I am home again but I still feel the momentum from Chicago. What a priviledge to have experienced Philadelphia and now Chicago. The Philly trip was a great foundation for Chicago. I rated the Philly trip a 10 and Chicago also rates a 10. I can only imagine the blowout awaiting in New York.
After Chicago I realize, not for the first time, how important teachers really are! I think about how uninformed the general public is about the history of our great country. We all need to know what the United States is built on. If the next generation does not learn history at home or in school, when will they learn. Not everyone is going to be a history major or buff. Teachers carry a tremendous responsibility to instill the love of investigation, questioning, learning. Visiting the Pullman Town was an eyeopener. Mr. Pullman organized his town with his citizens just one-half step away from slavery. Freedom means in all areas freedom. Freedom does not mean freedom to have a green lawn but freedom to decide if I even want a lawn, green or otherwise. One element of this trip that is impressive is not the caliber of the presenters but the passion, compassion, and love each one has for this discipline history. I was touched by Mr. Adelman’s sharing red roses with the Haymarket victims. I know much more now than I did before the trip. I understand much more. Speaking simply, I am a better individual because of my experiences on the Chicago history trip. I thank very single individual who was part of our history community. Thank you very much. Merci, danke, arigato, gracias, prego.
