Gettysburg

 Where to begin? Perhaps as we did, visiting the cemetery. President Lincoln came here to help dedicate this cemetery. The main speaker spoke for two hours and no one remembers what he said. Lincoln spoke for two minutes. That short speech encapsulated what happened far better than anyone could have imagined. We visited his birthplace, now we visit the scene of perhaps his finest speech.

 As Lincoln stated, this is hallowed ground. This next sign speaks volumes, without saying anything at all.

We have seen this next sign before at Shiloh National cemetery. It is part of a longer poem (?). I think it is very fitting and appropriate.

This is the soldiers monument that now stands where Lincoln gave his address. The concentric rings mark graves, grouped by states, of the fallen. The small individual markers you see are for those known only to God.

Because this is a National cemetery, warriors from other wars are buried here. The next two markers caught our attention. Pay attention to the dates.

Next I will take you out onto the field(s) of honor. I need to gather my thoughts so that will be on the next posting.

with head bowed in honor and respect...