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Vanessa's Vacations: Gettysburg National Military Park

Enthusiastic licensed battlefield guide paints vivid image of three-day Civil War conflict.

“My dad made the mistake of bringing me to Gettysburg,” said Ted Gajewski.

“I knew at the age of 10 I would live here and be a guide. It’s a fulfillment of a lifelong dream. I can look at you straight in the eye and say ‘I don’t like my job. I love my job.’”

Well, I’m glad that Ted Gajewski loves his job and that my family and I were able to have him as our personal battlefield tour guide at Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pa.

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Gajewski is a retired steel worker from Pittsburgh. After retirement, he relocated to Gettysburg because of his deep love for the Civil War. He choose to become a licensed battlefield guide.

Requirements include knowing your history of the battle and taking a four-hour written exam. The oral exam includes taking a national park ranger and a current licensed battlefield guide on a tour. Gajewski scored 97 percent and was certified in 2001.

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His extensive knowledge of what took place during the three-day battle was breathtaking. We had a question. He had an immediate answer.

His enthusiasm and colorful interpretation of the Civil War battle planted us beside the Union and Confederate soldiers. It began as soon as we were in the car.

Yes, in the car. Gajewski drove our car as he portrayed the historic war battle.

Whether it be where soldiers faced off with their guns as they marched across the battlefield, or the Union militia taking over and winning the battle at Pickett’s Charge, he painted a picture of what took place 148 years ago. It made us feel like we were part of the battle that took place in 1863, on July 1-3. 

Knowing that we were from Illinois, Gajewski incorporated facts about Illinois soldiers into the tour. At Little Round Top, he even shared a poem he wrote about the State of Louisiana Monument, his favorite statue in the national park.

The two-hour tour, which extended to three, cost $50 for a carload of one to six people. It was the best $50 I have ever spent.

You can take a self-guided tour, purchase a CD tour, or join a bus tour of the national park if you choose. However, if you want the wonderful history experience my family and I had, go with this personal tour.

I even learned that Gajewski does two-day tours; one day being the tour I just described and the second day walking through the battlefield. I’ll have to go back one day and do that.

You can contact the park for any of the tours but you are not guaranteed Gajewski. If you want him as your tour guide, you need to contact him directly. He can be reached at 717-334-7936 or on his cell, 717-357-1719.

Summer dates, especially when the battle occurred, book quickly. And if you plan to visit anytime in 2013, the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg battle, I highly recommend you book your tour today.

Side note: Gettysburg has a side tour to President Dwight Eisenhowser’s nearby home, a very nice ordinary home. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower's love for pink is reflected throughout her bathroom and bedroom.

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