June 20. 2000
So many of these came back (Host Unknown, etc., etc.) that
there must have
been a really big glitch somewhere up the line. (Others I KNOW got
it.)
Anyway--I'm sending it again, and if you've already seen it, please just
delete and forgive the intrusion..
jlr
Another friend writes:
Jerry,
In the interest of accuracy, I am pasting below an email message from the
NPS re the destruction of the Tower: they are NOT asking people to stay
home
and they do realize it will be a tourist draw. They are asking people to
be
careful and are cordoning off an area around the site but do provide some
suggestions on where to view the collapse.
After all, the company tearing it down is doing it for free for the
publicity: they will hardly approve of the NPS scaring people away!
Take care,
Bob Huddleston
(If they had sent me this info before I sent out the Hanover newspaper
editorial, I'd have sent both together. jlr)
From: owner-gettysburg@gdg.org
[mailto:owner-gettysburg@gdg.org]
On Behalf Of GETT Public Affairs Office
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 9:59 AM
Subject: NPS Fact Sheet on Tower Removal
National Park Service
Gettysburg National Military Park
Demolishing the Gettysburg Tower
The Inaugural Event for Restoration of the
Gettysburg Battlefield
On July 3rd, at 5:00 p.m., the National Park
Service (NPS), in
coordination with Controlled Demolition Inc. and
the Friends of
the National Parks at Gettysburg will take a
giant step toward
restoration of the viewsheds and the historic
landscapes of the
Gettysburg battlefield by demolishing the
National Tower.
Restoring the Battlefield is Our Mission:
The tower is located on land that is important to
the story of
the Civil War battle of Gettysburg. Union
troop movements
occurred on the land, located immediately behind
the area used as
the Federal army's main defensive position on
Cemetery Ridge. In
1974, the Gettysburg National Tower opened as a
private tourist
attraction. Due to the national
significance of the property, in
1990 the U.S. Congress added the tower property
to Gettysburg
National Military Park, administered by NPS.
In 1993 after
public review, NPS published a Land Protection
Plan that
identified the tower property as a high priority
for acquisition.
In 1999 Congress and the President approved
funding for the
government's purchase of the tower.
For decades, preservationists, Civil War
enthusiasts and NPS have
opposed the tower as an intrusion on the historic
setting of the
battlefield. "There is no better
symbol for the need to preserve
the Gettysburg battlefield than taking down this
tower, " said
U.S. Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt on Earth
Day in Gettysburg
in 1999. Babbitt's agency oversees the
National Park Service.
Viewing the Demolition:
Safety is the number one priority during the
removal of the
tower. While this is a high profile event
of interest to many,
it isn't a goal of NPS to attract large crowds to
the area to
view the demolition. During the demolition,
NPS and local
authorities will set up a substantial restricted
area surrounding
the tower. In the interest of public
safety, traffic will
temporarily be restricted on nearby roads.
The restricted areas
and road closures are expected to last no longer
than ninety
minutes.
Since the Tower can be seen for miles, the public
may view the
demolition from many areas both on and off park
lands, provided
they are outside of the safety and restricted
areas.
NPS anticipates a restricted area that includes
all of the
National Cemetery, all of the Evergreen Cemetery,
the area
between Baltimore Pike and Taneytown Road as far
south as Hunt
Avenue. This will be finalized and
announced at a later date.
Please check the park's web site at www.nps.gov/gett
during the
week of June 26th for more information.
Recommended Viewing Areas:
Some of the best viewing areas are Hancock
Avenue, the area
around the Pennsylvania Memorial, and many areas
along West
Confederate Avenue. Parking will be
extremely limited and
traffic is expected to be heavy. Consider
carpooling and if
parking on the park's historic avenues, please
keep your vehicle
on the road, not on the grassy shoulders.
Why the National Park Service is Removing the
Tower:
Preservation of the historic landscapes of the
Gettysburg
battlefield is a fundamental mission of
Gettysburg National
Military Park. In removing the National
Tower, NPS will
dramatically restore historic landscapes and
viewsheds, removing
a modern intrusion that has loomed over the
historic area for 27
years.
An Inaugural Event for the Park's New General
Management Plan:
Since the tower can be seen from almost every
point on the
Gettysburg battlefield, removal of the tower will
dramatically
restore the historic landscapes. Removing
the tower is the first
step. The park's long-term goal will be to
return the 6 ½ acres
surrounding the tower to their appearance at the
time of the
battle in 1863.
Gettysburg National Military Park's new General
Management Plan
recognizes that changes to the landscapes have
occurred over
time, including the building of the tower, growth
of trees,
changing field sizes, and missing fences,
orchards, and farm
lanes. These changes obscure the key
terrain, avenues of
approach, and fields of fire that affected the
outcome of the
battle. As a result, some portions of the
battlefield have not
only physically changed in appearance but have
ceased
contributing in any significant way to visitor
understanding of
the battle. We believe that removing the
National Tower, as well
as non-historic woodlands and restoring historic
woodlots and
orchards would have a dramatic effect upon
battlefield
interpretation and help Gettysburg National
Military Park meet
its fundamental purpose - preserving the historic
landscape
reflective of the battle. As a result
visitors would understand
both the major movements of the armies and the
tactical decisions
of military leaders as well as the details of
terrain, obstacles,
cover and other features that determined the
outcome of the
battle for the individual soldiers.
Other post-battle resources such as monuments,
cannon, avenues
and historic observation towers placed by Civil
War veterans are
not proposed for removal because they contribute
to the
nationally significant commemorative park
landscape and are
therefore important to preserve and rehabilitate.
Controlled Demolition's Donation to the
Friends of the National
Parks at Gettysburg:
Controlled Demolition Incorporated (CDI) and the
Loizeaux family
of Baltimore, Maryland are donating their
services to demolish
the tower. The donation, valued by NPS at
$1 million, is being
made through the non-profit preservation group,
Friends of the
National Parks at Gettysburg. CDI's
donation is the single
largest corporate contribution toward
preservation at Gettysburg
National Military Park in the park's 105-year
history.
CDI has enjoyed tremendous international success
in the
explosives demolition of structures over the last
half century.
Past projects include Seattle's King Dome and the
Murrah Federal
Building in Oklahoma City.
Recycling the National Tower:
NPS is committed to a clean and healthy
environment. Five miles
of galvanized steel from the tower will be
recycled. Other
debris will be removed to recycling centers,
resale facilities
and scrap yards, as appropriate. Materials
that must be disposed
of will be taken to approved landfills.
Tower Facts:
According to the National Tower's website, the
steel observation
structure stands 393 feet tall (to the top of its
lightening
arrester), weighs nearly 2 million pounds and
contains 5 miles of
steel members connected by over 14,000 bolts.
Completed in 1974,
the tower is anchored into granite with 15,000
tons of concrete.
Its hyperbolic hourglass shape is 94 feet in
diameter at the base,
33 feet at its waist and 70 feet in diameter at
the top of its
observation platform.
The National Park Service cares for special
places saved by the
American people so that all may experience our
heritage.
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
As a result visitors would understand
both the major movements of the armies and the tactical decisions of
military leaders as well as the details of terrain, obstacles, cover and
other features that determined the outcome of the battle for the
individual soldiers.
What, no mention of slavery as "the cause" of The War?
jlr
June 20. 2000
Verrrryyyyy Interesting!!!!
It goes to show how EXTREMELY important safety checks are at ALL events.
I
also feel that all REENACTING companies should stress Much Much more
cleaning
and care of their firearms. Not only would it give much greater
(safe) realism
to events {the men may be raggety but the rifles were expected to shine}
but it
greatly reduces chances of ANY obstruction being present if each person
knows
that his rifle will be inspected and is to be clean and shiny.
I know in my case at Boscobel it also made life much simplier for all when
I
used by 2-band for the skirmish and my 3-band colt for the reenactment --
but
that is not possible for everyone. It should also be kept in
mind that
loaners have the same problem [lets not forget 135th Gettysburg!!!].
PWH
Sarah Bro Hinds
June 20. 2000
Regarding the following message passed on by Gary Van
Kauwenbergh which
reads:
Posted by Les Knutsen 1st US Sharpshooter Co. G N-SSA
<mailto:amrqult@execpc.com>
on June 20, 19100 at 11:40:32:
Last weekend I was working for Lodgewood at the National event at
Wilson's
Creek, MO repairing guns for the participants of the reenactment.
In one of the fouled guns, a three band enfield, we found a full
sized mini
setting on top of what appeared to be a powder charge. The man that
brought
the gun in for repair had no idea the bullet was in the gun and stated
that
he had tried to get the gun to go off during the battle.
There was a question if it was indeed powder or something
else. It looked
like rusty powder that had been in the gun for a long time.
I know that many members of the N-SSA participate in reeacting.
I have no
interest in passing judgment on the sport, but there is a clear danger in
pointing guns at people and pulling the trigger.
This is not a second hand tale I have told you. I was there along
with Bill
Osborne and his staff.
This sort of attitude reminds me when I decided to take up bow hunting in
addition to rifle hunting back in the 50's. Here we had TWO camps;
riflemen
and archers and both were at each other's throats. Archers were
butchers
and riflemen deserted their game after gut shooting them. Why I
heard
"first hand", "second hand" and all kinds of other
hands of the wrongs of
both sides and if it had been up to me, I would have canceled the sport
altogether if I believed everything that came down line. O.K., I
believe
Les Knutsen insofar as he attested he was there along with Bill Osborne
and
his staff. But Knute (if you're listening), you showed your card
when you
added "(you) have no interest in passing judgement on the sport, but
there
is a clear danger in pointing guns at people and pulling the trigger.
There is DANGER in skirmishing and there is DANGER in reenacting and there
is DANGER when either organization let's their guard down. This does
NOT
mean one hobby has presidence over the other so let's stop the
"beefing" and
focus on one important aspect that was NOT emphasized: SAFETY!
Safety in
the people we elect to manage these two hobbies and SAFETY in the people
who
participate. Strict enforcement in BOTH camps is a MUST. So
Knute...and
all you others, listen up:
Check your OWN hobby and your OWN conduct in that hobby. Don't be
afraid to
speak up if you see an infraction, but concentrate in promoting SAFETY in
the hobby...don't start crusading your beliefs that one hobby is more
dangerous then the other. National events in either hobby scares the
hell
out of me just because of numbers alone. It is an awesome
responsibility
not just to the promoters, but to each UNIT commander in charge of HIS
troops. And troops! It is as awesome a responsibility on you,
the
individual to practice SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY until it becomes AUTOMATIC and
then don't trust it. No one is a veteran when it comes to firearms
PERIOD.
LONG LIVE REENACTING! LONG LIVE SKIRMISHING! They BOTH
have their
rightful place so enough of this nonsense...let's work together wearing
the
blue and the gray and observe safety EVERY DAY!!!
I remain your (not so) humble,
Chaplain
F. Cook
2nd Wisconsin Volunteers
(And God bless you for listenning)
June 20. 2000
I found this post on the N-SSA bulletin board this
morning. I know Les
Knutsen, and I don't think he's one to exaggerate.
Gary Van Kauwenbergh
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loaded Gun at Wilson's Creek Reenactment
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ N-SSA Bulletin Board
<http://www.n-ssa.org/wwwboard/wwwboard.html>
] [ FAQ
<http://www.n-ssa.org/wwwboard/faq.html>
]
Posted by Les Knutsen 1st US Sharpshooter Co. G N-SSA
<mailto:amrqult@execpc.com>
on June 20, 19100 at 11:40:32:
Last weekend I was working for Lodgewood at the National event at Wilson's
Creek, MO repairing guns for the participants of the reenactment.
In one of the fouled guns, a three band enfield, we found a full sized
mini
setting on top of what appeared to be a powder charge. The man that
brought
the gun in for repair had no idea the bullet was in the gun and stated
that
he had tried to get the gun to go off during the battle.
There was a question if it was indeed powder or something else. It
looked
like rusty powder that had been in the gun for a long time.
I know that many members of the N-SSA participate in reeacting. I
have no
interest in passing judgment on the sport, but there is a clear danger in
pointing guns at people and pulling the trigger.
This is not a second hand tale I have told you. I was there along with
Bill
Osborne and his staff.June 20. 2000
Brothers -
Tentatively count me in for this ceremony. We are planning a family
trip
around this time, and I would be very pleased to come to this honorable
event.
In F.,C., & L.,
Gregory Hayes
Commander, Department of Michigan
June 20. 2000
Sometimes the National Park Service kinda reminds us of
"the gang that
couldn't shoot straight"...or maybe the Keystone Cops.
For instance, this editorial from the Hanover Evening Sun, Friday June 16,
2000:
All eyes on the tower
We could hardly believe it when we heard it the first time. Then we heard
it again. Then an e-mail arrived, reiterating the message.
The message was basically: Tell people to stay home. Tell them not to come
around here.
The message came from the National Park Service, and they were talking
about the upcoming implosion of the National Tower at Gettysburg.
This is a joke, right? Where do these NPS people come from? Mars?
What are we seeing at work here? Incredible gall or incredible naivete?
First, they alienate a large portion of the community with the pushy and
arrogant way they go about getting their new visitor center approved. This
controversy hasn't quite died down yet, when they push forward with their
plan to get rid of the tower. In one fell swoop, they managed to:
a) alienate anyone with even a mildly Libertarian bent by seizing private
property through rushed and questionable court proceedings before fair
compensation has been decided;
b) alienate all those who find the tower to be educational and worth
saving. (Turns out to be quite a few of them. Unfortunately, they never
paid any attention until it was too late.)
c) alienate even the history purists by allowing this demolition spectacle
to take place on a day that should be devoted to remembering the sacrifice
laid down in Gettysburg in 1863.
Whew. That's a lot of alienation even for a government agency.
Now, they've topped it all by trying to get people to stay away.
In recent years, there have been two building implosions nearby, in
Baltimore and in Harrisburg. Both were big-time events, complete with
parades, live TV coverage, T-shirt vendors, and yes, crowds. Big crowds.
Huge crowds of people.
The truth is, people love implosions. All that force. All that
destruction. Yet so neat and tidy in a way. Implosions are just really
cool things to watch.
Add to that the fact that this demolition has been approved for one of
if not the busiest tourist day of the year in Gettysburg the
anniversary of the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the day before
the Fourth of July, which, falling on a Tuesday, gives a lot of people a
four-day weekend this year.
Add to all that one more factor: the organizers of this year's battle
re-enactment are telling people nationwide that the implosion will add to
the excitement of their war games. It seems the re-enactors will fire
their cannons toward the tower in a mock assault just as the implosion
occurs. Cool.
And the NPS is asking people to stay away.
That has about as much chance of happening as Thomas Ottenstein has of
getting a fair compensation for his seized tower property.
Of course there's going to be a restricted zone. And of course, people who
have a view of the tower from their homes would be wise to stay home and
invite a bunch of friends.
But face it. Some things can get out of hand. Things like controlled
burns. Things like controlled crowds.
So while one side of the NPS mouth is talking about staying at home, the
other side had better be setting up some major plans for dealing with
crowds of people. Hordes of people. Multitudes of people.
This tends to happen when you arrange a big show. People want to see it.
The NPS has arranged a big show. Now they must be prepared for an
audience.
You think Latschar is some kind of control freak? Or just wishes he was...
jlr
Thought you'd get a kick out of this! It sure made me smile!
Laurie
Rasmussen
June 20. 2000
My father passed away yesterday at 4:10 pm.
He was aware, and as the nurses said he never complained but joked with
them, to make their job easer.
Thanks
Jim Johnson
June 19. 2000
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War--Michigan
Department's
Albert & James Lyon Camp #266, headquartered in Marquette, Michigan,
will be hosting a Union soldier headstone dedication on Saturday, July
8th at Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin.
The ceremony, which will follow the 1917 Grand Army of the Republic
Dedication and Memorial Service, will begin at 10am at the town cemetery
on the south side of U.S. Highway 8 in Weyerhaeuser. The event will
honor Camp Jr. Vice Co. Gary White's ancestor, Abraham Trumbull, who
served in Co. B, 52nd Wisconsin Infantry.
Members of Weyerhaeuser VFW Post #5780 will serve as color guard and the
local men's choral group will provide appropriate vocal accompaniment.
Presentations by town officials and members of Camp #266 will be
followed by the firing of a 3/4 scale Napoleon cannon by the 10th
Wisconsin Light Artillery of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After the
minister's benediction, a bugler will play "Taps."
Officers of the Wisconsin Department SUVCW, accompanied by its
Auxiliary, will assist in hosting the ceremony and in unveiling the new
headstone for Pvt. Trumbull.
One TV station and 4 newspapers are expected to cover this special
event.
After the program, lunch will be provided for participants and observers
by the VFW Auxiliary and the Weyerhaeuser community.
Weyerhaeuser is located 45 miles north of Eau Claire and 15 miles west
of Ladysmith on the north side of U.S. Highway 8.
All are invited to attend this special event. Period clothing and
uniforms are encouraged, but not required. Any questions, please
email
me or call Br. Gary White at (906) 346-9704. I look forward to
seeing
there.
Fraternally,
PDC Steve Michaels
Dept. of Wisconsin
SUVCW
June 19. 2000
Let eBay know what you think....
Brothers,
For your consideration...another heritage violation.
Fraternally,
PDC Steve Michaels
Re: 359865057
Potentially illegal item (KMM13722785C0KM)
June 13. 2000
Dear Brothers,
I wanted to express to everyone my sincere thanks for the help you've
given me during the last three years. Your support and cooperation
has
made my time as Wisconsin Dept. Commander most enjoyable.
On June 14, 1932, Wisconsin GAR Dept. Commander William H. Chesbrough of
Beloit concluded his final report to his membership...
"And if any sheaves I have brought at last,
As the harvest work is done
And the burden placed at your feet is cast,
I will think of the trusting ones
And will say with proud, but humble head,
Not mine is the harvest won,
As my best was nourished, tendered and fed,
By the work each member has done."
The certificate and engraved replica revolver with holster presented to
me at Saturday's Dept. Encampment were quite a surprise. Thank
you--I
will treasure them always.
You may count on me to help you and the SUVCW in any way that I'm called
upon to do.
In F, C, & L,
PDC Steve Michaels
Hello Brad,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us with this information. I
understand how this situation could be disconcerting.
I have reviewed the information that you have provided and have
determined that the member involved has not violated any eBay rules.
I
can not end this auction. There is no indication in the actual
auction
that this is a grave marker. I ran this one by my supervisor and we
can
not end it. I appreciate the time you have taken to inform me about this
auction.
Regards,
Nathan B. S.
eBay Community Watch Team
Every one ebay will not remove the above item from
their auction. We
went so far as to send them a jpeg of a very similar grave marker in the
Belle
Plaine Iowa cemetery.
The excuse we are given is very lame!!! The bulk of all of the grave
markers on ebay that we have had removed also are not labeled as grave
markers.
The people that put it on auction act as if they do not know what these
are,
we contacted them, but their email address includes the name war relics in
it so I find it hard to believe that they do not know what these markers
are.
Please email ebay enmasse to get these items pulled. And please feel
free to pass this message onto those in your address book and urge them to
also
contact ebay.
Thanks!!!
Brad & Kathy
June 7, 2000
Gary and all,
Regarding your questions:
Do you plan on being at the Stone Bank skirmish, July 15-16?
Answer: No
Do you plan on being at the Boscobel skirmish, August 5-6?
Answer: No
Do you plan on being at the Bristol skirmish, September 23-24?
Answer: No
Do you plan on being at the Bristol fun shoot, October 29? Answer: No
As some of you may or may not be aware, we have had some serious problems
to
deal with these past few weeks. I'll take it by the numbers (if
that's alright with you).
1. My wife had a modified radical mastectomy resulting from being
diagnosed
in having a malignant tumor in her right breast.
2. During the 33 hours she was in the hospital (I by her side), our
basement flooded (sump pump didn't work properly).
3. Flooding knocked out our gas water heater (only temporarily) but
I
learned to do dishes the old fashion way for a couple days.
4. Went to my dentist on Monday as my mouth stopped talking to me
due to
the pain (I have THREE abscessed teeth).
5. Also on Monday, my physical therapist is treating me for either
"tendonitis" or "torn rotator cuff"...if the latter, I
will require surgery.
6. Big water main break on Tomlinson Street (unbeknownst to us) city
came
and shut off our water for several hours (without any warning).
O.K. That's all the BAD news. Here's my rebuttal:
1. Betty will be going on some cancer elimination therapy and
eliminate it
we will. Dr. Bernhardt is steering us to a good oncologist and with
the
lymph node test results forth coming, they will know the best treatment to
offer her.
2. I learned how to PROPERLY install a sump pump which should avoid
all
that flooding junky stuff in the future.
3. I also learned that gas water heaters are more forgiving then
electric
water heaters.
4. My surgery is scheduled for June 14 at 11. Half my
remaining teeth MUST
go leaving a net tooth count of three remaining. (For Gary's sake,
that
means they're extracting three of my six remaining teeth).
5. I'm doing exercises that if it does turn out to be tendonitis, I
will
improve with age (don't we all?).
6. It wasn't several hours our water was shut off...more like 45
minutes.
7. (Which should be No. 1 at the top of the list) Both Betty
and I are
devout Christians...or as "devout" as we know how. Our
belief in God,
friends and miracles has helped us through many a crisis in our 41+ years
together and we aren't about to give up on Him now. He gave us each
other
and He gave us six wonderful children who have yielded (to date) TWELVE
grandchildren (10 of the stronger sex and 2 male counterparts)...but the
game ain't over yet! Number Thirteen is due in the latter part of
July
(Fred III & Monica). Just for the record though, No. 12 (Ellen
Johanna
Cook) was born May 29th at 11:45 p.m. to Christopher Hill and Susan Cook
of
Stoughton...8 pounds 13 ounces. At that size she should have her
alphabet
put to memory (or at least know the parts of an Enfield rifle).
Betty is feeling better by the day and with me as her nurse, chief cook
and
bottle washer, it's no small wonder. Keep those prayers coming
folks. They
work! Believe me they do. And you can quote your regimental
chaplain on
that any day of the week.
Have a great season...I'm with you in spirit!
Fred Cook
June 6, 2000
National Gettysburg
Battlefield Tower owners have two weeks to clear out
after a Federal judge Monday granted the National Park Service approval to
quickly seize the site for a planned explosive demolition on July 3.
Controlled Demolition of Phoenix, Md., will knock down the tower at no
cost
to the government in return for video rights.
So, over a quarter-century after we lost the first battle of The Tower,
justice has finally prevailed. (Let's remember it was the Park
Service's
fault that the damned thing got built in the first place--if NPS hadn't
approved access across Park Service land, the Tower would have been
isolated, and would never have been built. Only took NPS a quarter
of a
century to rectify their error. Better late than never.)