Monday, August 21 – After a great ride around the area where day one of the Gettysburg battle occurred, we returned to our campground for a break and for a little dinner. We had one more area we wanted to see. The Soldiers’ National Cemetery had a free 45-minute guided tour entitled “Four Score and Seven Years Ago: Lincoln and the Soldiers’ National Cemetery.” We visited the site of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and explored the Soldiers’ National Cemetery where over 3,500 soldiers killed in the battle were laid to rest. All of the soldiers are Union except for eight that are Confederate. Another great event. Our guide shared so many wonderful tidbits about the Cemetery. Stories we would have never heard if we hadn’t taken this walking tour.
Soldiers’ National Monument is the first grand memorial in the cemetery.
At the base of the Monument are figures representing War, History, Peace and Plenty.
New York State Monument.
It is said that the lady at the top has a tear running down her cheek.
Ohio Monument under a Buckeye tree.
In addition to those Union soldiers who died in the Battle of Gettysburg, it is a National Cemetery with military casualties sections containing individuals who served from the Spanish-American War to the early years of the Vietnam War. 
The tour ended at the Soldiers’ National Monument in the cemetery, and the playing of taps by a military bugler. A very moving end to a fabulous day in Gettysburg.
We have much more to see and do so check back for our report.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!
It is sad to think that most of History is made through the loss of life.
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It's about time.
We've been to Gettysburg. Unbelievable how many men died in a few short days. Life is pretty soft today in comparison...
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Hearing TAPS at that location would make me cry. I guess that's appropriate there.
ReplyDeleteThe guided tour of the cemetery is really necessary to get the full understanding. So glad you were able to attend:)
ReplyDeleteWe really need to get back there.
ReplyDeleteAnother very interesting piece on American history, thanks for takin us along.
ReplyDeleteThe guided tour sounds amazing. . .we may need to go back for that, and also to visit the historic sites in town. It could take weeks to see, and do it all.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very sobering place filled with history and lessons we should not ignore.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the National Cemetery is a very somber and humbling experience. It is amazing the number of soldiers that died in such a brief time. We need to remember our history.
ReplyDeleteBeen following along on your tour of Gettysburg. We need to head east sometime and visit Gettysburg and other Civil War sites before they tear them all down.
ReplyDeleteAnother great experience and one I hope to have in the future.
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