I recently updated my Famous Findlayians page to add two new people. James B. Hill invented the Buckeye Traction Ditcher that helped drain the Great Black Swamp and James Purdy was an author who was ahead of his times but he influenced a number of writers.
Hill lived in Findlay for a number of years early in the 20th century and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery.
New Famous Findlayian: William Wallace Campbell
Thanks to an article in the Courier the other day, I added a new name (to me) to my Famous Findlayian page. He is William Wallace Campbell.
Campbell wan an astronomer of note in the beginning of the 20th century and he helped confirm Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity.
Where Did My Thanksgiving Parade Go?
Jack Lord hosting the Aloha Floral Parade in 1979 on CBS
So I got up earlier than usual on Thanksgiving morning specifically to watch the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I turn on the TV to watch but where is the parade? It is suppose to be on two networks and I see bits of the parade in the background but the hosts act like they are somewhere other than a parade. When did the Macy’s parade become just an advertising vehicle for NBC and CBS? Where did my Thanksgiving Parade go?
Watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade was a ritual growing up. It would be on at Grandma’s house as we kids tried to pass the time before we could eat. We would sneak cheese from the cheese plate as we watched the floats and balloons go by.
The Fantastical Right Wing Spin On Political Correctness
The Alamo is the scene of another battle over historical truth
A conservative friend on Facebook posted a link to an article written by Mike Gonzalez on the The Daily Signal website that complained the reason people don’t know more about the contributions of Tejanos toward the Texas Revolution of 1835 is because of Political Correctness. Obviously, Gonzalez is spinning his right wing propaganda and using the term ‘political correct’ incorrectly.
70 Years Ago Today, Allied Armies Took A Huge Gamble For Freedom
My grandfather, Wilbur C Arrington in 1944
June 6th is the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings on the coast of France. The amazing thing is that the whole operation was kept secret and it was a huge gamble. It was such a gamble that General Eisenhower wrote two letters to announce the landings – one if it was successful and the other one if the landings failed. At least 4,000 allied soldiers died on that day.
My grandpa, Wilbur C. Arrington didn’t arrive in Europe until the fall of 1944 when the Germans had been pushed all the way back to their frontier. Grandpa fought in Company I 397th Infantry Regiment of the 100th Division. He was wounded in an attack on an apple butter factory and got the purple heart medal. Although he brought home some souvenirs, like German money, he rarely talked about his service. He will turn 94 this October.