The Wandering Disciple

The US military is a dominant force on the world stage. In order to remain battle ready, they rely on a massive fleet of cutting edge technology that gives them an advantage on the battlefield.  This is the M4A3 Sherman Tank. Introduced by the US Army during World War II, the Sherman Tank was the most widely used tank by the allied forces during the war. It was used by the US Army from 1942 to 1957 but remained in service with allies until 2018. This Sherman tank is on display at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania.  Taken: July 15, 2023 at Fort Indiantown Gap (Annville, PA)

August 8th is International Cat Day and to celebrate the occasion here is a picture of a sleepy feline from the Philadelphia Zoo. From small house cats to the King of the Jungle, all cats are celebrated during this worldwide day. International Cat Day was established in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare to raise awareness about cats. The torch has been passed to International Cat Care and the mission has been expanded to help improve the health and welfare of cats globally.  Taken: July 12, 2023 at Philadelphia Zoo (Philadelphia, PA)

While the battle has long faded into history, a drive around Gettysburg will still bear witness to scars from the deadliest conflict of the Civil War. This is the Abraham Trostle farm in which a cannonball was fired into the barn. The hole made by the cannonball is still visible in the brick of the barn.  The Abraham Trostle farm was taken over by Major General Sickles and became the headquarters of the Third Army Corps. The farm came under heavy fire resulting in a valiant last stand by the 9th Massachusetts Battery. The skirmish resulted in heavy casualties and damage to the barn in which some is still visible today. Today the farm is one of the many prominent buildings maintained by the National Park Service as part of the battlefield park.  Taken: July 14, 2023 at Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, PA)

When you're the President, you can have all kinds of games. President Kennedy had the swimming pool in the White House, President Obama had basketball courts and President Eisenhower had his putting green. This Presidential game of putt putt was at his farm outside Gettysburg. You can tour Eisenhower’s farm when you visit the Eisenhower National Historic Site.  Located a short distance from Washington DC, the farm provided the President with a retreat from DC. Today you can see the farm and ranch house as well as his Presidential amenities like the Marine One Landing Pad, Secret Service offices and of course the Presidential putting green.  Taken: July 14, 2023 at Eisenhower National Historic Site (Gettysburg, PA) Photo of the Day: August 6, 2023

A group of Civil War reenactors set up a camp at Gettysburg. Civil War enthusiasts come from across the country to recreate one of the most critical battles during the war. This encampment was set up along Confederate Avenue near the start point to Pickett’s Charge. Taken: July 14, 2023 at Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, PA) 

On the morning of July 3, 1863 a bullet entered a home on East Cemetery Hill striking a homemaker as she was kneading dough in the kitchen. Twenty-year-old Jennie Wade would become the only civilian casualty of the Battle of Gettysburg as she died while baking bread for the troops in her sister’s kitchen.  Today the home has been preserved as a shrine to Jennie. The home is furnished from basement to attic with period furnishings and living history actors telling the story of Jennie and the battle.  Taken: July 14, 2023 (Gettysburg, PA)

A cannon sits atop a ridge in Gettysburg. The cannon battery would be positioned on the ridge line protect the high ground and the troops sheltering behind the ridge from attack forces down below.  Gettysburg was site of the deadliest battle of the Civil War and the only battle to be fought on northern soil. The Union victory in the battle would become a turning point in the war. Today a large portion of the battlefield has been preserved as a National Park.  Taken: July 14, 2023 at Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, PA)