Remembrance Day in Gettysburg

For the past several years, my husband and I have always found time to make our way to Gettysburg, whether it be spring or fall, the time away from our busy lives was and always will be a treat.

I remember the first time we traveled to Gettysburg. The layout of town reminded me much of my own hometown, that we both immediately fell in love with, felt welcomed, and never remained lost for very long. During each trip and even after arriving back home, the one thing we always made a point to discuss was how much Gettysburg felt like home to us. We also equally agreed Gettysburg is where we belonged.

When I met my husband, he welcomed me with his interest of the Civil War. He willingly showed his pride for the Confederacy. A flag, a bumper sticker, a pin, and even a tattoo will prove how much his dedication is for the southern states.  How could I argue this for my own self until introduced to Gettysburg.

During our visits, we would always find ourselves traveling during the off season knowing the profound numbers of tourists lingering during the hot summer days. In my own opinion, the best time to visit IS during the off season. You’re able to get into more areas of the town and the battlefield without hundreds or even thousands of other people being in the same area you are when taking it all in. There are literally hundreds of places to see, research and take pictures of; Gettysburg cannot be seen in one day, even when signing up for a one-day guided tour. 

After spending many visits over the past several years, our time has only allowed us to take in so much. Each time we find ourselves in Gettysburg, a point is made to visit something or someplace new. It might be a part of the battlefield we have not seen, or the part of town we have not walked.

This year, we both neglected to make a visit during our normal times in the spring due to job scheduling. After receiving an e-mail from the Gettysburg Chamber of Commerce, note was taken about a Remembrance Day Parade. I wanted to do something special for my husband since we’ve never made it down during the Annual Gettysburg Civil War Reenactment in July. This was going to be something we would share, enjoy being part of, and remember for the rest of our lives.

The advertisement for the parade alone is what caught my eye. Those who participate in this show up by the thousands wearing period attire and battle uniforms. I had no idea what to expect making this trip and we almost missed it by my own disregard of marking the wrong date this woud take place.

Remembrance Day is not only a day for re-enactors to take time out of their own lives with respect for a soldier they never knew or might have been a related. Remembrance Day is about history. On November 19, 1863, a document was read and signed by our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. Remembrance Day reflects not only on all of the soldiers who fought and then laid to rest in Gettysburg; it reflects a huge part of history we call The Gettysburg Address.  

During this time, many events take place, but dedication is held for each soldier laid to rest known and unknown. If you’re lucky, you might even have chance of seeing Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by actor James Getty, of course.

Upon arrival to town early Friday evening of Nov. 18, the air was cool and crisp pungent with the smell of tobacco already lingering in the air. Soldiers from both North and South were in the streets meeting with others they knew and served with in company. 

After visiting many times, my interest was more in how they had made changes to a couple of the streets in the past year, moreover the fact there were thousands of men dressed as Union and Confederate Soldiers. Even the women, wives and widows of the officers, were dressed in period clothing. I’m not even certain we were in our room for more than five minutes until we were on the sidewalk walking our way down Steinweir Avenue to see all the goings on. Judging by the vast number of people we had already seen, our anticipation level of this weekend would not be left in disappointment. Our surprise was yet to happen.

Our stays in Gettysburg have always reminded me of Christmas morning as a child. I don’t mind who you are, there is excitement and this unexplained emotional energy that runs through your veins when visiting. I cannot think of one time where I slept in for very long knowing I was in a town holding so much history yet to see. 

During a stay in 2010, I remember waking up just before dawn. I made up my mind, no matter how bone-chilling it was that morning, I would wait for the sun to rise while standing at the edge of the battlefield. What a beautiful and outstanding sight to see and well worth the wait while standing in the chilly air.

Our first event to attend began at 9:30 a.m. in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. We had just finished breakfast and heard beating drums in the near distance. A band of soldiers was already making way towards the cemetery, and we would soon greet them upon entering the cemetery moments later. We both had found way into the National Cemetery once upon my first visit to Gettysburg. I work as an administrator for a local cemetery here in Lycoming County, so my interest to see how well the cemetery was maintained piqued my interest. 

It was also noted at that time, this cemetery was marked as to where the reading of the Gettysburg Address took place.  What an honor it was to be standing in the very spot where Abraham Lincoln declared why we can never forget what was done here during this great battle. "Never forget" seems like an appropriate statement even in more recent times of grievance.

As we stood in the cemetery the morning of Nov. 19, we became surrounded by many---tourists, actors, and key note speakers were just a few to name, but the number of men portraying a soldier they respected as their own blood, was in every direction. Let us not forget the 3,512 Union Soldiers also surrounding us with 979 of them unknown buried here. 

Moving around a few times to get the best view of the speakers up front, we were unaware we stood just a few feet shy from a gentleman resting against a tree. Bumping my arm slightly, my husband grabbed my attention long enough to look towards this man to see his identity hidden from behind, yet recognizable from the side. There was certainly no mistake who this older gentleman was portraying. After standing there for a short time, we moved closer and incredibly after a couple attempts in trying to make it to his feet on his own, my husband had chance to show a good deed done by helping this gentleman, a hero in his heart, to his feet after resting. Proud and glowing with excitement, my husband stood back near my side acknowledging this would be remembered for the rest of his life and (actor) General Robert E. Lee thanking him in kindness.

Particular sections of the cemetery had dedications being called out to those related or involved. Remaining silent we heard ranks and names being rung out as those called stood forward to collect the recognition each deserved for being there.  Hearing all this go on as we walked by almost felt as though we had stepped back 150 years in time. 

With a couple hours to spare, we couldn’t make all of the events that morning with so much going on all over town. Our main decision to make this trip to Gettysburg was about to start in the early afternoon hours. I will honestly say if after reading this has you deciding to travel to Gettysburg for the weekend during a large event, get there and get seated! It never occurred to us just how many people were here for the same reason or supporting their loved ones in the parade itself. We learned upon arriving, the parade would be going right past where we would be staying the weekend. It was almost the equivalent to winning the lottery when finding out. I say this metaphorically speaking of course, because if you’ve never been to an event this huge, it is well worth the investment to see it physically and feel it emotionally.

Intimidation played a huge role for both of us to be so quickly taken with an obsene amount of respect for these men. If I had to count the number of individuals who were portraying a soldier of the Union, I would be unable to give you an accurate number. I’m not sure what my husband was feeling after five minutes of watching hundreds march by, but I imagined myself in this very position as if it were 150 years ago to this day.

Only one word came to mind--intimidation. The emotional stand point of seeing and feeling this was all new to me and I am still a bit taken by all actions viewed as they are remembered. Imagination is a wonderful gift given to each of us. If you should ever find yourself in Gettysburg after reading this, use your imagination and place yourself in this position by standing  where thousands marched, or rode through by horse to each destination and also where devastation took place. I believe you will find yourself feeling the very same as I always do when visiting Gettysburg.   
    

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