Gettysburg

A few weeks ago (April 17) we took a day trip up to Gettysburg, PA. Site of one of the most famous battles and a major turning point of the American Civil War. We had both been to Gettysburg before on various family vacations, but I didn't remember much at all. It is such a fun experience to drive all around the area and view the different vantage points and learn the strategies and events related to the battle.

Posing with Honest Abe outside of the new Visitors' Center.

Peering down from Little Round Top.

Some period cannon and monuments along the drive.
The Pennsylvania Memorial
We lucked out and got to see a little reenactment!
Aaron at "the clump of trees."
It is fun to see the landmarks from across the battlefield and then close up.

The Angle

Within the Soldiers National Cemetery.

A view of a couple of different types of markers...
In memorial of the Gettysburg Address. President Lincoln actually stood a little bit further into the cemetery, but this was dedicated to the remembering of that simple, exquisite address.In his address President Lincoln stated, "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."

He was right about the world not forgetting what happened on those fields that President Lincoln "dedicated" that day and that the soldiers consecrated with their lives, but he was very wrong about the impression his address would have on history. Thank you President Lincoln for your words of wisdom, and for letting the world (and future speech writers) know that it's not the length of the speech that determines the impact it will have. Hooray for history!