Army Chief of Staff Tours Antietam Battlefield

Army Chief of Staff General Dempsey (fourth from left) and fellow Army leaders at the Burnside Bridge

Courtesy of U.S. Army

News Release Date: July 5, 2011

General Martin Dempsey, who has been selected by the President to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, six other Army four star generals and the Sergeant Major of the Army toured Antietam National Battlefield on 29 June. Park Ranger Keith B. Snyder, who directs the Antietam Military Education Program, led the group from the visitor center to The Cornfield, Bloody Lane, Burnside Bridge and finished the tour with a wrap up and discussion at the National Cemetery. General Dempsey stated on his Facebook page how Antietam is a battle, “rich with lessons about the timeless complexities of war. Even more important, it is a place to "feel" the courage and sacrifice of Soldiers across time.” General Dempsey particularly liked the Private Soldier Monument in the center of the cemetery and the inscription NOT FOR THEMSELVES BUT FOR THEIR COUNTRY. As he wrote, “A reminder of what it means to be a Soldier.” For Ranger Snyder, who is also a member of the Air National Guard, “It was the best day of my career, an incredible opportunity to discuss the timeless lessons of leadership, terrain and the human dimension of war with the most important Army leaders of today.”