GDG- "Near" Muster memorys

[keith mackenzie]

I'm sorry to say that I was unable to attend all of the muster activities this year, having a recently planned family function that trumped any personal, prearranged activities. As a matter of fact, all that I was able to attend was the Lew and Tom's 140 things, the Cocktail hour/meeting, dinner at Gina's and the book signing at The Mine.
 
I've all ready related my "discovery" (with Jim B.) of Berdan's Avenue, a place Dean told me used to be a popular drinking spot amongst the local teens. I suggested another teenage activity that an isolated spot such as that brought to mind, but Dean denied any knowledge of such going's on. It may have been the lighting, but I believe he blushed. Anyway, I'm a bit confused about which of the two monuments in the area was damaged by a falling tree limb, the one with the bullet shaped obelisk, or the one with the eagle. If anyone can set me straight, I'll sleep easier.
 
Friday morning saw me wandering lonely through the overgrowth at the foot of Round Top, looking for a group of aficionados who where parsing the ground for the alternate Farnsworths charge. Now before the fans of the accepted theory start throwing pebbles at me from behind trees, let me say that people whose opinions I have learned to respect espouse both sides of this particular controversy, with equal fervor, so it has caught my attention.
 I'd really like to know what that "cage" is doing in the middle of everything.
 
After the morning romp through the thickets, I did a real quick run through of the new VC, and I'll say it's big, brash and beautiful,  First impression: It addresses the slavery issue hard when you first walk through the door, then the Gettysburg campaign, than the CW in general. All, I think, good things to cover in such a museum. I'll need another couple of hours of devoted time to the place to really come up with an opinion that matters. 
 
Lew and Toms 140 place's is always a crowd pleaser. it's fun to find stuff that's beyond the beaten path, as it were. High points for me were the dinosaur tracks ON the bridge,  that was me that jumped out of the car to see them. And the Sickles "Witness Tree". Which I swear has the initials "DM" carved into it. and finally, the Ellis stone, which Lew suggested is situated directly under his monument, and with good reasoning, I thought. After all, why would the veterans consider putting it anywhere else?
 
The bar at the Holiday Inn, where the traditional Cocktail hour/ general meeting is held is always an adventure for me. this year was no exception. The Young Gentleman behind the bar insisted that as a Bartender with Two Full Months experience, he needed no instruction as to the mixing of a martini. After I tasted his product, I wondered idly if it had been anywhere near ice during its construction. "No." he told me, (a little proudly, I thought). "Did you want it with ice?" I won't elaborate any further, though I believe the "Bartender" in question now has a much better grasp on the  fundimentals of the proper formation of the Dry Vodka Martini. I didn't buy any books or anything, and I listened only half heartedly to Dr. Laschers comments as I was still musing over the confluence of events that would allow such a high class establishment to put in place a bartender to which the
 words         " Cocktail Shaker" are a mystery.
 
I invited George Pyle and Bill Hewlitt to join me for a beer after the meeting, which they did, and we enjoyed a few minutes of conversation before they had to leave. George is the photographer who took the picture that I think captures the essence of me, which is why it's posted on the GDG map, and Bill is the guy who carves the walking sticks. Bill told me he's been receiving orders for copy's of Lee's field desk, a project that takes a lot of time. I felt it was possible to tool up for production on such an item without losing artistic integrity, but I don't think I mentioned it.
 
I had to walk back to the Quality Inn to get my car to go to Gina's for dinner, and cut through the National Cemetery to do it. I was the only (living) soul in the place, and I kept trying to think of words to describe the experience. the best I could come up with was "Sweet". and not the Sweet that the stoners use to describe something over the top, but more like the sweetness of making eyed contact with an infant child for the first time. I remember that moment with all my kids, and although not a perfect description, it's as close as I can come.
 
After Gina's which I can't relate much about because I got there so late, I went back to the Mine to get my copy of Eric, J.D and Mike's book. I said Hello to Bobbi and inquired after her health, which she insists is good. I saw Frazzanito, who recognized me and asked me Scottish Questions. " Is it true that Scots with the surname "Mac..." were catholic, and is it true that the Highlanders were a minority whose lifestyle and music (IE: Kilts and Bagpipes)
where taken up by the majority population as an expression of national pride?"
 
Answer's: Once upon a time EVERYONE was Catholic and Yes, I believe that to be a true representation, much as today's popular culture in America is gleaned from a minority elements (IE: Jazz, Blues, rock,Hip Hop and chalupa's).
 
I had to leave by 5:30 am Saturday Morning in order to be home on Long Island  by noon, so I missed all of the muster events other than those I have mentioned. 
 
 
 I'll throw my thanks in to Sal, Chris and Jim for volunteering to keep it going and my admiration and warmest regards for all the members of the GDG who keep coming back for more.
 
And Peggy, I asked someone I trusted to deliver that quarter to you, but evidently I didn't explain the Debt of Honor thing well enough. So I swear before all those here gathered, I''ll get it back to you.
 
 
K.