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Commemorative Stamp Issued in 2000

'Sir, I am doing wrong. Practicing to kill people is against my religion.'

-- York, speaking of target practice at human silhouettes.

'What you did was the greatest thing accomplished by any private soldier of all the armies of Europe.'

-- Marshall Ferdinand Foch, on York's feat in the Argonne.

Statue of SGT York - TN State Capitol

'This uniform ain't for sale. '

-- York, on demands for his endorsement.

'It's over; let's just forget about it.'

-- York's modesty about the the event that brought him the Medal of Honor.

'The fear of God makes a hero; the fear of man makes a coward.'

-- Alvin York

'I didn't want to go to war. My own experience told me it wasn't right, and the Bible was against it too ... but Uncle Sam said he wanted me, and I had been brought up to believe in my country.'

-- Alvin York

Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization. The primary area of concern to all VetsCoR members is that our national and local educational systems fall short in teaching students and all American citizens the history and underlying principles on which our Constitutional republic-based system of self-government was founded. VetsCoR members are also very concerned that the Federal government long ago over-stepped its limited authority as clearly specified in the United States Constitution, as well as the Founding Fathers' supporting letters, essays, and other public documents.

Tribute to a Generation - The memorial will be dedicated on Saturday, May 29, 2004.

Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

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~ Thanks to our Veterans still serving, at home and abroad. ~ Freepmail to Ragtime Cowgirl | 2/09/04 | FRiend in the USAF

The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul

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So when my man said that, this German major said, 'How many have you got?' and I said, 'I have got a-plenty,' and pointed my pistol at him all the time."

He weren't stupid! LOL. Good story Sam, thanks.

York was a friend of my grandfather's.

There is a special place in my heart for Allan Collum York, and I was afraid I would find disappointment in this Foxhole. Shucks, I have two bios of York, all I've been able to find.

Well, SAM, I am sorry that I doubted you. That piece was the best York thing I ever saw, except much too darn short! The pieces you used of York's account are well chosen, very nice.

Did some thinking about little details, putting together lots of sources, and here is how I see the story, done short.

York was kneeling and sitting in a little dip in the ground, just deep enough so he could just duck when the machine gun fire got too close. All of the brush in his area was mowed down like grass. The Germans would just barely peek over the edge of the high ground they were on, exposing just the eyes under the helmet, so as to correct their fire, then duck. Just a bob of the head. Pretty quick the brave and foolish Germans were all dead. The Germans tried raising several helmets on sticks at the same time one of them peaked out, so York had to figure which one had the head in it right quick. York had to be shooting when he saw the eyes - tenths of a second. Otherwise the Germans stayed low, behind their Maxims, heads down, and hosed over the crest.

Those Germans York killed with his M1911 were charging him with bayonets fixed, from about fifty feet away. Something less than six seconds before they got him. York figured that if they stopped and took aim he was a goner. Shot all seven dead in maybe four seconds. The last fell at York's feet, it has been reported. Shot with one hand while holding his Enfield in the other. That boy could shoot. They say that with a pistol York was equally good with either hand, by the way. Real, real, talent.

York didn't like to talk about this sort of thing, so I am "interpolating" lots of it, but I figure I am correct.

One thing is for absolutely sure, Alvin York was a true gentleman. Even had the gentleman's unfortunate head for finances! Snippy, here is your "manly man"!