Conclusion: Reflections on Gettysburg

Conclusion of Internship: Gettysburg

My time at Gettysburg has drawn to a close, and after all is said and done, I can honestly say that my internship with the National Park Service has been an amazing experience. During the course of my time here, I have had the opportunity to work with incredible people, explore fascinating things, and learn a great deal about the National Park Service and myself.

I had the opportunity to enjoy several dream experiences while at Gettysburg National Battlefield Park. I lived on the battlefield in a beautiful, historic farmhouse where Pickett's Charge took place. I held historic relics from the battle that few people ever get to see. I also had the opportunity to educate visitors about the Battle of Gettysburg and its significance in history. This culminated in a chance to work with Interpretive Ranger Matt Atkinson during his televised tour of General Kershaw's South Carolina brigade. The tour was televised on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) and I was recorded on camera throughout the tour. This was a dream come true for me because I grew up watching the National Park Service tours of Gettysburg on PCN. Furthermore, I provided a variety of services to Ranger Atkinson on the tour, such as helping to answer tourists' questions, directing vehicle traffic around the group, and guiding people from one stop to another. A memorable moment for me was when I gave a battle flag that Ranger Atkinson brought along to a young girl to carry on the tour. She was so excited to be carrying it, that she smiled for the entire tour. Even by the tour's end, she did not want to give up that flag! The young girl reminded me of myself as a child and it made me feel good to know that I left her with a positive memory of Gettysburg.


Finally, I came away with many valuable lessons on what it means to be a great Law Enforcement Ranger. Great rangers know their job and their park; furthermore, they know their fellow rangers within the park and respect them. Whether it was a maintenance worker mowing grass or a biologist studying rivers, the Law Enforcement Rangers always showed appreciation for what they did within the park. In addition to this, I learned the value of integrity and why it is important to be honest and true in all that you do within a park. Say what you mean and mean what you say, and always carry out your tasks to the best of your ability. Good Law Enforcement Rangers keep their commitments and always put others welfare before their own. I hope that in my future career as a Law Enforcement Ranger, I can equal the great rangers that I had an opportunity of working with at Gettysburg. I will carry their memory with me long after this internship and look forward to meeting them again within the National Park Service.

Best Wishes and Many Thanks to everyone at Gettysburg National Military Park!

Week 10: Resource Management

Week 10: Resource Management,  Pt. 2

This week I spent some more time with the department of Resource Management; they deal specifically with environmental affairs within the park. I was welcomed by Ranger Sarah Koenig who took me across the battlefield as we tested several water courses flowing through the park. We tested the water in these creeks and streams for several variables, including oxygen levels, nitrogen content, and temperature. Each of these factors help the National Park Service determine the cleanliness of their watercourses and how well they can sustain local wildlife. I was impressed to know that many of the creeks and streams that flow through Gettysburg are improving in their overall quality and support a diverse ecosystem of fish and reptiles. Throughout the day with Ranger Koenig I also learned more about the local plant-life within the park. We even took time to eat some wine-berries right off the bush! She also pointed out several examples of invasive species of plants throughout the park. These species, while appearing harmless, actually pose significant risks to native plants within the park. These invasive species also interfere with biologists attempts to preserve the historic appearance of the park as it did at the time of the battle in 1863. Despite the best efforts of Resource Management to curtail them, many of these invasive plants continue to find their way into the park.
 

          I also had the opportunity to explore       “Lost Avenue” with Chief Ranger of Law Enforcement Ryan Levins. Lost Avenue is not a road but a clearing with several Civil War monuments from decades ago. These monuments were placed here by Civil War veterans in accordance with park regulations stating that monuments could only be placed where their historic units were located. At the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, these units were located far to the rear of where the major fighting took place. As a result, veterans were forced to place their monuments in this out-of-the-way location. Since the monuments were established along Lost Avenue, they gradually became forgotten and remain hidden at the far corner of the battlefield. Surrounded by private property and without any easy means of access, “Lost Avenue” remains an isolated stretch of land protected by the National Park Service. In many ways it is a hidden jewel, holding a unique presence, far-removed from the major trails and roadways of the battlefield. This particular day, the sunlight glistened through the tress and the woods were largely silent, creating a tranquil stillness across “Lost Avenue.” I was impressed by this ambiance, as well as the detail and craftsmanship that went into these long-forgotten monuments.

Around the same time that I was exploring Lost Avenue, the Law Enforcement Rangers discovered evidence of digging within the park near Culp's Hill. Gettysburg is occasionally the target of souvenir hunters who cross the battlefield looking for war relics, such as bullets, buttons, and other items leftover from the battle. Chief Ranger for Law Enforcement Ryan Levins and I went out to mark the dozen spots where the relic-hunter was digging. Ranger Levins showed me how he set up the investigation, mapped the area of the dig, and notified Resource Management about it. Battlefield relics are a big business both in Gettysburg and across the United States, leading some people to scrounge for them on battlefields across the country. Not only does relic hunting damage the park's grounds, but it also disrespects the park's historical integrity and its role as a memorial to Civil War soldiers.

            Overall, my time with Resource Management reminded me of how much detail goes into preserving the environmental integrity of the park. Issues like water-management, protecting lost monuments, and preserving the battlefield from relic hunting are key components of the National Park Service and important for me to learn about as a future ranger. Law Enforcement Rangers help investigate any environmental or cultural damages to the park and work with Resource Management to create solutions for them. This week really reinforced for me how small minutia often makes up key components of the park; for instance slight differences in watercourses' temperature can mark the difference between life and death for many plants and animals inhabiting them. Also, if a small instance of relic hunting is not investigated, it may open the park up to more damaging instances of digging for souvenirs. For this reason, Law Enforcement Rangers need to continuously coordinate with Resource Management, for they often hold valuable information that can keep the park in pristine condition.

Gettysburg Week 8-9: Law Enforcement

Gettysburg National Military Park
Week 8-9: Law Enforcement

The past two weeks I have spent with law enforcement at Gettysburg, where I have learned a great deal more about the details that make a police department work. One day was spent exploring the support groups that assist law enforcement agencies in their everyday functions. Chief Ranger of Law Enforcement, Ryan Levins, took me out to Cumberland County Police Headquarters where I got to meet the police dispatchers and see the county prison. Dispatch is responsible for receiving both civilian and law enforcement calls, entering the data into their computer system, and then issuing directives to the police as needed. The dispatch workers provide an invaluable service, which includes four computer screens, several filing cabinets, three telephones, and piles of paperwork. Nevertheless, each dispatcher was cool under pressure and able to juggle all of these different resources to get police where they needed to go. 

Another day I spent with Law Enforcement Ranger John Sherman as we monitored traffic for speeding. Ranger Sherman explained to me how such “speed traps” were set up. First one must select a location where oncoming and outgoing traffic can be monitored and the squad-car can be concealed from drivers. After choosing a position along a busy stretch of road traveling through the park, the morning traffic brought several speeders our way. Ranger Sherman selected one speeder for a ticket after they were traveling over 18 mph over the posted 25 mph speed limit. I was fascinated with how much detail went into a basic traffic stop. Ranger Sherman explained the many factors to consider, such as selecting when and where to pull someone over, keeping an eye on the driver and making sure you can observe their hands, calling in the license plate and driver’s license to dispatch, filling out the ticket, and interacting with the driver in a professional manner throughout. This work continued long after the driver received their ticket and was on their way. At the end of our shift, Ranger Sherman then had to process the ticket on a computer and in a log book, then file the ticket receipts in two separate folders for future reference. By the end of it all, a single ticket took around forty-five minutes of our day to complete from the start of the stop to filing the ticket back at the office. Such work is a testament to the patience of law enforcement officers in dealing with both the public and the legal requirements of the job.

Perhaps the most important event of my time with law enforcement was when we received a call of an Interpretive Ranger having a seizure at the Visitor's Center. This ranger had gone into an epileptic seizure while conducting an interpretive program and the Law Enforcement Rangers were called to the scene. I remember rushing to the Visitor's Center with several other rangers and helping them administer treatment. Fortunately, the ranger having the seizure was alright, and after some quick treatment, he was back on his feet again. During this emergency call I really felt a connection with the other Law Enforcement Rangers and recognized within myself why I wanted to do this job: to help people. I enjoyed the thrill of the lights and sirens and the knowledge that what I was doing was making a genuine difference in the park. Afterwards, all of the Law Enforcement Rangers met and performed an After-Action Review to discuss the incident. The whole experience was a positive one, revealing the professionalism and dedication of the Law Enforcement Rangers to help a comrade in need. I was proud to stand in such good company and look forward to more successful days like this in my future career!

Gettysburg Week 7: Resource Management

Gettysburg National Military Park
Week 7: Resource Management

This week saw a chance for me to work in Resource Management, the department responsible for researching, cataloging, and conserving the various natural and historic resources at Gettysburg National Military Park. I was assigned to the archives where I was given a tour of the numerous historical records and artifacts stored here by the National Park Service. As a historian, I was honored to be able to get close and physically touch these treasures from the past. I was like a kid in a candy store as I perused everything from the frock coat of General James J. Pettigrew to furniture with bullets still lodged in them from the battle. My personal favorite was the gun collection. I handled an extremely rare Civil War sniper rifle as well as several pistols, including the infamous Colt Dragoon: a six-shot, 44-caliber pistol that weighs over four pounds!

After checking out the archives, I was assigned to transcribe the journal entries of Union Private Edward Melcher, a soldier in the 155th PA Infantry. It was fascinating to hold a man's 150 year old journal and read his day-by-day account of the Civil War. I was surprised that he recorded so many mundane things, such as the weather, food, and marching orders. Transcribing involved carefully reading the diary and copying his words into a computer database. This was not easy as his writing was often hard to read and he had a habit of misspelling words or using language from his times. I was excited reading his accounts of the Battle of North Anna in 1864 and would have loved to finish his narrative. Sadly, Private Melcher did not survive the war, as he died from wounds he suffered at the Battle of Five Forks in 1865.




One final note on resource management actually occurred during my first week here at Gettysburg. I was given a tour of the various departments when I stopped by the "cannon shop." The cannon shop is a maintenance facility where the 370 Civil War cannons located on the battlefield are repaired. Each cannon is placed on an all-steel carriage based on the wooden originals from the Civil War. These carriages are undergoing constant maintenance as they crack, rust, and are worn down by tourists climbing and sitting on them. Cannon-expert Michael Wright walked me through the process of repairing each cannon's carriage. First, the carriage's paint is stripped and any cracks are welded to repair the breaks in the steel frame. Next, the weld is sanded down smooth and a layer of waterproof paint is applied to the frame. This paint is specially designed to resemble wood and helps protect the steel carriage from rust. After the paint dries, the carriage is returned to the battlefield. The entire process takes days to complete, and by the time every cannon is serviced, another one needs repair. I was impressed to know that the vast majority of the cannons on the battlefield date back to the Civil War and were used in combat.

Resource management is a key component of battlefield preservation. Every individual I met held their work in high regard and spoke of how people noticed the far-reaching effects of their research. Historians, students, and visitors can find inspiration from artifacts like the diary of a Civil War soldier or observing the many historic cannons on the battlefield. These resources help preserve the historic value of Gettysburg National Military Park for generations to come.

Gettysburg, Week 6 - Maintenance

Gettysburg - Week 6: Maintenance 

This week saw a change in pace from the last two weeks in interpretation. This week had me in maintenance, where I was working behind the scenes to keep Gettysburg pristine for visitors. My first day of maintenance saw me working with the “fence crew,” a group of seasonal employees responsible for repairing and replacing sections of wooden fence across the park. It was hard work under a hot sun as we replaced long sections of post-rail fence on Benner’s Hill. Each post required me to dig a hole over two feet deep, then place each post into the hole, and fill it back up again. While it was rough working for hours only to see more yards of fence-line left to finish, I felt that I made a valuable contribution to the park.

The other responsibility this week was helping repair some of the monuments in the park. Monuments have been a part of Gettysburg battlefield since the battle was fought and veterans, patriotic societies, and states sought to memorialize the soldiers who fought here. These monuments range in size, shape, and construction, including bronze statues and granite tablets. Each one is unique and contributes valuable insight into the history of the battle and the units that fought there. Furthermore, these monuments often entail beautiful craftsmanship and are considered works of art on the battlefield.

I had the honor of working on the State of Vermont Monument and the 190^th New York Monument. The State of Vermont Monument is one of the tallest monuments at Gettysburg; standing over fifty feet in the air, this granite pillar is capped with a huge bronze statue of Vermont General George Stannard. I found out that I would be applying wax to General Stannard’s statue…all the way at the top! I saddled up my courage and hopped into the basket of a construction lift, rising fifty feet into the air. It was a little disconcerting being in a tiny basket fifty feet above the ground. It did not help that there was a strong breeze shaking the basket, making it seem like I was riding a boat. Fortunately, I was in the capable hands of Seasonal Employee Lucas Harmon, who specialized in monument preservation and repair. He showed me a process known as “hot waxing,” whereby I would use a blowtorch to scorch the old wax off of the bronze statue, before applying new wax to the hot statue with a paint brush. This wax would help protect the bronze from decay and add a shine to the statue. So, for the whole day, I was working fifty feet in the air, in a swaying basket, juggling a hot blowtorch and a paint brush, working on a giant bronze statue of a Civil War general. I tried not to notice how high we were and together we managed to finish the statue in a single day. I do not know what I enjoyed more, seeing the finished product up close or checking it out with my feet back on the ground. Our work made such an impression with bystanders that we got our picture taken by the local newspaper; it made the front page of the Gettysburg Times, under “Stannard Gets a Bath.”

The next day I worked on the 90^th New York Monument, a smaller memorial only twenty feet off the ground. I worked with Seasonal employee Tori Peterson to “point,” or replace mortar, in the lining between stones. This mortar was composed of sand and lime, and when applied correctly, helps secure the stones on the monument together. After mixing the mortar, Tory and I rose up in yet another basket to carefully apply the mortar into gaps between the granite blocks. It was an enjoyable process and several people walking by stopped to comment on what we doing and how it made a difference in appearance.

Overall, I had a great time learning more about how the park functions behind the scenes. Supervisors Randy Hill and Lucas Flickinger did a great job placing me in maintenance tasks around the park and everyone I worked with really took their craft seriously. At the end of the week, I took great pride in looking at the battlefield’s fences and monuments, knowing full well that I helped preserve them for future generations.

Week 3: Interpretation

This week was another busy week for me as a ProRanger at Gettysburg. It started off with Memorial Day where I participated in the annual Memorial Day Parade in downtown Gettysburg. Ranger Rick Pearce drove the Law Enforcement Ranger squad car, while I rode in the passenger seat. I was reminded of my childhood and how I used to watch the parades in my township growing up. It was a lot of fun riding in the parade and waving to the citizens of Gettysburg, many of whom thanked us for our service to the park. After the parade, I helped the other rangers supervise the Memorial Day Ceremony in Gettysburg National Cemetery. The ceremony involved a reading of the Gettysburg Address by a reenactor of President Abraham Lincoln and a speech by former Pennsylvania Senator and retired Admiral, Joe Sestak. It was a moving experience and I was glad to be a part of it.

The rest of the week was spent with the Interpretive Rangers, who guided us on how to create and implement a historical-education program for park visitors. The First Day of the battle was taught to us by Interpretive Ranger Scott Hartwig. Ranger Hartwig is a prominent figure in historical studies on the Civil War and I grew up watching him give lectures and battlefield tours on television. To be able to meet and share a tour with such a prominent ranger really hit home with me! 

Rangers Matt and Angie Atkinson taught us about the second and third days of the Battle of Gettysburg and the major themes that we could use to explain the battle to visitors. Furthermore, we were given in-depth tours of the battlefield and its monuments. During one tour, Ranger Angie Atkinson walked us through the steps of how to load and fire a cannon, complete with a Civil War cannonball. My personal favorite was actually walking Pickett’s Charge with Ranger Matt Atkinson. Pickett’s Charge is often called the High Tide of the Confederacy as it was the farthest advance of the Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia into Union territory in the Civil War. Over 15,000 Confederate troops marched over a mile, across open fields, towards the Union battle lines, all the while being shot at by cannon and rifle fire. Despite advancing up to and through the Union lines, the charge would fail, leaving over 6,500 Confederates dead, wounded, or captured. It was an emotional event as we retraced the steps of these soldiers on the battlefield, imagining what they must have seen and experienced as they approached the enemy lines. These soldiers were fathers, sons, and brothers, each with a life like ours, crossing the field, many never to return. 

All of them touched on the human emotion and significance of the Battle of Gettysburg and related its greater significance to the Civil War. Such programs are vital parks of our National Park Service and really help visitors connect with the larger story behind their national and historic parks. Over the course of the next week I will have an opportunity to formulate my own interpretive program to present to the public. This opportunity to lead a tour on a battlefield that I have grown up with is truly a dream come true for a historian like me.

Week 2, Pt 2: Training

Week 2, Pt 2: Ranger Training
May 22 - 25

The rest of the week I spent out of town attending various training sessions organized by the National Park Service for the ProRangers. Tuesday and Wednesday's training took place in Harper's Ferry National Historic Park. Harper's Ferry was a historic town built along the course of the Potomac River in West Virginia and surrounded on three sides by sheer cliffs. The town was famous for its military armory and John Brown's failed raid upon it in 1860, which helped spark the Civil War.

The training at Harper's Ferry concerned Operational Leadership, which explored topics such as risk management, situational awareness, stress management, and communication. Each of these topics were taught by park rangers who related their importance through their own real-life examples. All of us ProRangers enjoyed hearing the personal stories of the park rangers and how they utilized this training in their respective parks.

The next day, we left for Prince William Forrest Park where we conducted Wildland Fire Training. Fire training is an important skill for park rangers to possess as it prepares them to safely fight large-scale fires that frequently occur in National Parks. This training involved the completion of online courses, with the conclusion being the field training exercise. Our field training began at Prince William with a pack test designed to simulate the carrying of required fire equipment in the field. The test required each ProRanger to carry forty-five pounds of weight a distance of three miles in under forty-five minutes. At first, I thought the test would be easy, as we were required to walk the three miles and I have carried more than forty-five pounds of weight. Despite an easy start, we were all shocked at how much the pack test challenged us. All of the ProRangers were sweating bullets by the end of the test, but through a combination of perseverance and team encouragement, we all made it across the finish line!

After completing the pack test, we reviewed the Ten Standard Firefighting Orders and the Eighteen "Watch Out" Situations. These rules are critical for wildland firefighters to remain safe on the fire line and they must review them every year to remain certified. After some time in the classroom, we got some hands-on training on fire shelters, a last-ditch safety device, resembling a sleeping bag, that is used to protect firefighters from the intense heat of consuming fires. Each ProRanger practiced deploying one of these shelters, which entailed whipping it from its case, flailing it open and then wrapping oneself inside it before dropping to the ground. During the test we all looked like a bunch of big green grubs on the ground, but in a last stand against fires, we would have survived!

The conclusion of our fire training was the most fun, learning how to dig a fire line and operate fire hoses. To create a fire line, we grabbed hold of various fire-fighting tools, such as pulaski's, rakes, and shovels, and dug a line of earth along a treeline. This line of earth simulated a flame-proof barrier that would prevent wildland fires from spreading across them. For the fire hoses, the ProRangers were divided into two groups, where we raced to link together hoses into a "progressive hose lay." Once we had several hoses and valves linked, we turned on the pump and let the water fly!

Our last day of training entailed Non-Emergency Vehicle Operation (NEVO) training back in Harper's Ferry. This involved us driving law enforcement vehicles through an obstacle course under the ranger's supervision. The course simulated driving sharp curves, parallel parking, and three-point turns; all of which we may be required to perform while operating government vehicles in the park. The course was a valuable refresher for drivers young and old; I especially enjoyed the opportunity to drive one of the law enforcement ranger's Ford Crown Victoria.

By the end of the week, all of us ProRangers had learned a great deal and enjoyed some great team-building exercises. I want to send a special thanks to Rangers Mark Howard, Dave Ballam, Ryan Levins, and all of the other park rangers who helped us through these training exercises. Only two weeks into my internship and already I have had several amazing experiences with the ProRanger team!

Week 2, Pt 1: Law Enforcement, Repatriation and Roadside Assistance

Week 2, Pt 1: Law Enforcement, Repatriation and Roadside Assistance
May 21

Today I spent the day on patrol with Supervisory LE Ranger Levins. We began the day by "repatriating" a rock back to the battlefield. Every year, thousands of tourists come to Gettysburg National Military Park, many of them seeking souvenirs from the battlefield. Since souvenir hunting is illegal within the park, some tourists try to take other relics from the site, particular rocks from the numerous rock walls that crisscross the landscape. Ranger Levins explained to me that these rocks are often returned to the park by individuals who feel guilty for taking them. Some have even claimed that they suffered bad luck or spiritual haunting as a result of taking these stones!

The stone we received was sent with an apology note, stating the it was taken from the Sharphooter's Wall at Devil's Den. This wall was supposedly built by Confederate sharpshooters to protect them from enemy fire during the battle. The wall was made famous for its depiction in Alexander Gardner's photo of a dead Confederate soldier killed near the wall during the battle. After driving out to Devil's Den in a pouring rain, Ranger Levins gave me the privilege of placing the stone back in the wall. It was a moving experience for me walking among the boulders of Devil's Den as a haunting mist covered the battlefield. I thought about the Gardner photograph, the dead soldier portrayed in it, and the plight of others like him who died on battlefields throughout the Civil War. Placing that stone back was a mark of respect to the soldiers who fell here and a step in preserving the area for future generations.

Shortly thereafter, not far from the Devil's Den, we received notice that a tourist had accidentally driven off the road and was stuck. Fortunately, nobody was injured and Ranger Levins and several other Law Enforcement Rangers sprang into action. Traffic was directed at the scene while a tow truck was summoned to tow the vehicle back onto the road. I was amazed as Ranger Levins examined the area and identified exactly where the driver went off road and that he was going too fast for conditions. While the driver was a bit shaken, he thanked the rangers for helping him out and vowed to drive a little more cautiously. We conducted patrols for the rest of the day and monitored the park for other vandalism or accidents. While we had no further incidents, I was excited for what we had accomplished that morning and looked forward to expanding my role with law enforcement in the coming weeks.

Week 1: Administration and Introductions

Week 1: Administration and Introductions
May  21 - 24, 2012

My first week of work as a ProRanger at Gettysburg has been a whirlwind of activity as I travel about the park to meet the many employees who make the park function. This was an excellent way to familiarize myself with the administration at Gettysburg and their specific roles within the National Park Service.

Most of the administration at Gettysburg is headquartered in the National Park Service Visitor Center and Museum. The Visitor Center and Museum has over 22,000 square feet of exhibit space, with state-of-the-art facilities, artifacts from the battle, and multimedia presentations on the Civil War. The current facility is double in size from the old visitor center and explores the broader social history and context of the Battle of Gettysburg. Supervisory Ranger of Law Enforcement Ryan Levins toured the museum with me and introduced me to the rangers and office staff working on site. Among the many things we looked at was a computer kiosk where you can research your name through a National Park Service database to determine if you had an ancestor who fought in the Civil War. Unfortunately, no Castaldo's came up, but perhaps some more research on my end will reveal some other ancestor!

After a quick walk-though of the Visitor Center and Museum, I met with Brion Fitzgerald, Deputy Superintendent and Chief Ranger for Law-Enforcement and Interpretation. Mr. Fitzgerald warmly welcomed me to the park and discussed the ongoing projects and programs that were going on, including plans for the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg in 2013. I even got an opportunity to review the planning for the Gettysburg Memorial Service to take place at the Gettysburg National Cemetery next year. An amazing amount of details goes into organizing these events, which the National Park Service administration has to carefully review. Planning entails everything from deciding on stage design to selecting celebrity speakers, but above all else, the message of remembering the fallen soldiers was top priority.

I also got to observe administrative meetings held by the department heads at Gettysburg National Military Park. These meetings are essential for leaders from maintenance, interpretation, preservation, resource management, and law enforcement to discuss their department's projects and issues. The meetings examined a wide range of topics, including studies of the park's deer population, how to care for peach trees on the battlefield, and the Department of the Interior's new policy regarding driver safety. Overall, I was impressed by the professionalism and teamwork exhibited by the leadership throughout these meetings. At their conclusion, everyone came away better informed about what was going on in the park and what was required from them for the following week. I look forward to seeing how these administrative decisions will affect the departments I work in over the course of the summer.

Greetings from Gettysburg!

Greetings from Gettysburg!
May 20, 2012

My name is John Castaldo and ever since I was very young, I have been exploring National Parks. It has always been a dream of mine to work in such places of natural beauty and historic significance. Now, some twenty years later, here I am living and working at Gettysburg National Military Park as a ProRanger.

The Battle of Gettysburg was the largest battle of the Civil War and is considered one of the turning points of the war. Fought on July 1 - 3, 1863 in the sleepy town of Gettysburg, PA, over 46,000 Americans would become casualties by the battle's end. Several months after the battle, President Abraham Lincoln would dedicate Gettysburg National Cemetery to the fallen with his Gettysburg Address. Portions of the battlefield were later purchased for preservation and turned over to the United States War Department, which managed the grounds until the National Park Service acquired them in 1933.

Gettysburg has always held special significance for me, as it was the first National Park I remember visiting. As a boy, I was fascinated with the rangers' stories of the battle and would play soldier around the park's famous landmarks. I have been in good hands since my arrival thanks to Supervisory Ranger of Law Enforcement, Ryan Levins. Ranger Levins has taken every opportunity to show me around the park and introduce me to some of the other employees that I will be working with during my internship. So far, I have spent most of my time settling into my quarters, the Spangler Farm, a historic farmhouse located right in the middle of the battlefield. Everyday I wake up to the sunrise over rolling fields and the sound of birds chirping; it is a far cry from mornings in Philadelphia! Being here has reminded me just how special National Parks like Gettysburg are and why I want to protect them as a Law Enforcement Ranger. I can't wait for the week to begin and look forward to my first assignments as a ProRanger!