A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....07-21-04....Virginia, the "Old Dominion State"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_bear, dutchess, Aquamarine,

We're
"On the Road Again"...

Please join "A Few of FR's Finest" as we make a cyber-visit to another state in this great Union of ours.

Over the past several months each "Finest" hostess has profiled her home state for the Finest Thread. The remaining states are being presented, about one a month, in random order. We hope you are enjoying these visits to our beautiful United States. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would appreciate your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

These are the states
we have presented to date:

05-23-03 Alabama 06-27-03 Maryland 07-11-03 Vermont 07-25-03 Utah 08-05-03 Texas 08-22-03 Nevada 08-26-03 Wash DC 09-05-03 Tennessee 09-17-03 Florida 09-19-03 Minnesota 10-03-03 New Mexico 10-14-03 Georgia

10-17-03 Louisiana 10-22-03 Michigan 11-04-03 South Dakota 11-14-03 California 01-09-04 South Carolina 02-06-04 West Virginia 02-20-04 Oregon 03-09-04 Pennsylvania 03-30-04 Wyoming 04-13-04 Mississippi 04-27-04 Missouri 05-25-04 Indiana

Today we are visiting Virginia, the "Old Dominion State", and we salute the Fine FReepers who call Virginia home. Thank you all for making FreeRepublic the best conservative forum on the internet.

Named for England's "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I,
Virginia entered into the Union on June 25, 1788,
the 10th of the original 13 colonies.

On April 17, 1861 Virginia would secede from
the Union and Richmond would be named
as the Capital of The Confederate States.






"The story of Virginia is the story of us all. It is the story of rich and poor, farmers and industrialists, men and women, black and white. It is the story of successive struggles for freedom and equality that both foreshadow and mirror the story of America. It is the story of individuals who through the centuries forged new identities through compromise and conflict."....excerpt from a book review of "The Story of Virginia", By James C. Kelly.

A condensed timeline of
Virginia's rich history...

1607—The first permanent settlement is established at Jamestown...

The Story of
John Smith and Pocahontas

The Jamestown colonists decided that only one man had enough leadership or experience to lead them. That man was John Smith. Smith took responsibility for exploring the surrounding environs, traveling up several of the region’s many rivers. He prepared a remarkably accurate map, based on his excursions. Smith also became the chief contact with the neighboring Native Americans, Algonkian-speaking members of the Powhatan Confederacy. In December 1607, Smith was abducted by tribal members. According to one of Smith’s accounts, he was rescued from execution by the pleas of the chief’s daughter, Pocahontas. Later authorities have speculated that Smith simply misinterpreted an Indian adoption ritual.

Pocahontas ("playful one"), maintained friendly relations with the Jamestown settlers, bringing them food and warning them of an impending attack by her father’s warriors. In 1613, an English official attempted to retrieve settlers imprisoned by Powhatan by luring Pocahontas aboard a ship and holding her hostage. Although she was reputedly the chief’s favorite daughter, he refused to exchange prisoners. Pocahontas remained in captivity, was converted to Christianity, took the name Rebecca and in 1614, with her father’s consent, married colonist John Rolfe. This marriage ushered in an eight-year period of improved relations between the Indians and the colonists.

Officials of the Virginia Company seized upon the Pocahontas story and devised an early form of a public relations campaign. The Rolfes, their infant son and several other natives were taken to England as guests of the company. Pocahontas was a sensation in English social circles. The Virginia Company hoped that interest in their colony would be enhanced by their proof that Indians could be "civilized."

Pocahontas died in 1617 at the age of 22 while preparing to return to Virginia and is buried at Gravesend. Her son Thomas Rolfe was educated in England, but later went to Virginia where he enjoyed great business success and was the forebear of many of the colony's most distinguished families.

1619—Establishment of the House of Burgesses.

1624—Virginia Becomes a Royal Colony (Virginia Company charter revoked).

1674—The Bacon rebellion fights for colonial rights in Western Virginia.

1693—The College of William and Mary founded at Williamsburg.

1698—October 31, A fire destroys Jamestown, the seat of government is moved to Williamsburg (in 1699).

The Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

In March 1775, Patrick Henry urged his fellow Virginians to arm in self-defense, closing his appeal (uttered at St. John's Church in Richmond, where the legislature was meeting) with the immortal words: "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."

Click here to listen to
Patrick Henry's Famous Speech
(performed by Richard Schuman as the character
of Patrick Henry for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.)

1776—Virginia adopts its first constitution and declares independence.

1788—Virginia becomes the 10th state.

1831—Nat Turner leads a slave revolt.

The Civil War in Virginia

Richmond was capital of the Confederate States of America from May 1861 until April 1865 - only one hundred miles or so separated the two warring capitols, and thousands died fighting at places no one had heard of before, places like Cold Harbor, Chancellorsville, Malvern Hill, Spotsylvania, Brandy Station and the North Anna River. More fell during encounters at places that had no name.

"First Manassas" is remembered as the first major land battle of the Civil War, won by inexperienced Confederates who routed an equally raw Union force. Confederate Gen. Thomas J. Jackson became "Stonewall" for his role in the fighting. The second battle at Manassas, the battle of Bull Run, also a dramatic Confederate victory, was much bloodier. More than 3,000 soldiers were killed during the battle.

Richmond Falls.....

"Through the winter and early spring of 1865, while Union armies ranged at will across the South, Richmond still glittered with the hard defiance of a city long at war. But this last flicker of resolve only made the city's fall all the more devastating. On the night of April 2, faced with the inevitability of northern victory, Jefferson Davis and his cabinet fled, leaving Richmond to its fate—fire, capture, and the end of hope for a southern nation."....excerpt from a book review of "Richmond Burning", By Nelson Lankford.

1870—Virginia re-enters the United States with Richmond as her capital.

Famous Virginians

Virginia has supplied more presidents to the United States than any other state. The following were born in The Old Dominion.....

* George Washington
* Thomas Jefferson *
* James Madison *
* James Monroe *
* William Henry Harrison *
* John Tyler *
* Zachary Taylor *
* Woodrow Wilson *

More Fine Virginians...

Richard Arlen actor, Charlottesville
Arthur Ashe tennis player, Richmond
Pearl Bailey singer, Newport News
Warren Beatty actor, Richmond
Richard E. Byrd polar explorer, Winchester
Roy Clark country music artist, Meaherrin
William Clark explorer, Caroline Cty
Henry Clay statesman, Hanover Cty
Joseph Cotten actor, Petersburg
Ella Fitzgerald jazz singer, Newport News
Patrick Henry statesman, Hanover Cty
Sam Houston political leader, Rockbridge Cty
Robert E. Lee Confederate general, Stratford
Meriwether Lewis explorer, Ambemarle Cty
Shirley MacLaine actress, Richmond
John Marshall jurist, Germantown
Cyrus Hall McCormick inventor, Rockbridge Cty
Opechancanough Powhatan leader
John Payne actor, Roanoke
Walter Reed army surgeon, Gloucester Cty
Matthew Ridgway Army Chief of Staff, Fort Monroe
Bill Bojangles Robinson dancer, Richmond
George C. Scott actor, Wise
Sam Snead golfer, Hot Springs
James Jeb Stuart Confederate army officer, Patrick Cty
Thomas Sumter General, Hanover Cty
Nat Turner leader of slave uprising, Southhampton Cty
Booker T. Washington educator, Franklin Cty

July in Virginia means it's that time again for some of the most popular festivals known around the world.

And with the unveiling of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia presents 17 historic sites to honor "The Greatest Generation" on the World War II Heritage Trail.

After having visited this state on my recent vacation, I can attest to the fact that Virginia is a perfect vacation destination!

Click on the region you plan to visit, and be
sure to allow LOTS of time and wear comfortable shoes:

Shenandoah Valley | Eastern Shore | Central Virginia
Northern Virginia | Heart of Appalachia
Blue Ridge Highlands | Chesapeake Bay | Hampton Roads


And while you are visiting Virginia,
keep your eye out for their state symbols...

The following websites provided
graphics, information and text...

Virginia is for Lovers
50 States.com
Virginia - America's Story
The Civil War Traveler - Virginia

Have a Fine Wednesday!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 07-19-04 Military Monday 07-20-04 Fly Me To The Moon

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

CLICK

[Pippin]

HEY (((Darks)))!

[Pippin]

You were in Maryland?

Where in MD?

[Mama_Bear]

In our day, Norfolk abounded with (this is true!) Lawn Signs on many yards that read: "Sailors and Dogs - - Keep Off The Grass" --

Yes, I know.......and I heard whispers that, back in the 60's, Navy housing in DC was called "dog patch" by the local civilians. :-(

But still, we were a proud Navy family. :-)

[Gabz]

It makes the long hours of putting the tribute together well worth it. :-)

Your work is greatly appreciated and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

I will jokingly claim I live in the middle of nowhere, and in some ways it is true.....my closest neighbors happen to be 150,000 chickens. OTOH I can be in major places within about 2 hours. So I actually have the best of all worlds here. Dover, Virginia Beach and Norfolk are all only about 2 hours and Ocean City, MD is less than an hour......but who needs that when I am only 20 minutes from Chincoteague and Assateague.

The end of April marked 1 year for us living in Virginia and we are so happy that we are here. October will mark 4 years from when we made the decision to move here, but were unable to do so until we sold our house in Delaware.

[P8riot]

Thanks again. Glad you like it.

[Darksheare]

Hello!

[Gabz]

AWESOME is the perfect word to describe the ponies swimming the channel - and the saltwater cowboys herding them along.

but I do so love watching them hit the street and "parading" through town.

I'm so sorry about stealing the thunder of your posts. I haven't lived here long enough for the "kid with a new toy" syndrome to have disappeared.

I think I know exactly the house you are talking about and if I have the opportunity I will take a picture of it for you next week.

[Mama_Bear]

but I assume Norfolk is on the Eastern Shore

Don't let a native of the Shore hear you say that.........

Uh oh....well, see.....that's what happens every time I "assume". LOL.

Thanks for the georgraphy lesson. I forgot about that "other" eastern part of VA. I did some Googling and found this....

The Eastern Shore: Virginia

Ah, the Eastern Shore of Virginia—the third part of the word Delmarva, which refers to the peninsula that contains all of Delaware, as well as the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. As the Delmarva Peninsula heads southward into Virginia, it narrows into a fingerlike projection that separates the lower Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean.

The peninsula dwindles in size but expands, at least in some minds, in wild and remote beauty. For the Eastern Shore of Virginia is a holdout, a last outpost for a culture and a way of life barely known if known at all by many fellow Virginians across the bay. As the waters along the bayside tidal marshes grow saltier near the mouth of the Chesapeake, the people of southern Delmarva grow even hardier. From Chincoteague to Onancock to Wachapreague to Oyster to Cape Charles, the tough, seafaring watermen, the farmers, and their hard-working families have for many generations sustained themselves on the waters of the bay and ocean and the riches of the Eastern Shore soil.

Less than four decades have passed since mainland Virginians gained access to the peninsula via the 17.6-mile at the southern end. Even since then, the distance from the mainland and the high toll (currently $10 for a one-way trip) necessary to pay for the engineering marvel has hindered any explosion in local traffic.

---

Isn't the internet a wonderful resource?

sorry for my rambling - I just have a total love of the area and so enjoy educating folks about it.

And I don't blame you one bit. I can't thank you enough for spending time with us today and sharing your Virginia posts with us. :-)

[Gabz]

I never lived in Maryland, but worked at a radio station in Federalsburg. (Caroline county)

Where I live in Virginia right now, I'm only 8 miles from the Maryland line and spend a bunch of time in Pocomoke. Can't help it, that's where the dentist, the eye doctor and Wal-Mart is!!!!

[Mama_Bear]

The end of April marked 1 year for us living in Virginia and we are so happy that we are here.

It is such a blessing to love where you are. And where you are sounds idyllic. If you keep talking it up, I might just have to uproot my husband, pack up the dogs and move there. LOL.

[Mama_Bear]

I think I know exactly the house you are talking about and if I have the opportunity I will take a picture of it for you next week.

If you post it somewhere, be sure to ping me to it. :-)

[jwfiv]

Good afternoon, Mama_Bear ... such a beautiful presentation, verrry nice ... thank you. Just love the butterflies.

Someday, I'll make it to Virginia ... I have a feeling it'll be like coming home.

Blessings on all the Finest on this Fine Wednesday ... )

[Billie]

Hi, Lori,

I love these Finest Cyber Tours; you always make them so pretty and inviting, I just want to hop on a plane (and I don't like flying!) and go visit! :)

Virginia is just one more place someday I would like to see. Thank you for being such a great tour guide. :)

[Gabz]

That's a link and description I haven't seen.........but one of the best descriptions I've ever read about this area.

It's interesting to note that is references that the northen part of DelMarVA consists of the entire state of Delaware......in Delaware, the folks that live north of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal claim they do not live on DelMarVa......and those of us from below the canal are extremely happy about that.

Above the canal has become nothing more than a bedroom community/clone of Philly, NYC and the rest of the northeast socialist elite. One of the major reasons we wanted out of Delaware was that they had started coming below the canal for the more rural and quiet life we enjoyed - and then proceeded to do everything in their power to change it.

[LadyX]

"I'm so sorry about stealing the thunder of your posts. I haven't lived here long enough for the "kid with a new toy" syndrome to have disappeared."

Gabz, there is not a 'territorial' bone in my body..:))
It just happened that I "wandered a lot" (LOL) after leaving my Florida home - -

Crisscrossed America all the way due north into Canada (2 years in Rochester, NY) - twice in Ohio - in South Dakota and Fairbanks, Alaska, going northwest all the way above the Arctic Circle - circled all over the Deep South - so have had a lot of wonderful American Experiences.

"I will jokingly claim I live in the middle of nowhere, and in some ways it is true.....my closest neighbors happen to be 150,000 chickens."

I can identify!
After a wide range of Places To Live, we have deliberately left behind Big Cities and hustle and bustle to enjoy an easy, slow pace in a small town in western South Carolina, and all the benefits thereof.

I know quite well what you describe with all those "Dumb Clucks" around you in that area... |:>))

Your choice of chickens or fish there...

We LOVE your zeal, Gabz, and hope you'll return to The Finest often.

[Gabz]

... I might just have to uproot my husband, pack up the dogs and move there. LOL.

LOL!!!!

As a matter of fact the farm across the road from me is for sale. 70 acres, with a 2 story house..........all new siding, new central heat/ac system, new roof, etc......$159,000

[Diver Dave]

In our day, Norfolk abounded with (this is true!) Lawn Signs on many yards that read: "Sailors and Dogs - - Keep Off The Grass" --

Yes, I know.......and I heard whispers that, back in the 60's, Navy housing in DC was called "dog patch" by the local civilians. :-(

But still, we were a proud Navy family. :-)

I remember hearing about those dogs and sailors signs in Norfolk all the way out in San Diego from fellow sailors who were home-ported at one time at NAVSTA Portmouth.

We had an apt. in Navy housing while we were in San Diego (actually in National City) about 2-3 miles from NAVSTA SD. One great big happy family.

[Mama_Bear]

you always make them so pretty and inviting, I just want to hop on a plane (and I don't like flying!) and go visit! :)

I take that as a great compliment. That's exactly what I hope everyone's reaction will be. :-)

I am having the best time presenting these states. The first few were trying, because I had no idea what I was doing....but, now that I have relaxed a bit and learned to have fun with it, I'm having a good time. It makes it especially rewarding when the 'natives' come and share their feelings, photos and links.

Virginia is just one more place someday I would like to see.

I highly recommend a trip to VA.....but DO NOT allow less than a week. Actually, even two weeks is not enough. We missed so much on our trip there. We should not have tried to do DC and three states in 11 days. :-(

I guess we'll just have to go back. :-)

Have a lovely day, ((((((((Billie))))))))).

[LadyX]

Gabz is so very thoughtful with the offer to provide a picture of the house I lived in!

It had an ancient washing machine in the kitchen. The floor was heavily slanted wood, and water often leaked from the machine and rolled down it, 'washing the floor with the clothes' - Things We Experience and can laugh at later Category - LOL.

It did have a lovely lilac bush in the back yard under the bedroom window - smelled wonderful, the fragrance wafting on the air, as did all those in Rochester, NY - home of the Lilac Festival.

[Mama_Bear]

One great big happy family.

That is one of the nice things about growing up in the military....you belong to one huge extended family.

I felt so lost and abandoned when I turned 18 and had to turn in my military dependants ID. To know that I could no longer come and go on military bases, was so difficult to accept. All my life I had access to the bases, commissaries, theaters, pools. I felt like I had been orphaned. LOL.