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JUNE 2, 2010
BABE RUTH RETIRES D-DAY STILL STUNS 66 YEARS LATER
GRACELAND FOREVER ELVIS’ HOME
AMERICAN PATRIOT D-DAY STILL STUNS 66 YEARS LATER
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6 CONEY ISLAND’S
COASTERS
GRACELAND FOREVER ELVIS’ HOME
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PRESIDENT NAMES 20 ARTS MEDALISTS EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT REMINDER
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WALTER REUTHER BUILDING THE UAW
14 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
15 THIS WEEK IN AMERICAN HISTORY
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D-DAY STILL STUNS 66 YEARS LATER
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Though it has been more than six decades — 66 years ago this week to be exact — the size, boldness, intensity, and ultimate success of D-Day can still take the breath away. The phrase “D-Day” has become synonymous with June 6, 1944, when the Allied forces crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy in France. It was the beginning of the end for the Nazis; only three months later large portions of France were liberated and the Western armies were preparing to invade Germany itself. The Allies knew that a successful invasion of
The Germans lost many opportunities to defeat
the continent was key to winning the war, and
the invasion. Oddly, they suffered from confu-
they knew that Hitler would do anything to push
sion in the ranks and the absence of their most
back. After agonizing days of poor weather,
competent commander, Field Marshal Erwin
General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who headed the
Rommel, who was away on leave. Confused
Allied forces, gave the go-ahead for what would
about the attack, Hitler failed to release nearby
be the largest amphibious military operation in
divisions to join a counterattack and hesitated
history. It consisted of 6,000 landing craft and
to call for armored divisions to help in the de-
ships carrying nearly 200,000 troops from Eng-
fense. Of course, punishing Allied air support,
land to France. That night, 800 aircraft filled
which destroyed key bridges, helped the Allied
with parachutists headed for drop zones in
cause as well.
France and additional 13,000 aircraft provided air cover and support for the invasion.
The success of D-Day enabled nearly a million Allied soldiers, and 150,000 vehicles, to reach
At dawn on June 6, the invasion began. Amer-
Western Europe by the end of June, the Allies
ican, British and Canadian soldiers overcame
had 850,000 men and 150,000 vehicles in
relatively light resistance at several beaches,
Normandy and were poised to continue their
dubbed Gold, Juno, Sword and Utah, and took
march across Europe. The heroism and bravery
those positions. The fight at Omaha beach was
displayed by troops on that day is the stuff of
a different story and the stuff of legend: 2,000
legend, and inspired several popular movies
troops died and it was only sheer stubbornness
such as The Longest Day (1962) and Saving
and innovation that overcame fierce resistance.
Private Ryan (1998). This was more recently
By day's end, more than 150,000 soldiers had
depicted in the HBO mini-series Band of
successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches.
Brothers (2001).
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MOVIE TRAILER FOR THE LONGEST DAY AMERICAN PATRIOT 5
CONEY ISLAND’S
COASTERS 6 AMERICAN PATRIOT
The first roller coaster in America opened in 1884 at Coney Island in Brooklyn NY. The notion of LaMarcus Thompson, the mini-train traveled six miles per hour, had several switchbacks and cost a nickel to ride. It was an instant success; ten years later there were hundreds of roller coasters around the country. It was fitting that this crowd-pleasing in-
at Coney with steep drops, plenty of airtime,
vention made its debut at Coney Island.
intense gravitational pressure, and just a
Long a recreation and resort center, the
lap bar to hold passengers in place; the
first hotel had opened there as early as
Thunderbolt which was the first to have a
1829 and by the turn of the century, it
steel frame and was sadly torn down in
was an area thick with theaters, restaurants,
2000; and the Drop the Dips coaster, that
a race track, famous amusement parks —
raised the bar for speed, excitement and ter-
Dreamland, Luna Park and Steeplechase —
ror but was immensely successful financially.
and a boardwalk that drew millions for fun, sun, hot dogs and maybe a little bit
Coney Island will be remembered as the
of trouble.
first and most influential amusement park in the United States, in great part because
Through the years, Coney Island became
of the flamboyance and excitement of its
home to some of the best coasters. These
many roller coasters. Though it has expe-
included: The Flip Flap Railway whose cir-
rienced a decline — some would say it is
cular loop was so intense that it had a
seedy — Coney Island remains a tourist
habit of injuring the necks of riders; the
attraction and home to the wooden Cyclone.
Loop-the-Loop, built in 1901, which had
And New York newspapers reported that
a large loop and was safer than Flip Flap;
on Memorial Day 2010, the owners of a
the huge Giant Racer, constructed in 1911
refurbished Luna Park fired up the Cyclone
with a beautiful whitewashed structure
for another season, and that developers
and incredible speed; the Tornado, a beau-
developers are contemplating a new 4,000
tiful twisting ride with a tower built in the
foot new coaster for the near future.
middle; Coney Island Cyclone, the most famous and financially successful coaster
PLAN A VISIT TO CONEY ISLAND
AMERICAN PATRIOT 7
HOW TO
LIVE UNITED: JOIN HANDS. OPEN YOUR HEART. LEND YOUR MUSCLE.
FIND YOUR VOICE. GIVE 10%. GIVE 100%.
GIVE 110%. GIVE AN HOUR. GIVE A SATURDAY. THINK OF WE BEFORE ME. REACH OUT A HAND TO ONE AND
INFLUENCE THE CONDITION OF ALL.
GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.
LIVE UNITED
™
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GRACELAND FOREVER ELVIS’ HOME
8 AMERICAN PATRIOT
The unique association and relationship between Elvis Presley and Graceland makes for a powerful story. Graceland was his home in Memphis TN for more than 20 years — 1957 to 1977 — as well as a sanctuary and muse for often tormented singer and entertainer. The house and farm that formed the
his home and, sometimes when he was
basis of Graceland was originally founded
touring, he would arrange for hotel rooms
as a farm during the Civil War by a suc-
to be remodelled in advance of his arrival
cessful Memphis publisher. Elvis pur-
to remind him of Graceland. It was a
chased the mansion and grounds in
place where this complicated man could
early 1957 for approximately $100,000,
fully unwind and be himself.
moving their for privacy reasons and security concerns. Elvis moved into Graceland
When Elvis died in 1977, he left Grace-
together with his parents, and he also
land to his grandmother, father and
lived there with his wife Priscilla before
daughter. By 1980, his daughter, Lisa
and after their marriage — up until their
Marie Presley, was the only one left. To
separation in 1972.
keep up the estate, a plan was established to open Graceland to the public, and in
Presley made many changes to the estate,
1982, first tours of the property began.
most notably building two additions —
Since opening to the public, the fasci-
including one that would become famous
nation with the Presleys has grown and
as the Jungle Room because it was loaded
Graceland has hosted millions of visi-
with exotic plants, animal prints and a
tors. Memphis has benefitted as well,
floor-to-ceiling shag carpet that can only
growing into a world-class tourist desti-
be described as an African motif. He also
nation for which Graceland is the pillar.
added a pool and the built the Medita-
Some say that Graceland has become
tion Gardens, where he, his parents and
the most famous home in America after
his grandmother were eventually buried.
The White House. In 1991, Elvis’ home
But more than the brick and mortar, the
was placed on the National Register of
spirit of the place made it special. Elvis
Historic Places.
felt at deeply at home and at peace in
TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF GRACELAND AMERICAN PATRIOT 9
PRESIDENT NAMES
20 ARTS MEDALISTS
Bob Dylan. Clint Eastwood. Frank Stella. Michael Tilson Thomas. These are a just a few of the National Medal of Arts winners recently named by President Obama and feted at the White House by Mr. Obama and the First Lady.
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The National Medal of Arts was established by Congress in 1984, by President Ronald Reagan for the purpose of honoring artists and patrons of the arts. Congress authorized the President to award Medals “to individuals or groups who, in the President's judgment, are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.” The National Council on the Arts makes the recommendations to the President. Unlike other arts awards, the National Medal of Arts is not limited to a single field or area of artistic endeavor. It is designed to honor exemplary individuals and organizations that have encouraged the arts in America and offered inspiration to others through their distinguished achievement, support, or patronage. THE NEWLY MINTED WINNERS ARE:
THE SCHOOL OF AMERICAN BALLET for shaping the history of 20th Century dance by training young dancers. FRANK STELLA for being one of the most innovative painters and sculptors. MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS for elevating American orchestral playing as a renowned conductor. JOHN WILLIAMS for composing symphonic music for motion pictures. RITA MORENO for her achievements on stage and screen. ROBERT A. CARO for his biographies of Robert Moses and Lyndon Johnson ANNETTE GORDON-REED for important and innovative research about Sally Hemings and her relatives, Thomas Jefferson’s slaves.
BOB DYLAN for being one of America’s leading musical artists in popular culture.
DAVID LEVERING LEWIS for insightful examinations of W. E. B. Du Bois, the Dreyfus Affair, and early Islamic-Christian relations.
CLINT EASTWOOD for his artistry as a director and actor.
WILLIAM H. MCNEILL for his teaching and writing at the University of Chicago.
MILTON GLASER for a lifetime devoted to improving communication through graphic design.
PHILIPPE DE MONTEBELLO for leadership in revitalizing the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
MAYA LIN for design of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial. JESSYE NORMAN for her contributions to American music as a dramatic soprano. THE OBERLIN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC for preparing young musicians to become cultural contributors. JOSEPH P. RILEY, JR. for cultivating Charleston’s historic and cultural resources to enhance public spaces as its Mayor.
ALBERT H. SMALL for his generosity as a philanthropist and collector. THEODORE C. SORENSEN for advancing our understanding of modern American politics and the Kennedy era. ELIE WIESEL for his unwavering commitment to preserving the memory of the Holocaust. WATCH PRESIDENT OBAMA PRESENT MEDALS IN ARTS AND HUMANITIES
AMERICAN PATRIOT 11
WALTER REUTHER BUILDING THE UAW Walter Reuther (pictured second from right) headed the United Automobile Workers (UAW) from 1946 until his death in 1970, the halcyon days of the American car industry. Under his leadership, the UAW grew to 1.5 million members, emerging as one of the most effective unions in the U.S.
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Reuther, like the union he built and expanded, was widely admired in his day. He was considered a reform-minded, responsible trade unionist — a leading labor and liberal intellectual, a champion of democracy and civil rights, and an effective wielder of the UAW’s power advance fairness and social justice as well as the interests of his members. Reuther was born in Wheeling WV in 1907, the son of a German socialist. He received an early education in socialism and union politics from his father, and met American Socialist Party leader Eugene V. Debs early in his life. A high school dropout, he moved to Detroit to work for Ford, and established himself as a top flight mechanic. The Great Depression stimulated his natural political activism and, with his brothers — Victor and Roy — organized local protests against ROTC and segregationist policies of a local swimming, and campaigned for 1932 Socialist Party presidential candidate Norman Thomas. In Detroit, Reuther began organizing for the UAW, the new autoworkers union. He was elected a delegate to the 1936 UAW national convention, were he made a name for himself and was elected to the national executive board. Within months, Reuther was president of his local and by 1942 — with several successful strikes and sit-ins
under his belt — he was the UAW’s first vice president. During World War II, Reuther also served with the Office of Production Management, the War Manpower Commission and the War Production Board, winning friends and respect from labor, government and company officials. In 1946, he took on the presidency of the UAW. Although his ambitious postwar agenda of national health care, economic redistribution and job security all met defeat, Reuther had many successes in his two decades: negotiating model grievance procedures, safety and health provisions, pensions, health benefits and supplemental unemployment benefits that enabled UAW members to receive a large portion of their regular paycheck even if they were laid off. He was also a crucial player in the merger that created America’s largest labor union — the AFL-CIO. He also made friends with the powerful: Reuther stood beside Martin Luther King Jr. when he delivered his famous “I have a dream and he was invited to meet weekly with President Lyndon Johnson throughout 1964–1965 to discuss legislative and political initiatives. Reuther, increasingly frustrated by the union movement’s failure to make more progress, he planned to create a new labor alliance. It was not to be, as he and his wife were killed in a private plane crash in. AMERICAN PATRIOT 13
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP.” — Captain James Lawrence The American frigate Chesapeake was captured by the British after an intense battle during the War of 1812. These were the dying words of Captain James Lawrence, which became the rallying cry of the Navy throughout that war and to this day. Oliver Hazard Perry honored his dead friend Lawrence when he had the motto sewn onto the private battle flag flown during the Battle of Lake Erie later in 1813.
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THIS WEEK IN
AMERICAN HISTORY
1935. Babe Ruth retires after playing 22 seasons in the major leagues. With 10 World Series appearances and 714 home runs, the larger-than-life figure was one of the first five players inducted into the baseball hall of fame in Cooperstown. WATCH VINTAGE FOOTAGE OF RUTH AT THE BAT
AMERICAN PATRIOT 15
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