Gettysburg: Haunting Me Still

Gettysburg: Haunting Me Still

me, haunting Gettysburg like a pro

 

Gettysburg: Haunting Me Still

While many of you will be celebrating the 4th of July tomorrow, tonight, at my house, there will be a small gathering of people to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Ok, so that’s pretty different, perhaps you think it’s odd; I have two things to say to that: Anniversaries are sacred, AND you don’t know my mother.

I grew up in a house with a mortician and a history teacher – a very interesting combo that I think explains the picture here to the right. Together, but in their own unique ways, my parents taught me the power of an anniversary, of a symbol, and of a life. But what they were really teaching me, perhaps without realizing, was how to remember.

My mom took me on several trips to the east coast to visit the Civil War battlefields of Harper’s Ferry, Antietam/Sharpsburg, Manassas/Bull Run, Fredericksburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Guiné Station, and her particular favorite, Gettysburg. On our last trip I was old enough to drive and I dropped my mom off at the field where General George Pickett led his famous charge so that she could walk it herself. I went and got coffee and found a little bookstore because, well, my version of vacation is a bit different than hers : ) While I didn’t fully understand it then, looking back on those trips, I really appreciate my time in Gettysburg and I love the enthusiasm and passion the place stirred up in my mom. I remember vividly driving to the top of Little Round Top (a small hill on the battlefield & a significantly strategic spot) to watch the sunset over the battlefield and seeing my mom tear-up as she thought of the 51,000 men were killed, wounded, captured, or never found over the course of just 3 days. It’s a sobering place.

Photo by Sonny Fulks

Photo by Sonny Fulks

 

There are 1,328 memorials and monuments scattered around the battleground. You actually can’t look anywhere in Gettysburg without seeing a memorial to fallen soldiers, a courageous general, an infantry unit, or a particular place where the fighting was hottest.

There is a real sense of “hallowed ground” in every inch of that small, quaint town.

The point of all of this that I hope will stay with you as we celebrate the 4th of July tomorrow, is that there is wisdom and goodness in stopping to remember some of the events in history that have made the 4th a day we celebrate.

Anniversaries like today and tomorrow are opportunities for us to honor heroes, learn some history, and spend some time appreciating the value and impact of a single human life.

So tonight, we will gather around our bonfire, smoking pipes and cigars, chewing homemade hardtack and johnny cakes. And in this small, but purposeful gathering, we will pay our respects to the men and the battle of Gettysburg.

 So . . .

What are some significant anniversaries in your life? How do you celebrate them?

Molly Keating
Molly Keating
Hello! I'm Molly and I run & manage the Blog here at O'Connor. I grew up in a mortuary with a mortician for a father who's deep respect for the profession inspired me to give working at a mortuary a try. Work at O'Connor has brought together two of my deep passions, writing & grief awareness. In 2016 I earned Certification in the field of Thanatology, the study of Death, Dying and Bereavement. I am honored to be able to speak on these taboo topics with knowledge, compassion, and a unique perspective. I want to sincerely thank you for following & reading the blog, I hope that this is a healing place for you.

14 Comments

  1. Amen, Chuck! It’s that exact sentiment about the cost of Freedom that makes days like the 4th so very precious and valuable in the fabric of our country. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and reminding me of the power of that phrase.

  2. Greg, oh my goodness. Your passion just brought tears to my eyes! I love your story, the casualness of your decision to visit, the normal hopes & anxieties that come with seeing something new, and then the complete and surprising hold that the place grabbed you with.

    I remember going on a tour in our car as a kid with a real person driving my family and I around the battle field telling us where everything was. I was only 11 or so and was bored out of my mind for 3 hours as my mom asked more and more questions and pro-longed the tour well beyond the 2 hours allotted. It wasn’t until my 2nd and 3rd visit that I really began to feel the emotional pull and historical weight of the place. It kind of does just sneak up on you when you least expect it.

    Now, obviously, my relationship and view of Gettysburg has matured and become much closer to your experience and view. It’s a place that evokes the emotion and passion you so clearly were filled with.

    THANK YOU so much for sharing your beautiful trip & your glowing thoughts, I absolutely loved reading your comment. THANK YOU GREG!

  3. So maybe I come visit sometime? I would love to be given a tour by an expert like yourself!

  4. Christopher Iverson says:

    Molly,

    The greatest gift that your walk through history has resented to you is the time shared with your mother and her passion. I see that as the true “hallowed ground.” Enjoy the journeys with your memories!

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