From the second Larry mentioned Pennsylvania way back (Gawd, it feels like another lifetime now) in September, 2008 my first thought was: Gettysburg. (No, it was: GETTYSBURG!!!!!!!!!). The northeast is close (enough) to Gettysburg (in reality it was a 200-mile drive southwest but THOUSANDS of miles closer than I am right now in Idaho).
Fast-forward through 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Moves, drives across the country, craziness, sadness, depression, frustration, fear, anxiety, misery, and Never Seen Such A Gorgeous (PA) Autumn years later...
...I am back in Idaho, in our home, and (frustratingly) dreaming of, well, Gettysburg. (Do not become confused with life in the northeast...in Scranton!)
Okay, I know. I'm a little crazy (maybe a lot crazy, shut it!)
We visited Gettysburg for one glorious day in June of last year before he trekked back west. I knew from the minute we drove onto the battlefield and listened to the eerie and peaceful silence among thousands of acres and erect monuments peppered throughout, that I wanted to experience more of Gettysburg.
We got out of the car and walked up to our first monument (New York Infantry, I believe). We listened to the battle cries on the CD playing in our car as we slowly drove the streets. I read aloud every piece of material I could fit on my lap. I talked to the kids about what we saw and what happened here almost 150 years ago. I couldn't get enough (the kids, however, after a full day of Gettysburg and war talk, had had enough).
I want to go back. I want to go back for a few days and take in more (preferably child free so I can bask and enjoy on my own) of what makes Gettysburg truly remarkable.
And that leads me to today (well, a couple of days ago).
I researched what it would take to be certified as a battlefield guide/expert in Gettysburg. (My kids were aghast thinking we were going to move BACK to Pennsylvania! Side note: we are not.)
Bottom line is it is going to take me at least 18 months to 2 years of study and a minimum of 70 different books...that range from the overall history of the Civil War to books dedicated solely to the thousands of monuments (which I will need to identify each and every one of them). Books on Pickett's Charge, Culps Hill, and Cemetery Hill. Books on Doctors in grey and blue. Books on Grant, Lee, and Lincoln. Books that will describe years spent riding with Stonewall, a diary of battle, and Civil War Letters of Robert McAllister...to ready myself for the 3-hour intense test.
I grabbed highlighters and index cards and a nice big box to house my notes and photos and requested a few books from our library. The test will take place in Gettysburg in December of next year (2012) or the following (2013)...the uncertainty is because they don't announce which year they will conduct the test until about six months prior. Passing is with an 85% or higher and 90% of all who take this test are men. The test itself will cover everything from in depth detailed knowledge of days 1-3; monument identification; overall Civil War history; photograph identification; map identification; the ebb and flow of battle; weapon types; uniforms; food; local area place names; a grasp of the political, social, and economic perspectives related to this era (and thankfully not just military aspects); and a broad scope of the battle, the human element, and the meaning of it all.
I'm glad that I was able to see Gettysburg in person because while I read I can visualize the battlefields. Of course, the bug to take this test was probably set the day I walked onto the battlefields!! I have always been intrigued and fascinated with the Civil War and this comprehensive study will only consist of the three days in July, 1863 at Gettysburg.
I have been toying with a masters degree in history. Calling universities. Researching online programs. Obtaining requirements. I'm not even sure why other than I feel restless. I feel a burning passion for history (I love it!) but realized that obtaining a masters degree in history will do nothing other than occupy my time for a couple of years but will have no immediate purpose other than to hang another degree on my wall. I guess it would allow me to teach at a community college but do I really want to do that? Not really, no. I do realize that it may come in handy in the future if I ever needed to secure a job...and having a communications degree and a history degree would broaden my possibilities a lot...but can't quite justify the $15k++ price tag a masters would cost. A friend recently said that you can't put a price on an education...you are preaching to the choir here, sister...but I have to be financially smart in this horrible economy too.
Which lead me to this study of Gettysburg. It won't really cost me anything as long as I continue to order and request books from the library (there are going to be a few books down the road that I will ultimately want to own so I can work on my own Civil War/Gettysburg library) and the test itself is under a hundred dollars. Okay, there may be some expense when I want to fly back to Gettysburg for a weekend sometime in the near-ish future and again to actually take the test.
I know I can do this and it has provided me with excitement to get out of bed every morning. It has also provided me with a little fear as I remember again how to take notes and study (gawd, it has been a long ass time!) and realize that the military organization is one thing I have NO CLUE about: the differences between an infantry, brigade, squad, platoon, and a troop. And, the order of rank from a General to a Private to a Sergeant to a Major to a Lieutenant to a Lieutenant Colonel to a Corporal. (Who is in charge of whom?!? Yikes.)
I don't have a concrete plan as of yet to get myself through that amount of books but I am starting with some overall Civil War books, a couple of human interest type memoirs, and a couple of reference books for a few of the battles.
Inside I am jumping up and down, my heart is beating fast, and I am giddy with excitement.
Comments