A Tribute to Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe

                                                           

I am continuing something I started last week with a story I had seen on Facebook about a very brave man, Eugene Bullard. This week, I am doing a tribute to Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe. This tribe was responsible in helping the Lewis and Clark on one of their stops during the Expedition. Here is a quote from Chief Joseph about this:

“The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark. They brought many things which our people had never seen. They talked straight and our people gave them a great feast as proof that their hearts were friendly. They made presents to our chiefs and our people made presents to them. We had a great many horses of which we gave them what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return. All the Nez Perce made friends with Lewis and Clark and agreed to let them pass through their country and never to make war on white men. This promise the Nez Perce have never broken.”  

                                                                    

Chief Joseph (1840-1904) was a leader of the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce Tribe, who became famous in 1877 for leading his people on an epic flight across the Rocky Mountains. He was born in 1840 and he was called Joseph by Reverend Henry H. Spalding (1803-1874), who had established a mission amongst the Nez Perce in 1836. Young Joseph and his father soon returned to their traditional ways in their Wallowa homeland in Oregon. When Joseph grew up and assumed the chieftanship, he was under increasing governmental pressure to abandon his Wallowa land and join the rest of the Nez Perce on their reservation near Lapwai, Idaho. Joseph refused, saying that he had promised his father he would never leave. In 1877, these disputes erupted into violence and Joseph's band, along with other Nez Perce bands, fled across the Bitterroot Mountains into Montana, with federal troops in pursuit. Joseph was by no means the military leader of the group, yet his standing in the tribe made him the camp chief and the group's political leader. It was Joseph who finally surrendered the decimated band to federal troops near the Canadian border in Montana. Joseph and the tribe were taken to a reservation in Indian Territory in present day Oklahoma, where they remained until 1885 when they were sent to the Colville Reservation in North Central Washington. Joseph made several visits to Washington, D.C., to plead for a return to the Wallowa country, but his pleas were in vain. Joseph died in 1904 in Nespelem, Washington, of what his doctor called "a broken heart." His tomb remains in Nespelem today.

                                                                      

The rest of the story can be read here: http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=8975

                                                                       

Conclusion

When you do a great wrong; your soul does not rest and neither does the land you steal. We came to this land, immigrants and refugees from other lands and we forcibly took what rightfully belonged to the original people. I picked this story because of what is happening to other immigrants and refugees that seek shelter in America. How dare we refuse sanctuary in a land that we took from the Native Tribes? Sure there needs to be a safe and productive way to introduce new arrivals into the fold, and yes, they should pay taxes just like us, even though the corporations and filthy rich seem to find all kinds of way to not pay their fair share...big sigh!! If we are closing our borders to immigrants, then maybe the sign on the Statue of Liberty, should read, “It’s a big lie.”

                                                                            

I’ll end this debate with one of many quotes from Chief Joseph which you can find here: http://www.fold3.com/page/1250_chief_joseph_of_the_nez_perce/stories/#3675/

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian...we can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike.... give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. You might as well expect the rivers to run backward as that any man who is born a free man should be contented when penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases. We only ask an even chance to live as other men live. We ask to be recognized as men. Let me be a free man...free to travel... free to stop...free to work...free to choose my own teachers...free to follow the religion of my Fathers...free to think and talk and act for myself."  

Amen to that

Dockside Comdominiums And Waterfront History with Harry Kyriakodis

                                                          

Yesterday I headed out to the beautiful Dockside Condominium as a guest of Harry Kyriakodis, a fellow writer. Harry was there to promote his book, “Philadelphia’s Lost Waterfront” and he invited me to sell my apocalyptic book, Roof Oasis, after he was done his presentation.

                                                                 

This was my first time at the Dockside and I was quite impressed with the building’s exterior and interior design. The meeting room on the fourth floor where Harry and I were to do our presentation has the most stunning view of the waterfront.
                                                                    

  
I only took inside photos of the view because it was too windy and way too cold to go on the large balcony; next time, I’ll brave the outdoors.

                                                                     

            

The lovely people in charge of events at the Dockside had a wonderful buffet of sandwiches and desserts for this presentation. The room was packed with people interested in learning about Philadelphia’s lost waterfront history that was primarily done away with when interstate 95 was built, which is sad considering the history that was covered up by progress.

                                                                         

Harry proceeded to give an in-depth history of the ports of the Delaware River from the time of William Penn to present day. Philadelphia became the first major shipping port in North America, but Harry’s presentation which included a historical slide show was more about the people, rich and poor, who made their livelihood from the businesses that grew because of the seaport trade. 
 

                                                                     

I love history and this was one of the best presentations I’ve seen in a while. Due to time constrictions, I am being invited back to the Dockside to do a book signing at a later time. I will let everyone know when I do. You’ll want to see this beautiful building that sits on the very dock that was part of Harry’s historical presentation.

                                                                          

To learn more about my friend Harry Kyriakodis, check out his website, Hidden City, on Facebook and on Twitter.

And to learn more about the Dockside Condominiums check out their website.

My book, Roof Oasis, is the first in a series of books about the apocalypse, but with a twist. Think of it as Romeo and Juliet meet "The Walking Dead" written by Jules Verne. You can find the book on Amazon and Amazon/Kindle. Book two, Saving Solanda, will be out this summer.

You can find my writing on my blog and on Biff Bam Pop

Unknown Hero, Eugene Bullard

                                                           

I love learning about history and, I love learning about brave men and women. The other day, my friend Stacey Wright posted this bit of unknown history, at least unknown to most Americans, about Eugene Bullard. This information was originally posted by Gina Genochio on her Facebook and I'm so happy that the news about this man is being shared on social media. Here is what Gina posted:

Do you know who this is a photo of? Chances are you don’t, but don’t feel bad because probably not one American in one million does, and that is a National tragedy. His name is Eugene Jacques Bullard, and he is the first African-American fighter pilot in history. But he is also much more then that: He’s also a national hero, and his story is so incredible that I bet if you wrote a movie script based on it Hollywood would reject it as being too far-fetched.

Bullard was an expat living in France, and when World War 1 broke out he joined the French Infantry. He was seriously wounded, and France awarded him the Croix de Guerre and Medaille Militaire. In 1916 he joined the French air service and he first trained as a gunner but later he trained as a pilot. When American pilots volunteered to help France and formed the famous Lafayette Escadrille, he asked to join but by the time he became a qualified pilot they were no longer accepting new recruits, so he joined the Lafayette Flying Corps instead. He served with French flying units and he completed 20 combat missions.

                                                           

When the United States finally joined the war, Bullard was the only member of the Escadrille or the French Flying Corps who was NOT invited to join the US Air Service. The reason? At that time the Air Service only accepted white men.
Now here is the part that almost sounds like a sequel to ‘Casablanca’: After WWI Bullard became a jazz musician in Paris and he eventually owned a nightclub called ‘L’Escadrille’. When the Germans invaded France and conquered it in WW2, his Club, and Bullard, became hugely popular with German officers, but what they DIDN’T know was that Bullard, who spoke fluent German, was actually working for the Free French as a spy. He eventually joined a French infantry unit, but he was badly wounded and had to leave the service.
 
By the end of the war, Bullard had become a national hero in France, but he later moved back to the U.S. where he was of course completely unknown. Practically no one in the United States was aware of it when, in 1959, the French government named him a national Chevalier, or Knight.

                                                               

In 1960, the President of France, Charles DeGaulle, paid a state visit to the United States and when he arrived he said that one of the first things he wanted to do was to meet Bullard. That sent the White House staff scrambling because most of them, of course, had never even heard of him. They finally located him in New York City, and DeGaulle traveled there to meet him personally. At the time, Eugene Bullard was working as … An elevator operator.

Not long after Eugene Bullard met with the President of France, he passed away, and today very, very few Americans, and especially African-Americans, even know who he is. But, now YOU do, don’t you? And I hope you’ll be able to find opportunities to tell other people about this great American hero that probably only 1 American in 1 Million has ever heard of.

Conclusion

Like I stated in the beginning of this blog, I love History and I love learning about brave men and women who fight against tyranny and monsters. Eugene Bullard was one of those brave souls who fought against a great wrong. When we only honor certain people because of color, race or gender and nationality, then we are not reporting true events or true history. We should honor all heroes in spite of their color, race, gender and nationality. We should report history as it really happened and maybe...just maybe, we will learn how to avoid future wars.

Stand Up and Cheer

                                                                    

I was going to post about the two successful ghost investigations that my group did while in South Carolina, but I’ve decided to put that off for tomorrow’s post. I have a better post for today. It has to do with us baby boomers and how people identify with us; how we identify ourselves. Born in December of 1946, I witnessed many historical and newsworthy events; some good, some not. Unfortunately, I was part of the generation that witnessed the assassinations of Martin Luther King, John and Robert Kennedy; men who were killed for doing the right thing; the Vietnam War; civil rights movement; women’s liberation; the Beatles; the landing on the moon. I don’t have to list everything, but you get the gist.

                                                                      

My sister Lucy, the one who normally referees for Jane and I, asked me to join her at the Senior Center for their exercise program, and I wrote about my experience. Today in our Zumba Class, the instructor played Proud Mary by Ike and Tina Turner.



That got us all talking about the generation of famous movie and music stars who are in their 70’s or older and are still going strong. I have a friend, a fellow writer, Jack Flacco who does a weekly Wednesday “Women Who Wow” feature. Check out his site, he is amazing.

                                                                       
So are Zumba group and the instructor began talking about how Tina Turner can still dance even though she’s in her late seventies and the conversation went on from there and we began listing actresses that were still pretty active; dancing, acting, looking stunning, and we came up with a few names: Gina Lollobrigida, Sophia Loren, Rita Moreno, Betty White, Raquel Welch, Jane Fonda, Tina Turner, Cher, Jessica Lange, to name a few.
                                                                                  

                                                               
They are still beautiful, still quite active and an inspiration for the younger boomers to kick up our heels and rejoice that we are still healthy enough to be in a Zumba class or do belly dancing.
                                                                              

                                                 Live long and prosper, girlfriend!

 

 

Fighting the Bug & Cruising the Carolinas

                                                                            

                                      Jean               Marie                 Rita

My two fellow ghost hunters and I have been dying to head down to North and South Carolina to enjoy the history, the ambiance and the ghosts. We got all three!

                                                                                  

After driving for nine hours (we got lost a few times; they left me in charge of the map) we finally reached Wilmington, North Carolina.
                                                                                 
 We visited the battleship USS North Carolina and learned about its part in World War two, and encountered a two ghosts; young sailors who had died during one of the ship's battles. Later, we   hit the local restaurants. The people of the south are so very friendly.
                                                                                   

 I had been on antibiotics for three days already to fight my infected sinuses and ear infection, and I really thought that I was getting well; I was wrong!

                                                                               

Next day, we headed towards Charleston, South Carolina and after getting misplaced a few times (yeah, I had the map, again) we reached our destination.
                                                                                   

Sunday, we set out to see the sights with me ignoring the fact that I was feeling worse instead of better. We visited the Boone plantation and slave houses. The mansion was closed because of a festival, but we intend to hit the mansion on another day, soon.
                                                                                       

 But visiting the slave house had a sobering effect on me. Being an advocate against human trafficking, I was extremely touched by the suffering endured by the slaves. When will we ever evolve mentally and spiritually enough to realize that no one is free unless all people are free? There is no equality unless all are equal. With all the hate out there, I’m beginning to have my doubts that we’ll make it to the end of the year.

                                                                             

Oops, sorry, it’s my fever speaking out. After visiting the planation, we headed to the dungeon and provost where the pirates were held before their trial. Like I said, love the history of a region and want to learn as much as I can. But the dungeon was a bit moldy, not enough to bother healthy people, but someone like me; very bad!
                                                                                     

I felt horrible; fever, sneezing, you name it; I felt it. We had a ghost hunt scheduled in one of the oldest cemeteries and didn’t have time to go back to the hotel, so I grabbed some rest on a park bench.

At the cemetery, sick as I was, I felt the spirits there; took a few pictures and used our equipment. I have an extremely good shot of a spirit globe and will post this when I get home. Someone touched my friends and me on our arms and neck, plus, there were other signs. I’ll post about this when I’m feeling better.

                                                                               

friends went to a battlefield today, but I stayed home to rest, and hopefully, give the antibiotics a chance to work. So I watched T.V. There are really strange shows on television during the day.

I will touch base with all my zombie snacks as I travel. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I’ve been fired as navigator. I don’t know why?

                                                                                          

Witchie Women

 

                                                                    

 

So on October 13^th, my friends and I went to the Witches Ball in Mt. Holly, New Jersey.

                                                                             

                                        Here is Rita and I while we wait for our friend, Jean.

                                                         

                                                                                                       

It was more crowded than normal and I think the word is spreading on how much fun you can have at the Mt. Holly events.

                                                                                 
                                           Don’t forget this is where the Ghost Hunter Store is.

                                                                          

The town also had entertainment throughout the night, but unfortunately, too crowded to get up close.

                                                                    

Wednesday was a very strange day for me, mostly because I took the wrong medication. I had left my Excedrin P.M. on the kitchen counter by mistake the night before, won’t do that ever again. So you can imagine my surprise when I had realized what I had done. I can’t really list the names that I called myself for messing up like that.

                                                                                                              

I relaxed on the sofa and watched a little T.V. while I waited for the sleepiness to pass. One of the shows that I happened to click on to was called “Return of the Living Dead”?

                                                                     

Did I ever see this before, couldn’t remember, probably due to the meds, so because I love just about everything zombie, I watched the show. It was really funny or maybe when you’re feeling a little looney tuney, everything seems funny. Here is a sample of the show:

                              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQovK5m9eJc&feature=related

Last night, I went with my Ghost Hunting, Steampunking friends to the Old Tavern in Philly to learn about becoming reenactors of the Revolution War at Fort Mifflin.

                                                                       
 Check out this site on Fort Mifflin and make a point to visit soon. It's all about our history. 

                                                         http://fortmifflin.us/about-the-fort/  

                                                                                                 

We met a lot of new people who were dressed in very authentic looking clothing of the American Revolution time period. While there, I commented to my friends that we may be a little too wild for this more seemingly dignified group. The discussion led to what type of persona would we like to take on. My idea of camp followers was quickly shot down as was my suggestion to go as a French Courtesan…darn.

                                                                                
Anyway we’ll have to brush up on our history facts, not a big deal since we are history buffs. We like the group and want to try it out. There will be a reenactment of one of the Revolutionary battles fought at Fort Mifflin in November and my friends have offered to help the group cook the dinner meal. I wonder if they’ll notice me dressed as a pirate or that fact that I’m not that great a cook.