On this day, I 1863 one of most important battles of the Civil War was fought in a small town in south-eastern Pennsylvania. I was schedule to return to the sight of the battle this weekend with friends from out of state. Health issues kept them from making the trip. Our planned visit to the sight has kept the today’s tourist site and yesterday’s conclusion to the Civil War on my mind.

We would be wise to remember the high cost of human lives who died for both the Union and Confederacy. Our nation needs to work for our betterment and cease acting in such divisive ways. Unfortunately, we can’t expect Congress to set a good example for us, as their dysfunction over the last 16 years has shown the worst that can happen when partisanship rules and bipartisanship is reduced to an election year promise that is quickly forgotten.