From Lincoln to Eisenhower

     Who is the first president that you remember?  Our first stop this morning was to a farm just outside of Gettysburg that was owned by Dwight D. Eisenhower.  I can remember hearing "We Like Ike" and learning that Ike was the president.  President Eisenhower spent many years in the military including as a  five star General in WWII as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe.  Upon "retirement" from the military he bought this farm in Pennsylvania, but before he could settle into his retirement he was called to be head of the newly formed NATO.  In 1952 he left that post and was elected president.  After 2 terms in office he once again "retired" to his farm.  The house and farm were given to the National Park Service and the house still has many of the original furnishings.  To tour it was a complete blast from the past for those of us who lived in the 50's and 60's.  Mamie Eisenhower was very attached to this farm because she said it was the only house they ever owned having gone from one military post to another, and then to the White House.  We took the tour with a big group of Boy Scouts who were full of interesting observations about the house, but also about President Obama and his rival Mitt Romney.  The boys have all the answers if we would just listen to them.
    After lunch we followed an "auto tour" with a recorded historical vignette at each stop.  Our first stop was the Gettysburg National Veterans Cemetery where Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address to honor the 50,000 men who were killed or wounded on the Gettysburg battleground during the three day battle.  It is just astounding to realize the magnitude of destruction of the Civil War battles.  More than 50% of the men who died were never identified.  Families never knew what happened to their sons, fathers, husbands, brothers.  Quite a sacrifice.
   On one hand the area of the battle seems huge.  One company hiked over 25 miles to reinforce Union lines.  The 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment lost over 80% of its men in one battle.  This Regiment was the first to answer the call to battle.  Governor Alexander Ramsey was in Washington D.C. when President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers.  He offered 1000 men from Minnesota.  My Great Great Grandfather Schepperle fought in the Civil War for Minnesota, but not at Gettysburg, I believe (or perhaps I would not be here).  On the other hand, the area seems small for the huge loss of life and number of battles.  Once the fighting was over, the citizens of Gettysburg had to care for the dead and wounded.  There were about 25,000 injured to be cared for by 2500 townspeople.  Such a complete tragedy.
    It has been a day steeped in history for us.  Tomorrow we drive to Shenandoah.