Food was prepared most of the day since my Nat, Sean and Denise, and JR (my aunts and uncles whom I'm on a first name basis with) were coming over. My grandfather made a seating chart to try and get more interesting conversation started, but it seemed like it was more of the same silence for me as I was put at the table with his mother (who's 91 and still spry) and his sister who has a very dry humor. I also had to sit with him, my sister, and Nat. Any questions directed toward me from my grandfather fell along the lines of "What's next for you in your career? How far can you climb the ladder? Are you happy with what you are doing?" I've realized now that he, along with Sean, JR, and Nat, are very business-like and are always looking at the next step. I'm more about living in the now.
After dinner I was elected to be Santa and hand out presents. For this Christmas each of us had a Secret Santa. It was supposed to be this fun thing but it turned into more of a logistical fiasco. Anyway I picked my grandfather and he wasn't able to guess who it was. My dad got me and it was pretty easy for me to guess since the gift was on back order from Bass Pro (plus I recognized the handwriting on the envelope that was written to me). I got a few books and CDs to go along with my big gift. I got my dad a driving cap and my mom a framed picture of me with them at the beach. Casey helped make it and they really liked it. For my siblings I got Mario Party 8 for Nintendo Wii (come to find out it didn't work since I bought it used from Game Stop).
The next day I went to Gettysburg, PA to visit the battlefield there. My dad and brother tagged along. My brother didn't really have a choice since my mom and sister went shopping and he didn't want to go with them. The trip started out well as we took in the nice scenery and the reggae-influenced tunes of The Police's Ghost in the Machine (one of the CDs I got for Christmas). I mentioned that we were going to pass by Camp David and my dad said something about going to see the President. Of course I said that I would never want to meet him.
A few minutes went by and I popped in Revolver by The Beatles (the other CD I got). The first track is "Taxman". Upon recognizing the song my dad says, "You better listen to this song Dustin. This is what's going to happen when you're boy gets into office." I was taken aback by this. I didn't expect my dad to take a shot at me about who I voted for. Of course I couldn't let this stand so I said that neither mine nor his taxes were going to get raised since we didn't make enough money. More back-and-forth deliberation went on and I finally said something about how anybody would be a better president than George W. Bush. At this point my father says, "All the reasons you love Obama are all the reasons that I despise him. I've never been less proud of this country than I am right now!" This hurt. That moment is one of the few times that I've felt contempt for my father. I've never been more proud of this country than I am right now. For us to elect the first African-American to the presidency with a sweeping majority says something about the American character. I think it also says something about how the American people feel about the last eight years. Regardless, the rest of the car ride up was pretty silent.
I think we both decided that when we got to Gettysburg we were going to enjoy ourselves. We did and I'm glad I got over myself. The film, cyclorama, and museum were great. The battlefield was equally as impressive. The surrounding area was beautiful. To think that this was were the war drastically changed. Had the Confederacy won here who knows what would have happened. Highlights of the auto tour around the park were Little Round Top, the field where the final charge took place, Dwight Eisenhower's retirement home, and Gettysburg National Cemetery, where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. If you've never read the speech it is very powerful.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
On the way back my dad started talking about becoming a deacon in the Catholic church. He's been thinking about ever since he was approached about it from a deacon. He said he would have to get over many of the prejudices he had. This sparked another long political discussion. This one was more constructive but it showed me just how conservative he is. Anyway, we talked about so many topics for so long that I missed a turn and ended up driving 15 miles out of the way. When we started going up and down mountains I realized we missed the turn. This sucked because I really had to pee and had I made the turn it wouldn't have been a problem. I finally had to stop on the side of the road and relieve myself. My brother thought it hilarious. I would too if I were his age. Hell, I do find it funny!
The next day I drove to Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, MD. The drive was gorgeous! When I crossed the Potomac coming into Maryland I passed through the quaint little town of Brunswick. I then drove back roads to reach the battlefield.
The battlefield was neat. Here is where the Union, led by George McClellan, defeated the Confederates. The battle was the single-bloodiest battle of the Civil War. After the battle the Union had the chance to pursue the Confederates and possibly end the war, but McClellan chose to rest his troops instead. This led to President Lincoln personally coming to Antietam to interview McClellan. McClellan was later relieved of duty.
After Antietam I drove to Harpers Ferry, WV. I had to cross the Potomac once again and upon doing so passed through another neat town: Shepherdstown, WV. When I arrived in Harpers Ferry I took the NPS shuttle to the old downtown district. Harpers Ferry is at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Thomas Jefferson said this was one of the most beautiful places he ever saw in America. I don't doubt him. The town is cool and the bluffs surrounding the town are shear beauty. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters is here, but I was too late in arriving to stop in. Also, John Brown's Rebellion occured in Harpers Ferry. I suggest everyone check out this tucked-away gem!
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