This morning took us just over the Maryland border into Pennsylvania to Gettysburg National Battlefield.  Our IACE group was joined in their travels today by Capt. Janice Watson of the Easton Composite Squadron, who is an IACE veteran having traveled to Singapore and Canada as a cadet, Cadet Maj. Wayne Mowery of the Osprey Composite Squadron, and Cadet Col. Jake Reed of the Carroll Composite Squadron.  Lead tour guide and driver was Capt. Tom Reed.

Read along as they share their view of the day’s activities…

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The IACE cadets started off today by traveling to historic Gettysburg.  We first took them to the visitor’s center where they wandered through a small museum.  There, they learned all about the American Civil War and the history behind the Battle of Gettysburg.  After the museum, they went out to the battlefield itself to take in the scenery.  After posing with cannons and meeting a few reenactors, the cadets headed off to climb on the rocks of Little Round Top.  Overheated and tired from climbing about, the IACE contingent decided that it was time for lunch.  After a bit of discussion, the cadets decided that Pizza Hut would be our destination.

- Janice Watson

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Nate, the Israeli escort, seemed to really enjoy the Visitor Center’s Museum and was a difficult task dragging him out of there to tour the actual battlefield.  After a all American meal at the Westminster Pizza Hut it was off to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail based on the commendation of the tour guide – me!  After walking for three miles with the sound of thunder growing ever louder, we turned up toward the mountain and proceeded to climb straight up (well not quite straight up but try telling that to Eddy the other escort from Hong Kong).  The reward was well worth the effort and we had a gorgeous view of Western Maryland from High Rock.  It was then back to the Reed house for an excellent home-cooked meal and ice cream for dessert.

- Tom Reed (today’s duty driver)

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Well, i have to agree with Tom, regarding dragging me out of the museum.. in this delegation i think i discovered i have some weakness regarding historical places..Anyhow, after that it was really interesting seeing all the battle fields (in a great shiny day). Have to admit that in some point i thought I’m going to have more fun than the cadets.. All the group decided today about a new slang word: “Hafirot”, which is in Hebrew:”to dig”, and that word is said each time someone is talking to much. as you may imagine, that word had been said quiet few times this day, but as long as we are having fun..:)

After that going to hike a bit was nice, with very good scenery from a mountain that i don’t actually remember the name of, but, we managed to escape the rain that came seconds after we finished the hike, and even had some nice snacks when we got back.

The dinner at the Reeds was great (as usual..) and the chat we are having right now is quiet fun, though it involves some “Hafirot” (you can see that i learned something today;)

Bye for now

- Nate, the escort

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I must say that Tom is a very good driver. He drove all day for, I think over 50 miles, where most of us can fallen asleep in the CAP van without notice that we had arrived at our destinations. Although after a heavy lunch at Pizza Hut I did try to remain awake, talked to Tom on our way to the start of the hike, so that Tom did not fall asleep himself. This was a very smooth.h.h.h. journey, as all the rest of the cadets were sleeping in deep silence after the heavy meal, with only Tom occasionally telling me where we are, the history of that little town etc. And of course, Tom was awake all the way through.

- Eddie, the escort from HK

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I was able to meet the IACE Cadets this morning before we set off on our journey. Despite the fact that these cadets (and military officers) were from places half-way across the world, it was extremely interesting to me to see how well they naturally worked together, and how well they got along with Janice, Jake, and me.

Our quest began at the site of historic Ghettysburg, where I believe Nate, the escort from Israel, enjoyed the learning about American History more than me even (I’m a history channel junkie). Although the musuem was very interesting, I think what was even more notable was the excitement that our I.A.C.E cadets had for the musuem itself. It was obvious when Janice and I finished the musuem, and believing that we were probably left behind, began to look for everyone else. To our astonishment they were still at the very beginning of the exhibit, payng attention to the minute detail of the displays, and absorbing the history that the musuem had to offer. For Nate, I believe that part of our trip was very rewarding.

After departing the indoor sect of the museum, we traveled to the outdoor battlefields to visit the many monuments that were placed  throughout the field. We traveled to Little Round Top where, after trying our hand at a little amateur rock climbing, we could overlook Devil’s Den and the rocky terrain that the faced the Confederates. I think that Sharon, Yariv, Harry, and Nate (my “digging body”) authentically enjoyed climbing the rocks, but that was before they knew what was up ahead. Our small treck on the Appalachian Trail would prove extremely taxing but rewarding.

After Sharon expressed her love and desire to experience the best of American Cuisine-Pizza hut-we all agreed to answer her request. For lunch, Pizza under the “red roof” it was.

The most exciting and rewarding feature of the day was not even the portion we were looking forward to or aware of. After lunch, Capt Reed (male)  told us that we were off to the Appalachian Trail. (Despite being an American Citizen, I was perhaps even more excited than our guests to set foot on this trail because I haven’t before) During the long hike,  Nate and I discussed/debated everything. I don’t think there was a single  topic that wasn’t addressed,  and it was really intersting to see that his way of thinking, logic, and ideology was nearly identical to that which would be expected from an American.

The fun really began when it became apparent that there was a thunderstorm dawning on the mountain. In an effort to “save time”, Jake and I learned that perhaps taking the most direct route was a horrible idea. (Take for example, rock climbing a small mountain over taking the trail…) What can we say? “It sounded like a good idea at the time” (But it was Jake’s good idea, haha)

The hike was arduous but rewarding. When we reached the cliff, the thunderstorm was passing over the mountain and you could see lightning over the horizon. We were at an elevation that you would have seen on an Orientation Flight, without the plane. The interesting part was that we were almost level with the clouds so viewing the lightning gave us an interesting outlook that was unique and appreciated.

As the ride up was Operation “Do not sleep” (which we all failed) the ride back was filled with debate and discussion from all parties. The question: “Do people really want world peace?” And I’ll leave that answer up to the readers.

Tonight we plan to see the Dark Knight at Regal Cinemas. Sharon, apparently, has seen every American sitcom and movie so we’re trying to catch her with one she has not seen. I think we’ve got her.

Tonight should be fun.

C/Maj. Wayne Mowery

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The day ended with the cadets (US and IACE) going to see the “Dark Knight” at the cinema.  The officers enjoyed some time on the town before all retired for the night.

Until tomorrow….

~Brenda