AMERICANPATRIOT

THANKSGIVINGMYTHS

REMEMBERTHE ALAMO

TIPS ONCOLLECTINGAMERICANA

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NOVEMBER 26, 2009

AMERICANPATRIOT

TIPS ONCOLLECTINGAMERICANA

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4REMEMBERTHE ALAMO

THANKSGIVINGMYTHS

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Contents

COMMUNITYBUILDING

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12GEORGEROGERSCLARK

QUOTE OFTHE WEEK

PURPLEHEART COMES65 YEARS LATE15

In recent years, objects and art related to our nation’s history have become highlysought after by people trying to capture a piece of their heritage. As with any collectible,some examples are viewed as more desirable than others and consequently garnera higher price tag. But if you know what to look for “telling the treasures from the trash”will become a very simple process.

TIPS ONCOLLECTING AMERICANA

BELOW ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST AMERICAN COLLECTIBLES:

4 AMERICAN PATRIOT

QuiltsHISTORYQuilts were more than just utilitarianobjects used for warmth. Throughout the18th and 19th century women createdthem to mark special events in the livesof families such as weddings and births.

WHAT TO LOOK FORCondition, size, quality of stitching, andpattern all effect the value of a quilt withpictorial quilts featuring vignettes of familylife or patriotic acts at the top of everycollector’s list. The most valuable quiltsare Baltimore Album quilts but good luckfinding one. Only 300 of these quilts, withintricately embroidered blocks displayingscenes of early American life, were created.Crazy quilts are also sought after by collec-tors. These are constructed of irregularlyshaped fabrics and were very popular inthe mid-1800’s.

VALUEAnywhere from $400 for a fine exampleof a crazy quilt to $2,000 for a pictoralquilt. At the high end, Baltimore Albumquilts are worth $20,000-$100,000.

AMERICAN PATRIOT 5

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON POLITICALBUTTONS + MEMORABILIA IN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS

HISTORY: America invented the campaign button. It’s roots canbe traced all the way to medals handed out during Andrew Jackson’scampaign in 1824.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Popularity does not equal value when it comesto campaign pins. Scarcity is key. The number of pins that were createdand held onto directly effects the pricing. Often it is the losing candidateswhose buttons see the greatest increase in value. So it’s a good rule ofthumb that if you never heard of him it’s probably worth something.Another indicator of value is the quality of the button, pins made out ofbronze and silk bring are obviously more rare than plastic and metal.

VALUE: Prices are all over the map and there is constant fluctuation.For instance, Joe Biden’s buttons from his first political campaign arenow selling for $50 when they were only selling for $2 before hiselection to the Vice Presidency.

HISTORY: The first attempts at branding in America, trade signs hungoutside stores and restaurants to add a special personality to the estab-lishment and separate them from the competition. The signs first gainedpopularity in the 18th century and obviously never went out of style.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: The older the sign the higher the value is arule when it comes trade signs value. The oldest signs are made out ofwood, double sided, and are not graphically complex. Often thesesigns will simply display the name of the establishment and a date.Of special interest are signs for shops that have become outmodedsuch as taverns, blacksmiths, tinsmiths and cobblers. But don’t dis-count later examples. While not worth as much, mid-19th centurysigns with bold graphics can fetch a pretty penny too.

VALUE: Anywhere from $300 for a cheeky 1950’s sign to $200,000for a very early tavern signage.

Trade Signs

StonewareCrocks

HISTORY: From Colonial times to the mid-1900’s stoneware crockswere used by farmers to transport their fresh crops to the marketplace.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Maker’s marks usually add the most value toa collectible. In this case, Red Wing is the top of the line. These crockscan easily be differentiated from the rest by a red wing marking onthe vessel. Norton and John Bell are also popular names in crocks. Ifa crock does not have a maker’s mark, the next best thing is a vibrantcolor or pattern. Cobalt blue designs fetch the highest price in thiscategory. This is not to say that plain brown or beige crocks withoutmarkings are worthless, just that the value is greatly decreased.

VALUE: Anywhere form $10 for a plain unmarked crock to $750 fora finely decorated Red Wing.

PoliticalCampaignButtons

Thought you knew all about Thanksgiving?It is one of the most beloved of American holidays, builton a spirit of gratitude, generosity and a celebration of ourluck and abundance. Not to mention lots of turkey andfootball. All true and all deeply important. It turns out,though, that there are some beliefs about Thanksgivingthat need some correction. Read on, and we hope thisdoesn’t cause you any indigestion.

6 AMERICAN PATRIOT

Pictured Above:THE FIRST THANKSGIVING AT PLYMOUTH (1914),

By Jennie A. Brownscombe

SITTING DOWN TO THANKSGIVING . . . BEAR?MYTH 1Plymouth Colony Was The Site of The First Thanksgiving

Whether this Thanksgiving myth is true depends what you consider a Thanksgiving. Thefirst celebration in what would become the U.S. took place in southern Texas in 1598,when conquistador Juan De Onate arrived at the Rio Grande after a perilous journey. Onthe Atlantic coast, Berkeley Plantation on the James River claimed a Thanksgiving Dayin 1619, two years before the Pilgrims and first Thanksgiving in 1621. So, the Pilgrim’sPlymouth Colony event was likely the third Thanksgiving.

MYTH 2Thanksgiving Originated as a Religious Holiday

Not really. Most countries have a religious basis for the national day of thanks, but notthe American version. Its origin and tradition is as a fall harvest festival. Think about it: thePilgrims would never have invited the Native Americans (who they considered heathens)to a religious observance.

MYTH 3The Turkey-and-Cranberry Sauce Tradition Started with the Pilgrims

Not likely. While the early English settlers were familiar with turkey, they hadn't beenexposed to cranberries by that point. In addition, they had no corn, potatoes, yams, ormost other foods we associate with Thanksgiving. What they did have was deer, and weknow they ate that. Very possibly bear, as well. Our traditional meal of turkey and dressingwith cranberry sauce is not representative of the settlers’ Thanksgiving feast. In fact, itis traditional because it's what the Victorians in England enjoyed on their holiday.

MYTH 4We've Celebrated Thanksgiving Every Year Since the First OneWrong, again. Once again, you have to decide which one was first one and, in any case,not every year has seen a Thanksgiving as such. Even if you accept the official date asthe 1621 Pilgrim feast, the Pilgrims didn't have another Thanksgiving until 1623, whenthey celebrated the end of a drought. Thanksgiving wasn't even a widespread Americanholiday outside of New England until President Lincoln proclaimed it such in 1863.Congress didn’t even make it official until 1939.

AMERICAN PATRIOT 7

WATCH A HISTORY CHANNEL VIDEO ON THE ORIGINS OF THANKSGIVING

PLANNING A TRIP?REMEMBER THE ALAMO

8 AMERICAN PATRIOT

PICTURED ABOVE: The Fall of the Alamo (1903) by RobertJenkins Onderdonk, depicts Davy Crockett wielding his rifle as a clubagainst Mexican troops who have breached the walls of the mission.

The Alamo became well-known during the

Texas Revolution and dates back to 1718

when it was first built as a mission. The

Battle of Alamo in 1836 made it forever

famous, even though the fight itself lasted

only 13 days. Under attack from an over-

whelming Mexican force of 4,000 led by

their President Santa Anna, a small group of

182 Texans — which included such iconic

names as Davy Crockett, James Bowie and

William Travis — chose to fight to the

death for the cause of liberty rather than

surrender. Death eventually came, but the

legendary battle cry of “Remember the

Alamo” still inspires free people everywhere

and the Alamo is seen as the place where

Texas independence was born.

While the Alamo is the focus of a visit to

the city, other appealing and historic sites

to see in San Antonio include The River-

walk, three miles of paths built from stone

lining the Rio Grande and filled with

attractions, dining and nightlife; La Villita,

which offers authentic arts and crafts in

the historic downtown area; the King

William Historic District, a 25-block

radius that opens the doors to the city’s

past with an architectural tour of that

is on the National Register of Historic

Places; and Missions National Historic

Park, with five historic missions at the

historic park dating back to the early

18th century along a 12-mile mission

trail. (And for the kids, don’t forget San

Antonio Sea World, the San Antonio Zoo

and the local Six Flags!)

AMERICAN PATRIOT 9

CLICK HERE TOEXPLORE THE ALAMO

A big city with a small town feel, San Antonio enjoys a friendly reputation and

year-round sunny weather. For American Patriot readers, the main attraction of this

Texas city is the Alamo. With more than 2.5 million visitors annually, this is the

most important historical site in the city, arguably in all of the Lone Star State.

This plan of the Alamo was created by José JuanSánchez-Navarro in 1836. Places marked R and V de-note Mexican cannon; position S indicates Cos's forces.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

10 AMERICAN PATRIOT

From the mountains of New Hampshire to the California coast, parents areswinging hammers and digging postholes to build better places for their

children to play. Community-built playground projects, where volunteers in-stead of professionals install playground equipment, have grown in popularityas schools find they can complete playgrounds for one-half to one-third thecost of having equipment professionally installed. More important, parentgroups find that by doing the work themselves they are not just building a

playground but building community.

In Defiance, Ohio, it took 40 volunteers

just one day last summer to construct

the $30,000 playground at a new

elementary school. The project provided

families at the new school, which drew

students from three different elemen-

taries, the chance to form relationships

and build school spirit. It was the third

playground build Principal Eric Spiller

had worked on. Chris Meyer, president

of Meyer Design, which led the project,

compares the community-built play-

ground process to a modern-day barn

raising , equal parts work and social

event. “There are few opportunities

available in our culture to work together

in a large group with a common purpose,”

Meyer says. “It’s a way to get to know

your neighbors.”

CHECKLISTWe've put together a checklist to help

you plan your play structure or play-

ground project. In eight steps, you'll

create an inviting place for the for the

children in your community.

� 1. Define your objectives

� 2. Assess your needs

� 3. Analyze your site

� 4. Select your equipment

� 5. Choose your surface

� 6. Prepare your plan

� 7. Install your playground

� 8. Maintain your playground

AMERICAN PATRIOT 11

Community-built playgroundstake time and effort, but withhelp you can do the constructionyourself and save a lot of money.

America stands today on the shouldersof giants, but all-too-often genuineAmerican heroes are forgotten. Nothere at American Patriot. This week webring back to life, figuratively anyway,

George Rogers Clark,a celebrated and controversial hero ofthe American Revolution.

12 AMERICAN PATRIOT

FORGOTTENHERO

Clark, who was born in 1752 in Virginia,rose to become the highest rankingAmerican military official on the North-west front during the Revolutionary War.Serving as leader of the Kentucky militia,Clark fought throughout Ohio, Illinois andIndiana, he spearheaded the bold capturesof Kaskaskia in 1778 and Vincennes in1779. Vincennes was especially rivetingas it resulted from a surprise winter marchand the capture of the British LieutenantGovernor. These defeats served to weakenBritish influence in the region throughoutthe war. Since these victories came de-spite little support from the regular armyin men and funds, they became a sourceof Clark’s reputation as a warrior, and whennews of the triumphs reached GeorgeWashington, he used them to build moraleand to promote the ultimately successfulalliance with France. Once the RevolutionaryWar was won, the British ceded the entireNorthwest Territory to the new UnitedStates in the 1783 Treaty of Paris. Thisled Clark to be hailed as “Conquerorof the Old Northwest.” Many historiansconsider his actions to have been crucialin winning the war and shaping thegeography of the new nation.

Remarkably, all these victories wereachieved before Clark’s 30th birthday. Itwould be nice to say that the rest of his

life was also triumphant, but that was nottrue. Late in the war, he failed in an attemptto take Detroit and several other expedi-tions ended badly. After the war, he led thefight against Native Americans on thefrontier, with mixed success and rumors ofdrunkenness. The remainder of his lifewas plagued by financial difficulties — inpart because the U.S. Congress and Virginiadid not recompense him for debts he ranup financing the early military campaigns.Clark did receive a land grant in what isnow present day Indiana. Years after hisdeath in 1818, Virginia partially repaidhis estate. In 1932, President CalvinCoolidge commissioned a memorial to Clarkin Vincennes, Indiana, which includes astatue at the George Rogers Clark NationalHistorical Park. Other memorials now helpkeep the memory of Clark’s contributionsalive in Virginia, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana.

AMERICAN PATRIOT 13

GEORGE ROGERS CLARKConqueror of the Old Northwest

Clark's march to Vincennes—the most celebrated eventof his career—has been depicted in many paintings,such as this illustration by F. C. Yohn.

Here's the story in a nutshell: It was1945 when Sergeant Vern Arendt wasin the Philippines, fighting in one ofthe most intense and violent battlesin World War II, the Battle of Zig ZagPass. “Zig Zag Pass was bloody, bloody.The gun smoke was heavy fog,” saysArendt. A flame thrower operator,Arendt came face to face with aJapanese soldier who threw a grenadeat him. It blew up near his hip andnow shrapnel still remains in his body,so much so he sets off metal detectors.

Arendt, who came home to Wisconsinto become a successful photojournalist,had great difficulty proving he wasinjured because his military recordswere lost in battle and the remaindersburned in a fire at the NationalPersonnel Records Center in 1973.His advocates at the Ozaukee CountyVeteran's Office tried for nearly twodecades to get him recognition, butwithout proof, they had begun to give

up hope. Instead, Ken Brown of theVeteran’s Office turned to SenatorHerb Kohl of Wisconsin about a yearago. And the rest, as they say, ishistory, as the Senator was able toconvince the Army Board for Correctionof Military Records to act.

"It turns out he had great difficultygetting the medals that he earned.And we were more than happy to goto work and get it for him,” explainsKohl. "Vern Arendt is indeed anAmerican hero.” Arendt has nowreceived the Purple Heart, the BronzeStar, and nine other medals recognizinghis heroic efforts, albeit six decadesafter he performed them. He says, inthe modesty that marks the GreatestGeneration: “I didn’t do it for themedals. All I wanted to do is get thewar over and get back home.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THEFULL STORY ABOUT THISAMERICAN HERO

14 AMERICAN PATRIOT

PURPLE HEART COMES 65 YEARS LATEIt was about 65 years ago when Vern Arendt fought bravely and was

serious injured in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.

NOW HE IS FINALLY GETTING RECOGNIZED FOR IT.

AMERICAN PATRIOT 15

QUOTE OFTHE WEEK

“It is not my intention to do away withgovernment. It is rather to make it work —work with us, not over us; stand by our side,not ride on our back. Government can andmust provide opportunity, not smother it;

foster productivity, not stifle it.”

— RONALD REAGANFIRST INAUGURAL SPEECH, JANUARY 1981

WWAATTCCHH TTHHEE IINNAAUUGGUURRAALL SSPPEEEECCHH

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