Saturday 14 December 2013

Hershey to Washington - Gettysburg Stop Off

On a day where it snowed from start to finish, the touring party enjoyed the chance to relax and also take in the amazing sites and story of the Gettysburg Battle in 1863.

After a short trip from Hershey, we stopped in at the Vistor's Centre then started a two hour Coach trip around the battlefields, while we also enjoyed the chance to get out of the coach and really feel the cold, and yes, engage in some of our own battles with the balls of 'snow' that were very popular with many of the students.

We also visited the many fields and saw the monuments that remind the tourists the  enormous loss of life over three days of fighting over three days in July 1863. We also viewed a movie that contextualised the importance of Lincoln's monumental address and the impact that the Gettysburg Battle had upon the formation of America's independence and union as a nation. The subsequent freedom afforded to all slaves and negroes through the actions of the President Lincoln's actions at the time were evident as the students toured the museum and the battlefields.

Later in the tour, we climbed up a large viewing tour, some 30 metres above the ground where the choir sang Billy Joel's 'And So It Goes', with some students saying it was their coldest performance ever. As we stood underneath the large memorial as a group, we also sang 'The Star Spangled Banner' for our tour guide.

After this we headed to Washington as the snow continued to fall, and met our hosts at St Alban's school. As we had a little difficulty finding the school and arrival point, we were lucky enough to receive assistance from the local member of the police who also provided a police escort to our parking area! The first time I can remember such and arrival on any tour with flashing lights and the full treatment.

Anyway, tomorrow is touring day in the Washington Mall, then another performance tomorrow night, so watch this space. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures from today. Brad M










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