So, to whomever decided to create the unique "Patriot's Day" t-shirts, I need to say a huge "Thank You" to you!!!!!!!
Yesterday afternoon I had just finished up a particularly difficult session in the gym and afterwards stopped off at a local BBQ restaurant for some good quick grub. A voice behind me asks, "So, what can you tell me about this Appleseed Project?". At first, I was a bit startled and wondered why a person would be randomly asking me about Appleseed until I remembered I was wearing my "Patriot's Day" shirt honoring Captain Johnathan Parker. I like to wear this shirt during heavy gym sessions to help give me a bit of courage to face a daunting challenge. The questioning gentleman behind me started asking questions and then stated, "I am actually a direct descendent of Captain Jonathan Parker". I was stunned – literally speechless!!!!
This gentleman proceeded to outline his family's lineage tracing all the way back to Captain Jonathan Parker himself!!!! Apparently, the Parker family was one which were natural Freedom Fighters. Some of the family had left Massachusetts and made their way down here to Texas just about the time another fight for freedom emerged on the scene. A number of the Parkers had volunteered in General Jim Bowie's army and fought in the Battle of Mission Conception, and later fell at the Battle of The Alamo. Some Parker family members were also present at Goliad and the Battle at San Jacinto!!!!!!
This gentleman knew his personal history just as well as his National history! It was so amazing to see!!!! I let him know, Project Appleseed is a foundation which holds individuals such as Captain Johnathan Parker in very high regards, and our mission is to make sure their acts of courage and sacrifices are forever remembered.
I gave him all the particulars on upcoming local events and where to find our more information regarding Project Appleseed. We exchanged phone numbers so we could stay in touch. The best part was, his actual sir-name was indeed "Parker". How mind-blowing is that!!!!!!
Had I not been wearing the t-shirt honoring his relative, we may have never met. Now, I feel we have a new key-speaker and future Instructor at our San Antonio events!!!!
Chad Stovell – GenX Minuteman
Amazing!!!
As I get older, I find there are really no coincidences. Call it fate, kismet, luck, whatever - you were meant to wear that shirt and meet Mr. Parker.
So cool!!!
This is awesome! We have an Instructor in Indiana that can trace his lineage back to Morgan's Men
That's cool! My kid sent me a picture of Samuel Whittemore's grave one day when he was working at a Harley dealership in Chattanooga, TN. He said he worked with Whittemore's great-great...granddaughter. She had only the basic outline of her history and seemed pretty happy to learn the details. She was really happy to see a picture and his name on our t-shirts.
Small world. 7th stepping works.
Don't forget Prescott in Idaho. :slap:
Such cool stories! I have been asked quite a few times about Project Appleseed when I am wearing my shirts -- I wear them often. We have a young lady who shoots with us from time to time who is a descendant of Daniel Morgan. Her first name is Morgan.