Project Appleseed

Your Appleseed State Board => Pennsylvania => Topic started by: Publican on June 06, 2012, 08:07:32 PM

Title: UPDATED - Success! Web & Print..The letter to the editor CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 06, 2012, 08:07:32 PM
Rumour has it that getting a letter published in the CDT can be almost impossible. With that said, seemed like a good time to try! We shall see what they say.

QuoteIndependence Day (so many of us sadly only know it as or refer to it as "The Fourth of July") is now less than one month away, Many of you have plans to gather with friends and family, cook out, and attend the many fireworks displays near your homes.



When I decided to write my thoughts about this day of remembrance, I did not want it to be the usual missive we see every year. Instead I have decided to illustrate my own ignorance surrounding the founding of our Country and the events and people who played a role. Why am I willing to display my total lack of knowledge about such an important event in our Nations history? Because once it was pointed out to me how much I did not know, I decided to do the same for you! You can thank me by passing the favor along to someone else.



I need to begin by telling you how I came to be aware that my knowledge was woefully lacking. I had not intended for this to happen when I signed up to attend a Project Appleseed event sponsored by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association. I originally signed up for the class because I wanted to learn traditional rifle marksmanship skills.I consider myself a complete beginner when it comes to Rifleman skills. I actually had to purchase a rifle to attend the class.




When I did my research online into what course to attend, I came across the RWVA. The description of what they do from their website is: " Project Appleseed is an activity of The Revolutionary War Veterans Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to teaching every American our shared heritage and history as well as traditional rifle marksmanship skills....".  http://www.appleseedinfo.org/



My initial thought was that as long as I can learn basic rifle marksmanship, the other stuff would be pretty cool too. Why did this additional education interest me?



1) This probably would be information I was never taught in school about the founding of the MY Country.

2) My Grandfather fought for the freedoms we have today, was wounded overseas, sent back here to the states to recover and was again sent overseas to continue fighting for something he believed in.

3) My Father was in the Army, My Brother was in the Navy.

4) I have not served.




The description about what is taught at an Appleseed event is as follows: " Our volunteer instructors travel across the country teaching those who attend about the difficult choices, the heroic actions, and the sacrifices that the Founders made on behalf of modern Americans, all of whom are their 'progeny.'
Our heritage program vividly portrays the Battles of Lexington and Concord with the kind of care and immediacy that is absent from most formal schooling. Modern listeners are confronted with the danger, the fear, and the heartbreaking separations that arose out of the choices made on April 19th, 1775. They are also reminded of the marksmanship skills and masterful organization that ultimately helped set the colonists on the path to success. Those who attend gain a better understanding of the fundamental choices faced by our ancestors as they began to set the stage for the nation we now enjoy".   

When I read the above description I already got the feeling my education about our Countries founding was inadequate. During class when we were not learning traditional rifle marksmanship skills we were hearing stories pertaining to that fateful day, April 19th, 1775. So many times our volunteer instructor (who is also the Pennsylvania State Coordinator) would say something like:


How many of you have heard the name Paul Revere? (Thank goodness I could at least say yes to this question)

Who has ever heard of Samuel Whittemore ?

Who has ever heard of Hezekiah Wyman  AKA Death on a Pale Horse?

How about  Mother Batherick ?

Or Meliscent Barrett  (age 15/16)?




Except for Paul Revere, I had not heard of any of the other heroes and heroines. A fairly depressing statement coming from a College educated 50 year old person who likes to think he is fairly knowledgeable about his Country.




At my Appleseed event I heard about a survey on our Countries founding where most Americans scored horribly. I decided to look up the survey and take it myself. http://www.americanrevolutioncenter.org/  The good news is that I scored exactly what the national average was. The bad news...It was an abysmal 78%.



From this point forward I will continue to strive to learn as much as I can about the people, places and events leading up to that fateful day, April 19th, 1775. I will also continue to practice the marksmanship skills I was taught - skills which helped our forefathers gain their independence.



I have already purchased a great book "Paul Revere's Ride" by David Hackett Fischer. From the back cover "...Drawing on intensive new research, Fischer guides readers through the world of Boston's revolutionary movement, recreates the fateful events of April 18th, and provides a fresh interpretation of the battle that began the war at Lexington and Concord..."



What should YOU do as a citizen of this Country? Thanks to the actions of so many who came before you and sacrificed so much - You have the free choice to do nothing OR to learn and pass along that knowledge to others. I have made my choice. What will you choose to do?



And yes, I am already signed up for a second Appleseed event where I hope to learn more about those Men, Women and Children who were instrumental in our fledgling Nations birth pangs

I decided not to over-emphasize the shooting aspect of the class because of.......Well, it's State College. Enough said.

Hopefullly it gets published so others who are not actively seeking out our organization might have it fall onto their front door step. AND YES, I had a great time this past weekend at the Lewistown PA Appleseed event with Chainsaw!!!

TheF00L
Title: Re: The letter to the editor I just sent off. CDT - State College PA
Post by: Pitmaster on June 06, 2012, 09:23:13 PM
Great letter to the editor. Your experience and thoughts are the same as mine.
Title: Re: The letter to the editor I just sent off. CDT - State College PA
Post by: Barbie on June 06, 2012, 09:41:17 PM
Let us know if you get it published... I sent out a handful prior to April 19th with no success  &)
Title: Re: The letter to the editor I just sent off. CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 07, 2012, 06:21:41 AM
Yesterday when I submitted my letter to the CDT I looked for their rules on submissions. I swear I could not find any. Welllll today when I checked on line I saw two notes. The first is a 250 word limit which I am sure I exceeded. The other limit set was 1 submission every 30 days. Oh well. I will send it off to other local/distant publications after CAREFULLY looking over their requirements.

Not a failure...just another chance to get the word out :)
Title: Re: The letter to the editor I just sent off. CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 07, 2012, 06:22:14 PM
I contacted the CDT today and told them that I now know that my editorial was over their limit. I explained that I consider the letter still my property since it did not fill their criteria.

With that said, I just contacted the Editor of the Centre County Gazette (Chris Morelli) via email and offered it to him/her. They have a 1000 character limit on the contact form that I used so I explained that the enclosed was only a portion of the complete piece. I will post if/when I hear back. Below is what I was able to send:

QuoteChris:

I was hoping to submit an editorial relating to Independence Day. I was not sure how to go about doing it so I thought I would include as much of it as I could in the 1000 character limit to see if you have any interest.

Thank you in advance
XXXX

Independence Day (so many of us sadly only know it as or refer to it as "The Fourth of July") is now less than one month away, Many of you have plans to gather with friends and family, cook out, and attend the many fireworks displays near your homes.



When I decided to write my thoughts about this day of remembrance, I did not want it to be the usual missive we see every year. Instead I have decided to illustrate my own ignorance surrounding the founding of our Country and the events and people who played a role. Why am I willing to display my total lack of knowledge about such an important event in our Nations history? Because once it was pointed out to me how much I did not know, I decided to do the same for you! You can thank.....

EDIT:
The CDT did email back and said to resubmit if I wanted to.
Title: Re: The letter to the editor I just sent off. CDT - State College PA
Post by: P3-tin-bender on June 09, 2012, 09:55:42 AM
I took the test you mention in the LTTE. I should have trusted my first response to the question about who the American Indians supported during the revolution! I  ended up with a 96 instead of a 100 because of that one question.  :(

Growing up in eastern Pennsylvania (Northampton County), I could see historical sites almost daily. In Easton, the Declaration of Independence was read 2 days after being signed. It was one of the first places outside of Philadelphia to hear it. Bethlehem and Nazareth were founded in 1740/1741. The area was a beehive for gunsmiths making RIFLES not just fowlers. There is a great deal of the land in the county that falls into the area of the Walking Purchase. A friend is a decendent of one of the three "walkers."

There is so much history here and yet so many take it for granted.  :(

My sister and I, then our children and their friends, and later our grandchildren, learned about it and were reminded about it every year as we placed flags on the graves of veterans in the cemetery including the graves of RV veterans. We started in 1967 when I was 12 and turned it over to others in 2008.

Telling the story to others is important. Great job on getting just getting your letter written and sent. Even if only the newspaper staff reads it, you have spread the message.

In the Navy, you would have received a big BRAVO ZULU for a job well done.


Bill Sisolak
Title: Re: The letter to the editor I just sent off. CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 09, 2012, 10:30:47 AM
Thanks. I am thinking that i will try to focus on one of the heroines of tbe Revolution. More interesting to many of the editors i suspect.
Title: Re: The letter to the editor I just sent off. CDT - State College PA
Post by: Pitmaster on June 09, 2012, 01:15:51 PM
Quote from: TheF00L on June 09, 2012, 10:30:47 AM
Thanks. I am thinking that i will try to focus on one of the heroines of tbe Revolution. More interesting to many of the editors i suspect.

Take it a tad farther and send something different every month or two.

While you are writing you might as well post it as a blog for everyone, spread your thoughts and they will grow through others.
Title: Re: The letter to the editor I just sent off. CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 09, 2012, 01:27:04 PM
1st part is a great idea. As to the blog...if you mean the blog here on the Appleseed site, I will do. This would be the only blog I would have access to.

Thanks again to all for advice.
Title: Re: UPDATED - The letter to the editor I just sent off. CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 09, 2012, 09:47:00 PM
Cutting this sucker down was a bear !@#) I wanted to try the original concept again before I branched off like we discussed. PLEASE offer any criticism you have. 250 words are not many to get across such an important concept. Thought I should post here before I mail it off again. Thank you in advance.

QuoteIndependence Day (often sadly only known as the "Fourth of July") is less than one month away. Many of you have plans to gather with friends and family, cook out, and attend a  fireworks display.


I have decided to commemorate by illustrating my ignorance surrounding our Country's birth. Why? Maybe it will help to inspire you as well.

I became aware of my unenlightenment at a Project Appleseed, "... an activity of The Revolutionary War Veterans Association.....dedicated to teaching every American our shared heritage and history as well as traditional rifle marksmanship skills...." http://appleseedinfo.org/index.html

Throughout the weekend we heard stories about "that fateful day", April 19th, 1775. Tom Scheller, the Pennsylvania State Coordinator would ask:

Who has heard of Paul Revere? Samuel Whittemore, Hezekiah Wyman (Death on a Pale Horse), Mother Batherick, Meliscent Barrett? I only knew Revere. A depressing statement coming from a College educated person.

We also discussed a survey on our Country's founding where most Americans scored horribly. http://www.americanrevolutioncenter.org/ I scored exactly what the national average was, an abysmal 78%.

From this point forward I vow to learn as much as I can about the people, places and events preceding "that day". I have started with the mesmerizing book "Paul Revere's Ride" by David Hackett Fischer. I am attending another Appleseed.

What should YOU do as a citizen of this Country? Thankfully you have the free choice to do nothing OR learn and pass that knowledge to others. I have made my choice. What will yours be?
Title: Re: UPDATED - The letter to the editor I just sent off. CDT - State College PA
Post by: George Hacker on June 09, 2012, 10:08:41 PM
Quote from: TheF00L on June 09, 2012, 09:47:00 PM
Cutting this sucker down was a bear !@#) I wanted to try the original concept again before I branched off like we discussed. PLEASE offer any criticism you have. 250 words are not many to get across such an important concept. Thought I should post here before I mail it off again. Thank you in advance.

How about the following edition?  I tried to simplify a few phrases and soften some of the wording so it doesn't portray an adversarial tone.  The goal was to keep the letter as a "see what I have found, come with me too" kind of approach.

- ShadowMan

Independence Day, sadly known only as the "Fourth of July", is less than
a month away.  Many will gather with friends and family, cook out, and
attend a fireworks display.  I have decided to celebrate by sharing how I
learned more about the real birth of our nation on April 19, 1775.  Why?
Perhaps it will inspire you as well.

I learned how much I didn't know at a Project Appleseed event, an activity
of The Revolutionary War Veterans Association dedicated to teaching every
American our shared heritage and history as well as traditional rifle
marksmanship skills. (http://appleseedinfo.org/index.html) Throughout
the weekend we heard stories about "that fateful day", April 19th, 1775.

Tom Scheller, an Appleseed instructor asked, "Who has heard of Paul
Revere, Samuel Whittemore, Hezekiah Wyman, Mother Batherick, Meliscent
Barrett?"  I only knew of Revere - a depressing statement coming from
a college-educated person. 

We also discussed a survey on our nation's founding where most Americans
scored horribly. (http://www.americanrevolutioncenter.org/) I scored
exactly what the national average was: an abysmal 78%.

From that point forward I vowed to learn as much as I could about the
people, places, and events preceding "that day".  I started with the
mesmerizing book "Paul Revere's Ride" by Dr. David Hackett Fischer.
I will attend another Appleseed.

What should YOU do as a citizen of this country?  Thankfully you have
the freedom to choose.  I have decided to learn more about our nation's
birth and pass that knowledge on to others.  I have made my choice.
What will yours be?
Title: Re: UPDATED - The letter to the editor I just sent off. CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 09, 2012, 10:18:19 PM
I like it. I will compare versions and check word counts tomorrow. Thank you so much.

Other/more ideas are always welcome too!
Title: Re: UPDATED - Resubmitted The letter to the editor CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 10, 2012, 10:50:24 PM
Submission Confirmation
Submission Confirmation
<
Your Letters
<
Opinion



Resubmitted with only a couple small changes. Thanks again for the help and words of encouragement.


QuoteSubmit a Letter to the Editor


Thank You! Your Letter to the Editor has been submitted successfully.

Read more here: http://www.centredaily.com/submit-letter/confirmation/#storylink=cpy
Title: Re: UPDATED - Resubmitted The letter to the editor CDT - State College PA
Post by: George Hacker on June 11, 2012, 12:33:13 AM
Please keep us up to date and let us know how things go.  Thanks for working on that.  I will put together a similar letter for my newspaper because of your inspiration.

- ShadowMan
Title: Re: UPDATED - Resubmitted The letter to the editor CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 12, 2012, 09:33:27 AM
WOW, could it mean that the CDT is becoming easier to get published in?

As I mentioned I resubmitted (via the on line form) the piece we came up with on Alison's suggestion. Today I received the following from her:

QuoteCork,

I still haven't received anything from you. Have you sent it?

Alison

Maybe she had wanted me to send it to her directly  :bow:

I just did! It could mean that Alison is either interested in the topic or she is just a good "customer service oriented" business person. We shall see.
Title: Re: UPDATED - Success? I think so - The letter to the editor CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 12, 2012, 10:32:09 AM
QuoteI don't know why I didn't receive the online submission. But thanks for resending it. It will run soon.

Best,
Alison
[/b]

^:)^

Sounds good. I will keep an eye on the CDTonline   http://www.centredaily.com/opinion/#navlink=navbar   

I do not get the paper version though. Maybe someone here who does can keep an eye out in there.

Thanks!

Title: Re: UPDATED - Success! Web & Print..The letter to the editor CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 14, 2012, 10:35:32 AM
Made the print as well as online version today. Just a couple small changes.
Working so can not link. Thank you to all for the help and encouragement.
ONE SMALL STEP.....
Title: Re: UPDATED - Success! Web & Print..The letter to the editor CDT - State College PA
Post by: Publican on June 14, 2012, 05:42:34 PM
http://www.centredaily.com/2012/06/14/3228497/letter-to-the-editor-a-history.html

This is the online link. Not sure how long it stays up.