First of all, thanks to Jane Clark of the Fort Necessity National Battlefield. She was gracious, informative, and very approachable. I encourage you to stop by and visit the site. It’s well worth your time. I was awestruck by both the simplicity and compactness of the place. You might have a similar reaction.< As I left Fort Necessity it occurred to me that this part of western Pennsylvania has a lot of history in a few square miles. In addition to Fort Necessity, an embankment was found from a pre-Columbian Indian settlement. A year after Fort Necessity, a major battle was fought just a short distance away. The result was a massacre of a British-colonial force led by General Edward Braddock and which included, yes, George Washington. The event echoed for years down through British and American culture. Also, the National Road was cut through this area in the early 1800s. Later in the 19^th century, George Marshall was born up the road at Unionville. He would be known as the “architect of American victory” in World War II.

History tends to act that way, layering on top of itself. Like the rock in the photo above, people and places and events stack up in one spot. Time has contours.

And don’t think that the layers have to be famous or celebrated. They don’t. Each of our lives holds importance. These stories need to be remembered as much as any battle or speech or fancy home. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy my Walkshops so much. You see everyday places, learn a new appreciation of the people who made their own history there, and apply them to your life and leadership in the present moment.

Thanks for watching and reading. Until next time. All the best, Dan