I was always intrigued as a young boy with Civil War history but never experienced the true inspiration until I first visited and began to study in much more detail, the circumstances surrounding the Gettysburg campaign. Thirty-some years later I have been fortunate enough to have lived for a dozen years near the battlefield, affording me the opportunity to be a frequent visitor. Moreover, this proximity to, and my frequent visits, afforded me to attend numerous learning opportunities such as roundtables, seminars and various tours, as well as a firsthand experience when reading and studying it more. Given my in-depth study of the Civil War, and more specifically, the Gettysburg campaign, coupled with a career in leadership positions, I have been able to use my knowledge to help train other executives in government positions to learn more about the highly contemporary leadership lessons to be learned from the various generals who were principals in this historic event. Given its everlasting value as both an important chapter in American history, as well as the lessons to be learned, it is critical that the American Battlefield Trust continue with its important work. Especially today, when so much of our history is being erased given its unpleasant nature, the Trust must preserve those places where we can still experience and learn from American history.
