AMERICAN PATRIOT
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APRIL 7, 2010
USO SUPPORTING THE TROOPS
TIPPECANOE AND TYLER TOO SMOOTH SAILING FOR
ANNAPOLIS
AMERICAN PATRIOT TIPPECANOE AND TYLER TOO
4 6 8 USO
SMOOTH SAILING FOR
ANNAPOLIS
SUPPORTING THE TROOPS
10 MEDAL OF HONOR SERIES
BATTLE OF BAYONET HILL
AMERICA’S CLASSIC BALLPARKS
DODGER STADIUM
12
14 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
15 THIS WEEK IN AMERICAN HISTORY
TIPPECANOE AND TYLER, TOO 4 AMERICAN PATRIOT
The ninth president of the United States, William Henry Harrison, refused to wear a coat during his two hour-long inaugural speech. He caught a cold, which eventually turned into pneumonia, and died 32 days later. Remembered today almost solely for this odd series of events and his nickname “Old Tippecanoe,” Harrison was also the only member of the Whig party to be elected to the presidency. Born on February 9, 1773, Harrison was the
ported economic protectionism. Elected in
youngest of seven children in a politically
1840 by a 53%-47% margin, Harrison’s only
prominent family. He chose a career in the
official act was to call a special session for Con-
military against his family’s wishes for him to
gress to improve the funding of federal projects.
become a physician. His political career began when he was appointed by John Adams
Harrison mostly ignored his vice president,
as Governor of the Indian Territory (present
John Tyler, who was a Democrat running with
day Illinois and Indiana) for twelve years. He
him to create a unity party. Their slogan —
gained national fame for defeating an American
“Tippecanoe and Tyler, too” — became one
Indian force at the Battle of Tippecanoe in
of the catchiest campaign phrases and songs
1811, where he won the “Tippecanoe” nick-
in the history of U.S. elections, and helped
name. After the War of 1812, Harrison served
contrast the team with the dour Van Buren.
in the House of Representatives, then became the Senator from Ohio. He took a few years
When Harrison died on April 4, 1841, Tyler
off from public life to open a distillery on his
was thrust into the spotlight. Congress and
Ohio farm, but became perturbed that his
scholars debated over whether Tyler should
customers so misused the product.
become President or an Acting President under the Constitution. The debate was decided in
Harrison was drafted to run for president as
favor of treating an acceding Vice President
the Whig candidate, a new political party
as a full President, with all the duties and
which arose in backlash against the powerful
responsibilities of the office.
populist administration of Andrew Jackson and his unpopular successor Martin Van Buren. The new party supported the supremacy of Congress over the executive branch and sup-
LYRICS TO THE CAMPAIGN SONG TIPPECANOE AND TYLER, TOO.
AMERICAN PATRIOT 5
SMOOTH SAILING FOR
ANNAPOLIS
6 AMERICAN PATRIOT
Today’s Annapolis is the educational arm of a modern, nuclear, supersonic, digital Navy. It was not always thus. The earliest attempts at establishing an American elite naval academy were a series of false starts: there was the Philadelphia Naval Asylum School, which was deemed too small and antiquated, saw discipline deteriorate, and ended with the hanging of two student-mutineers. The legacy was public outrage and doubts about the practice of “learning by doing” while on the seas for potential midshipmen. Frustrated with the state of naval education in
structures. A comprehensive curriculum and
the young United States, Secretary of the Navy
summer sea duty were established and remain
George Bancroft established Fort Severn in
at the core of USNA education.
Annapolis, MD, even though it initially had no Congressional funding. The choice of Annapo-
The Naval Academy at Annapolis has mod-
lis wasn’t strategic but cultural; he wanted to
ernized at a steady clip throughout its history.
establish the school in a place “healthy and
Bachelor of Science degrees began being
secluded,” free of “the temptations and dis-
awarded in 1933, and the standard curriculum
tractions that necessarily connect with a large
has expanded to include 18 distinct areas of
and populous city.”
study. Women joined the freshman class in 1976, a landmark event. As an indication of
The inaugural class was comprised of fifty
the success of its graduates, alumni include
midshipmen, taught by seven professors.
one president (Jimmy Carter), 22 Members
Subjects covered included mathematics and
of Congress, 5 Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs
navigation, gunnery and steam, chemistry,
of Staff, 52 Astronauts, 45 Rhodes Scholars,
English, natural philosophy, and French.
and 73 Medal of Honor winners.
In 1850, the school officially became the
Every day, the Academy strives to accomplish
United States Naval Academy. A rapid expan-
the core mission that dates back to it’s found-
sion saw the campus grow from 10 acres to
ing: to develop midshipmen “morally, mentally
338, and enrollment eventually reached 4,000.
and physically.”
The wooden buildings that came to be a symbol
TOUR THE ACADEMY AND OTHER SIGHTS OF ANNAPOLIS MD
of Fort Severn were replaced with granite
AMERICAN PATRIOT 7
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USO SUPPORTING THE TROOPS
The USO, or United Service Organizations, was established in 1941 following a request by Franklin D. Roosevelt for private organizations to provide for on-leave recreation and entertainment to the growing military. A group of six civilian agencies — the Salvation Army, YMCA, YWCA, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and The National Jewish Welfare Board — banded together to accomplish this end. The USO remains a private, nonprofit organization, and funding comes exclusively through citizens and corporations.
8 AMERICAN PATRIOT
The military expanded rapidly at the onset of war in Europe — from 50,000 to 12 million in the years 1940-1944. The USO met the growing need for services and entertainment by establishing facilities ranging from churches and museums to yacht clubs, log cabins and barns. At its peak in 1944, there were more than 3,000 clubs, places to dance and socialize, to write letters, see movies and seek counsel. One of the mainstays of the USO operation is the “Camp Show”, where entertainers from music and film are brought on bases to perform live shows. During World War II, the USO put on 428,521 performances, to audiences ranging from 25 to 15,000, spanning the globe. In all, the USO could claim 1.5 million volunteers during World War II. The USO was disbanded in 1947, but regrouped in 1950 at the onset of the Korean War. Though the war ended in a truce in 1953, the more than million troops that remained stationed abroad still needed the services. The organization grew through peacetime, and established its first base in Vietnam in 1963. As that war escalated, the USO expanded in size and scope. For the first time, Camp Shows were held in combat zones. Volunteering became more dangerous and there were several USO-related deaths. The organization continues to this day as a modern communications and entertainment
driven organization. It has a large presence in all conflicts, including The Gulf War, Somalia, The Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as providing services for the enlisted during peacetime. Recent shows underscore the value of their ability to boost morale, with performances from noted artists Aerosmith, Toby Keith, and Wayne Newton; and celebrity appearances from Bruce Willis, Jessica Simpson and James Gandolfini. Following a mid-1970s review of the USO mission and viability, the United Way of America’s Committee on National Agency Support came to this conclusion: “If there were no USO, another organization would have to be created…. Isolation of the military from civilian influences is not, we believe in the interest of this nation.” FIND A USO LOCATION NEAR YOU
AMERICAN PATRIOT 9
AMERICA’S CLASSIC BALLPARKS
DODGER STADIUM
10 AMERICAN PATRIOT
Built in 1962, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles has hosted over 125 million fans, staged 8 World Series, and developed a reputation for being one of the best regarded sporting complexes on earth. Leading league attendance an unprecedented 25 times in its 48 years, the stadium remains contemporary in design and amenities despite its age. It is surrounded by 300 acres of landscaping
accepted by Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley.
and 3,400 trees, and boasts perhaps the
The land stands on one of the higher ele-
best of all stadium views — Downtown Los
vations in Los Angeles, allowing spectacular
Angeles, the verdant Elysian Hills and the
views and the size of the parcel provides
San Gabriel Mountains. In 2003, Dodger
for ample areas for parking.
Stadium was voted as the favorite stadium to play in by a poll of major league players.
In an easily distracted town, the Dodgers have been a consistent source of urban pride.
Moving from Brooklyn in 1958, the Dodgers
Dodger Stadium has seen its share of mem-
played for four years in a football stadium,
orable moments, from Kirk Gibson’s 1988
whose capacity of over 100,000 and vast
walk-off home run to Sandy Koufax domi-
sidelines, was a poor fit for baseball and
nating four World Series and winning 3 con-
fans; the Dodgers would suffer from poor
secutive Cy Young Awards. Dodger Stadium
attendance. With the construction of Dodger
has seen 10 no-hitters, 8 World Series, and
Stadium, the Dodgers went from worst to
an All Star game. It has also been the site
first in attendance, coinciding with several
of several significant non-Dodger events.
World Series appearances in the mid-60's.
Numerous large concerts have been held, including the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel,
The site was the once-vibrant Latino enclave
Elton John, U2, Bruce Springsteen and the
known as Chavez Ravine. Earlier in the
“Three Tenors”, to name a few. The Olympics
decade, most of the residents were cleared
used Dodger Stadium as a main site in 1984.
by eminent domain to build massive hous-
And in 1987, Pope John Paul II celebrated
ing projects, plans subsequently dropped.
Mass to an overflow crowd.
This left a large, build-ready tract of land near to downtown, which was enthusiastically
TEAM OWNER SPEAKS ABOUT PLANS FOR IMPROVING DODGER STADIUM
AMERICAN PATRIOT 11
MEDAL OF HONOR SERIES
BATTLE OF BAYONET HILL
In this latest in our series on Congressional Medal of Honor winners, we spotlight Lewis L. “Red” Millett. In 1940, Millett, a 17-year old native of Mechanic Falls, ME, joined the Army Air Corps. But when the U.S. delayed entry into World War II, he headed north to join the Canadian army as an anti-aircraft gunner. Once the U.S. joined the war, Millet transferred back to the American Army. Joining the 1st Armored Division, he earned the Silver Star for his actions in North Africa. Oddly enough, he was then court-martialed for having left for Canada back in 1940 and was demoted to private. A brave soldier, Millett worked his way back up to second lieutenant and received a Bronze Star. Fast-forward to 1951. The Korean War has broken out and Millett, having been promoted to Captain in the interim, was leading the 27th Infantry Regiment — the “Wolfhounds” — against a strongly held enemy position on a hill. During the attack, one of Millett's platoons became pinned down. Millett ordered another platoon forward, telling his men to “Fix bayonets and follow me!” This was the start of the legendary “Battle of Bayonet Hill.”
12 AMERICAN PATRIOT
the 3d Platoon forward, placed himself at the head of the 2 platoons, and, with fixed bayonet, led the assault up the fire-swept hill. In the fierce charge Capt. Millett bayoneted 2 enemy soldiers and boldly continued on, throwing grenades, clubbing and bayoneting the enemy, while urging his men forward by shouting encouragement. Despite vicious opposing fire, the whirlwind handto-hand assault carried to the crest of the hill. His dauntless leadership and personal courage so inspired his men that they stormed into the hostile position and used their bayonets with such lethal effect that the enemy fled in wild disorder.� Despite being wounded by a grenade blast, Millett kept moving forward, firing his rifle, throwing grenades, and striking enemies with his rifle and bayonet. When Millett reached a three-man anti-tank gun emplacement, he killed all three with his bayonet. At the top of the hill, Millett waved his rifle over his head shouting "Grenades and cold steel!" Millett's charge sent the Communist forces fleeing, but not before 47 North Korean and Chinese soldiers lay dead, 18 killed by bayonets. Captain Millett was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions, the official declaration reading in part: “Capt. Millett ordered
AMERICAN PATRIOT 13
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“America is not just a power, it is a promise. It is not enough for our country to be extraordinary in might; it must be exemplary in meaning.”
— NELSON ROCKEFELLER (1908-1979) GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND A SCION OF THE ROCKEFELLER FAMILY.
14 AMERICAN PATRIOT
THIS WEEK IN
AMERICAN HISTORY
1923. Harvey S. Firestone puts the first inflatable tires into production, making car trips more comfortable and appealing. PHOTOGRAPH OF HENRY FORD, THOMAS ALVA EDISON, AND HARVEY SAMUEL FIRESTONETHE FATHERS OF MODERNITY.
AMERICAN PATRIOT 15
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