The Soldiers National Monument has been cleaned, and the fence surrounding it has been removed to allow a better view of the monument. The monument was worked on not only to clean it but to fix problems created by vandalism. This view was taken facing north at approximately 2:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016.

This aerial view shows the Cemetery Hill area. The red star is on the Soldiers National Monument in the Gettysburg National Cemetery.. This image is courtesy of googlemaps.

The fence has been around the monument for most of the summer. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 3, 2016.

When we visited last week we noticed that the area is receiving new sod. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 3, 2016.

Also, the cement fence posts around the monument will have the chain that connects them reworked. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 3, 2016.

Currently the chain is painted green. It is being removed. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 3, 2016.

When the chain makes its return to the cement posts it will be painted black. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 3, 2016.

You might be saying to yourself, “self, there was a fence around the monument…” This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 7:30 AM on Friday, August 5, 2016.

“…and now there’s not a fence. There’s new grass going down and a chain will be painted, what’s the big deal?” This view was taken southeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016.

You might be excited to see a yeller (we’re from the South, so yeller) rope in the cement posts until the black chain appears. On the right is the Kentucky Monument to the Gettysburg Address. This view was taken facing north at approximately 2:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016.

The main reason you should be excited is because the monument has been thoroughly cleaned. We think the National Park Service and their contractors did a great job. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016.

Look at this monument five years ago. On the left is “Plenty” and on the right is “Peace.” Notice the black lichen growing on the figures. This view was taken facing west at approximately 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 26, 2011.

It has now been meticulously cleaned off. This view was taken facing west at approximately 2:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016.

Here is “War” on the left and “Clio/History” on the right five years ago. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 26, 2011.

Here they are last week. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016.

Because of vandalism issues, “War” is still missing a finger. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 16, 2016.

“Clio/History” is also missing a finger.” This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016.

The National Park Service staff made molds of the missing digits and have sent them to Missoula, Montana to have new fingers carved. The new fingers will be screwed onto the hands on the monument. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016.

“Clio/History” is on the left. “Peace” is on the right. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016.

Again, this was an excellent job. On the left is “War.” In the center is “Clio.” On the right is “Plenty.” This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016.