Phil Greenwalt: Thankful For . . .

I never thought I would be inspired by a New York Yankees fan. (There, I said it—never thought I would write that line, either! So, this post has two “firsts” already. Since this person is family, I feel like I have a pass.) The inspiration for my continued growth as a historian and writer is my later father’s cousin, Robert Greenwalt. The stories he and my father would tell, especially when our mutual families met up for a joint family venture in Europe, were nuggets of gold in history, current affairs, and random sports trivia. Ironically, our joint ventures always unfolded eerily like a Griswold-themed movie, but I digress.

Even more inspiring, though, was how he shared a passion for the American Civil War specifically. Like my father, my cousin took the next step and wrote a book—a novel that captured the spirit, time, and personal side of the conflict in the opening year, 1861. Robert self-published the novel in 2006. I remember reading the book quickly, I think even “borrowing” it from my father’s nightstand when he went to work during my summer break between sophomore and junior year of undergrad.

Seeing my cousin enjoy the process, have that sense of fulfillment, and just turn that interest into a tangible product helped me realize that I could also see where my passion for American history could take me. Having a supportive father and a cousin who—still to this day—probably does not realize the inspiration he is, really helped me grow as a historian, author, and public speaker.

So, to Rob Greenwalt, thank you for the inspiration. I truly was listening to those stories about you and my father taking off cross-country on motorcycles to historic sites. I truly was eavesdropping on your battlefield exploits, and appreciate how you continued to take my father even when he was in the throes of dementia. I truly was paying attention from the backseat of a 9-passenger van as we all toured the sites of western Europe. (And it was my father who hit that rearview mirror, too! ?)