Employees at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Battlefield often provide programs for the public, but sometimes they also need the public to pitch in and give back.
Two upcoming events are scheduled at the national park’s battlefield unit — one in which employees will provide for the public and the other allows for the public to provide for the park.
On Saturday, Park Ranger Rebecca Karcher will educate the public about the Women’s Army Corps.
From 1943-45, about 50,000 women trained for military service at Fort Oglethorpe. It is a portion of history sometimes overlooked, Ms. Karcher said.
“I don’t believe they’ve gotten the recognition they probably deserve,” she said about the Women’s Army Corps. “Most people don’t know anything about them.”
The upcoming event will allow the public to get to meet some of the remaining WAC members who actively served during World War II. Three will be on site to discuss their time at Fort Oglethorpe.
“It’s going to be a really exciting day,” Ms. Karcher said. “It is a good opportunity for the public to talk to these ladies and hear first-hand their experiences.”
Sam Weddle, spokesman for the park, said he expects many local community members to attend in search of information about the groundbreaking group of women.
On April 5, the national park is asking for volunteers to help clean and restore the battlefield and other units of the park. Volunteers are needed for tasks such as building a section of a fence and picking up trash at Chickamauga Battlefield.
Other work is needed at the Orchard Knob unit and at the park’s newest addition on Moccasin Bend.
Mr. Weddle said park officials want as much help as possible, but he asks that volunteers register online, so park officials can prepare. “Park Day” usually attracts plenty of help, he said.
“The public has been very interested in national parks and helping national parks,” Mr. Weddle said.
Jim Szyjykowski, manager of cultural resources, said without help from volunteers, it is difficult to maintain the battlefield.
“Park Day is a great team building opportunity,” he said in a prepared statement. “It also funnels much-appreciated service to this beautiful park and to more than 1,000 other Civil War parks and sites throughout the nation.”
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is the nation’s first military history park, and is also the largest Civil War park in the nation.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: WAC presentations
WHEN: Saturday, periodic talks between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
WHERE: Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor’s Center
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Park Day
WHEN: April 5 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
WHERE: Chickamauga Battlefield, Moccasin Bend, Orchard Knob
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.chickchatt.org or call (423) 624-6914.
