Antietam National Battlefield (MD)
Ceremony Honors War Correspondents
A ceremony to honor four journalists who died covering the "War on
Terrorism" took place in Gathland State Park and Antietam NB on October
1st. Journalists honored with a new plaque included Daniel Pearl, The
Wall Street Journal; Michael Kelly, The Atlantic Monthly and
The Washington Post; David Bloom, NBC News; and Elizabeth
Neuffer, The Boston Globe. The plaque will be mounted on a stone
wall adjacent to the War Correspondent's Arch. The arch and a small
parcel of land are administered by the National Park Service as a
detached tract of Antietam National Battlefield. The monument is within
Gathland State Park, and was constructed in 1896 by George Alfred
Townsend. It has been under federal ownership — first the War
Department, then the NPS — since 1904. The monument was built to
honor correspondents of the Civil War. Guest speakers included Secretary
of the Interior Gale Norton, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz,
Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr, and Tom Brokaw of NBC News.
Family members or representatives of the families of each journalist
were seated behind the speaker's podium. Also in attendance were NPS
Director Fran Mainella, state and local elected officials, and the
public. Superintendent John Howard represented the NPS in planning
meetings for the ceremony and the NPS provided traffic assistance,
security and dignitary escort, and seating and other logistics.
[Submitted by Ed Wenschhoff, Chief Ranger]
Independence National Historical Park (PA)
Visit by Former Heads of State
On October 3rd, former President George H.W. Bush received the Dwight
D. Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service while attending a gala
event at the National Constitution Center, located within the park. The
event was sponsored by the Eisenhower Fellowship Organization in
celebration of its fiftieth anniversary. In attendance of the event were
an array of dignitaries, including former Secretaries of State Warren
Christopher and Henry Kissinger, former Presidents of Ireland and Turkey
Mary Robinson and Suleyman Demirel, and other current and former heads
of state. Dignitary protection was coordinated by staff from the park's
resource and visitor protection division; assisting them were personnel
from the Secret Service, State Department, and the Philadelphia PD
dignitary protection unit. Dogs were provided by ATF and Philadelphia
PD's special operations division.
[Submitted by Katherine Korte, Law
Enforcement Specialist]
Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL,MS)
Stolen Vessel, Arson and Possible Homicide
On Saturday, October 4th, a stolen twin-engine houseboat was found
burned to the waterline on the north side of Horn Island. That same day,
the naked body of an unidentified man was found at the high tide line on
the beach one mile from the point where the boat was found. The FBI,
NPS, state fire marshal, and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office are
conducting a joint investigation. They have been assisted by the
Harrison County Sheriff's Office. An autopsy will be conducted to
determine the cause of death.
[Submitted by J.D. Lee, Chief
Ranger]
National Capital Parks-Central (DC)
Assist with River Rescue
On the morning of Tuesday, October 7th, a citizen told Park Police
officers that there was someone in the Potomac River underneath the 14th
Street Bridge. Officers dropped a life ring to the man and advised Metro
PD's Harbor Patrol. The latter sent a boat and pulled the man from the
water. He was brought to the shore, where Eagle 1 was waiting to fly him
to a trauma unit if necessary. The man was taken to Washington Hospital
Center by ambulance with minor injuries.
[Submitted by Sergeant
Scott R. Fear, USPP]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Lateral GS-025-7/9 STF Ranger Positions
The park is seeking applicants interested in a lateral reassignment to two subject-to-furlough protection positions currently vacant in the parks — one in the Mineral King Subdistrict, the other in the Cedar Grove Subdistrict:
- Mineral King SD — The position is located in Mineral King, which is in the southwestern part of the park. The elevation at Mineral King is about 7500'. The area receives moderate summer usage and is closed in the winter. Mineral King is open from early May to late October each year. It has two small campgrounds, a commercial pack station, and Silver City Resort, which is a privately owned resort and residence area within the boundaries of the park. Housing is available during the season and occupancy of government housing is required. No housing is available when the Mineral King area is closed. The furlough for this position is expected to be about three months. The person in this position serves as area ranger. She/he is responsible for oversight of seasonal employees and the day-to-day operation of the subdistrict, which includes emergency services, campgrounds and a wilderness permitting station. There are also problems with significant marijuana activity in the area. For more information on this position, contact Bud Walsh at 559-565-3768 or Pat Grediagin at 559-565-3710.
- Cedar Grove SD — This position is located in Cedar Grove, which is in the northwestern part of the park. The elevation at Cedar Grove is about 4600'. Cedar Grove receives moderate to heavy summer usage and is closed in the winter. It is open from late April to mid November each year, and has four campgrounds, a commercial pack station, several major trailheads and a small lodge/concession facility with a store, snack bar, rooms, a laundry and showers. Housing is available for this position in Grant Grove, which is about 30 miles west of Cedar Grove. This housing is available all year. The person in the position is required to occupy government quarters. The government will provide housing in Cedar Grove while Cedar Grove is open. The furlough for this position may be up to four to five months. The person in his position serves as area ranger. He/she is responsible for oversight of seasonal employees and the day-to-day operations which includes emergency services, campgrounds and a wilderness permitting station. For more information on this position contact Kinsey Shilling at 559-565-4330 or Daniel Habig at 559-565-3790.
Applications will be accepted until October 24th.
[Submitted by Bob Wilson, Acting Chief Ranger]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.