Retirement: Our Gettysburg Experience

After traveling to Philadelphia for a crash course in the story of our nation’s beginning, we once again took advantage of Lancaster’s central location to learn more about the Civil War with a day trip to Gettysburg.

Our visit started at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center. “A New Birth of Freedom” film narrated by Morgan Freeman set the stage for the historical significance of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Next we went inside a beautifully rendered Cyclorama ("...360-degree, hand-painted canvas longer than a football field...") building to view a presentation of Pickett's Charge which took place on the decisive third day of battle.

Originally created in 1883, according to the Gettysburg Foundation “the painting survived years of exhibition, multiple moves, vandalism, fire, cuts and neglect” before undergoing a multimillion-dollar restoration completed in 2008.

The Museum is filled with exhibits, artifacts, and information. We could have stayed there all day, but we were anxious to take a tour of the battlefield.

Learning about what transpired during the battle better prepared us to appreciate the enormous challenges that opposing commanders Robert E. Lee and George Meade faced.

Gettysburg was the largest battle ever fought on North American soil. Over 150,000 troops fought for three grueling days over miles and miles of unfamiliar terrain.

Driving through the tranquil pastureland it was difficult to imagine the intensity of conflict that resulted in over 50,000 casualties.

Along our guided, 24-mile long battlefield tour was an incredible array of cannons and monuments.

Our final stop was the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where Abraham Lincoln gave his most famous Address at the cemetery’s dedication ceremony in November of 1863, only four months after the Battle of Gettysburg took place.

We came away from our immersive experiences here and in Philadelphia with a much deeper appreciation of the enormous sacrifices made by our forefathers to create and preserve what has become the greatest nation in the history of the world.

It is our fervent hope that we the people can move beyond the current climate of polarization and anger to honor our heritage as “one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Note ~ This ends our travel tales from the beautiful state of Pennsylvania. After spending the holidays with family and friends we’re off on new adventures abroad. Next time we’ll share where we are and what we’re up to. Stay tuned…😊