Gettysburg 2016: After Action Reports

As one who was eager to come but couldn't, I've really enjoyed this thread!

Mary, that is how I will feel when the next reunion will take place...
And I will pretend that I don't need to be sad because this one here was so unique ... but the truth is I would give my ... well ... I would give a lot if I could take part in the next reunion also. But I'm afraid it will not be so.
But then, who knows. Miracles do happen sometimes.
 
Maybe I can persuade my Ohio son to take me on a tour. Gettysburg is about an 8 hour drive from his home. It would have to be in the "off" season for reenactments.


Or he can bring you on one of his reenactment weekends- we'll meet you there while he's busy. My tour? Hahahaha? No. It's ok, it consists of getting lost a lot then being happy about where it is I thought I was, anyway. Russian Roulette method. ' We ' consisting of putting the word out, anyone nearby that weekend.

Once found a barn with a hole in it. No lie.
 
Mary, that is how I will feel when the next reunion will take place...
And I will pretend that I don't need to be sad because this one here was so unique ... but the truth is I would give my ... well ... I would give a lot if I could take part in the next reunion also. But I'm afraid it will not be so.
But then, who knows. Miracles do happen sometimes.


You know, when I was a starving student in the UK they had those insane deals, flying for peanuts if you could be ready ASAP. Hotels? aka- staying with a new friend. Never say never!
 
An ode to a beloved statue: this one has been sitting in my files for a bit, as it seems a bit goofy to go soft over a statue, but here it is:


Civil War: 90th Pennsylvania Monument

Petrichor. I love the sound of the word and I love what it means: The smell of the air when it rains after a long period of hot dry weather. I always try to associate another happy memory with this fragrance, and today’s reminiscence was a particularly happy one.

I arrived in Gettysburg at the tail end of a particularly hot spell, so that the air still had a bit of the burn in it. Fortunately for me, with autumn fast arriving, the evening would cool down just enough for a light dew to form, lending to the night that “just rained” scent. My first excursion onto the battlefield was going to be under the cover of night, a slightly misty moonlit one, so that the silhouettes of the monuments would still be visible, be we would remain anonymous.

My initial encounter with “it” was rather startling: a large monolith that not only seemed out of place at first glance, but it did not seem of this world, altogether! Nothing prepared me for a monument shaped like a tree trunk, nor would I suppose that I would likely see one again. Since I am comfortable in the dark, I set out to “see” the monument as I have learned to do with limited vision: with my fingers. To my delight, it “felt” just like a tree, as the surface had been contoured to feel like bark. I discovered a sack, pouch and what felt to be a rifle, too. It was a solo experience, but intensely satisfying, nonetheless.

I was fortunate enough to visit what I learned to be the 90th Pennsylvania Infantry monument two more times in the daylight, and each time was just as delightful as the one before it. I am not a collector of chachkies, but in this case I would make an exception and proudly display a replica of this unique statue.

PS I already have an itinerary for June2017 that includes a reunion with this beloved statue:smile:
 
An ode to a beloved statue: this one has been sitting in my files for a bit, as it seems a bit goofy to go soft over a statue

Bee, I think it is absolutely okay to go soft over a statue or monument if it speaks to your heart.

That's why I think it's a crying shame to remove any monuments to soldiers, no matter what side they fought for. There are lots of people who still "go soft" over things their ancestors believed in and fought for, often sacrificing life and limb. "Going soft" guarantees that their deeds will not be forgotten. It's a form of honoring what they did.

Here is a picture of the monument for all those who did not immediately have a picture in mind:
321px-90th_Penna_Infantry_Monument_Gettysburg_PA1.jpg


https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:90th_Penna_Infantry_Monument_Gettysburg_PA1.jpg
 
The entire battlefield was my favorite place to visit and seeing my CWT friends in person was a treasure. the trip constantly is in my thoughts and I wonder how Bee, Peter T., Pam, Rosefiend, Rebforever and everyone is doing... Really great memories.

This is a really nice post, Tracy:smile: I look at the Gettysburg pictures quite frequently (they are situated right next to my work files, so I can sneak a peek) How is this for silly: Although I am going back to Gettysburg in June2017, because I don't have immediate plans after that, I am already pre-missing G-burg beyond June:wink: Uh-Oh...I am starting to sound nostalgic & sentimental, again!
 
The entire battlefield was my favorite place to visit and seeing my CWT friends in person was a treasure. the trip constantly is in my thoughts and I wonder how Bee, Peter T., Pam, Rosefiend, Rebforever and everyone is doing... Really great memories.

I was just there today, have been there a couple times since September. Every time I drive by the Longstreet tower, or the seminary, or Pickett's Charge field, or today I went to East Cav Field, I think about our meet-up. And I also think, oh, I should've shown them this, or taken them there. I'm making a mental list for you folks for next time.:smile:
 
I was just there today, have been there a couple times since September. Every time I drive by the Longstreet tower, or the seminary, or Pickett's Charge field, or today I went to East Cav Field, I think about our meet-up. And I also think, oh, I should've shown them this, or taken them there. I'm making a mental list for you folks for next time.:smile:

I've done the same thing.

Ryan
 
I was just there today, have been there a couple times since September. Every time I drive by the Longstreet tower, or the seminary, or Pickett's Charge field, or today I went to East Cav Field, I think about our meet-up. And I also think, oh, I should've shown them this, or taken them there. I'm making a mental list for you folks for next time.:smile:
We were there Friday and Saturday, too! If we knew, sure would have hooked-up to say HI!
 
Finally managed to read all the posts in this thread after returning from our US -trip in mid-October and wanted to say how much I enjoyed our reunion and meeting so many nice people! The tours were awesome and I have now a much better
understanding why Sickles and Ewell acted as they did!
I want to thank @FarawayFriend for posting my picture on Longstreet Tower, because this one and other pictures
posted by different people - sadly - are the only ones to remind me of our reunion, because me dear husband
inadvertently deleted all our Gettysburg pictures!:cry: We have been to Gettysburg before so we have plenty of
battlefield pictures but non of that great weekend in September 2016....
 
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