We arrived at our destination, the Gettysburg National Military Park, 44 miles south of Harrisburg, at about 1:15 pm. Even though it was the beginning of a holiday weekend we were unprepared for the throngs of people visiting the battlefield. Hundreds and hundreds. Many, many older citizens like ourselves, but many younger people and families as well. This is indeed a national shrine that touches people's hearts.

We took advantage of viewing a special film narrated by Morgan Freeman, followed by a most impressive panaramic display of Picket's Charge. This is final moment of the conflict, where on day three of the battle (July 3, 1863), 10,000 Confederate soldiers in full battle dress, banners and flags flying in the breeze stepped off in perfect formation from the trees seen on Cemetary ridge a mile away across these open fields, and marched toward this spot, "the copse of trees," where the Union Army awaited on Seminary Ridge. Though there was a brief breakthrough right at this point on the Union line, led by General Armisted and his men of "Old Dominian" (Virginians) the Confederates were thrown back and suffered terrible loss. Shattered beyond all hope and endurance they withdrew from the field, ending the battle. There were over 53,000 casulties on both sides during these three terrible days, July 1,2 and 3. Many, many of them are buried as "Name Unknown" in the military cemetary nearby, dedicated by President Abraham Lincoln on the occasion of his immortal speech, "Fourscore and seven years ago ..." The Gettysburg Address. It was the turning point of the Civil War. It is sacred ground.

It was very sobering to come to this spot after the orientation and film in the Visitor's Center as the beginning our 'self tour.'