GDG- "Near" Muster memorys
Lisa Malandra
lisam3860 at embarqmail.com
Mon Jun 9 17:55:03 CDT 2008
The lightnng struck monument was the "one with the eagle", the 1st United
States Sharpshooters Co. F. It stood damaged for many years until its'
restoration a few years ago. One of my favorites!
Lisa Malandra
----- Original Message -----
From: "keith mackenzie" <bluzdad at yahoo.com>
To: "GDG" <gettysburg at arthes.com>
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 2:30 PM
Subject: GDG- "Near" Muster memorys
> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:
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> 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.
>
>
>
>
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