Trip To Gettysburg

[Jimd]

My family and I took a trip to Gettysburg yesterday (we live about 100 miles away). It was my older daughter's birthday, and she wanted to take a friend.

While my wife took our little one to window shop at some outlets, my daughter, the friend, and I immersed ourselves in the battlefield.

They trekked off on their own, while I set off down the frontal slope from Little Round Top, towards Devil's Den. Going down the slope was amazing. As I walked down, I noted the battle effects on the huge boulders; you can still see where cannon shells and rifle fire hit the rocks. I imagine what it must have been like to hide behind each boulder/rock as thousands of rounds flew like hail.

The slope was covered, heavily, with sticker (briar) bushes, and my legs, by the end of that walk, were bloody and flayed open. But I didn't care; it was my personal "duty" to those who fought there to take that walk.

I walked through "Bloody Run" at the bottom, the little creek that flowed red with blood that day back in 1863. Yesterday, instead of death, little frogs peeped out their mating calls in a chorus.

And then to Devil's Den. We crawled around in there for quite a while. Being a former sniper, I scouted out many of the likely sniper positions that would have been used by the Confederates as they effectively sniped Union troops 500 yards away on Little Round Top. Those guys made some damn amazing shots, considering the rifles they were using back then. Even by today's standards, many riflemen would be fortunate to make some of those shots at that range.

That battlefield truly holds me in awe. The bravery and courage that took place there can still be felt, even today. And the suffering.

Driving out, I persuaded my wife to stop by the site of Pickett's Charge, also called the "High Water Mark". It's where the Battle of Gettysburg was won by the Union, the Confederate's last, desperate charge that ended for them in failure.

I thought about how our country would be different today had the Confederates succeeded, and how the world might be different. I was totally awed as I stood right there, where world history was made! Next to the battles in Europe (Normandy, in particular), this was likely the most profound and significant military action in recent history.

The solemn nature of the place nearly brought me to tears. Yet yesterday, it was peaceful, as if trying to make up for the savagery of fourteen decades ago.

Maybe I'll quit my job and go there to be a park ranger. I'd love to give guided tours.

If any of you have the chance to visit Gettysburg, I highly recommend it.

[zenheretic]

Thanks for sharing Jim. I think the only battlefield, I've had the pleasure of touring was Custer's Last Stand. Not nearly as historically significant, but I gather it is studied around the world in military circles...mostly for what not to do. Based on the way you talked about Gettysburg, I surmise you would make an excellent guide.

[smcfalls13]

I've been to Gettysburg two or three times over the years(it's about the same distance from me, give or take).

I agree with Jim, it's definitely worth a visit. :cool:

[CopilotATS-55]

ive been there and Fredricksburg 2 or more times with my dad :)

[Jimd]

Thanks, guys.
CoPilot, I've actually been to Plymouth, MA, a few years back. Beautiful little town!

I'm serious about the park ranger thing. I'm going to check into it a bit more in-depth, as to whether it's a state or federal job (I think it's federal, given that it's a national park). I'm sure it doesn't pay a whole lot, but then if I take my retirement from my current job, I'd likely make out alright.

Maybe I'd get tired of it, but I can't imagine that happening; I'd be in Hog Heaven for quite some time, doing what I'd love.

[raven]

Hey Big Jimd, Thanks Much for Sharing. During one of my next BMX Trips, I'll definately have to stop there and visit the site. Take Good Care my friend. BTW, It is Awsome to hear that you actually had the chance to go and enjoy some quality time with the Family. That Is Great To Hear Most Of All ;) . Prayers Sent for You and Yours Always.

God Bless and 360IJN :)


-raven-

[ghostrider]

Hey Jim,
I have to agree with Raven about it being great hearing that you got to spend some quality time with the family.

Thanks for sharing that moment with us.

[Jimd]

Thanks, brothers. Things with the family are going pretty darn well right now, all things considered. I've prayed for it, and it has been granted to me by our Father in Heaven, in Christ's name.

Well, I've just waded through countless cyber-pages of the Federal Job Site, and to say it's confusing is an understatement. I'm trying to find out if I'm too old to apply for Federal Employment as a Park Ranger, and darned if I can find out the answer!!

I know that many Federal law enforcement jobs have an age limitation of 36 or 37, and I'll be 37 in a few months. That's why it's important for me to find out.

At any rate, if God wants me to find such a job, He'll grant it.

[smcfalls13]

Well, I've just waded through countless cyber-pages of the Federal Job Site, and to say it's confusing is an understatement. I'm trying to find out if I'm too old to apply for Federal Employment as a Park Ranger, and darned if I can find out the answer!!

I know that many Federal law enforcement jobs have an age limitation of 36 or 37, and I'll be 37 in a few months. That's why it's important for me to find out.


You're right, this stuff is really hard to follow. I've been looking for about thirty minutes now, to see if I can find ANY guidelines on hiring. I'll keep looking though.

[Jimd]

You're right, this stuff is really hard to follow. I've been looking for about thirty minutes now, to see if I can find ANY guidelines on hiring. I'll keep looking though.

Scott, thanks, bro'. I looked, searched, prayed...but I couldn't find it! I even took the test to see which jobs were best suited for me. Spent about fifteen minutes answering the questions, and hit the submit button, only to have the "Error" page pop up!!! Tried to "refresh" it, but to no avail. All that effort down the tubes, lol!

Oh, well, it's late, and I'll try again tomorrow.
God bless you all. You rock!

[smcfalls13]

Jim, you're right, it's a Federal job, under the National Park Service. No age restriction that I can find(it's not considered law enforcement). Not much in the way of restrictions at all, but from what I've read, it looks like a very competitive job market, so get your resume all nice and shiny for this one.;)

Not much in the way of salary though. Only $20,000-$30,000 a year for a Park Ranger, depending on qualifications. If this is supplementary income, it won't be bad, but I wouldn't want that as the primary income for a family. Can you take retirement from your current job? If so, that might help significantly.

Check out these sites, they've got a good chunk of information, but please avoid the usajobs.gov site(I'm sure you've already found it though, it comes up in almost every search I ran). It's crap and doesn't tell you anything. Not to mention it's the worst site I've ever seen for navigating.

Federal Employment Benefits:
http://usparks.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=usparks&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.opm.gov%2F

General Information:

http://www.nps.gov/personnel/general-resource-bulletins/NPS_Employment_Opportunities_General_Bulletin.pdf

http://www.nps.gov/personnel/general-resource-bulletins/Preparing_An_Application_for_Federal_Government_Em ployment.pdf

I'll keep looking and see if I can find anything else decent. We gotta get you into a job a little less...how should I say this...negative ;)

[spydutch]

Thanks for sharing Jim :cool:

I hope you can make this ranger thing happen and say goodbye to hell ;)

[butch]

real nice place to see if you can lots of history up there
but for me now till sept i dont get any place close to there just takes to long to drive past and dealing with all the people that cant drive or have problems using signs or are lost
sounds bad but i kind of wish i didnt live 8 miles from there
so with all that said come on out and see it history is importiant and i can make due iven if that means cursing people sometimes when i drive through G-burg :D

[java]

Thanks for sharing, Jim and best wishes pusuing your dream!

That salary does not include area cost of living allowance and you can move about in the"system" once you're in. I'm going through the same thing and hope to be working at the Air Force Flight Test Center in California soon. End goal will be working at NASA Dryden but you need a foot in the door to start. Area COLA for Los Angeles county is close to 20% of your base salary. I know PA is a high cost of living area and there should be some COLA for your dream job.

Best wishes in your quest and I recommend Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen's Gettysburg as well as Grant Comes East for a couple of good background reads.


J

[boxer93]

jimd,
Great trip. We took the kids there 2 summers back. We stayed in Frederick MD and split our time between DC, Gettysburg and Harpers ferry. It sounds like it would be a fantastic job. Great Park.
On a side note: They had 150 panda statues in DC that summer. I actually purchased one at auction and is awaiting a permanent location. http://www.pandamaniadc.org/
Good Luck.
Chris

[tduffydpa]

i'd have to say that i'm with butch on this one. we have an understanding around here that we don't drive through gettysburg from april until like september or even october. too many "tourons". not that i don't think it is an important place. i completely respect the significance of the area. It is just that i kind of get oversaturated by the whole place, mainly beacuse we live so close( 8 miles-close enough to hear the reenactments, and see the fireworks in the summer) Most of the tourists are fine, but you always have the ones that plan to come here and don't know what they are doing. Butch, myself, amd my sister discussed this over the weekend, and had a list of our favorite touron moments. like people asking if gettysburg is "Where the war happened." Or people wanting directions to where the "battlesite". they fail to realize (didn't do their homework) that the fighters were at times actually running through the streets killing each other. The actual battlefields go for miles in all directions of town. Anyway, for anybody who considers the trip here, it is well worth it. go to the visitors center and get the auto tour cd. you play the recording while following the tour route, and it gives a great overview of the whole thing. Then talk to the locals and get some of the other little stories.

[znpschatz]

About 3 years ago, my wife and I went to Gettysburg, and before stopping at the visitors' site for an orientation and map, we drove around the area to look it over. At one point, for no special reason, we parked the car and got out for a look-see. It just happened to be at Cemetery Ridge, overlooking the site where Pickett's charge, the climax of the battle, took place. We stopped at the first monument we found, which marked the spot where Union troops mustered at Columbus, Ohio, were positioned that day.
That was our first view of the battlefield. We are from Columbus, Ohio.

[Irish Lager]

Jim,
Great story. Gettysburg is on my definite list of places to see. My sister and her family went there last summer and came back with some amazing stories, and highly recommended it to me. I am glad that you and your family were able to have a nice quiet trip together that you can all cherish. Thanks for sharing.
J

[psimonl]

I have been to Gettysburg about 15 years ago. It truly is a beautiful place to see. You can really feel the impact of all its history just by walking on the hills and under the trees. I was really looking to visit the place and was not disappointed.

We have a place similar in Quebec called "Les Plaine d'Abraham" where France lost what was Canada back then to the English troops in 1759. It has the same feeling, but not as intense as Gettysburg is...

Some places really transcends its history...

Simon