Next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. this is the saddest place I've ever been. The headstones go on forever. In the photos you will find one with row upon row of small granite blocks. Each block in about eight inches square. The only marking on the block is a number. These are the unknowns. The highest number I could find was 979. There must be more.

The battlefield is a history book in real life. The entire battle which turned the war is there in your sight. You can almost hear the gunshots, the screams, and the cannons. It is a place to reflect. Our nation was saved right here at Gettysburg. Dear, God, what a cost to save a nation.

Standing on the steps to the Monument to the men from Pennsylvania, who served at Gettysburg.

~The Cemetary~

These plaques are all around the cemetary. I'm not sure if I got them all, or if they are in proper sequence. But they tell the story of those who died here. Those brave men, who saved a nation.

The headstones	The arcs of names
The blocks	A memorial to Abraham Lincoln
~The Battlefield~
NOTE: No words that I could write would come close to describing the feelings I had, nor the events which took place here.

~The Monuments~
The 42d New york Infantry	Monument to the United States Regulars
Soldiers National Monument	The Pennsylvania Monument
Another view ofthe Pennsylvania monument	A listing of troops from Pennsylvania which served here.
Commemorating the High Water Mark, the furthest advance of the Confederation. The text on tne plaque is as follows: COMMANDS HONORED In recognition of the patriotism and gallantry displayed by their respective troops who met or assisted to repulse LONGSTREET'S ASSAULT the following States have contributed to erect this tablet MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA, MICHIGAN, AND MINNESOTA. NOTE: This vacation trip took me through all of these States except Michigan and Minnesota.

NOTE: My gratitude to Tom Adams of Gettysburg for his help in identifying monuments I couldn't remember, and for correcting some of the text here. Thanks, Tom.

Music is "Candle"
an original composition by Bruce DeBoer

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