Remember the fallen,and why they fell. It seems the Great American Public is trying to bury our history. I was there July 1-4 ,1938 for 75th and final reunion of The Grand Army of the Republic. I walked the line of Picketts Charge with some CSA Vets. who were a couple years older than I am now.
(I couldn't do that today without my trusty rollator) I fear for the future of our Republic but hope for the best.

Thank you for your memories.

I'm grateful that folk with your attention to history still walk among us.

quote:

Originally posted by HJrocket:
Remember the fallen,and why they fell. It seems the Great American Public is trying to bury our history. I was there July 1-4 ,1938 for 75th and final reunion of The Grand Army of the Republic. I walked the line of Picketts Charge with some CSA Vets. who were a couple years older than I am now.
(I couldn't do that today without my trusty rollator) I fear for the future of our Republic but hope for the best.

That had to be incredible.

^^ well said, ArtieS
Thanks, HJrocket.

Thanks so much for posting about this sir. One of the previous threads where you have talked about your experiences at Gettysburg really struck a chord with me and has remained with me ever since.

When I was a young boy of 12, I was fortunate enough to spend the summer vacation driving across this nation with my family, in a VW Rabbit of all things. We spent the time camping and visiting historical sites, including a long list of both Revolutionary and Civil war battlefields. I had always loved history growing up, and having a mother that was a history professor at one point in her life only added to my love of our country's history.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the changing of the guard ceremony was one of the most memorable parts of that trip, and of my life as well.

But I can also still remember the 3 days we camped close to Gettysburg. Each day we would become so engrossed with the place that 14 hours of daylight and sightseeing seemed to only last a couple of hours, even with the July heat and humidity.

I still distinctly remember looking up to the ridge as a ranger talked about the charges, and imagining what it must have been like to be a young boy in the Confederate army and being told to take that ridge.

While standing at the top of the ridge, it was equally easy to imagine being a young boy from the Union Army and being asked to keep it. The horror that all of those men and young boys witnessed as case shot and cannister ripped through the lines, and the sounds of cannonade that never seemed to end was also all too easy to imagine. I think it will be impossible for me to forget what it was like to walk that truly hallowed ground.

Reverence is the word that best describes how I felt when visiting Gettysburg, and it absolutely was the same for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Thanks again for all that you have shared. I for one, would love to know more of what you experienced, saw, heard and felt. It really is a treasure to me to hear of your special connection to this part of our country's history.

I remember my trip as a young child to Gettysburg. Bought a bullet found on the battlegrounds and a infantryman's cartridge pouch. Not bad for an 8 yr old's stash of cash. I doubt if any kid in school learns of this time and battle in our history.
Thanks for sharing your story. Remember the fallen.

Was there in 1976 and the Diorama museum was fascinating.

I visited in 1975 while traveling with a buddy of mine and his mom. We took our bikes and rode many miles around the battlefield. We had a great time. I wish that I had taken more money with me because at one of the shops I found a Spenser carbine I would have brought back .

Lock N Load

Michael
USMC Ret

quote:

Originally posted by AZSigs:
I doubt if any kid in school learns of this time and battle in our history.

You're right about that I'm sure. I wrote a paper on Gettysburg in 7th grade that I had to read aloud at the front of the class. My best friend (still) had a dog he named Shiloh. He was a bit of a Civil War buff. So much so he named his firstborn Grant Sheridan. Really, no shit.

The absolute best book I ever read about Gettysburg was 'The Killer Angels'. I highly recommend it.

Hrocket, thank you once again for posting of your memories of that singular event, which was, if I reckon correctly, four score and two years ago. Think about that. Three lifetimes that span the life of this nation.

I worked on TDY in Washington for three successive years in the late '90s, and on each occasion I visited Gettysburg and Arlington.

I never failed to be severely choked up in either location.

We don't just MAKE history, history makes US, and who we are today is because of who we were yesterday.

I have two places on this earth where time stands still and I am at complete peace. Gettysburg and the Pearl Harbor memorial. I have been to both many times and I am moved each time. Thank you for sharing your experience of that moment you shared. I can’t even imagine how that much of an impact that single event must have had on you.

Parents took my brother and I in the mid-80s and I know I went back again once or twice in the mid-90s.

HJrocket, in a few short sentences you conveyed exactly the reasons why we need touchstones to our past. Hearing the CSA vets must have been a life experience. It is sad that many today cannot grasp the significance of preserving our history, good and bad. I am thankful Gettysburg is under the protection of the Federal government and not Harrisburg.

I was born in the Gettysburg area & spent the first fifty years of my life living within ten miles of there. We took our kids there often.

I've looked across the field where Picketts Charge took place many times, from both sides, and I still can't imagine the horror.

I'm sharing this video again of the event. It still amazes me that we have a member who was there!




Check out this thread from a couple of years ago - the thread was started about Pickett's charge and you can see HJRocket was about the 3rd or 4th post in the thread and it changed direction.
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...935/m/1120009344/p/1

I was just there last week wandering around all day.
I'm out here for my Daughters wedding and we went and checked it out first thing.

The area I'm at now the Republic is strong and proud to be an American.
Not sure how the rest of the state is but here is most definitely solid Red.

Thanks for this post. What an experience that must have been. There are two places that made me feel very emotional and somber as I walked their grounds years ago - Gettysburg and Antietam.

I was there about ten years ago. It's a must trip IMO.