we are standing in frederick in those t counties, theh towns ofr strasburg in middletown, all of theseneded by war, torn apart for years only to have to bear witness to the battle cedar creek itself. the many men who fought, sacrifice their lives, their access toeir freedom, their families, their futures on these fields. those stories are the stories that draw so many of us here, not just today on the 150th anniversary weekend of the battle cedar creek, but that have drawn us here before and will continue to draws in the future and our children and our children's children. the partnership that makes up this park is composed of foundations, historic sites, political units like those counties and towns. and it is the stories that they have maintained over the years that have allowed us to create a national park in this place. and it is because that national park exists now that i feel comfortable and safe as i am sure you do that those stories will continue to be protected, will continue to encourage people to come here and learn not just about those people then what about themselves. --