Day 20. Part 1. Gettysburg, PA.

Well I can't even begin to describe what a day this was. We spent the morning at the Gettysburg battlefields. We took a 2 hour guided tour. This was awesome. The tour guide, Fran Feyock, met us at the visitors center, climbed in the coach and sat in my wheelchair between the front seats and led us on a historical journey explaining the progression of the battle, strategies, mistakes, victories, politics, and of course the human toll. There are something like 1200 monuments around the battlefield and each tells a story. It's impossible to take it all in in 2 hours. Our guide has been living here and guiding for something like 20 years and he says he still finds new monuments. I highly recommend the guided tour if you have the chance.
In addition , there are some 300 etchings done by soldiers scattered around.  An incredibly emotional experience.
Like I said, it's impossible to see it all in 2 hours, and it's impossible to put into words. Here are some pictures...

A small portion of the cannon collection 

Virginia memorial
(Above and below)

These two statues of the opposing generals stand exactly 1 mile apart, facing each other. both are visible frome either position. Incredibly they both trained at West Point and knew each other there.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

• Union general George Meade & his horse, Old Baldy.  

This Irish memorial was one that President Kennedy and Jackie wanted to see on their tour of Gettysburg . 

dedicated on July 3, 1938, commemorating the 1913 Gettysburg reunion for the 50th anniversary of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1913. This monument has an eternal flame and Jackie Kennedy wanted the same for JFKs gravesite.

Pennsylvania memorial

The final shots of the civil war
Were fired at this spot.