Sunday, September 19, 2010

Battle Anniversary: best one yet

This weekend was my fifth battle anniversary as a Ranger, and this was the one that will be the most memorable.

Friday started out with a very enthusiastic Ranger Dan (returned for the weekend) posting the many public programs operated out of the visitor's center.




Ranger Snyder kicked the day off with his outstanding power-point on battlefield preservation.  


He was preaching to a packed house.

Rangers Baracz, Snyder, and Hoptak then got the all-day hike underway from the New York monument.





They had well over a hundred happy hikers in attendance.


On Saturday I joined Ranger Baracz for the hike up Nicodemus Heights.  Initially I came along as his radioman, but he also asked me to do a brief presentation on artillery, which I'm always happy to do.


Here I'm working on my upper-body strength with a 3 inch Hotchkiss shell (clearly, a skeptical Brian thinks I've got my work cut out for me).

Then the hike got underway in ernest with about a hundred participants making the two mile trek which included Nicodemus Heights and Hauser Ridge.





The anticipation builds as the hikers climb the heights, and then turn around...


To appreciate the view Stuart's horse artillery had of the Union 1st Corps.



I led the two-hour battlefield tour and still had time to attend local historian,  Reverend John Schildt's wonderful twilight tour of the National Cemetery.



With 85 people in tow,  John told the story of the men who fought and died on September 17, 1862 with great knowledge, humility, and compassion.  It was an outstanding talk.




But the highlight of this battle anniversary, came just about a half hour before John's cemetery walk when Susan gave me the answer I was hoping for when...


I asked her to marry me.



22 comments:

Anonymous said...

MAZELTOV!!!!!!! Marleen

Jeff said...

Mannie,

Truly an outstanding day!

Marriage to a good woman is surely one of life's greatest joys.

(Plus you already have a job most of us history nuts can only dream of.....)

Keep on keepin' on,

Jeff

manyhighways said...

Congratulations, Mannie! All the best to you and your fiancee.

Anonymous said...

Mannie, it was a pleasure meeting you today. It was a great weekend for me, but it seems a much better weekend for you. Congrats!

Andrew (aka 'the last honest man')

Jim Rosebrock said...

Awesome Mannie

Gary Dombrowski said...

Congratulations Mannie and Susan. ~Gary

Anonymous said...

Just SUPER Mannie, just super. Congratulations and many happy years together.
Ron Dickey

John Cummings said...

Congratulations to you Mannie! I have just now had a chance to catch up on reading my favorite blogs and saw your wonderful news! My wife and I celebrated our eleventh anniversary on the 18th. We made the decision to get married on the "day after Antietam" while standing at the top of the Observation Tower at the Sunken Road.
I hope we can get up to your park this Fall and shake your hand.

Monterey Pass Battlefield Institute said...

Mannie,

Great meeting you while I was talking to Ted. I love the Antietam and South Mountain partnership that allows us to come down and participate in the activities.

Stephen Recker said...

Awesome!!!

Joel Manuel said...

"Life is good for Ranger Mannie, a little north of Sharpsburg."

Congratulations!

Joel M.
Baton Rouge LA

Richard said...

DUDE! Many happy reenactments :-)

Unknown said...

congratulations on a great weekend all the way around. It was a pleasure to talk to you about plastic soldiers and to share your passion for the battlefield.
Jeff Evans

Anonymous said...

I guess the smile means she said yes. Congratulations Mannie!

John C. Nicholas

Unknown said...

So...
a jug of wine
a loaf of bread
a miniƩ ball
and you!

Michael Aubrecht said...

Congrats Mannie. I wish you both infinite blessings and happiness. PS. Remember, I am ordained to do weddings. :)

Pat said...

Wonderful! Wishing you both much happiness.

Carolyn said...

Congratulation to you & Susan! I am very Happy for you!! Remember to post the Wedding date!

Kevin said...

I couldn't be happier for you and Susan. Congratulations!

J David Petruzzi said...

MANFREDO !!!!

Congrats my friend, and lifelong happiness to you both!

John said...

BRAVO!!!!

Great news and congrats!

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! I'm so happy for you both! Welcome to the family Mannie - can't wait to meet you! I'm your "new" Cousin Sharon from Baltimore...