I could hear the cheerful chirping birds and feel a gentle breeze wafting over me as I stood peacefully in the quiet morning. Warm sunlight streamed over the massive 6,000-acre field where I stood. These fields not so long ago had been the bitter struggle between the North and the South during the Civil War — this same ground where over 51,000 soldiers died. The Gettysburg battle itself took only three days beginning on July 1st, 1863 and was the high mark of the Civil War as Lee’s troops suffered tremendous losses. I was surprised to learn that only one citizen of Gettysburg, Jennie Wade, was killed during that battle. Even more shocking was learning that more men were killed at this Battle at Gettysburg than any other battle on American Soil before or after.

Many soldiers were hastily buried after the battle or, not even buried. The town of Gettysburg was aghast at the situation, so Governor Curtin of Pennsylvania commissioned the purchase of seventeen acres of land to bury soldiers properly.
   It took several years for the fallen to be reinterred. The Soldiers’ National Cemetery, where many were buried, was dedicated on November 19, 1863. It became a meaningful symbol of the dead who sacrificed their lives offering the inspiration of freedom for all to the living. President Abraham Lincoln tenaciously honed his 272-word Gettysburg Address — I recall having to memorize his speech when I was in grade school! He said he hoped the cemetery would lead to a “new birth of freedom for a united nation.”

   Visiting the historic town and battlefield of Gettysburg was a powerful reminder to me to cherish my country and to be appreciative of my freedoms; and of the sacrifices many people made in the quest for a united country.
   
  Another key battle town, south of Gettysburg, is Harpers Ferry. Now I confess, when I heard we were going to “Harper’s Ferry,” I was not excited about taking a ride on a ferry boat — something you would understand if you aren’t a history buff. But my friends are trustworthy, so I said nothing, only to be delightfully surprised to find it a charming, small town. But at the time of the Civil War it was manufacturing all sorts of goods and was a store house of arms, held by the North — and the South wanted dearly.

   The interesting thing about us “Westerners” (me) is that we are surprised how much historical remnants are still “east” (everywhere I traveled). The eastern section of our country has such history, and it is reflected in their buildings, museums, shops, homes, and streets. The very land all these sit upon, is historical.
   

   So, what I discovered is, Harpers Ferry is a town of living history. The buildings remaining today are the same as they were during the Civil War. As I walked the streets I could almost hear the voices of the townsfolk and the thud of the bullets as they hit the buildings. One home has one hundred bullet holes —Imagine that! It’s still standing, firmly planted on the terra firma! They built homes much stronger in those days. 

  I had not visited the eastern United States for about 40 years, so I was in awe of my visit to the Capital in Washington, D. C. My preconceived notion of D.C. was influenced by what I had seen in New York City — noisy streets, a very assertive populous, long lines for everything, a transportation system with filled seats and many people clinging to hand straps attached to the ceiling, everyone too busy to notice you — let alone give you the time of day. Well, I welcomed my disappointment! I found just the opposite in the D.C. area: our hotel staff was very eager to help and please us; the Metro (my first-ride experience) was quick, smooth, uncrowded and very inexpensive to travel from place to place — everyone I met was friendly, gentle, and helpful.

   I share this with you because it was a simple, yet powerful reminder to me about our preconceived ideas; and how totally wrong they might be. 

My trip around Washington D.C. deserves an article, by itself. One of my illusions which made me chuckle was when my friends said, “We’ll go to the Mall tomorrow.” Well, you can imagine my only reference to a “mall” is shopping in cities — and that wasn’t my idea of an enjoyable time but I was willing to tag along.

   I discovered “The Mall” in D.C. is a long esplanade of green tendered grounds. At one end is the Lincoln Memorial and at the other end is our Capitol — in between are many interesting museums, parks, historic displays, and art galleries. Many of the buildings have stately marble columns at their entrances, marble flooring and steps — I was impressed! At The National Gallery of Art, I was delighted to finally see the originals of the masters like Manet and Monet. I asked one of the monitors (one in each room) how it was possible that all the museums were free? “You taxpayers pay for this,” he replied. Then with a smile added, “But, we get to see them all the time.”

   It is my hope that if you have not been “east” that you might consider a historic trip to D.C. and Gettysburg. It rekindled my appreciation of what our country has grown through over many years, and what I need to be thankful for, especially with Thanksgiving coming soon. May your sense of goodness in America be rekindled as it has done for me.