I am writing today to my hometown newspaper to express my alarm about reports that the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is planning to close numerous military heritage sites throughout the commonwealth.

They include Washington Crossing State Park, Brandywine Battlefield State Park, Bushy Run Battlefield State Park, Niagara Historic Site and the Fort Pitt Museum.

With this action, the commission will have closed all military heritage sites within Pennsylvania, and also all historic sites associated with the French and Indian War (1755-63), a conflict that actually started in Western Pennsylvania and saw a young George Washington travel through Butler County.

I grew up in Slippery Rock and have visited every one of these state historic sites numerous times. I was an active participant in the former Junior Historians Program, and my parents were active advisers.

I am now a professional military historian, and currently am serving with the U.S. Army Combat Studies Institute in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

I should note that President Barack Obama recently commemorated and immortalized the Battle of Trenton, and am shocked and appalled that the Historical and Museum Commission immediately terminates a site directly associated with that engagement.

The 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War, which has received substantial support and drawn considerable public interest, still is continuing, but the commission has closed every state site associated with that conflict.

The bicentennial of the War of 1812 will be arriving soon, and the commission now has seen fit to close the only state site associated with that commemoration.

The Niagara Historic Site and Fort Pitt Museum contain superlative museum exhibits and historical collections that directly contribute to the education of state residents and schoolchildren concerning their heritage and history.

Many of these sites are poorly attended, but this fact can be attributed to the abysmal care, attention and support that the commission has afforded them. The commission essentially has abandoned them to their fate and eliminated maintenance, then acts surprised when people stop going.

These sites are integral to preserving the history and heritage of Pennsylvania, and are absolutely integral to facilitating education, knowledge, study and wisdom.

Even considering closing these sites is a travesty upon Pennsylvania's commitment to its past, its present and its future.

I implore residents of Butler County to urge their state government to save these important Pennsylvania treasures.