Author – Barbara Boone; Photographer – Al Exter
“The world will little note,
nor long remember what we say here,
but it can never forget what they did here.”
The town of Gettysburg is deeply sewn into the fabric of American history. But you don’t have to be a history scholar to know the name. It is as well known as the Bald Eagle and the Liberty Bell as an icon of American liberty and freedom.
On October 14th, 2016, the residents of the Masonic Village at Dallas boarded two buses and began their journey to experience Gettysburg. Arriving at the Visitor’s Center we were reminded, via the museum, the film and the newly restored cyclorama painting, of the countless stories of individual heroism, sacrifice, endurance and hardship born by the brave volunteers of the Union and Confederate Armies in what is known as one of the bloodiest wars in America. Gettysburg was a place of learning through inspiration and sadness for all those who gave their lives for their beliefs.
Following our tour of the Visitor’s Center, we then boarded the buses for a drive through the battlefields. On the way, a film was shown depicting the input the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania had on restoring the Cemetery Annex to a place of honor for those who died while serving in all wars and, in particular, to memorialize the war between the North and the South.
Arriving at the historic 1776 Dobbin Tavern for lunch, the group had time to walk the short distance to the Cemetery Annex and view the Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial and surround which is an impressive depiction of the bonds of Masonic brotherhood that could not be broken despite personal differences. It stands as a reminder to all that there were and still are brave men and women willing to fight for our freedom to be different while remaining undivided as a nation.
We all then enjoyed a delicious deli-style lunch at the historic Dobbin Tavern offering something for everyone. We completed our day with a stop in Hershey, Pennsylvania for an “amusement ride” tour of the Hershey Chocolate Factory describing how all those tasty treats are made. We probably inhaled several calories while just walking through the gift shop!
For the bus ride home, we were treated to beverages, sandwiches, salad and a dessert by the great staff here at Dallas and we arrived, albeit a bit weary, safely back home right on schedule. A wonderful day was had by all and we thank the Officers and members of Meridian Sun Masonic Lodge No. 2 for helping to defray the cost of the trip.
