Landscape Turned Red

Landscape Turned Red, Cannon outside of the visitor's center at Antietam National Battlefield.
Click on image for a larger view.

Yesterday (Sunday) was my first day volunteering at Antietam National Battlefield and the day went even better than I had hoped. I made a fantastic impression on the ranger staff, was well received by the other volunteers and worked great with the visiting public. I showed up a little before 10:00 AM and stayed until closing at 5:00 PM. I was in my element and it all felt so very right, like I belong there. Within no time I was working the information desk, collecting fees, handing out maps, describing the auto-tour route and park facilities and answering questions about the battle, the war in general, and the local area. I was making the majority of the intercom announcements for the movies and special events. It seems that they like my voice.

The highlight of the day was accompanying a ranger (Brian) on a guided tour of the northern end of the field from the Poffenberger Farm/North Woods (stop #2) west to Nicodemus Heights then south along Hauser Ridge and east through the West Woods and across the infamous cornfield and back to our starting point. It was a good three and a half mile hike over some very hilly terrain. Believe it or not for all of the many times I have been to Antietam I have never been out to Nicodemus Heights or Hauser Ridge. Why? Because they are private property and only recently has the NPS gotten permission to guide tours across them. So that was a pretty exciting and rare treat for me and on my first day! It gave me a new perspective on the battlefield and expanded my knowledge and experience. To say that I had a great time on the hike would be an understatement. I helped Brian by handing out maps, keeping the group together and answering questions. I was indeed right at home and it all felt so very right and very natural from the very start. I did speak with a few of the rangers about becoming an NPS Ranger at Antietam and they all agreed that I was on the right track to do that. They said that they started by volunteering at Antietam or Gettysburg and within two years – give or take – they were NPS Rangers. So I have the ball rolling and I intend to keep it rolling right along. I plan to volunteer often, to help out whenever and wherever I can and to get to know the NPS staff. I stayed till closing and helped close up the visitor's center and then took a drive over to the Irish Brigade monument at the east end of Sunken Road by the observation tower. I was the only person there and I watched the landscape turn red as the sun set over the battlefield. I climbed back into the car and drove the hour and twenty minutes home. I intended to write about my day on Sunday evening, but after a full day on my legs and a 3+-mile hike, I was beat. I had dinner with Jenne, talked about my day, watched the season premier of The Simpsons and went to bed. I can’t wait to go back. I feel that it's my calling to be there.