From Mel;
Days 5 and 6 were cold and rainy. That kept us from taking too many pictures, but the guys went out each morning and endured. Tuesday (6/21) Nathan Kemp joined Steve and Arnold for the march despite the rain. We decided to stay at Jamestown RV park rather than move the whole camp ahead. We chose to do the same Wednesday. This was the first time our kids have spent any time in Jamestown other than passing through, so we made sure they got to see the world’s largest buffalo.
By Thursday, the clouds parted and we saw some sun! 
The photos I’ve pulled from the cameras this week are amazing. I am keeping a gallery HERE that I will update as time (and internet service) allows.
We’ve kept on schedule, getting started each day around 4:30 or 5 am and usually finishing by lunch time. Thursday night we camped in Hazelton and we reached Bismarck by Friday afternoon. The Goodiron Family met us to escort us in, and members of the Mehrer family marched in the last 5 miles.
Due to flooding we are NOT camping in General Sibley park, but at the Bismarck KOA, where we will spend the next 3 nights. We plan to march from the armory to the capitol at 9 am Saturday morning. There is also scheduled to be a graveside service for Mehrer and Van Zoest in the Veteran’s Cemetery at 12:30 pm Sunday.
We are so grateful for the welcome into Bismarck and look forward to meeting up with everyone before we move on Monday morning. Thank you to all the families who have offered meals while we are here, we appreciate it so much!!
Have fun along the way and enjoy the connections and peace you are giving to others on your march. We r with you in spirit and will continue to check in with your blog.
ReplyDeleteExecutive Mansion, Washington, November 21, 1864.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Bixby, Boston, Massachusetts:
DEAR MADAM: I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours very sincerely and respectfully,
Abraham Lincoln.