David Peterson

Readiness-Based Sparing - practitioner, researcher, educator and author. Aviation buff, logistics historian and history museum volunteer.

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

Check out my latest article: Another Time, Another Place, Different Yet Familiar … Memorial Day 2026

Have you ever traveled to someplace new to you, but upon arriving – this new locale seemed unexpectedly familiar? The stage was set as we visited The Brooding Soldier Canadian war memorial in the village of Saint-Julien, Langemark, Belgium. “ The sense of familiarity only deepened during our next stop – the John McCrae Memorial Site adjacent to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Essex Farm Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium.

On 3 May 1915, then Major John McCrae (MD) he composed the poem [In Flanders Fields] while sitting in the back of an ambulance. In Flanders Fields sharpened my sense of familiarity. While Dr. McCrae was expressing World War I soldiers’ emotions regarding duty and sacrifice, the parallels with Civil War soldiers were inescapable.

It's easy to take parkland that’s familiar to us for granted. And why not – these lands and their resources have always and will always be around. Unfortunately, today there is a growing, all-encompassing challenge threatening Manassas NBP and many parks in the mid-Atlantic region – the threat of incompatible land uses encroaching upon parkland borders.

On this Memorial Day Weekend, please take a moment to reflect upon the gifts and legacies that previous generations have given us through their blood, sweat, and tears.

Then try imagining what our generation will be leaving for future generations.

Finally, ask yourself – are we doing enough, and are we keeping the faith?

https://t.co/xonqPceZAO via @LinkedIn

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

@WGMorrow @LinkedIn Thank you Mr. Morrow. I was very blessed with public school teachers who were dedicated to their students and profession!

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

Check out my latest article: Earth Week 2026 – A Lesson 60 Years in the Making
https://t.co/vU1DNTcZKv via @LinkedIn

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

@history_dame On one of your road trips, you should visit the @AFmuseum at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH and see the real thing! Plus, much, much more!!! 😀

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

@histories_arch Any recommended sources for this story?

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

@history_dame You're spot on about the Bicentennial vs. Sesquicentennial comparison!

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

Kudos to VDOT crews and staff!

[Governor Abigail Spanberger @GovernorVA]

We are not yet out of this storm, Virginia.

@VaDOT’s mechanics have been working 12-hour shifts to get equipment back on the road as dangerously low temperatures persist across the Commonwealth.

These Virginians are working to keep you safe.

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

@ryanmiller_wx nice description of sleet this morning. It's definitely sleet out here in Gainesville, VA right now!

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

@ChuckBell4 Only about 1-2 inches of snow right now, but it's turned into sleet here in Gainesville, VA.

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

@ChuckBell4 Only about 1-2 inches of snow right now, but it's turned into sleet here in Gainesville, VA.

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

Conservation groups support lawsuit to block Prince William Digital Gateway https://t.co/3WOgWQaqoI

Nice news story by @RebeccaTurcoTV from WJLA ABC7 in Washington, DC on one of the two lawsuits against the Prince William Digital Gateway data center project.

This news story has some really excellent aerial shots of Manassas National Battlefield Park and the adjacent farmland which is under threat of being developed into the world's largest data center assemblage.

This aerial footage gives you a sense of how well-preserved the historic viewshed still is around the battlefield's western border.

This viewshed would dramatically change should the data center developments be allowed to proceed.

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

@AFmuseum @YouTube Why did you do the swap out? One aircraft was more historically significant?

[National Museum USAF @AFmuseum]

December 7, 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu - 2nd Lt. Philip M. Rasmussen Dogfight Over Kaneohe.
After shooting down one Japanese aircraft, Rasmussen was attacked by two Japanese Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighters. Gunfire and 20mm cannon shells ...

https://t.co/fJEMz8RX8W

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

Good one @MoletteGreen!

You cracked me up "internal service degradation!" 🤣

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

Aurora as seen in Gainesville, VA tonight.

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

This was a very interesting post! Thought it would be of interest to many other folks. @history_dame

https://t.co/22MtLQYK14

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

The hit of the Sept 13, 2025 Antique and Classic Boat Society show in Moneta, VA.

Is it a boat? Is it a car? No, it's a 1964 Amphicar!

There were lines all morning long waiting for a chance to ride in the Amphicar!

https://t.co/T48VGpWx98

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

@ManassasNPS is one of Prince William County, Virginia's crown jewels! 😀

As Prince William County charts its future, it's critical that our County's leaders remember this Park plays an important role in preserving both Civil War history and important wildland habitat!

In June 2025, a friend and I hiked the Bridle Trail at the Park's Brawner Farm site. Everywhere we looked, the early summer wildflowers were in full bloom!

This short video shows just a few of the many flower types we saw.

The last slide has some links to @ManassasNPS resources if you wish to learn more about their efforts to protect plant and animal habitat within the Park.

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

Sources:

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

Today is #MemorialDay2025

[David Peterson @RBS_Researcher]

If you're interested in preserving and protecting Manassas National Battlefield Park, here are three great organizations that are worthy of your support @Battlefields