“A date which will live in infamy”. On this day December 7, 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave this famous speech that put the United States in yet another World War. This speech is what would launch the most powerful nation in the world into war against Japan, and later Germany and Italy. It is on this day that the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The base was attacked by 353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four being sunk. All but two of the eight were raised, repaired and returned to service later in the war. It is events like these that not only shape who we are as a country, but also who we are as a people. To be able to take a shot in the chin and not fall, but unite and stand as one against a great enemy and come out victorious. America is and will always be the greatest country in the world!
Fireman Ed
First off I am in no way a Jets fan, but this guy needed to be talked about. Fireman Ed or Edwin M. Anzalone is probably one of the most recognized football fans in the NFL today. An actual New York City firefighter, Ed has been cheering for the New York Jets since 1986 and was the originator of the famous chant, “J-E-T-S, Jets!, Jets!, Jets!” In 1999, Fireman Ed was included in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Hall of Fans.Next time you are at Meadowlands stadium or watching the Jets on television, be sure to look for a man sitting in section 134 wearing a number 42 jersey and a firefighters hat. “J-E-T-S, Jets!, Jets!, Jets!”
Switching things up…
Over the last couple of months I have come to a fork in the road on the direction that I want to take this project. I have been reading, traveling, and taking in all of the sites that I can, but I still am having difficulties deciding what truly is American. Then it hit me, it is all American! So with that, I am going to switch up things a little bit. Instead of taking a group of topics and only talking about the best, I am going to talk about it all. Magazines articles, news reels, books, and of course trips and everything I see along the way. With that in mind, the blog on the web site is going to be for the things that I truly think that are American and that I want to take the time to present in a educational but yet fun point of view. The Facebook fan page however is going to be free reign. Everything that I see and read will be posted on there and of course we want to hear from you! So if you have not already joined the fan page, now is the time!!!
The Wall
One of the first stops along my trip to Washington D.C. was to see the Vietnam War Memorial. Located just northeast of the Lincoln Memorial, The Wall is a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and true patriotism of heroes of the U.S. Armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War. In 1982, the main part of the Memorial was completed and displays the names of 58,175 service members who died in service and for those service members who were unaccounted for (Missing In Action) during the War. During my visit to The Wall, I truly felt the meaning behind the memorial when four Vietnam vets were pointing and taking picture of their fallen comrade’s names. In order to truly appreciate our freedom, we must honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Nathan’s Hot Dog’s
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is an annual and iconic competitive eating competition held in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. The event is held on July 4 and is regarded as the world’s most famous hot dog eating contest and a colorful tradition of Independence Day in the United States. The winner is given possession of the coveted international yellow mustard belt. The age and value of the belt has been lost through the pages of history. The rules are simple in this courageous act of heroism: Eat as many delicious Nathan’s Hot Dogs and buns in ten minutes as possible. Drinks such as water or lemonade can also be used during the event. Tune in this Monday, July 4th and take part in this great American tradition.
Paradise Valley
Sold to the highest bidder! Last weekend I was the highest bidder in an oral auction for the Tour’s new upcoming trip. I will be staying in a cabin on the Yellowstone River. The cabins are located in the heart of Paradise Valley, Montana only 30 minutes from the north entrance to Yellowstone Park. Follow along on Facebook fan page for this trip and others.
Lewis and Clark trail
With traveling the Oregon Trail east and west numerous times, I thought it was time for a change. I soon realized that the Lewis and Clark trail covers the same ground, just a more northern route. Instead of traveling through states like Kansas, Nebraska, Utah, and Wyoming which follow the Oregon Trail, I chose to take the more northern route…The Lewis and Clark Trail. Although the trail starts in Washington D.C. and heads west, the path took me through North and South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. While driving through South Dakota be sure to count all of the billboards (101) leading up to the very American, Wall Drug. Stop in and have a free glass of ice water and see what the drugstore has to offer. From there it is only a little farther west to arrive at MT. Rushmore. Mt. Rushmore is a must stop for all to see while rekindling your American spirit. There is something about seeing four great presidents carved into the mountain side. I have been there numerous times in the summer, but never in the winter while covered in snow and it truly did take on a different appearance. There are several other stops along the way, but the other one that is unforgettable is The Battle for Little Big Horn. These somber hills, located in Montana is better known as Custer’s Last Stand. For pictures of this trip along with other information join the fan page on facebook.
The Oregon Trail
After some much needed down time to collect all of my information on the upcoming book, I finally got back on the road. Like many of American Pioneers hundreds of years ago, I decided to take the Oregon Trail. From the plain states through the mountains and in to the northwest, the Trail offers much more besides unbelievable scenery. Reenactments, actual wagon ruts, great saloons and restaurants, and of course amazing truck stops along the way makes this trip a must do. Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and of course Oregon are all the states that you will be heading through while hitting the road and seeing what rekindles the American spirit in you. For pictures of this trip as well as other information regarding trips and other things, join us and follow along by joining the fan page on facebook.
Get your name in the book!
Get your name in the book!!! Submit the sights, sounds, smells, ideas or tastes that rekindle the American spirit in you. Submit them on the website at www.1776tour.com or become a fan of the facebook page to reply on sll posts. Let’s see if we can get 100 ideas or more by April 1st.
Back on the road… again.
It’s been a while since my last post. It’s been crazy busy around here. It’s been hard work to convert all my lists and ideas written on scraps of paper into a working document. I eliminated duplicates and also researched many to check and see if they are authentic. My list is long but I still want more. With your help, I hope to finish the complete list by May 1st.
