America at Her Best
By Gigi Jordan Hunter
September 6, 2012
American history has always been one of my passions. We have such a beautiful nation with a very rich history. I taught in the Missouri public school system for 28 years and in that time I witnessed the decline of our teaching of American history and its importance in our society. We need our national parks to keep our history alive. We need eager volunteers to help with the various tasks that need to be done at all our national parks. I volunteer at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield near Springfield, Missouri. Wilson's Creek is one of the most beautiful national battlefields in our park system. There are no monuments on the trails. The one monument on the battlefield is located off the trail near Bloody Hill. People ride their bikes, walk or run the trails, and ride their horses along the horse trails. We have historical activities throughout the year. We don't romanticize the war or the Battle of Wilson's Creek when we conduct interpretive tours. We attempt to make the horrors of the battle and the aftermath for the citizenry as authentic as possible. That is American history. That is why I donate to the NPCA. I want to see our national parks alive for many years to come.
