Monument topples in overnight storm

[Ponder67]

I visited Gettysburg Battlefield just prior to the 150th anniversary of the battle. At sunset on June 26, 2013 I took this picture. I was the last to leave the site prior to returning to my campsite at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. This is the last photo taken of the monument before being toppled by the severe winds that hit the area during that evening. I packed up my tent early in the morning to return to these hallowed grounds before continuing on my travels back to my home in Massachusetts. In returning to the monument's site I witnessed that the monument had fallen with staff there assessing the situation.
I read later that the monument had been return to its pedestal in time for the anniversary. I have returned to Gettysburg twice since this visit. It remains one of my most enthralling and spiritual experiences.

 

[redbob]

72nd Pennsylvania, The Philadelphia Fire Zouaves.

 

[rpkennedy]

72nd Pennsylvania, The Philadelphia Fire Zouaves.

Also known as the monument placed where the unit didn't fight.

Ryan

 

[Cavalier]

I believe there was a law suit over the placement of that monument. Maybe the ghosts on the loosing side of the court case were getting revenge.

John

 

[redbob]

When I was attending the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, I would stop at both the New York Fire Zouave and the Philadelphia Fire Zouave monuments to pay my respects whenever I was in Gettysburg. If ever there was a star crossed unit, it was the 72nd Pennsylvania.

 

[infomanpa]

I believe there was a law suit over the placement of that monument. Maybe the ghosts on the loosing side of the court case were getting revenge.

John

The case went to the state supreme court!

 

[Cavalier]

@infomanpa Thanks, I did not know that. Serious stuff.

John

 

[Cavalier]

@redbob I love the 73rd New York's monument too. A couple of friends have me a miniature of that one.

John

 

[ronzzo]

Her's my photo of the 72nd.

 

[Gary Morgan]

Those are both wicked cool photos!

 

[Andersonh1]

Yes, very nice photos. Great job!

 

[Stone in the wall]

I visited Gettysburg Battlefield just prior to the 150th anniversary of the battle. At sunset on June 26, 2013 I took this picture. I was the last to leave the site prior to returning to my campsite at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. This is the last photo taken of the monument before being toppled by the severe winds that hit the area during that evening. I packed up my tent early in the morning to return to these hallowed grounds before continuing on my travels back to my home in Massachusetts. In returning to the monument's site I witnessed that the monument had fallen with staff there assessing the situation.
I read later that the monument had been return to its pedestal in time for the anniversary. I have returned to Gettysburg twice since this visit. It remains one of my most enthralling and spiritual experiences.
View attachment 366820
View attachment 366820

Indeed a very nasty looking sky.

 

[adisciu9]

The monument has been my avatar for CivilWarTalk for years.

 

[Crazy Delawares]

I was teaching my CW unit in class one day about the controversy behind this monument. I was on the side that believed it should not have been placed where it was. That is until one of my students, who belonged to my after school club, The Blue & Gray Club, spoke up and said that his g-g-g-grandfather fought in the 72nd Fire Zouaves. So together we did some research and decided that whether they fought at that particular spot or not, the 72nd deserved their monument and their honor is richly deserved. *I have admit, it was really cool researching this with a student who truly enjoyed proving that his grandfather was a hero!
When we took our class trip to G-burg, I made it a point to stop at the 72nd monument and take pics of my student next to the monument and he gave a short report on the monument for extra credit. I have to admit that he did a much better job than his teacher could have.

 

[Gettysburg Guide #154]

I was teaching my CW unit in class one day about the controversy behind this monument. I was on the side that believed it should not have been placed where it was. That is until one of my students, who belonged to my after school club, The Blue & Gray Club, spoke up and said that his g-g-g-grandfather fought in the 72nd Fire Zouaves. So together we did some research and decided that whether they fought at that particular spot or not, the 72nd deserved their monument and their honor is richly deserved. *I have admit, it was really cool researching this with a student who truly enjoyed proving that his grandfather was a hero!
When we took our class trip to G-burg, I made it a point to stop at the 72nd monument and take pics of my student next to the monument and he gave a short report on the monument for extra credit. I have to admit that he did a much better job than his teacher could have.

This is great stuff! The new generation of Americans has more love for this country than most of my generation believe is true. Did your student get to see his ancestor's name on the Pennsylvania Memorial?

 

[connecticut yankee]

The NPS should use crazy glue on the pedestal...

 

[James N.]

My effort from August, 2014.

 

[James N.]

Here's a link to a post by @CWDF showing it soon after the storm:

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/the-field-at-gettysburg.108263/post-1067511

 

[Crazy Delawares]

This is great stuff! The new generation of Americans has more love for this country than most of my generation believe is true. Did your student get to see his ancestor's name on the Pennsylvania Memorial?

Yes he did!

 

[Lubliner]

It is a hurried object of the heart among many people to put away those items that bring back terribly strong emotions of pain and turmoil. It has truly become impossible to steal away from for peace and solitude. The real fear is that once removed from the vision of bystanders, the memories will still remain. Erase the mind? It is a frantic effort of escapism. Just another chronic episode in the good old U. s. of A. If my memory does serve me to my own advantage, as a youth and even a young adult I was always with my generation of division, factions, rebellions, police brutality, quarantines, and home bound parties of secrets via discretion. To flaunt and make spectacle those things that bring disgrace upon a nation, such as Beach Week (sorry Charlie, the tuna is a song and dance) is a sore episode when qualified minds of sober spirit rule our land.
Lubliner.