The Soldiers National Monument, sculpted by Randolph Rogers. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

Most of the early arrivers parked here, in the parking lot for the in limbo Cyclorama building (behind us). This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

This reenacting group was out unfolding … This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

… and flying the colors. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

We headed up towards the Taneytown Road entrance to the Soldiers National Cemetery. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

This view was facing north at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

This view was facing southeast at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

Some early arrivals had already secured their seats for the Dedication Day speaker, Sam Donaldson. This view was taken facing east at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

In the right background is the confusing Gettysburg Address Memorial. This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

We headed down the path towards the Soldiers National Monument. This view was taken facing north at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

Huntington’s Battery H, 1st Ohio Light Artillery. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

Flags have been placed in the main sections of the cemetery by the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

In the center of this view in the distance is the Eternal Light Peace Memorial on Oak Hill. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

The Soldiers National Monument. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

Peace, a mechanic (notice the cog and hammer). This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

Plenty, the fruits of Peace. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

On the left is War and on the right, Clio, the muse of History. According to LIcensed Battlefield Guide, Ralph Siegel, “The Soldiers National Monument is the first of the “great” Gettysburg monuments and is a masterpiece of the great Randolph Rogers. He was an ex-patriot American working from a studio in Rome when he made these five figures. He is acknowledged as one of the great American sculptors of the 19th Century.” This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

“One of the influences of Italian art on Rogers’ forms and style was the importance of hand gestures as a means of communicating action or feeling on the part of a sculptural figure. Facial expressions and hand expressions become essential in communicating action and dynamism in sculptural art. As a result, the desecration of hands by breaking off the fingers is not minor damage to a side detail; it is fundamental destruction of the communicative power and value of the entire artwork.” This view was taken facing southwest and is courtesy Licensed Battlefield Guide Ralph Siegel.

This vandalism was first noticed in 2008 and has yet to be repaired. This view was taken facing southwest and is courtesy Licensed Battlefield Guide Ralph Siegel.

Our reenacting group from the parking lot made their way here as well to present the colors. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

The monument was dedicated on July 1, 1869. This view was taken facing north at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

When we arrived most of the sections had their flags up … This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

… and Minnesota even had their own flags in the Minnesota section. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

Looking back towards the Soldiers National Monument. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

By the time we left more and more visitors were making their way into the cemetery. This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.

Today marks our 1000th post on the Gettysburg Daily. Thank you to all our readers who have provided us with Support and donated. It allowed us to purchase a wireless microphone system and new video content host that you can see on display in a recent Licensed Battlefield Guide post. We appreciate your support and thank all of our readers who have wrote to us over the years. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:36 AM on Friday, November 19, 2010.