Facts About the United States Dollar Bill...
by MARVIN L. CRUMRINE -- Take out a one dollar
bill, and look at it. The one dollar bill you're looking at first came
off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This so-called paper money
is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers
running through it. It is actually material.
We've all washed it without it falling apart.
A special blend of ink is used, the contents we will never know. It is
overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant
and pressed to give it that nice crisp look.
If you look on the front of the bill, you will
see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales
for a balanced budget. In the center you have a carpenter's square, a
tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States
Treasury.
That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what
is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know. If
you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together,
comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress
requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal.
It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years
to get it approved.
If you look at the left-hand circle, you will
see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark.
This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West
or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped,
again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside
the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity.
It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group
of men, with the help of God, could do anything. "IN GOD WE TRUST"
is on this currency.
The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS,
means, "God has favored our undertaking."
The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM,
means, "a new order has begun."
At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral
for 1776.
If you look at the right-hand circle, and check
it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in
the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell,
Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments.
Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States,
and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know
what the symbols mean.
The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory
for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and
he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown.
We had just broken from the King of England.
Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This
country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a
white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together
as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM",
meaning, "one nation from many people".
Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing
the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling
away. Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds
in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants
peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle
always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns
toward the arrows.
I always ask people, "Why don't you know
this?" Your children don't know this, and their history teachers
don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let
the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that
didn't care. Too many veterans never came
home at all. Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is
on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for...
Otherwise, they will probably never know.
Oakie's NW Corner...
I am running late this week... I've been kept busy getting to finally
ride my horse (Moon, aka Blackie). In memory, honor of All Veterans I've
taken a few snap shots of the Veterans Memorial located at the Jct. of
hwy. 45 & 58, South of Helena, Oklahoma. And I hope there is something
for everyone in this week's newsletter. If something sparks your memory
cells, please jot it down and Email
Oakie. I love hearing from you and appreciate all those who have forwarded
"The Okie Legacy" to their friends.
 Speaking
of Veteran Memorials... On one of my drives this week from Alva to
Enid, hwy 45, you come to the Jct. where you turn North onto hwy 58, just
South of Helena, Oklahoma, in Alfalfa County, in Northwest Oklahoma. At
that Jct. sets a Veterans Memorial guarded by tanks, howitzers, etc...
and set in a path of Old Ada bricks manufactured in Ada, Oklahoma. This
is in memory, honor and appreciation of those names we honor for their
sacrifices in wars of our Independence, Liberty and Freedom in the USA.
 On
the Dedication marker reads as follows... "This memorial honors
3,402 special heroes who were recipients of the 3,421 medals of honor.
The highest military award for bravery or self-sacrifice that can be given
to any individual in the USA.. It is only bestowed on those who have performed
an act of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in an action at the risk
of life above and beyond the call of duty. There were those who sacrificed
their bodies to smother a hand grenade with complete disregard for their
own lives. Some were severely wounded yet moved forward cool and indomitable
into direct enemy fire. Some dauntlessly and agressively fixed bayonets
for mortal hand to hand combat with the enemy. When the order was given
to abandoned ship, one remained in a gun turret holding a flashlight.
Sacrificing his life so the remainder of the crew could see to escape.
There were pilots who agressively continued to press the attack until
their aircrafts were hit. Then elected to sacrifice their lives by diving
into the midst of the enemy gun emplacements for these 3,402 August heroes.
The Tanks, Mortars and Howitzers shall be their fire power and the seven
granite stones will be their impenetrable bunker to protect and hold their
names on this gentle, rolling prairie countryside with the dignity and
esteem they justly deserve for time eternal."
 The
Declaration which reads... "This memorial honors those men and
women who served our country in time of war, in time of conflict or peace,
and especially those who lost their lives, who were wounded or maimed,
and who were held as prisoners of war. These stones shall serve as sentries
to protect and hold their names with the dignity and esteem they justly
deserve for time immortal. Gano Post No. 28 - number serving WWII from
December, 1941 through August, 1945: Army - 10,420,000; Navy - 3, 882,520;
Marines - 590,639."
  The
Independence Wars... Revolutionary War (1775-1783) -- War of 1812
(1812-1815) -- Mexican War (1846-1848) -- Civil War (1861-1865) -- Spanish
American War (1898-1899). The Liberty Wars... WWI (1917-1918) --
WWII (1941-1945) -- Korean War (1950-1953) -- Vietnam War (1965-1973)
-- Granada (1983) -- Panama (1990) -- Desert Storm (1990-1991).
The Annotation reads as follows...
"The medal of honor is presented to recipents by an official in the
name of the Congress of the United States of America for this reason.
It is sometimes called the Congressional Medal of Honor.
President Abraham Lincoln signed a Bill on December
12, 1861 creating the Medal of Honor for the Navy & Marines. The Army
Bill was signed on July 12, 1862. The first medals were awarded in 1863
to enlisted men only. Army officers became eligible for the medal of honor
in 1863. Naval officers did not become eligible until 1915. From 1907
to September 18, 1947, the Air Force was a part of the army.
Between October 16, 1916 and January 17, 1917,
all of the 2,625 medals of honor which had been awarded up to that time
were considered by the board of medal awards, and on February 15, 1917,
911 names were stricken fromt he list.
American Armed Forces personnel which served
from the Civil War through Somalia total approximately 43,000,000 and
only 3,421 medals of honor have been awarded during this period. Including
the 19 medals to recipients who have won the mdeal twice.
Dr. Mary E. Walker was the only woman to receive
the medal. Her award for meritorious services was given her by President
Andrew Johnson.
The only father and son to win the medal of honor
were General Douglas MacArthur and his father, First Lieutenant Arthur
MacArthur, Jr., 79 years apart.
Willie Johnston, a drummer boy, was the youngest
person to be awarded the medal of honor. He was 12 years old
First Lieutenant Edward V. Rickenbacker, with
100 missions and 26 kills, became the first Army Air Corp. Ace to receive
the medal of honor.
President Harry S. Truman, a veteran himself,
once told some medal recipients from WWII that he would rather have the
medal of honor than be president.
General George S. Patton, as he placed the medal
around the recipients neck, was to have said, "I would give my immortal
soul for that medal.
Researched by (Ken Allen Hungerford) Hungerford
from material provided by the Enid public and the Congressional Medal
of Honor Society."
The Veterans Listed... The other stone markers lists the veterans
by name. I have a few of those names for viewing on Oakie's
Webshots under Veterans Memorial. I also have a video tape
I took with my camcorder that will be placed on a CD at sometime in the
near future. Too many things to do and not enough time to do it all....
:-) I have started a Veterans
of Foreign Wars page in honor of those who trained, served and fought
for our USA Freedoms. IF you have a veteran to add to the page, please
send me a photo, info concerning your veterans. Thanks!
Have a Great Weekend and think about all the things we all can be Thankful
for this coming Thanksgiving -- less than two weeks away. What are you
thankful for?
If you can't find something to laugh, smile about it,
then you need a hug from this NW Okie!
-- Linda - "Oakie"
Mailbag & Links....
The Cave-in Story... "Here
is the
story on the dugout cave-in (Cooprider Cemetery) if you are interested
in posting it." -- Steve - MaGee
Homepage
A Thank-You... "Thanks for the vital history
of C.H.Baker! I attended to some of the animal problems on the T-Bone
Ranch during my years of Veterinary practice. Mr Baker also owned
a quarter of land 2-miles E., & 1/2-N. of Cherokee. It joined
my grandfather's place. Gorden McDowell, McDowell Electric, who is
helping to do historical research on Cherokee and surrounding area.
He also is quite involved in the 'rose-shaped' minerals found on the
Salt Plains. Thanks also for all the verses of 'America!' I think
I could come close to the first 2-- but, thats all!"
Godmother or Witch... "Linda, I really enjoy
your endeavors! But, I think you were more of the 'Fairy Godmother'
type -- than a Witch! If I can get my scanner back on line-- I will
send you my U.S.Navy photo of 1943!"
Little Old Cowboy Mystery of NW Oklahoma...
"A little old cowboy, lived a the edge of the Salt Plains.
He spent most of his time digging for gold! I don't remember his name
but, remember visiting his 'shack' -- and him riding his horse into
Cherokee, on Saturday nights!"
Battery B, 45th Division... "I couldn't help
but think of the mobilization of the Battery B, 45th Division, from
Cherokee, in Sept., 1940. Many of those National Guardsmen were not
even 16-years old! They lied about their age to get the $1.00 per
month! Some were gotten out by parents -- others decided to go to
Texas & Louisiana. Anyway, there was a big parade, down Main street,
pictures were taken. (Wish I had one). Both of my brothers were in
that Battery. I remember that I was 15 years old. We became about
the oldest guys in High School! Many served until the Victory was
won -- several did not return. Col. Tom Lewis, was the Commander,
but several officers under him became either of the same rank -- or
higher!"
Okie Subscriber... "Having been born and
raised in NW Oklahoma I would be delighted if you would add my name
to your list of subscribers."
Sunsets & Strange Stories...
"Dear Editor in Chief, I live in Ingersoll where I delight in
Oklahoma sunsets and strange but true stories. Thanks for your lesson
in history."
Oakie's
Messageboard - Stop by! Tell US what is on your
mind! Have an Inquiry?... Need to Speak Your Mind & Thoughts?
Tell US about it! Share an Okie Legacy with US! See You There!
You Can View Webshots -- At Oakie's
Webshots. Just Click On the particular Photo Album
you would like to view. NEW Album -- "Veterans Memorials"
- While you are checking out Oakie's Webshots... stop by and sign
my Webshot Guestbook. |
Armistice Day in USA...
11 November 1918 -- "The Allied powers signed a cease-fire
agreement with Germany at Rethondes, France on November 11, 1918,
bringing World War I to a close. Between the wars, November 11 was
commemorated as Armistice Day in the United States, Great Britain,
and France. After World War II, the holiday was recognized as a day
of tribute to Veterans of both world wars. Beginning in 1954, the
United States designated November 11 as Veterans Day to honor veterans
of all U.S. wars."
First
WorldWar.org... An online history of the great war. "On
This Day: 11 November 1917 - Theatre definitions: Western Front; Eastern
Front; Southern Front..."
11 Nov ember 1889... "On
November 11, 1889, President Benjamin Harrison declared Washington
the forty-second state in the Union. Less than fifty years after pioneers
began entering the Pacific Northwest via the Oregon Trail, the United
States met expectations its borders would extend across the continent."
-- Washington,
The Evergreen State
AmeriCorps.org...
Your World! Your Chance to Make It Better! Find out how! Become a
AmeriCorps*VISTA
Member or Sponsor!
AmeriCorps*VISTA
Alumni
AmeriCorps*VISTA Alumni Associate
Byron (OK), etc... "I am from Byron, OK
(not on all maps) as it is a ghost town with one quick stop on the
corner! We live about 4-5 miles from the KS border in Alfalfa Co.,
Oklahoma. I grew up in Grant Co. where my grandfather made the run
and settled near Gibbon. He traded that land for some near Sand
Creek. I have a picture of him when he proved his claim in Enid,
OK about where the old Sears store was, I am told. There was a tent
in the background with men in line. If I can locate that picture,
I will scan and e-mail it to you. My grandfather was born in KY
and migrated to KS where he grew to manhood, made the run into OK
and
lived there the rest of his 91 years. I just ambled onto your site
by typing Guffy into a site. It brought up a story
about a cousin (Lester Guffy) who painted a statue green at the
Alva College..." --Byron OK... a true Okie
!
Cemetery on Wares Ranch... "Have you visited
the cemetery on the Wares Ranch north of Freedom. It is very unique.
Mrs Harley Wares 'Iona' used to take care of it. I think Wayne and
his wife takes care of it now." |
Linda K McGill Wagner
c/o WWW Publishing Co
Thanks! You can also view The OkieLegacy online.
Copyrighted © 2008 by WWWPubCo & OkieLegacy. All Rights Reserved. |
