LIB.ER.TY

1. the quality or state of being free

All wars seem to boil down to one idea - liberty... freedom.
During the Civil War, our country lost more men than we did during World Wars I and II combined. For what? For liberty.

This weekend, our family visited Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Most of our time was spent on the Gettysburg National Battlefield and I found myself questioning if I'm, we're, our country is actually redeeming that loss of life for my, your, our freedom. Are we?

Our tour took us through the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg, notably the most horrific battle of the Civil War and one that turned the tide toward the outcome of freedom. 

Standing atop Seminary Ridge, to our left we could see Gettysburg and to our right the expanse of field where the first battle began.

Just to the right of the small American flag is a actual shell lodged into a downtown Gettysburg home during the battle.  It is one of several that remain in various buildings since those three days in July of 1863.

The photo on the right shows a group of rocks in the middle called Devils Den - a dangerous holding place of the northern troops and one that quite possibly could have cost them the battle.

 

Standing atop Little Round Top overlooking what's known as Death Valley because of the massive loss of life during Day 2 of the battle.

Some items of surprise on our tour were: 

• The town of Gettysburg, where people were living their day to day lives, was smack dab in the middle of the conflict.
• The amount of carnage and bloodshed was astounding. To stand on the same ground where that happened was humbling.
• That a matter of a five minute wait quite possibly caused the outcome to be as it was.
• The land looked like ordinary farmland and was difficult to imagine in a state of bloody battle.
• A small creek running through the battlefield was named Plum Creek for the amount of blood, both northern and southern, that ran through it in those three days.
• The sheer size of the land area covered in three days on foot by the soldiers.

This monument stands on a ridge where the third and final day of battle took place.

On the left, an actual Civil War cannon.
On the right, one of the various state markers noting the participation of the different states in the battle.

After our tour, we visited the National Cemetery where Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. The bodies of the northern dead were originally quickly buried on the battlefield, but it was soon determined that a more respectful burial was appropriate.  (Southern soldiers were sent home for burial.) Plans for the National Cemetery ensued and bodies were moved and given a final resting place. Not expected to attend since presidents didn't travel during those days, the dedication committee for the cemetery planned to have a famous orator speak who most don't even remember.  When Lincoln surprisingly confirmed his attendance, the committee, of course, had to include him in the ceremony. After the orators 2+ hour speech, Lincoln gave is 2+ minute speech that he thought no one would remember - The Gettysburg Address.

Of course we all remember the beginning, "Four score and seven years ago..."

But it's the ending to which I want to draw attention...

"It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."

Freedom isn't free - someone paid the price.  My hope is that I, you, our country redeems them.

This area of graves is for those that were not identified - the unknown.  My Nutter Butter noticed that the gorgeous gold leaves covering the ground here were heart-shaped.

David Wills House - the home where Lincoln stayed November 18 and finished his Gettysburg Address.  This is the exact bed and coverlet used by Lincoln.

At the entrance to the David Wills home with in-character Brigadier General Horace Porter, aide-de-camp to Gen. U.S. Grant. I'm standing where Lincoln actually stood and am getting ready to walk through the very same door that he walked through!

Gettysburg happened to be having their tree lighting ceremony the evening we were there.

We finished the evening at the Blue and Grey Bar and Grill.  The burgers came highly recommended and are named after generals of both the North and the South and come decorated as such! 

Keeping up our family selfie tradition as we travel!

Drowning in Testosterone

Tonight, I found myself in the most peculiar position.  

I had inadvertently nestled myself, whilst blissfully snap, snap, snapping away on my camera, between two very crazed high school wrestling teams!  I don't think I've ever in my life felt more surrounded by testosterone.  As I stood there, I had one of those moments where one removes themselves from the situation but is watching oneself in the situation... you know, like you're floating above your own life.  As I looked at myself, my face so resembled the bright yellow emoji  face with the  light blue head, giant white eyes, with hands pressed to each cheek.  You know the one - the one screaming in fear!  

As the last match intensified, my son's entire wildly cheering team crept closer to the spot I had parked myself with my camera, I moved a little.  They got even more excited and crept further.  I moved a little more. Soon to realize though, I was idiotically moving closer to the opposing crazed team of wrestling maniahood.  Thankfully, it all ended before I was literally a sandwich.  Not exactly my idea of the best first experience with wrestling!

I've been a soccer mom, a baseball mom, a softball mom, a basketball mom, a football mom, a track mom, a ballet mom, a lacrosse mom, a horseback riding mom, a cross country mom, but never... a wrestling mom.  In all of the athletic endeavors of my children, I have never experienced anything quite like this.  I guess it's my completely and totally estrogen-filled-mother body that just doesn't understand why anyone would purposely WANT to go out onto a mat and wrestle. Nothing, I mean nothing, sounds appealing about that to me.

However, I must say, that in the past few short weeks since we became part of the wrestling community, my son has shown incredible discipline.  Not just discipline in practice, but discipline at the breakfast, lunch and dinner table.  He has shown a willingness to try something completely new and foreign to him.  Seriously, who are we kidding? How many of us would put on one of these wrestling "suits" (I'm such a newbie I don't even know what they're called!) and bare ourselves  to a crowd of screaming spectators?  Finally, how many high school boys are willing to get on a mat and demonstrate their strengths and potentially their weaknesses to all that are watching? 

So, call me a proud mom, call me biased, call me crazy if you want.  But for now, I'm learning to swim in this sea of wrestling testosterone to support my not-so-little-guy because I am so incredibly proud of his determination and courage!  Sure do love him!