My interest in Gettysburg was recently inspired after visiting the area for many years. As a child, my family would often go camping in Fairfield, a short distance outside of Gettysburg, and my father, who was deeply passionate about the Civil War, would take me to area battlefields like Antietam and Gettysburg. While I enjoyed the trips, I was more interested in looking for snakes and lizards than the historical significance of the site. However, later as a young father myself with a family of my own, I've continued the tradition of camping in Fairfield for Memorial Weekend and exploring the rocks at Devil's Den, but this time with a greater appreciation for the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg and its impact on our country's history

My interest in the history of the United States began in 2016, when I started listening to audiobooks on the subject. I researched the lives and legacies of leaders such as Washington, Lincoln, and Grant. In the spring of 2019, we took a day trip to Mount Vernon, George Washington's home on the Potomac River, and I was fascinated by the history of the place and everything I had learned from the audiobooks. On the way home, I impulsively decided to look at campers and, after persuading my wife, we ended up purchasing a small 22' travel trailer. Our first trip in the trailer was to Gettysburg, where we stayed right on Marsh Creek at Gettysburg Campground. I began scavenging for any books on the area and visiting almost every weekend, immersing myself in podcasts like the Addressing Gettysburg Podcast that provided the perfect level of information for my growing desire to learn more.

During these trips, I always brought my new Sony a6500 mirrorless camera and used it to document our walks on the battlefield and the various tours we took. I discovered my passion for photography as I explored the ever-changing terrain and conditions of Gettysburg, which change from season to season and even day to day. We made a point of taking new routes and visiting different farms and monuments on each visit, always seeking new vantage points and perspectives on the battlefield tactics. Walking through the town and battlefield of Gettysburg always felt like stepping back in time to me, and I am grateful that my wife, Rachell, supported my new passion and joined me on these adventures.

In the last few years, I have had the opportunity to meet some incredible people and make lifelong friends at Gettysburg. It is always interesting to hear what draws others to this special place. I was fortunate to be able to bring my dad to Gettysburg multiple times and share with him all that I had learned. Unfortunately, after our trip there for the tree lighting in 2021, he contracted COVID-19 and passed away a few weeks later. While I wish I had started my journey of learning about Gettysburg earlier, I believe that everything happens for a reason and the timing of my discovery of this place was meant to be.

During the uncertainty of 2020, Gettysburg provided us with a sense of continuity and we spent as much time as possible there, camping and supporting local restaurants. It became a place of comfort for us. I am looking forward to continuing my journey of learning more about the history of this town and hearing the stories of those who have a similar connection.