An online journal of Mannie Gentile, a National Park Service interpretive ranger working at our nation's finest National Battlefield: Antietam.
DISCLAIMER: please note that this blog represents only my views and not those of my various employers.
Feel free to email me at: museumofamerica@myactv.net
Substitute teaching ended for me this week, Rangering begins tomorrow, for my birthday (Friday) I gave myself the day off and went to Harpers Ferry. My mission: hike the six mile Maryland Heights trail.
(hit the play arrow)
It was a perfect day for it, low humidity, not even seventy degrees, and a beautiful blue sky.
The first stop would be the scenic vista from the top of this cliff high above the C and O Canal.
This trail had bested me about five years ago. On a very hot humid day, when I was twenty five pounds heavier, I had to call it quits early into the going (it is a pretty strenuous trail). Today though, I was ready for it.
There and back with pictures to prove it!
Today was the first day of the season at Harpers Ferry and the park looked great with freshened up signs and...
lots of neat props around providing atmosphere.
As I hiked the canal towpath along side the Potomac this enormous heron caught my eye, the first of the local species I'd encounter today.
And further up the trail,
the second.
Three years of Union occupation and fortification of Maryland Heights has left its mark. Although softened by time and vegatation many remains, like this powder magazine, are tangible reminders of the war.
The dry moat and parapet of the 30-pounder Parrott battery still stand sentinel over the river ...
and the town, far below. That's John Browns "fort" on the left.
The views (see video below) were frequent and spectacular!
This is the commandaing view of the Shenandoah River from the Federal 100lb Parrott gun battery
This Federal fortification "the Stone Fort" is at the summit of Maryland Heights. These stones are massive, and to think this was built by hand, the hands of free men that is.
It was a perfect morning and afternoon. A rigorous six-miles (all uphill it seemed), and a delicious home-made pizza at the end of the day,
Happy birthday to me, happy rangering for the summer!
Saturday saw the 141st annual celebration in Sharpsburg Maryland, honoring the Union dead of the American Civil War as well as all fallen American soldiers since.
If you want to experience small town America at its best, then Sharpsburg is the place to be on Memorial Day. I captured these images on what was an absolutely perfect day in the valley. I hope to have a Youtube posted of the parade within a few weeks.
The color scheme of the day is strictly red, white, and blue.
A group of veterans at the presentation of wreaths in the town square.
Music filled the air as...
the Rohersville band serenaded passersby on the main street.
Sharpsburg always seems to feel like everyone's hometown on Memorial Day. Everybody grabbed a comfy spot on the curb, lawn chair, front porch, or stone wall to enjoy the PARADE.
The U.S. Air Force provided an honor guard, and they looked stunning! CORRECTION!!! I am just informed that these are not Air Force personnel they are airmen from the 167th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard, Martinsburg, West Virginia. Their motto is "Mountaineer pride, worldwide!"
(thanks to Ranger (Lt. Colonel) Keith for setting me straight on that one)
The parade had participants of all ages either walking,
riding,
marching, or...
driving! (see the short movie on these guys at the bottom of this page)
Coast Guard Lieutenant, Mike Toth, was the keynote speaker at the wreath laying ceremony in the National Cemetery after the parade. Earlier this year I had helped his son with his National History Day project (he took third place in the county!).
The Boonsboro High School Marching Band (Go Warriors!) as usual, looked and sounded smashing.
Here comes that very long line of every little league team in the Cumberland Valley.
Still smiling and only two blocks to go.
Once a Marine, always a Marine.
Park Service employee and Sharpsburg resident Ike Mumma, (yes, as in Mumma Farm) notes that his late father Wilmer attended 82 Sharpsburg Memorial Day parades. Wilmer Mumma is a guy I wish I could have met, though I'm very happy to know and work with Ike, a really great guy.
As the day came to an end "Old Simon" presided over the wreath laying at the National Cemetery. With that another Memorial Day celebration becomes Sharpsburg history and another battlefield season opens. Its going to be a great summer!
See you at the park.
Ranger Mannie
Oh, and below is my short movie "Shriner Thunder" I hope you enjoy it.
Heartfelt congratulations to fellow ACW blogger Kevin Levin as a 2008 "Golden Apple" award winner.
The golden apple should actually be green as it makes all other teachers so envious. Only the cream of the crop are recognized with this award. Let's celebrate excellence in education as Kevin takes a well deserved victory lap!
Saturday will find me in my favorite small town in America - Sharpsburg Maryland, to participate in one of the oldest traditional observances of Memorial Day in the United States.
I took these photos last year, and I hope to coax you out to join us, not just for the food and parade, but also the ceremony at the National Cemetery, the final resting place for all the Union dead of the 1862 Maryland campaign. I hope to see you there.
Two veterans reflect upon the day:
Friends greet friends from all across the valley:
All the seats are good for the parade:
Local color:
Shades of 1862:
Keeping the meaning of this holiday:
There is no better place to celebrate Memorial Day than Sharpsburg Maryland. This tradition has continued for 141 years. Come join us in remembrance and celebration, just South of Antietam National Battlefield.
After being in this house for almost a year and a half, I finally have gotten the bulk of my helmet collection out and on display. I'm just eight mounting brackets shy of completion.
You can swing by my helmet blog for a virtual tour day or night.
Today I had ranger duty at Antietam National Battlefield. Imagine my delight when I found myself in the midst of the convergence of having the sun finally come out on this rainy Sunday and a convocation of Church of the Bretheren (including Dunkers) holding a prayer meeting at Dunker Church.
This valley has lots (and lots) of active Church of the Bretheren congregations, just as it did in 1862.I was tempted to show up for the ice cream social afterwards but decided to simply settle for the photos.
Political pundits concern themselves with the realm of qualified voters, as a result they're missing out on a lot of excitement.
This unique political year has elementary school rooms buzzing. Its really exciting to see little kids ranking certain presidential candidates as nearly as important as pets, video games, and professional wrestlers.
After three days of rain Antietam Creek is really "up". It'll take more than the storied "hop, skip, and a jump" of the above named local Confederate luminary, leading citizen, and notable wiseacre, to get across today, or for the next few days for that matter.
Up, muddy, and moving fast!
I'm not the only one that this three day soaking caused to get out and about (zero in on the very center of the image).
This big old black ratsnake took a break from the long wet spell to come out and catch some rays.
Me, the snake, and let's hope the sun, are in no hurry to move on.
My mother went to her celestial reward over 20 years ago. I often wish she could see me now. She prompted my first interest in the Civil War, helping me draft an early letter to Bruce Catton, no less.
She was irreverent, funny, often profane, and very handy.
I try to continue the tradition.
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there, and way out there as well.
Ranger Mannie (Helen's middle child, all growed up)
As the substitute teacher days tick off toward the end of the school year, I once again find myself knocked out with a virulent kid cold.
Is someone neglecting to remind one's child to cover one's mouth when one is sneezing or coughing?
Perhaps someone out there is not instructing one's child in the correct manner, and frequency, of washing one's hands.
Mr. G is now sick and a little delirious from fever, caught from your child.
Let us hope that, while in this state of impaired judgement, Mr. G doesn't accidently reveal to said child all the funny ways one can make mommy and daddy laugh by mixing up the salt with the sugar ("watch daddy's funny coffee bogey man face!")
Have I made myself clear?
Must go lie down, and I was so very close to the last day of school.
Twenty one days to go before I start full time rangering again at Antietam. It almost feels like it did way back in the black and white days when I was in the Navy, waiting for my orders to come to send me to a new ship or station. 21 days and a wake-up!
(top: cartoon of me on Guam 1972, bottom: countdown to civilian life May of 1974)
On May 28th I'll report back to the park on a five day a week basis through the end of October and it'll really be good to get back into the daily rhythm of the place, to be able to talk with members of other divisions and see what projects they're working on, not to mention being able to meet with visitors every day and lead tours again.
And for as much as I'm looking forward to returning to the battlefield, I must say that substitute teaching this year was both satisfying and fun, and no one was more surprised about that than I was. Its nice to know that as the rangering season comes to a close in October I'll probably be looking forward to getting back to the classrooms of Washington County. This year I've really gotten to know and actually become a part of the fourth grade, second grade, and pre K teaching teams at good old Rhino virus elementary. What a dedicated and delightful bunch of teachers it has been my pleasure to work with this fall, winter, and spring. I've also been privileged to watch the growth and development of several hundred kids that have passed through my sphere of responsibility for days or weeks over this school year. It is really a delight to compare a classroom of 2nd graders I had last week to that same group on my first visit with them back in November. Kids can mature pretty quickly under the guidance of really good teachers, and I work with some of the best.
Now this best-of-both-worlds will continue as I hang up the necktie and teacher badge for five months and don the Gray and Green of the Park Service and go to work with some of the best Rangers in the service.
My instincts were good, this mid-life career change was one of the most life-affirming things I've ever done.
My helmet blog has returned safe and sound from a year of inactivity. Something has reenergized me, though I'm not sure what.
Click here to see the Red Chinese Paratrooper helmet I received in the mail yesterday.
Okay, speaking of the Civil War...
I have six different types of helmets from the Spanish Civil War. I reflected recently to a couple touring Antietam that the American Civil War was very unique in that when it was over, the nation healed. Certainly there were, and are still, blowhards who parade their "forget hell" mentality, but this country has been able to survive through thick and thin for the last 150 years as one, united nation.
Spain, on the other hand, hounded, persecuted and often killed those from the losing side for decades after their civil war.
I prefer our way. A few blowhards is a tiny price to pay.
The first stop would be the scenic vista from the top of this cliff high above the C and O Canal.
Today was the first day of the season at Harpers Ferry and the park looked great with freshened up signs and...
lots of neat props around providing atmosphere.
and the town, far below. That's John Browns "fort" on the left.
This is the commandaing view of the Shenandoah River from the Federal 100lb Parrott gun battery
This Federal fortification "the Stone Fort" is at the summit of Maryland Heights. These stones are massive, and to think this was built by hand, the hands of free men that is.
The color scheme of the day is strictly red, white, and blue.
A group of veterans at the presentation of wreaths in the town square.
Music filled the air as...
the Rohersville band serenaded passersby on the main street.
Sharpsburg always seems to feel like everyone's hometown on Memorial Day. Everybody grabbed a comfy spot on the curb, lawn chair, front porch, or stone wall to enjoy the PARADE.
The U.S. Air Force provided an honor guard, and they looked stunning! CORRECTION!!!
The parade had participants of all ages either walking, 
riding,
marching, or...
driving! (see the short movie on these guys at the bottom of this page)
Coast Guard Lieutenant, Mike Toth, was the keynote speaker at the wreath laying ceremony in the National Cemetery after the parade. Earlier this year I had helped his son with his National History Day project (he took third place in the county!).
The Boonsboro High School Marching Band (Go Warriors!) as usual, looked and sounded smashing.
Here comes that very long line of every little league team in the Cumberland Valley.
Still smiling and only two blocks to go.
Once a Marine, always a Marine.
Park Service employee and Sharpsburg resident Ike Mumma, (yes, as in Mumma Farm) notes that his late father Wilmer attended 82 Sharpsburg Memorial Day parades. Wilmer Mumma is a guy I wish I could have met, though I'm very happy to know and work with Ike, a really great guy.
(Peter O'Toole in Goodbye Mister Chips)
This valley has lots (and lots) of active Church of the Bretheren congregations, just as it did in 1862.I was tempted to show up for the ice cream social afterwards but decided to simply settle for the photos.
(top: cartoon of me on Guam 1972, bottom: countdown to civilian life May of 1974)
