One-tank road trips: October 2008 Archives

Scott Hartwig, one of the very best park rangers at the Gettysburg National Military Park and a popular speaker, writer and tour guide, will be leading a FREE battlewalk of the Wheatfield for the members of two Civil War Round Tables, including the York CWRT. The tour will begin at 1 p.m. on Nov. 1, 2008. Meet at the Peach Orchard auto tour stop opposite the Excelsior Brigade monument. The walk will last around 2 hours.

Scott said to let everyone know to dress for the weather as we will go rain or shine ( unless it is a deluge). Also, if the weather is moderate, to advise everyone to spray for ticks. They still pick them up this time of year. Since Scott is doing the walk there is no charge for the program. He suggested that we make a donation to NPS to support the park research library.

.

Charlie Fennell, because of an unfortunate scheduling conflict, is no longer available to lead the planned battlewalk on Saturday, November 1. Kathy Friel of the York CWRT reports that members interested in some outdoor exercise and walking still are to meet at the Peach Orchard parking lot at 1 p.m. The Wheatfield program will still go on as planned, but with a different focus and leader

A Sherman tank is positioned on a slight rise covered with white sand, meant to memorialize the U.S. Army attack on Omaha Beach.

Background post: U.S. Army Heritage Trail near Carlisle.

I am still reflecting on this past Saturday's walk around the U.S. Army Heritage Trail at the Army Heritage and Education Center (AHEC) near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The trail commemorates most of the Army's major wars, including the French and Indian War, American Revolution, Civil War, Indian Wars (a pair of wayside markers), Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, and Viet Nam, with a modern display being built. Conspicuously absent are the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and Korea. I don't know if the army will add these over time, but there is plenty of room to do so.

A recreation of redoubt #10 is open to the public to explore. It has two artillery field pieces and two mortars, as well as a bombproof and rifle parapets.

I spent part of Saturday walking the U.S. Army Heritage Trail, whcih is located near Ridgeway Hall at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center just south of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The weather was glorious, soldiers were playing flag football on the parade grounds, and there were a fair number of tourists out strolling in the sunshine. Unfortunately, none the buildings along the trail were open due to the weekend (all were padlocked), so I will have to go back sometime when they are open for public view.