For people like us, the recent unrest caused by proposed work- force reductions among federal employees, especially National Park Service employees, couldn’t be anything but concerning. That’s because we view battlefields less as places to visit on a nice day and more as living memorials to those who worked, fought and died at these places ... and how what happened at these places has shaped our collective history. Beyond the paused educational programs, diminished maintenance and potential visitor center (and restroom) closures, there is always the threat of collateral damage that can take place when no one is there to watch for trouble.
Although the ‘ready, fire, aim’ approach to reducing operating costs is not new, it’s often unnerving. As you might expect, park employees—some of whom chose their jobs as a way to dedicate their lives in service to their country—have been outspoken about the cycling feelings of anger, sadness and distress these sweeping changes are causing them. Encouragingly, reports claim that some fired employees have since been returned to their jobs and an additional 3,000 seasonal workers have been hired.
As we watch and wait in hope for the ongoing saga to conclude, I can tell you that I now feel renewed respect and gratitude for the public servants who care for our nation’s hallowed battlegrounds. And I’ll remember to express my appreciation to them for the important roles they play in protecting and sharing our nation’s history.
Barry
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