Buzz, Darlene, Pat and I set out to visit the Gettysburg National Military Park. Pat and I visited this American treasure a few years ago and we were in for a pleasant surprise.
We knew something was different when we were directed to enter the Park from Rt. 15 rather than from the center of town. We drove directly into the new Museum & Visitor Center.
The building construction alone was worthy of praise.
We decided to view the Museum and the video of the Battle of Gettysburg...
..."A New Birth of Freedom"
I'm sorry to say I'm not much for studying history but I do appreciate visiting Historic places. I let my imagination take me on a mental trip to the past where I can picture the individual sacrifices made on this hallowed ground.
After the informative video we were guided up to the "Cyclorama" viewing.
This single painting is well worth seeing. The Gettysburg Cyclorama is 377 feet long, 42 feet high and weighs 12.5 tons.
We all stood in a circle looking out at a 360' artists impression of the Battle of Gettysburg. The lights dimmed and the story begins. At first there is cannon fire and lights giving the impression of where the round landed. The story, the battle and the narration grew in intensity and then it was over. Each of us were slow to leave and the light level increased. In our own way we silently gave pause to our minds eye image of what life and death must have been for those three days of battle.
Here is a "stitched" photo of the "Cyclorama." (Not the full painting.)
Single photos of this painting will not do it any justice. You can get a good idea of this piece of work at the link above.
From there we headed down stairs to the museum.
The artifacts of the museum are not all guns. Uniforms, war plans, and so many actual items left behind are on display.
A lunch in the café and into the car for a tour of the grounds.
A visitor to Gettysburg will notice a calming silence to the gently rolling hills of the area.
...and the great number of monuments that line the auto roads.
Below, Buzz and I hiked the tallest tower looking toward Big and Little Round Top.
(Pat and Darlene enjoyed the A/C in the HHR while we climbed the tower.)
Below, Big and Little Round Top.
These two hills don't appear all that important. However, looking from the two hills (below) you can see that they provided a distinct military advantage for the Union.
We headed back to the campground with a deep and profound respect for those who fought, died and lived to keep the memory of this single battle in the minds and hearts of every American.
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