My Valley Forge Story: Paul Sebelist

I was in the park for the whole 4th of July weekend in 1976. After 50 years, my memories are a mix of vivid and vague. But the excitement and patriotism and importance of the occasion stand out as lasting memories. And the crowds. There were so many people enjoying the occasion. It was a fun weekend.

One memory that lingers very clearly occurred on Saturday. As part of the wagon train was crossing over Outer Line Drive, one of the wagons tumbled end over end. The front wheels went down into the ditch and because of the wagon's short wheelbase and high center of gravity, the back end came up off the ground and tumbled over the front wheels, barely missing the horses pulling the wagon. Funny thing … I was holding a camera and didn’t think to take a single picture of the accident.

There is a photo online taken from the back of the stage as President Ford was making his speech. One of those fuzzy dots in the far distance at the treeline near the National Memorial Arch is me. From our perspective that day, President Ford was a fuzzy dot on the distant stage.

I made a promise to myself while sitting on the grass overlooking the stage ... I will be in the park on July 4th, 2026. I had the hardest time figuring out how old I would be in the far distant future of 2026 ... seemed so far away. Well, I'm about to be that old (73) and that is one promise I will definitely keep.

Valley Forge Park has been a magnet for my soul throughout my life. I believe my first visit to the park was in 1957. I was 4 years old visiting the Boy Scout Jamboree with my Scout Leader father. I was in the park again for another Jamboree in 1964. I eventually was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.

I've climbed Mt Misery and ridden the bike trails many times. I've played frisbee in the fields. I've photographed the park from every conceivable angle. I remember driving through the holiday luminaries. Our dog is a Valley Forge Bark Ranger. And I proposed to my wife in the Washington Memorial Chapel.

It's hard to explain, but the park periodically calls to me. When I am facing a challenge or hard times, I feel the need to visit the park. And the park always comes through. The park never fails to make me feel proud and blessed because of the sacrifices of the patriots who spent a winter there making our collective futures possible. The voices of those patriots help make my troubles feel quite insignificant.

Valley Forge Park is woven into the story of my life ... a story that will come full cycle in on July 4, 2026 ... and beyond.

Where this belongs

• Valley Forge National Historical Park

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