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November 2001, Volume 4, Issue 7 From the President's Desk "On September 11, 2001 at 8:48 a.m. EDT…" is how one of the first chapters in the history books of the 21st century will begin. Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, read the end of the chapter because we are still living it. What will life in the United States be like at the end of the chapter? What will life be like globally? Are there connections to our past that can help us through this time? September 11 will be, for many, like November 22, 1963. As with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, we will remember where we were and how we heard about the events of the 11th. We remember the feelings of disbelief and sadness, the tears, the events - in black and white - unfolding before our eyes on television, and the replays. Time softens the raw, painful feelings. Never, since the bloodiest day at the Battle of Antietam when almost 4,000 were killed, have so many Americans been killed in one day on American soil. Not since the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 has any country or group attacked America within the United States Territories. September 11 was the first attack on the mainland of the United States since the War of 1812. How can one comprehend it? Eventually, we come out of shock and the reality does set in and with it, a reluctant acceptance. As in the past, we Americans then get on with the task at hand and do what needs to be done. The undaunted American spirit in each of us refuses to be squelched and, in fact, actually seems to be nurtured. During the War of 1812 and after the attack on Pearl Harbor, there was a ground swell of patriotism within the United States, as there is today. The citizens of the United States came to the aid of their country. After Pearl Harbor, young men and women enlisted in the armed forces, women and others too old for the military went to work in the factories to support the war effort, more than a billion million dollars of war bonds were purchased by citizens. Each individual can make a difference in his or her unique way that will help fight terrorism. In a letter that I wrote to family and friends four days after the tragedies, I said it can be as simple as continuing your daily schedule. One of the goals of the terrorists was to paralyze all Americans - to stop us from going about our daily routines and thereby destroying the American spirit, society (its freedoms and liberties), and economy. I choose to empower myself - not the terrorists! Each individual has that same choice. A high school friend and AAMI member, Rebecca Nisley Dangman, responded to my letter with this comment, "Every act of normalcy is an act of faith in the future and ultimate goodness in our universe." If you're planning a vacation, don’t cancel it. Visit Washington D.C. and New York City. Spend some money to boost the economy. Making a donation to one of the survivor funds helps alleviate some of the feelings of helplessness. Be conscious, even in our small communities, of what is going on about you; but don't become paranoid. If you're a WWII veteran, share your story with your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Help them to understand what courage and patriotism is. It will give them hope that good does prevail over evil and hate. An email friend of mine from Buenos Aires, Argentina made this statement two days after the eleventh, "I think that in a short future, our history will be before or after the 11 September." I still have an overwhelming feeling of sadness when I think about what American life was like before September 11 because on that day, we all lost a child-like innocence. Did we take it all for granted? I don't think so. My parents' WWII generation certainly remembers the war and the fears. My generation remembers the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the threat of inter-continental ballistic missiles, and the Viet Nam War. My children's generation fought in the Gulf War in 1991. Even though time softens the raw, painful feelings, we do not forget. By remembering and living our lives to the fullest each day, we honor all those who were killed. We do not and will not take our freedom for granted. What will life be like in the future? Time will pass and, eventually, life will be normal again - albeit a new normal and I hope a better normal. I don't know when it will return, but I believe we Americans will again live without fear. The effects of the terrorism on the eleventh reached far beyond the shores of the United States. Everyday people, like you and me, around the world felt the same terror, the same shock, and the same disgust. If it can happen in the United States, it can happen in their homeland. These feelings will not be forgotten and I believe this will be the catalyst that will unite many people around the world to fight terrorism. By God's grace, through this united effort, terrorism will eventually be destroyed; and in doing so, justice will be served. Today's last connection to the past is the fact that we will, like our ancestors, survive this adversity. Our spirit and resolve have already been strengthened. We will not give up our freedom, our liberties, and justice. Many unwanted and unsought red badges of courage have been earned throughout America's history. There are thousands of heroes' names that were never known to us and there are thousands of names that have been long forgotten. Five names from September 11, 2001 that I will never forget are Sandy Bradshaw, Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett, Jeremy Glick, and Todd Beamer. They are five of the known heroes on United Flight 93 from Newark to San Francisco that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Emerson wrote the following in his essay on heroism. "Self-trust is the essence of heroism. It is the state of the soul at war, and its ultimate objects are the last defiance of falsehood and wrong, and the power to bear all that can be inflicted by evil agents. It speaks the truth and it is just." Would that we all, when called by God, country, or fate, have the courage and conviction to stay true to our beliefs and character and answer, "Yes," when asked, "You ready? O.K. Let's roll." Hands-on Archaeology Classroom Doug Stine, president of the Cumberland Valley Archaeological Society Chapter 27 that has been digging at the museum, assisted by Al Bonnell and Pandy Yeakle, taught a "hands-on classroom" lesson in archaeology to home-schooled children on October 13 at the museum's dig site. Linda Bryson, who teaches a home school class on ancient civilizations, approached Doug during one of their regular Sunday morning digs. On October 13, about 12 children ranging in age from nine to fifteen and their parents spent three hours at the museum's dig site. The students were split into three groups that rotated every hour. Al led each group in actual digging, showing them proper techniques and principles while they excavated along the sidewalk site. Pandy was stationed in the basement where she taught them how to clean, sort, and identify the artifacts. This station also included instruction on piecing together some of the artifacts found this summer. Doug taught a lesson plan that he found on the Internet. The students read about an archaeological dig and were given five different bags of artifacts. They had to do research by using a supplied booklet, and based on that information, decide from what level the items came and give an approximate date for each level. Chapter 27 used this hands-on lesson along with Al's privy excavation exhibit on display at the Besore Library as their chapter's participation in Pennsylvania's October Archaeology Month events. This is one more way that Allison-Antrim Museum is partnering with others enabling us to reach out educationally to our community at-large. 'Thank You' to…
Open Houses November: On Veterans Day, November 11 and Thursday the 15th, as a special tribute to local veterans who have fought and in honor of those now fighting for freedom and the rights established by our Founding Fathers, AAMI will feature the service uniforms of Greencastle-Antrim and other local area veterans. Items and uniforms from the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, post-Viet Nam, the Persian Gulf War, the Special Operation Forces, and the National Guard will be included. Some of those whose items and uniforms will be displayed are from the fathers of Jim Craig and Pat Faust, Harold Zimmerman, Richard Gingrich, Lorraine Pensinger Phillips, Earl Harbaugh, Glen Sell, Jim Craig, Poncho Gonzales, Ted Alexander, Steve Miller, Guy Harbaugh, and Georg Scott, Waynesboro. December: On December 6, 7, and 9 the museum will be open for its annual Christmas holiday open houses. Our traditional, old-fashioned cedar tree will be decorated, as one would have been during the Civil War era with gingerbread cookies, popcorn and cranberry garlands, dried apples, and the American flag. The special exhibit for December will be crèches from the collection of Clarisse Hicks and several from others in the community. Kitsie has been collecting traditional as well as unique crèches for a number of years including some that are handmade. The Carl family train will be under the tree and toys from the Carl family and those of Jim Craig's will be on exhibit. Please join us at this special time of year. On Friday evening, December 7, 6:30 - 8:30, Dr. Terry Musselman will, again, accompany visitors with holiday music on the dulcimer as we participate in Greencastle's Heritage Christmas celebration. Light refreshments will be served - a hot mulled drink, a cold punch, and cookies. The Sunday, December 9, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. open house , will coincide with the Chamber's Holiday Open House Tours. We are not part of the official tour but will be listed in their brochure. 2001/2002 Membership For those of you whose memberships crossed in the mail with the last newsletter, your 2001/2002 membership card is enclosed with this issue of the Annals. If you have not yet received your membership card, and you did send in your check, please contact me as soon as possible to clear up the clerical era. If you have not yet sent in your membership, we hope that you will do so. Thank you all for your membership support. According to AAMI by-laws, those who have not renewed by October 1, will be put on the inactive list. Their names will immediately be returned to the current membership list as soon as payment is received. Calendar of Events Sunday, November 11, 2001, 1 - 4 p.m. & Thursday, November 15, noon - 3 p.m.: Open Houses - On exhibit will be Greencastle-Antrim and other local veterans' uniforms and articles. Thursday, November 29, 2001: Holiday dinner meeting - Antrim House, 6:30 p.m.; Nationally known speaker, Ed Bearss, will give an overview of the Battle of the Bulge followed by a panel discussion comprised of local veterans who fought in that battle; reservations are required by Monday, November 26, 2001 by calling Bonnie at 597.9325. Thursday, December 6, noon - 3 p.m.; Friday, December 7, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, December 9, 1 - 5 p.m.: Holiday Open Houses
Have You Seen… the cherished Pawling family possession brought to the New York Colony in the mid-1600's that is now part of AAMI's collection? The answer to September's "Have You Seen…" is a small brush made from bone. It was found during one of the regular Sunday archaeological digs. The bristles are missing and it's our opinion that it's a little long for a toothbrush. What're your thoughts on its use? What’s Been Happening
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