Preserving our Past for our Future

Gettysburg National Battlefield up in Pennsylvania is slowly making progress in the efforts undertaken over the last decade or so to modernize and revert the battlefield back to some semblance of what it was at the time of the famous battle fought there over the Fourth of July in 1863. Over the past few years, modern pieces of humanity visible along the battlefield such as power lines and the horrible visitors tower that once overlooked the battlefield have been removed or replaced so that the sites that greet visitors now are something more akin to what was visible to the soldiers who fought and died on these hallowed grounds. There are some who look to this and say, "So what?"

I have been a student of history for a good number of years. I have studied it enough to know that there is some value in preserving that which we have and which links us to our past because as the old adage says, those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. I heartily believe that and though I don't feel that we'll fight another war here in the United States quite like the Civil War, I still feel it's important to preserve this piece of our nation's history. I have driven all around the Washington area and people from other countries have commented on the fact there are so many 'historical districts' and areas within our regions and that there doesn't seem to be anything of importance there. There are often times markers in innocuous places denoting some historical fact at the crux of an intersection and people wonder why? What's the big deal?

I think one thing I love about the United States is that even though it's a relatively young country compared to places like Europe and Asia and the like, there is a strong sense of preservation that runs deep within the nation. I've heard people speak derisively about the fact that any and every small bit of history is denoted with a marker telling of some inconsequential event that occured in this area. I think it's important to remember these things. When I visited India on tours of the different states, I was amazed to take note of some of the historical sites and landmarks where history was made. The images of kings and queens in lavish kingdoms came to life in front of my eyes... just before I saw someone spitting chewing tobacco on those same walls. Sure it's just a wall but isn't there some pride in the fact that this is a symbol of your country's vast heritage?

Over here in the States we may make note of small things but it's the small things that add up in the end. Why is it so important? Well maybe all the place is known for is the fact that George Washington held some meetings there. Maybe those meetings are ones that helped him and the rest of this nation's founding fathers come to an understanding about the course this nation could take. Isn't it fascinating to think that the state of our nation could have been decided in a building that was nothing more than the same farmhouse we are looking at today? I think the efforts to maintain Gettysburg in the same fashion that it was back in the early 1860's is commendable. The future of our nation and the course it took since the Civil War is burned into that ground and it's important to remember it as it was. The fields of dead and lost gave their lives for our nation and for their ideals. Isn't it important to remember that?