AMERICAN PATRIOT
VIEW IN
FULLSCREEN FEBRUARY 25, 2010
THE NATIONAL PARKS
PETRIFIED FOREST COOPERSTOWN VILLAGE OF MUSEUMS THE MAN WHO WROTE
GOD BLESS AMERICA
CLICK ABOVE
AMERICAN PATRIOT MEDAL OF HONOR SERIES
VIETNAM VALOR
4 6 8 IRVING BERLIN THE MAN WHO WROTE GOD BLESS AMERICA
THE NATIONAL PARKS
PETRIFIED FOREST
12
10
Contents
COOPERSTOWN VILLAGE OF MUSEUMS
HAMBURGER HISTORY
14 14 NAVY ICONS
GET FIRST SALUTE
16 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
17 THIS WEEK IN AMERICAN HISTORY
MEDAL OF HONOR SERIES
VIETNAM VALOR 4 AMERICAN PATRIOT
One of the Vietnam War’s most highly decorated soldiers, Robert Lewis Howard, died in late December. Howard received the Congressional Medal of Honor for leading fellow soldiers out of an ambush and helping fight off hundreds of North Vietnamese troops during a two-day siege. He had retired from the Army in 1992 with the rank of Colonel, and served as President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society from 2007 to 2009. An Army Green Beret, Howard served five
Next, Howard then took charge of the platoon,
tours of duty in Vietnam. Incredibly, he was
organized them into a defensive emplacements
nominated for the Medal of Honor for three
along a ravine, crawled from location to lo-
separate acts of heroism. The actions for
cation resupplying the men with ammunition
which he was awarded the honor came in
and directing fire, all the while radioing in
1968. Then-Sgt. Howard was part of a platoon
support from airborne gunships. After two
sent to North Vietnam to rescue another Green
days of firefights, the stranded platoon was
Beret. While leading the patrol, Howard was
finally evacuated. Howard was the last man
injured by a landmine that wounded him and
to leave the battlefield, according to his Medal
knocked him unconscious. Upon awakening,
of Honor citation.
he saw a North Vietnamese soldier using a flamethrower to torch the bodies of American
During his long military career, Howard received
and South Vietnamese casualties. As described
the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star,
by author Peter Collier, who wrote “Medal of
the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion
Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of
of Merit, several Bronze Star Medals and Purple
Duty,” Howard lobbed a grenade at the North
Hearts. President Richard M. Nixon presented
Vietnamese soldier, administered to a wounded
him with the Medal of Honor in 1971. After re-
officer nearby, was hit by a bullet which
tiring as a full Colonel, he worked at Veterans
knocked him down, regained his composure,
Affairs as a liaison to other veterans, making
and dragged the officer back to the remaining
trips at home and abroad to battle zones such as
U.S. Special Forces soldiers while shooting
Iraq and Afghanistan to share his experiences.
several of the enemy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEDAL OF HONOR CLICK HERE AMERICAN PATRIOT 5
THE NATIONAL PARKS
PETRIFIED FOREST
6 AMERICAN PATRIOT
The Petrified Forest National Park sits along Interstate 40 in northwestern Arizona. Unique among the 58 national parks, the park features one of the world's largest, most intense, and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood. Consisting of two large areas connected by a north–south corridor, the northern section features the famous Painted Desert (pictured left) while the southern area includes several major concentrations of petrified wood. Throw in several Native American petroglyph sites, and you have one of the most intriguing destinations in the vast parks system. The Petrified Forest area was designated a National Monument in 1906 and it, combined with the Painted Desert, became a full-fledged National Park in 1962. The parkland covers 218,533 acres, much of which is hikable, giving visitors access to many surreal wilderness scenes. The “forest” portion consists of the remains of trees of the Late Triassic period, which occurred 225 million years ago. These “stone trees” were killed by natural processes, deeply buried in mud and sand that contained silica-rich volcanic ash, and the logs became petrified as the mineral, carried into the wood by groundwater, replaced the wood cells. As the surrounding material was eroded away over the centuries, the petrified trees became exposed on the surface. Disturbingly, theft of petrified wood has remained a problem despite protection. Even with a guard force of Rangers, fences and warning signs, several tons of fossil wood is stolen every year. The “painted desert” portion is a colorful fantasyland of mesa, buttes and badlands. This area is covered by the Chinle formation, a very soft layer
of earth consisting mainly of mud, sandstone, and volcanic ash. The softness allows for fantastic erosion effects as well as colorful staining by mineralized water flows and mineral deposits over the eons. The rocks gain their colors from impurities and mixtures of elements, from dark blue coal to bright clays to red volcanic rocks. Why is this park so popular and so important? Though petrified wood can be found around the world, the Petrified Forest National Park contains some of the largest and best-preserved petrified wood sites in the world. More importantly, the combination of the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert provides an extraordinarily diverse fossil record. Finally, the park is also known for having thousands of prehistoric petroglyphs and pictographs, which are rock carvings and cave paintings left by ancient peoples. Anthropological research has shown many of the carvings to be solar calendars. Overall, it is a scenic wonderland.
FIND A NATIONAL PARK AMERICAN PATRIOT 7
IRVING BERLIN THE MAN WHO WROTE
GOD BLESS AMERICA 8 AMERICAN PATRIOT
Irving Berlin, one of America’s great songwriters, started out in poor rural town in Russia, moved to the U.S. at the age of five, and never stopped appreciating the freedom and safety that his adopted country provided. It led him to write some of the most popular patriotic and holiday songs of his time, and any other time. Born under the name Israel Isidore Baline in 1888, his family immigrated to America to escape the violent pogroms in Russia. The family settled in New York City, where he and his seven siblings sold newspapers on the street to help support themselves and their mother. Israel became a singing waiter and from there began to write down songs that he made up. Americanizing his name to Irving Berlin, he composed his first big hit — “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” — in 1911 at the age of 23. From that point, he was prolific and in demand. He wrote several famous musicals including “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Call Me Madam.” His iconic tunes include “There's No Business Like Show Business,” “Easter Parade,” and “White Christmas.”
ums today, often during the seventh inning stretch. During World War II, Berlin wrote the musical “This is the Army,” which raised $10 million for the Army Emergency Relief. It included such hits as “This is the Army, Mr. Jones” and I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen.”
Along the way, Berlin indulged his love of country as a major writer of patriotic songs from World War I through World War 11. In World War 1, he wrote the musical Yip, Yip, Yaphank, which was produced by the men of Camp Upton. In this musical, the big hit song was “Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning.” This musical raised money for a service center at the camp. In 1938, he introduced “God Bless America,” sung by Kate Smith, which electrified the country, galvanized the war effort, and became so popular that many called for it — then and now — to be named the national anthem. The song is a regular feature at most baseball stadi-
Berlin was extensively honored for his work. In 1942, he won the Academy Award for best song for his “White Christmas,” also winning the Mabel Mercer Award in 1988. In 1955, President Eisenhower presented Berlin a gold medal for recognition of his services in composing patriotic songs for the country. For the last decade of his life, Berlin made few public appearances. An exception was made, however, on his 100th birthday at Carnegie Hall, which turned into a huge event. He died at age 101 from natural causes.
LISTEN TO KATE SMITH SING GOD BLESS AMERICA AMERICAN PATRIOT 9
COOPERSTOWN VILLAGE OF MUSEUMS
Nestled in New York's pastoral Otsego County and situated alongside a picturesque lake, the village of Cooperstown is an unspoiled gem of American small town living. Without a doubt, Cooperstown is best known as the proverbial birthplace of Baseball and the home to the sport’s iconic Hall of Fame. Lesser known are the myriad cultural institutions, historical sites, and four star accommodations. The village has retained much of its character over the years, owing to the dedication of its two thousand citizens in pursuit of its preservation. The town itself is a museum of sorts, boasting carefully preserved Victorian homes, hotels, and public spaces.
PICTURED ABOVE: STATUE OF JAMES FENIMORE COOPER 10 AMERICAN PATRIOT
SITES TO SEE The Fenimore Art Museum Named for James Fenimore Cooper, writer and famous son of Cooperstown (the town was named for his father), the Fenimore Art Museum boasts a wide range of American paintings, folk art, textiles, carvings, and more. The Thaw Collection is one of the America's most comprehensive and valued collections of Native American art.
The Farmers' Museum A pitch-perfect recreation of 19th century rural life. The Farmer's museum exhibits over 23,000 artifacts and dozens of buildings, many moved from area farms. Visit the working blacksmith shop, creamery, papermaking manufactury, and general store.
The Otesaga Resort Hotel Built in 1909, The Otesaga has been called “the most complete and luxurious summer hotel in America.�
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum From the first-used baseball to Derek Jeter's bat, to Ebbetts Field seats, to a history of women's baseball, the Hall of Fame is the monument to our national pastime. Of particular interest is the Gallery, which houses Bronze plaques with biographies of all inductees. TAKE A VIDEO TOUR OF THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME
It remains both a top luxury hotel and a memorial to the grandeur of turn-of-the-century elegance.
Brewery Ommegang The Cooperstown area was once home to the vast majority of Hops production in the late 19th Century. Brewery Ommegang carries on this tradition and is a symbol of a food and beverage renaissance in the area. The microbrewery makes acclaimed Belgianstyle beers. Tours twice daily.
Howe Caverns Discovered by farmer Lester Howe in 1842, Howe Caverns is a one hour drive. The Limestone caves are 200 feet below the surface, and feature underground channels and rivers, passageways and rock formations. Gondola-style boat rides on the underground Lake of Venus are available.
Glimmerglass Opera The Glimmerglass Opera has become a much respected institution in the musical world, performing new and lesser-known operas, usually in their original language. An international audience is attracted to the unique combination of rural ambiance and musical virtuosity AMERICAN PATRIOT 11
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A M E R I CA’ S F U N FO O D S
HAMBURGER HISTORY
Here is the hamburger by the numbers: AMERICANS CONSUME 14 BILLION BURGERS A YEAR EACH AMERICAN EATS AN AVERAGE OF 3 HAMBURGERS A WEEK HAMBURGERS ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY 60% OF ALL THE SANDWICHES EATEN
The seemingly simple sandwich has become so ingrained in our society, that it's impossible to think of American cuisine and culture without it. There's a lot of controversy when it comes to who served the first commercial hamburger. But there is no such controversy over the source of the name: in the German city of Hamburg, people often cooked various scraps of meat and placed them on a round bun or roll. When German immigrants arrived in America, they continued this custom and these sandwiches became known as “hamburgers.”
How did it turn into the all-American sandwich?
using steel wire broilers to hold the hamburgers upright as they cooked. They were served on toasted white bread. In 2000, when the U. S. Library of Congress credited Louis' Lunch with
THERE ARE THREE POPULAR THEORIES:
making America's first hamburger.
1. Hamburg NY: Two brothers, Frank and Charles Menches, were selling sausage sandwiches at the Erie County Fair. They had an overabundance of ground beef shipped to them by mistake, grilled the excess beef up into patties, added sugar and coffee flavoring, and sold the sandwiches as “hamburgers” in honor of the host town.
Whatever the truth of its origins, it is clear that mass consumption of the fast food hamburger started with White Castle in 1921. Selling a tiny hamburger for 5 cents, White Castle inspired dozens of imitators, most of whom failed. Among the successes who pushed the burger forward Wimpy Burger which lasted until 1978, Bob’s
2. Athens TX: Fletcher Davis and his wife operated a restaurant. They sold a sandwich of seasoned ground beef, which was a very popular lunch item. Some local businessmen chipped in so that the couple could sell the local delicacy at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. They successfully sold their sandwich from stand. In 2006, the Texas legislature designating Athens as "Original Home of the Hamburger.”
Big Boy which featured double patties, and myriad drive-ins which accelerated the concept of fast food. The big breakthrough came in 1948 when the first McDonald's opened and then was revolutionized by Ray Kroc, who joined the team in 1954, put in franchise and preparation procedures that rationalized the fast food business, and created the McDonald’s empire. Today, McDonalds has sold an average of 12 hamburgers to every man, woman and child in the world.
3. New Haven CT: In 1895, Louis Lassen had a sandwich shop called Louis’ Lunch. He cooked beef patties in small vertical cast iron gas stoves
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NAVY ICONS GET FIRST CLASS SALUTE Four revered U.S. Navy heroes were honored with a First Class salute. The U.S. Postal Service dedicated the Distinguished Sailors collectable stamps to immortalize four sailors who served with bravery and distinction during the 20th Century: William S. Sims, Arleigh A. Burke, John McCloy and Doris “Dorie” Miller. The dedication ceremony took place today at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. The stamps, designed by Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA, are based on photographs from Navy archives. Text along the top of the stamp sheet identifies the four sailors, the approximate date of each photograph, and a ship named in honor of each sailor. HERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE FEATS FOR WHICH THEY WERE HONORED.
William S. Sims Commander of U.S. naval forces in European waters during World War I, Sims was an outspoken reformer and innovator who helped shape the Navy into a modern fighting force. Frustrated by the Navy bureaucracy, he circumvented his superiors to get the Navy to adopt improved gunfire techniques that increased firing accuracy as ships rolled through ocean swells. He also is noted for promoting the convoy system that grouped ships closely together as they were accompanied by small numbers of Navy escorts while crossing the U-Boat infested Atlantic — saving countless lives in both world wars.
14 AMERICAN PATRIOT
Arleigh A. Burke
John McCloy
Doris Miller
After serving as one of the
McCloy is one of the few
The first black American
top destroyer squadron com-
men in the nation’s history
hero of World War II, Miller
manders of World War II,
to earn two Medals of Honor
became an inspiration to
Burke had an equally distin-
for a rescue mission during
generations of Americans for
guished postwar career in
the Boxer Rebellion in which
his actions at Pearl Harbor on
which he played a major role
he was wounded, and during
Dec. 7, 1941. Serving aboard
in modernizing the Navy and
the 1914 Mexican Revolt
the battleship West Virginia
guiding its response to the
for intentionally exposing his
as a mess attendant — the
Cold War. During World War
boat to draw enemy fire to
only job rating open to blacks
II, he gained a reputation
identify their positions for
at the time — Miller helped
for brilliance and innovation
retaliation by U.S. cruiser
rescue scores of shipmates
while commanding Destroyer
gunfire. Shot in the thigh, he
wounded or trapped in
Squadron 23. The squadron
remained on post 48 hours
wreckage. Never trained in
fought in 22 separate actions
until the brigade surgeon
its operation, he manned
in a four-month period, sink-
sent him to a hospital. In
an unattended 50-caliber
ing nine enemy destroyers
1919 he was awarded
machine gun to fire on
and downing 30 airplanes. He
the Navy Cross for engaging
Japanese aircraft until ordered
later served an unprecedented
in the “difficult and hazardous
to abandon the bridge as
three terms as the Navy’s
duty” of sweeping mines
fires raged out of control. He
highest ranking officer —
in the North Sea in the after-
was later awarded the Navy
Chief of Naval Operations —
math of World War I.
Cross. Miller was killed in
to speed construction of nu-
action later that year along
clear-powered submarines
with more than 600 ship-
and initiating the Polaris
mates when a torpedo sank
Ballistic Missile Program.
the ship during the invasion of the Gilbert Islands.
AMERICAN PATRIOT 15
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Sometimes people call me an idealist. Well, that is the way I know I am an American. America is the only idealistic nation in the world.” — WOODROW WILSON 28TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 1913-1921
16 AMERICAN PATRIOT
THIS WEEK IN
AMERICAN HISTORY
1961. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps, an organization that sends young American volunteers to developing countries to assist with healthcare, education and other basic human needs. PICTURED ABOVE: KENNEDY GREETING PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS, 1961
AMERICAN PATRIOT 17
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