Gettysburg Revisited; Dr. Matthew Moen, President of the Gettysburg Foundation
Dr. Moen currently serves as President of the Gettysburg Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit philanthropic educational organization that operates in partnership with the National Park Service to preserve Gettysburg National Military Park and the Eisenhower National Historic Site, and to educate the public about their significance. Dr. Moen retired from his previous service to the University of South Dakota as their President.
The Gettysburg Foundation has embarked on a public education effort, “Taking Gettysburg’s message of humility, civility and inclusion across the United States.” This new program has been presented in 12 states and Washington, DC to over 25 groups and organizations over the past two years. It serves to enhance civility and mutual respect in our democracy, drawing upon inspiring stories of conflict and conciliation that bring more than one million visitors annually to Gettysburg.
Dr. Moen used 14 major ideas to link Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln and Democracy, using what ‘President Lincoln once observed that we Americans could “nobly save or meanly lose” our democracy, which he called “the last best hope on earth.”’ The major objective of the Gettysburg Revisited program is to promote a non-partisan, historically informed message that serves our democracy.
As stated in the literature provided by Dr. Moen and the Gettysburg Foundation, “Ever since the battle ended 155 years ago, Gettysburg has been a remarkable place of healing and kindness, of remembrance and reconciliation. This began immediately after the battle as local residents cared for the injured soldiers of both armies. It has continued through veteran reunions, appearances by fourteen presidents, efforts by President Eisenhower on his adjacent farm to foster world peace, and annual ceremonies in Soldiers' National Cemetery. In a message to Congress around the time he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln observed we Americans could "nobly save or meanly lose" our democracy. In this divisive time in our nation's history, the Gettysburg Foundation is committed to advancing a non-partisan, historically informed message that serves our nation.”
During the presentation, Dr. Moen continually made connections to current events, noting the lack of knowledge US citizens display about the Bill of Rights and other historical documents. Contributing to the misunderstanding of how our democracy should function and comments made by political pundits on the left and right hawking fake news and shouting falsehoods. The Gettysburg Revisited program seeks to reverse the negativity about our democracy and highlight the resiliency of America and Americans and take on the attributes of Mr. Fred Rodgers to promote human kindness and respect for others.
In closing, Dr. Moen reinforced the lessons to be gained by looking to Gettysburg, again, to see the remarkable stories of how Americans can heal, persevere, and forgive after civil strife.
