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My Gettysburg Experience – Part Two – More About the Experience
July 13th, 2009
By Russ Phillip Jr.
The People
The town’s people that I spoke with mentioned that the town of Gettysburg is a very reserved and private town. Somehow that surprised me. I will tell you why, the military park and town are very alluring to tourists . People from all over the world come to visit the battle fields and cemetery. So, the town doesn’t have much time to be private. Second, they are all very pleasant and willing to share. One of the nicer aspects of our visit there was the rangers. They were very helpful and very friendly. My Boy Rick was the best part of our installation. He should get a metal for everything he did for us. He put up with a lot and crazy enough he didn’t have to. Thank Pal.
The environment was amazing. Flowers for Heroes was very well received. The people visiting and especially those helping wanted a guarantee that we were coming back next year. A nice feeling of appreciation and a feeling not too many people experience in their entire life time. That is sad to me…
Dove Ceremony
Two days before the event, a very exciting email dropped in my inbox. It was a local woman who wanted to help at the cemetery, but not in the manner of the other volunteers. Mary Ann Elliot from Ascending Spirits was interested in releasing a flight of doves in honor of those who rest at the Soldiers National Cemetery.
At high noon, Midge, myself, and our team walked with the crate of Doves to center of cemetery where the dedication ceremony would take place. Midge began to talk about our Flowers for Heroes and asked that I elaborate the importance of what we were there to do. I was honored to be standing at the resting place of such distinguished men, men with such courage and patriotism. Heroes.
After I spoke, a local woman by the name Jean Green stepped in front of the crowd. Her father, Charles Parker, lay just on the other side of the cemetery. She expressed some very deep emotions; she was touched that Flowers for Heroes and the Gettysburg community were able to come together to recognize the dire sacrifices our soldiers make. Her words lifted the hearts of all as she described her love for our country and those who defend our way of life.
The Press
The Associated Press arrived as we were still making the patriotic bouquets. They asked me question after question and then did a video interview, all while I was creating bouquets. It was a nice piece and I was honored to have them interested in our cause. We were the first story they covered that day, making me feel the high level of respect they had for our soldiers.
ABC got there right after the doves were released at the end of the dedication ceremony. Shoot, I would have liked for them to get film of how beautiful the doves were as they glided over the heads of the volunteers at the cemetery. However, it was such a pleasure to talk about Flowers for Heroes and our vision to change the lives of Gold Star Families. My dream is to show the families left by our fallen soldiers our gratitude of their sacrifice and make a lasting improvement to their lives.
