Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
We arrived at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument with a few minutes to spare before our tour. Time to visit the Visitor Center, take in a short film and do a bit of shopping. At our appointed time for our tour, the step-on guide was a no-show. We spoke with a Park Ranger who was about to present a talk on the battle and he assured us he would "blow our socks off". We filed outside and took our seats facing the battlefield and memorial to the fallen soldiers and waited. Ranger Steve Adelson stepped to the microphone and began a thrilling 40-minute presentation on the history, tactics and assessment of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. It was one of the most informative talks I have ever heard. It made us feel as if we were there. From the tactics of Lieutenant Colonel George Custer, Commander of the 7th Cavalry, Sitting Bull, Leader of the Lakota to the bullets and arrows flying to the close in combat between the soldiers of the 7th Cavalry and the Cheyenne and Lakota warriors, Steve gave a thrilling account of the battle.
We were informed early on that the talk was being filmed for broadcast on CSPAN for the first weekend in October.
Following the Ranger's presentation several of us walked up to Last Cavalry Stand Hill where a memorial to the fallen soldiers stands along with small, white tombstones were placed where members of he 7th Cavalry fell during the battle. About 100 yards away stood a memorial to the fallen members of the Native Americans who were killed during the battle. Numerous markers, white for the Cavalry and red for the Indians could be found scattered across the battlefield.
It is now a place of peace, reflection and healing over what took place here on June 25, 1876.
We arrived at Mt. Rushmore National Monument ready to view the sculpture in the light of day and witness the evening lighting ceremony after dark. The place was packed! There was a reunion of sailors from an aircraft carrier visiting, as well as several bus groups making the area teeming with people. The line to get into the cafeteria was incredibly long so eating in there was a non starter. Several Travel Masters grabbed a place in line for the burger and dog snack shack on the concourse while a few of us ventured on the half-mile Presidential walk to the base of the monument. It gave us a view of the four presidents unlike any we've seen before. As is the case with every National Park, the area is left as nature intended, after the sculpting of the mountain of course. Beautiful scenery, serene and calm throughout the walk, a must-do on any visit to Mt. Rushmore. After the walk, bison burgers and hot dogs awaited.
The evening lighting ceremony will send chills up and down your spine. This is my third time here and to be a part of it and I get the same feeling each and every time. The Park Ranger's presentation on Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln as well as the singing of the National Anthem stirs the patriotism in all of us. Once the faces are illuminated with the stars overhead and the moon in the background you can't help but feel an enormous sense of pride in this great country. Concluding the ceremony was the invitation of all active duty, retired and prior service members to the stage and bottom of the amphitheater to be recognized for our service. Thanks go out to service members worldwide for the contributions that make this country what it is. (Thanks to the Travel Masters that joined me on stage!)
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