video coverage and interview with another man who was at the reunion when he was 3 years old:

I remember you sharing this before and it is just as awesome now.

I shared this with my wife and it led into a great discussion about how we as a country honor those who have served. Coming up on July 4th it is a great conversation to have.

You posted this information once before-- and it floored me. I'm just in awe to think that you walked the route of Pickett's Charge with the men who were there on that baking hot July afternoon. And then you went on to serve your country in three wars.

It's not often I'm speechless, but, words fail me.

God bless you, Sir.

Thank you for your service HJrocket.

How cool has your lifetime been......wow

Holy cow!

This is amazing and puts time in a strange and illuminating perspective.

Thank you.

Thank you. Something I had not seen. And thank you for your service to our great nation. And it is still great thanks to men and women such as yourself.

Very interesting. 81 years ago I was 6 months old.

flashguy

Thanks for sharing this..

just wow,what a life you have had,thank you sir for all the good work.

We went to Gettysburg in the 70's and took a tour around the battlefield with a guide who actually was born a raised there. He told us there was over a total of 15000 rounds of Artillery fired by both sides in the action, and unknown rounds of rifle fired. He told us you could rake across the ground in some areas and turn up rifle balls and bullets. He pulled a hand full out of his pocket that he had just found recently

Thhat would have been the experience of a lifetime! Simply amazing!

WOW!! Thanks for posting that Mr. rocket. It really does put things in perspective. Your post has made me realize my mother was alive at the same time there were U.S. Civil War Veterans still blessing this earth. She was 3 at the time of the 75th Anniversary. That's just....WOW!

Just, fascinating! Thank you for sharing.

Thanks so much for sharing. That's awesome.

I'm huge military history buff and have read a few books about Gettysburg, and just last night telling my wife how much I'd love to visit (and I only live 2-3 hours away by car). We might make it happen this summer.

I live 45 minutes from the battlefield, and have made innumerable visits. I would suggest to any of you who want to see the battlefield: don't go in the summer when it is swarming with tourists. My favorite time is October or November. It's all still there, minus the crowds.

To think that I was proud that my mother knew and talked about several Civil War Vets from our area in Massachusetts. That does not compare with your experience and that of the gentleman in the last video.

You were a witness to history. I knew many WW I vets; someday if I live long enough, people may marvel at that.

I have had many "trips of a lifetime" I include my visit to Gettysburg with my elderly step-father one of those trips. I stood in awe at the top of Little Round Top and the High Water Mark of the Confederacy trying to imagine the fortitude and dedication of the men, North and South, who were there. My family has fought in every major and several smaller conflicts since the Alert at Lexington. Unfortunately, I am afraid that tradition has died out after Vietnam.

We, as a country, should be honored to have had such men as our forefathers that walked among us. I am also appreciative to have men such as you still here to remind us of the honor and dedication of our ancestors.

Thank you for your service. Gettysburg and the Arizona memorial are my two favorite places on this earth. I first visited in the 1970s and have been back many times. I believe there is one direct descendent (daughter) that is still collecting her father’s Civil War pension.

Irene Triplett

quote:

Originally posted by justjoe:
You posted this information once before-- and it floored me. I'm just in awe to think that you walked the route of Pickett's Charge with the men who were there on that baking hot July afternoon. And then you went on to serve your country in three wars.

It's not often I'm speechless, but, words fail me.

God bless you, Sir.

This says all that I could ever say.

A bump just to honor the anniversary, July 3, of Pickett's Charge, and the date when HJrocket walked the route with the men who had been there in 1863.