By Staff
The battlefields of Gettysburg and the Liberty Bell provided interesting national history to 32 Patrick Hamilton Middle School fifth and sixth grade students and their 15 chaperones on their annual field trip June 11-15.
Included in their history lesson and sightseeing in Philadelphia was a visit to Independence Hall, Valley Forge, the Franklin Institute of Science Museum and the National Constitution Center.
Live actors presented information along with high tech video productions and many hands-on activities.
Students and chaperones were greeted by Ben Franklin in the courtyard of the National Constitution Center, where visitors could also sit and mingle among the life-size bronze statues of the Fathers of the Declaration of Independence.
Completing the visit to Philly before moving on to Gettysburg was a major league baseball game at the Philadelphia Phillies Stadium against the Milwaukee Brewers.
It was Pat Ham's lucky day as the Phillies defeated the Brewers soundly and sent many foul balls into the stands and six home runs.
Visiting the battlefield of Gettysburg was both humbling and informative.
The group was able to enjoy the Electric Map presentation of the battle site prior to visiting the area to better enable everyone to understand the actual battle strategies and results.
The guide for the group, Tim Smith, was extremely outstanding as he explained and elaborated every possible detail about the three-day battle.
The group climbed a look-out tower, hiked to Michigan and other state monuments built throughout the grounds signifying the death of 300 soldiers for each monument. Gruesome details held each student's attention, as did the cannon ball and bullet holes that remained in many homes and buildings in town.
Another highlight for the students was running up the famous steps of the Philadelphia library, just like Sylvester Stallone in the "Rocky" movies.
The chaperones weren't quite as fast as some of the students, but both groups raised their arms with satisfaction.
Participants on the trip included students Amarpol Sarao, Collin Tidey, Kenny Bennett, Jesse Preston, Nick Stewart, Jason Turner, Michael Frantz, Ryne Willming, Jach Ferrier, Tony Brooks, Ricky Roach, Adam Goodman, John Carey, Tyler Dean, Jacob Williams, Jon Brosnan, Sam Dodd, Ryan Bassett, Justin Gordy, Brian Delong, Tara Sova, Kyleigh Hatter, Shannon Keene, Kiele Belew, Rylie Cox, Jessica Kempton, Rachel Kidman, Abbie Gnatz, Chantal Baker, Katelyn Miller, Sarah Hassle and Devon Ownby. Chaperones were Ken Jordan, Bob Turner, Gray Preston, Greg Ferrier, Brian Delong, Dan Williams, Nicky Hulett, Lin Mallory, Martha Hassle, Kathy Vedder, Rose Marie Keene, Kathy Stewart, Kara Cox and Peg Stowers.