Gettysburg - A silent tribute
A lesson in the American Civil War is not complete until one has visited Gettysburg. More men fell during the Battle of Gettysburg than in any other battle on American soil, before or since. Today, the most tangible connection to those three fateful days in July, 1863, is the preserved battlefield and the Seminary Ridge Museum, where many soldiers were treated, some loosing limbs, others their lives. Today, the hills, fences, rocks, cannons and the monuments give us pause, an opportunity to reflect and understand what happened here. Some of the exhibits at the Seminary museum were so graphic that I couldn't bear look at them. It is with heavy heart that I present you our photos so that you too may see a glimpse of this battlefield, and remember that the price of Freedom is extremely high.
May we always cherish and remember our soldiers who sacrificed and struggled here, and the men and women who still fight for our freedom every day. Let us respect the freedom we now have and regard the eloquent speech of President Lincoln. The Gettysburg Address gave meaning to the struggles and stated that the war would lead to a "new birth of freedom" for this nation. Let's not mess up this country of ours anymore than it already is.
Give your Vet a hug and say "Thank You" to the next service man/woman you meet in your travels!
We don't want to repeat history!
May we always cherish and remember our soldiers who sacrificed and struggled here, and the men and women who still fight for our freedom every day. Let us respect the freedom we now have and regard the eloquent speech of President Lincoln. The Gettysburg Address gave meaning to the struggles and stated that the war would lead to a "new birth of freedom" for this nation. Let's not mess up this country of ours anymore than it already is.
Give your Vet a hug and say "Thank You" to the next service man/woman you meet in your travels!
We don't want to repeat history!
Flight 93 - a terrorist attack
September 11, 2001, morning: Four commercial airliners are hijacked by al Qaeda terrorists in a planned attack against us. Two are flown into the World Trade Center's twin towers in NY City. A third is flown into the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. A fourth, UA Flt 93, a Boing 757 bound from Newark, NJ for SF, CA is delayed 25 minutes before takeoff.
Just before 10 am a plane is seen flying low and erratically over southwestern PA, At 10:03 it crashes, upside-down, at 563 mph into this Somerset County field. There are no survivors. All 33 passengers, 7 crew members, and 4 hijackers are killed.
Again, we're reminded that our freedom, too often, hangs by a thin thread. Amazingly, as in this incident, everyday people got up and sacrificed their own life for the greater good. The museum had the voice recordings of the ongoings in the cockpit and some of the passengers and flight crew called their loved ones. Their voice messages were preserved and can be heard. It was so terribly heartbreaking to hear these voices knowing that the next few minutes will be their last, and they are still trying to reassure their loved ones that they are OK. One lady gave instructions to her deposit box so that her affairs can be dealt with. Heartbreaking!
Just before 10 am a plane is seen flying low and erratically over southwestern PA, At 10:03 it crashes, upside-down, at 563 mph into this Somerset County field. There are no survivors. All 33 passengers, 7 crew members, and 4 hijackers are killed.
Again, we're reminded that our freedom, too often, hangs by a thin thread. Amazingly, as in this incident, everyday people got up and sacrificed their own life for the greater good. The museum had the voice recordings of the ongoings in the cockpit and some of the passengers and flight crew called their loved ones. Their voice messages were preserved and can be heard. It was so terribly heartbreaking to hear these voices knowing that the next few minutes will be their last, and they are still trying to reassure their loved ones that they are OK. One lady gave instructions to her deposit box so that her affairs can be dealt with. Heartbreaking!