This Month in History

Marching Orders BY » Mickey Dunaway

These monthly columns can go hundreds of ways, and that is what makes researching and writing them so much fun. With “march” in the title this time, I thought I would look this month at significant military events in March. BTW: In an ordinary year, February, March, and November all start on the same day of the week. In a leap year, it is January, April, and July.

3-1-1713

The siege and destruction of Fort Neoheroka began

during the Tuscarora War in North Carolina. Attacked by a colonial force from South Carolina. Wouldn’t you know it!

3-10-1864

President Lincoln nominates Ulysses

S. Grant to the rank of lieutenant general. And thus, he became the commander of all Union forces. Before his appointment, only George Washington had held this rank. To this point, Lincoln had made many mistakes with his generals, but on March 1, 1864, to use a mixed metaphor, he hit a home run!

3-7-1942

First group of Tuskegee Airman graduate

Just off I-85, the Town of Tuskegee, Alabama, hosts The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. Be sure to visit historic Tuskegee Institute, too, where Dr. George Washington Carver taught and did his famous research into peanuts.

3-8-1944

USAAF heavy bombers raid Berlin for a second

time.About 10 percent of the 580 bombers were lost despite the escort of 800 fighters. So likely was the loss of bombers over Germany that crews were rotated out after ten missions. A good movie depicting the bravery of these crews is “Twelve O’Clock High” with Gregory Peck.

3-15-1781

In the Battle of Guildford

Courthouse, North Carolina, British General Cornwallis achieves a Pyrrhic victory over the American forces. Interestingly, a Pyrrhic victory is so costly to the victors that it is tantamount to a defeat. After Guilford Courthouse, Cornwallis abandoned his campaign to control the Carolinas.

3-18-1970

The U.S. postal strike of

1970 begins. It lasted for two weeks. Army and National Guard called out to stop it. Does cause one to wonder how the average citizen could tell they were on strike?!

3-22-1967

1st Sgt. David McNerney’s actions on his day earned him the Congressional

President Lincoln nominated Ulysses S. Grant to the rank of lieutenant general in March 1864.

Medal of Honor.

When his unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion near Polei Doc, he ran through the hail of enemy fire to encounter several enemy at close range. He killed the enemy but was severely injured when blown from his feet by a grenade. Despite his injury, he went on to destroy an enemy machinegun position. Upon learning his commander and artillery forward observer had been killed, he assumed command of the company. Ignoring his injury and refusing medical evacuation, McNerney stayed with his unit until the next day when the new commander arrived.

3-29-1971

Army Lt. William L.

Calley Jr.was convicted of murdering at least 22 Vietnamese civilians in the 1968 My Lai massacre. “Word of Honor” by Nelson DeMille is an excellent novel that uses the uncovering of a situation similar to My Lai years after the event as the plot of this intriguing story. ---------------------------------

O war, thou son of hell, Whom angry heavens do make their minister.

Henry IV, pt. 2, 5.2 --------------------------------This quote is the epigram from my novel of the Civil War, Angry Heavens: Struggles of a Confederate Surgeon. With a new administration in Washington, all citizens must find ways of support so that we never become Ministers of Angry Heavens. Let us individually show other individuals by word and deed that we have affirmatively have the respect for the role that government must play in a civilized society.

A Family Business That’s More than Flowers Albertine Florals Wine & Gifts

When Pam Hess, owner of Albertine Florals Wine & Gifts in Denver, made the decision to purchase the store from the previous owner two years ago, she and her family did so with thoughtful consideration. They wanted it to be much more than just a flower and gift shop, and their mission statement highlights that intent:

Our primary goal is to honor creative expression. We will continue to help customers express their emotional sentiments through thoughtful floral arrangements and unique gifts; we will continue to support local artists by selling and promoting their artwork; and we will continue to foster a sense of creative expression in the community through lively gatherings and instructional classes.

Pam’s daughter, Kate, worked at the shop as a designer for over a year before the owner decided to sell and retire, and she approached her mom with the idea to buy Albertine’s. An artist in her own right, Kate manages the shop, and continues to create wedding and event arrangements and installation art. There are also 13 employees (many of them from the original store, including two floral designers with more than 30 years’ experience). Half of the store’s blueprint is reserved for work space and the other space showcases an impressive and unique array of gifts, wine and work from 17 local artists and artisans.

“We work really hard at finding things no one on this side of the lake has,” says Pam. “I do my search for vendors starting in North Carolina. We are excited to share all the talent in Denver.”

The store also hosts wine tastings twice a month, along with popup “sip and shops,” where local vendors can come in and set up tables to sell and demonstrate their products such as fine jewelry, homemade candles and hot cocoa bombs. The space can also host special events such as book signings, painting and calligraphy classes and meetings for various groups.

Albertine Florals Wine & Gifts truly is a family business. Along with Pam and Kate Hess, Pam’s husband, brother-inlaw, sister-in-law and her other children all help out in some form or fashion, whether it be repairs necessary to the space, technology, bookkeeping or taking orders and assisting customers.

The store offers floral arrangements and delivery within a 17-mile radius, and they also keep busy with weddings, funerals and other special events. Customers can expect friendly and attentive service, and if they need help selecting the perfect gift, well, look no further than the carefully curated selection found right in the store.

ALBERTINE FLORALS WINE & GIFTS 751 North Carolina 16 Ste. J, Denver 704.489.6202 | www.albertineflorals.com