Author: drpaulsem

Praise for WEST POINT AT GETTYSBURG

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The first volume of my three-volume series, West Point at Gettysburg (Vol. 1 A-G) is receiving initial praise.

These three volumes will tell the stories of every single West Point graduate who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. In addition, there are a host of interesting lists that also help tell a compelling story of these men, the battle, the Civil War, and their lives after this event.

This work will be published by Sunbury Press in early 2026.

One of the greatest and most respected Civil War writers, Dr. James M. McPherson of Princeton University and the author of Battle Cry of Freedom and a host of other Civil War books, just offered the following praise:

“Paul Semendinger has produced a unique volume that is a combination reference work, collective biography, and narrative of the battle of Gettysburg.  In all of these capacities it will be of great value to anyone interested in the American Civil War, especially it biggest and most famous battle.“

Other writers and historians have also offered positive reviews:

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My NYC Marathon Sermon 2025

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Even though I don’t run marathons any longer, this morning I gave back to the people, the race, and the city I love my serving as the co-chaplain at the religious service tent. It was a glorious day for the runners.

Here is the sermon I delivered at all of the services:

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The New Principal

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It was 3:15 a.m., just like the old days, and I was awake. I was thinking about all I needed to do that day.

I got my workout in early. Just like the old days. I didn’t know what time I would be done with my work and I wanted to make sure I got some exercise in. (I don’t run marathons any longer, but I haven’t stopped working out.)

I grabbed a shirt, and a fun tie, and got dressed, just like the old days.

And I got in my car and drove to a school, to be the principal again.

Just like the old days.

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A Record Setting Catch With My Dad and Son

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***

You can also see this article at Start Spreading The News.

Yesterday was a special day…

I have had catches with my dad for most of the 57 years of my life.

I have had catches with my sons for all of their lives including my youngest son Ethan’s 26 years.

I had a catch with my dad on the Field of Dreams years before it ever become a “thing.”

I have catches with Ethan at least twice a week all spring and summer long as we play on the same baseball team.

Each time we have a catch, it is something special, wonderful, and timeless. I cherish every single catch we have. Having catches with my dad and my sons are some of the most special and the happiest times of my life. Sometimes the most simple things have the most meaning.

Playing catch with my dad is special.

Playing catch as a dad is special.

But never before have we had a catch that ended up in the Guinness Book of Records!

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CRUSHING The Long Run!

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17.5 miles. Yes, you read that correctly. 17.5 miles. A great 17.5 mile run!!!

The long run was CRUSHED!

The long run was DESTROYED!

The long run was CONQUERED!

The man Is MARATHON READY! OH YEAH!

No, not me. I covered the distance, yes, but I didn’t run that far. It wasn’t me. It was Alex!

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You Fired Who… AND WHO?

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This is one of my favorite stories of all time. The story is originally found in Harpo Marx’s autobiography Harpo Speaks.

Here is the background of this classic story:

As the Marx Brothers were growing up in New York City, they, of course, looked for ways to make a few dollars. They each had a variety of odd jobs. For a while, Chico Marx found employment playing the piano at beer gardens, nickelodeons, and the like. Chico was a pretty good piano player by this time.

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Two Presidents, One Regiment

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“Are you alright Mr. President?”

“I’ll be fine, Mr. President.”

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Did It Break Me?

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August 7, 2025

Running has been a bit of a struggle for me this summer. My longest run was seven miles. I most frequently run only three to four miles. A five-mile run (which I did this morning) is a long run for me these days.

My last big race, the Walt Disney World Marathon, (in January of this year) came as the last leg of the Dopey Challenge, a series of four races, each a bit longer than the one previous, over four days. (A 5k, followed by a 10k, followed by a half-marathon, followed by the full marathon – 48.6 miles in total.)

That marathon, the 27th of my “career,” was the last marathon I’ll ever run.

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16 Weeks Until The NYC Marathon, But…

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July 13, 2025

***

Well, this is a strange and unique feeling for me.  The NYC marathon is 16 weeks away and today would be the start of my marathon training season.

But I’m not training for marathons any longer.  

My most recent marathon last January was my last marathon.  

As I completed the Dopey Challenge in Walt Disney World in January, I determined that my marathon days were over.  My reasons for retiring from marathoning are legion.  I’ll touch on some of them below, but I have written a lot about that on these pages before.

The following are some of my scattered thoughts as I break away from the 16-week training period for the NYC – a ritual I followed for the better part of a quarter-century:

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