Fort Monroe Experience

One spot that carries many memories since I’ve moved to the Newport News area is Fort Monroe, an old Army fort that is about fifteen minutes from the university. This place is neat for many reasons, but a couple that stand out to me is the fact that this place holds history pertinent to our nation’s development, and this place is situated in a location that is absolutely beautiful. Fort Monroe opened almost 200 years ago and was home to Union soldiers during the Civil War. It earned its name as “Freedom Fortress” as it played an integral part in the freeing of slaves. Something that blows my mind is that Abraham Lincoln actually came to this fort during this time! Over the last four years I’ve enjoyed returning to this place to connect with its natural beautiful and historical significance. This fort was built (along with Fort Wool just across the water) to guard the navigation channel between the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads (where the Elizabeth, the Nansemond and the James rivers converge). This site goes all the way back to 1609 when an exploration headed by Christopher Newport identified this spot as a strategic defensive location. Throughout the American Civil War (1861-1865), although most of Virginia became part of the Confederate States of America, Fort Monroe remained in Union hands. The fort remained commission until September 15, 2011, just two years before I moved myself to the area. Many times friends come to visit me I enjoy taking them to this spot. Despite its rich history the main draw is its exquisite natural beauty. Just the other morning as dawn I traveled to see the sunrise there with a new friend. It was a crisp and clear morning, fishermen were out ready to catch carp and other fish caught in the freshwater and saltwater mix. As we sat on the rocks at one of the beaches the sun rose slowly in front of us. A crane jumped on its long legs nearby attempting to make a morning catch, just like the fishermen closeby. The sun continued to rise and we saw the outlines of Norfolk in the distance. Then, something spectacular happened. Suddenly to our right a pack of fins emerged from the water. We were alarmed as we did not expect large fish to appear. We looked closer and saw these fish were a pack of dolphins. One by one they passed by us, probably headed towards the ocean before the sun rose any higher. This was a magical moment where I felt like a random passerby found in the right place at the right time. May these moments continue.