The "Let The Killing Begin" Story

The Battle of Gettysburg, by Thure de Thulstrup

It was an ordinary day.  I'm looking at a copy of a painting that was done years ago of Pickett's Charge in Gettysburg, PA.  This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg which took place July 1-3, 1863.  Special events are planned which include days of reenactments of the battles that occurred in and around Gettysburg.  This year they will spread the carnage over 10 days to make sure that everyone that wants to be killed has an equal chance.  Do you get the feeling that I don't care much for war reenactments.  War is accepted and frequently necessary violence that I believe is best left for the history books.  Why must we reenact all the carnage and slaughter of human life just for the sake of ...... what?  I know there are many people who totally enjoy dressing in hot wool uniforms and carrying heavy antique weapons with bayonets protruding from them.  And they do this in scorching weather carrying probably an extra 30 pounds more than the people who actually fought the battle in the first place.  Oh, well!  I know I'm nuts!  This year they are expecting tens of thousands of visitors for the battle.  A couple of the biggest differences from the actual battle 150 years ago is the placement of portable toilets around the battlefield and expanded cellphone coverage.  Boy, I'm so glad for those improvements from the bloody fields of the original Gettysburg battle.  "I think we're ready," Bob Kirby, superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park, said in a recent interview.  "We're ready for what the world would like to see."  Historical estimates put the original death count at 7,500 soldiers at Gettysburg, considered to be a major turning point of the Civil War after Union forces turned away a Confederate advance.  Gettysburg has done all it can to make the battlefield as authentic as it was 150 years ago.  Every year the Gettysburg National Park attracts 1.2 million visitors who come to view the battlefield and pay their respects to those who gave their life for what they believed was a just cause.  I fully believe that paying homage to the heroes and commoners of our wars is viable and I have done that myself, but to relive the battles by displaying the violence and death is a bit too much for me.  But, it is big business!  200,000 visitors are expected for the war and most of the area's 2,600 hotel rooms have been booked for months.  Rooms as far away as Frederick, MD are full.  If I make a visit at all to nearby Gettysburg it will be in November when the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address delivered by a President Abraham Lincoln reenactor.  President Barack Obama has been invited and that historic moment would be thrilling.  For those who love reenactments and all that goes with them, I hope you have a wonderful time if you travel to Gettysburg during the 150th anniversary.  I know all the wars and battles were fought so we could have the freedom of choice.  And, my choice is not to participate in these dreadful events, but I'll wave to you if you want.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.