Patriot’s Day

Concord Hymn
by Ralph Waldo Emerson

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set today a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.

Patriots’ Day is a state holiday in Massachusetts and Maine, where state, county, and municipal offices are closed. This day commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord, which were fought near Boston in 1775 on the 19th of April. Patriot’s Day is annually held on the third Monday of April.

US Navy Jeep has a nice article here concerning this very New England holiday. In that article the author, Bob Reed, poses the following:

The Declaration of Independence would not be written for more than a year, but the mistreatment of the colonists by the British crown had led them to desperation. Actions like this embody the patriotism and resolve of our early forebears. And they lead one to wonder how Americans of today would react to conditions similar to those of the colonists.

The British Army is not marching on Concord to seize our powder and shot. It is not the British Crown demanding that we pay ever increasing taxes on everything. It is not the British Parliament proposing new laws and restrictions on our freedoms. No, it is Progressive Elements within our own state legislatures and the Federal Government doing these things. And we put them there!

What do we do now America?

Pritzker Military Library American Icons Of The Great War

As some of you may or may not know I’m a member of the Pritzker Military Library and the Membership Director for the Library’s Young Professional Association.

On Thursday, April 18th we will be hosting an exhibit opening called “American Icons of the Great War.”

American Icons of the Great War includes some of the United States’ most iconic images that emerged from the propaganda posters created during World War I (1914-1918). Using original posters from the era, the exhibit shows how these artists utilized well known symbols to rally the United States behind the war effort.

The link for the event is here.

 

I’m one of the few Lexicans that lives in Chicago but if you do, I’d be honored if you would attend. If you don’t and know someone that lives in the area please feel free to pass the word along. We also accept donations and those proceeds will to go programs to assist us in veteran outreach.

Thank you.

The Daily Lex – Veteran’s Day

Veteran’s Day 2011

Originally posted on November 11, 2011.  Have confirmed that all embedded links still work.

I Have Not Yet Begun to Fight!

John Paul Jones
United States Navy

Okay. The election is over. Some of us feel like we lost. And we did. We feel it in our heart of hearts. But to quote Sir Winston Churchill:

Now, this is not the end. It is not even the beginning to the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

Or as Rumbear put it:

Mount Up……
The battle for liberty begins anew this morning.

Let’s do this people! This is no time to be quitting and yielding the field to those who would tear America down. Remember:

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

FIGHT’S ON!

Salem, IL Leckrone Airport (KSLO)

I grew up in a small town about 4 hours south of Chicago and 1 hour east of St Louis, MO in a town called Salem, IL.

My first flight was  from the local airport KSLO, known as Leckrone Airport.

Leckrone Airport is named for Philip Leckrone who fought in the Royal Air Force Eagle Squadrons during World War2.

Philip was born 1912 and raised in Salem to William and Lottie Leckrone. Phil also owned his own airplane in town.

He traveled to Britian in 1940 and enlisted in the Royal Air Force and learned to fly the Spitfire. While serving No.71 Squadron he was killed during formation training with another 71 Squadron aircraft. Phil died at the age of 28 and is buried in Kirton in Lindsey Burial Ground, Lincolnshire.

I’ve been doing a little reasearch online and have found some interesting pictures of him:

Phil Leckrone from his Spitfire

Phil Leckrone is pictured on the right side with some other members of 71 Squadron.

There are still members of the Leckrone family in Salem and if you ever visit the airport, there’s a tribute to him in the passenger terminal.

Every small town in this great nation holds some interesting history and this was the history in mine.

The Daily Lex – September 12th

It’s Been A Long Time

Originally published on September 12th, 2010

Happy Birthday America!

Now I am more of a traditionalist about our National Anthem, but this version is IMO the very best of what can be different about it.

236 years ago a bunch of men got together and agreed to commit treason.  Their punishment if their grand experiment had failed would have been to be tarred & feathered, drawn & quartered – then hung.

For their courage and unwavering dedication to an ideal of freedom that the world had never known before, we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

But, Seriously

Originally published on July 4th, 2010.

 

On this day in 1974, for those who keep track of such things…

…this humble scribe was introduced into the manliest of manly institutions for the purpose of becoming a mean, green, fighting machine. Be durned if’n the time don’t fly. 38 years gone by, and a world of experience to show for it. Remembering a cute poster floating about Facebook the last couple of days:

“When I was a kid, I wanted to be older. This sh!t is not what I expected…”

Can’t say I disagree.

From the Halls of Montezuma,

To the shores of Tripoli;

We fight our country’s battles

In the air, on land, and sea;

First to fight for right and freedom

And to keep our honor clean:

We are proud to claim the title

Of United States Marine.

Our flag’s unfurled to every breeze

From dawn to setting sun;

We have fought in every clime and place

Where we could take a gun;

In the snow of far-off Northern lands

And in sunny tropic scenes;

You will find us always on the job

The United States Marines.

Here’s health to you and to our Corps

Which we are proud to serve;

In many a strife we’ve fought for life

And never lost our nerve;

If the Army and the Navy

Ever look on Heaven’s scenes;

They will find the streets are guarded

By United States Marines.

There’s a fourth verse, unofficial of course, but it deserves mentioning. We’re all friends here. Right?

Again in 1941, we sailed a north’ard course

and found beneath the midnight sun, the Viking and the Norse.

The Iceland girls were slim and fair, and fair the Iceland scenes,

and the Army found in landing there, the United States Marines.

Semper Fi!

On patriotism

Originally published June 19, 2006.