What a sobering day.

The first part of the day was a little off-kilter. When we arrived at the visitors center, I found that, unlike most national parks, a lot of the information part of the visit required a fee. And not cheap for all of us. So we sat and regrouped. Headed back to the rv for Deon’s opinion.

Turns out, he didn’t really have much work to do. And we were able to watch the whole video that they charged for inside on YouTube for free (and without having to fight my toddlers). Plus, popcorn and cookies. And the best way to see the battlefield is to drive it. So, we saved the money and headed on our way. I downloaded a free app that was excellent for giving information based on your gps location.

Gettysburg is most famous for the speech given by president Lincoln a few mo ya after the battle. Four score and seven years ago, you know, the speech he said nobody would remember. 279 words, two minutes etched forever on our hearts. My favorite part is where he says we cannot dedicate, consecrate, or hallow the ground because that was already done by the men who died there. 

As with other historic sites, I am awed by the random happenstance that lead to this battle. Two armies who stumbled upon each other. A shot that takes out a commander on the first day. A railroad cut that was a bit deeper than anticipated. I find it fascinating how these small details, many times unavoidable (like the weather) have shaped history. 

If I believed in ghosts, and I’m not sure I don’t, this would be where they walk. Gettysburg is the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil. In just three days, 165,000 men fought, and 51,000 received injuries, many fatal. They laid on the battlefield all night, crying for mercy as the wild animals ate them alive. It was a brutal, sad time.

Interestingly, there was a discussion that day on a worldschoolers Facebook site that I was following that day about ghosts. A woman posted a question about others’ experiences with them. The internet blew up. There were many, many “me, too” stories, but there were some very hateful comments. “Deserved ridicule,” scorn, attacks on intelligence in the name of science.

And, as I looked at that battlefield, and I looked at my phone, I pondered why humans are so inclined towards violence. Why do we feel the need to tear each other apart, physically, verbally, mentally? Another friend posted recently that conflict is just growth happening. And I read a scripture today that provided me with some spiritual guidance in this difficult world. With mighty labor of body and soul can peace be established. 

Peace takes work. In my home, community, country, world. It isn’t easy. But it is essential to our survival.