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12 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2014 | COMMUNITy NEWS Did You Know? By Bobbie Eckel DID yOu kNOw ThAT SEpTEmbER 16 IS mAyfLOwER DAy? On this day in 1620, the Mayflower finally set sail from Plymouth, England, to the New World. The English Puritans and a group of Separatists actually began their journey in 1608 when they left their native England and fled to Holland, trying to avoid charges of treason because their beliefs were opposed to the Anglican Church and the monarchy of King James I. However, the exodus was not a successful one, so they returned to England in 1620 and made plans to journey to America. The group then departed from Southampton on two ships (Mayflower and a smaller ship, the Speedwell) in August 1620. The smaller ship began to leak, however; the ships returned to port twice for Speedwell repairs but finally the Speedwell was deemed not seaworthy. (Interestingly enough, the Speedwell was sold, refitted, and proceeded to make many more profitable trading trips for the new owner! This led to speculation that the "leaks" were man-made because the owner was fearful of starving to death in the New World). The final count of passengers who stayed with the Mayflower was 102; another 25 to 30 crewman were also on board under the captaincy of Christopher Jones. The Mayflower had three primary levels — a main deck which included a cabin for Master Jones, a gun deck under that where the passengers lived and a cargo hold which held supplies and equipment for the journey and the necessities for setting up a colony in Virginia, their destination. The living space for passengers measured about 50 feet by 25 feet with a five foot ceiling. Given the crowded space, horrific weather in the North Atlantic and the fact that the passengers had already been on board the ship for over a month during the various delays prior to the actual starting date, it is a wonder that anyone survived the trip. Sixty-six days later, the Mayflower dropped anchor at Cape Cod, more than 600 miles off their intended course. During the first winter the passengers and crew were forced by weather to continue to live aboard the Mayflower. They established order by writing and signing the Mayflower Compact. For more specific details of this historical journey, please check out the Internet sources. It is truly fascinating reading. DID yOu kNOw ThAT SEpTEmbER 13 IS uNCLE SAm DAy? Although there are other symbols which have been used to represent our country, Uncle Sam is the most recognizable one. The officially recognized version of how "Uncle Sam" was created has to do with soldiers stationed near Troy, New York, during the War of 1812. The barrels of meat which the soldiers received were stamped "U.S." and were supplied by Samuel Wilson of Troy. The soldiers jokingly referred to him as "Uncle Sam." The first graphic of Uncle Sam appeared in 1813. In 1961, Congress recognized "Uncle Sam" Wilson, and even authorized a statue in his home town of Troy. However it wasn't until 1989 that Sept. 13 (the birthday of Samuel Wilson in 1776) was selected and a joint resolution of Congress made the day official. How many of us can remember the posters in WWII of Uncle Sam pointing with his right hand and the bold words, "Uncle Sam Wants You"? The message was somewhat intimidating, but quite clear in its intent. DID yOu kNOw ThAT ThE ThIRD fRIDAy Of SEpTEmbER, (SEpT. 19 IN 2014) IS DESIGNATED AS pOw/mIA RECOGNITION DAy? This day is a commemoration of American Prisoners of War and those still Missing in Action. It is also a day designed to bring national attention to continue our efforts to have the remains of fallen soldiers returned to the U.S. In 1986 the National League of Families proposed the third Friday because the day is not associated with any wars. The president of the United States issues a proclamation annually on this day. Federal law requires that the POW/MIA flag be flown on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, POW/MIA Day, and Veterans Day. The flag has a lighthouse in the background, a prominent prayerfully bowed head, and the poignant words, "You are Not Forgotten".

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