Dust Bowl Survivor/Hero

History often overlooks strong and resilient people who overcome insurmountable obstacles.  Discussing the long term and short term effects of the Dust Bowl is crucial to any unit studying the Great Depression.  I usually compare the economic struggles of the mid western farmers to the struggles of the northern city dwellers.  Here is a great unsung hero is a Dust Bowl Survivor: J.R. Davidson.

Jerrie Cobb

In 1978 Sally Ride became the 1st American astronaut in space.  Her success has been well recorded and documented. Sally Ride's achievement was made possible by earlier pioneers of the Mercury 13 squad.  Mercury 13 was led by a strong women aviator from Oklahoma.  Jerrie Cobb had to endure many obstacles while pushing the limits of the rights of women.  She was rejected because of her gender and had the "right stuff."  Her qualifications and strength were second to none.  She was rejected by Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson ,John Glenn and NASA.  Her story is amazing.

Survivor Hero

Ada Blackjack was an Alaskan native.  She was offered an opportunity to join an expedition to Wrangle Island (Alaska) in 1921.  Lack of basic necessities and family hardship led her to join this  dangerous expedition.  Read and compare the stories of Ada Blackjack and Sacagawea. The stories have a striking similarity.

Marcelino Cerna

In times of war courageous soldiers often rise up in the face of certain defeat.    Marcelino Cerna is a great example of one of these soldiers.  U.S. Army Pvt. Cerna was recently honored by President Obama and awarded various military honors.  His WWI experience is a great story to read.    This Mexican Immigrant fought for freedom and liberty.

American Revolution Rebels

Women could not fight in the American Revolution...or did they?
Compare these 2 unsung heroes to Paul Revere.  
#1  Sybill Luddington: Heroine of 1777.  At just 16 years old Luddington made a fantastic contribution to the American Revolution. She rode all the way from Putnam County, NY to Danbury CT. She rode over 40 miles to warn soldiers that the British were approaching.

#2 Betsy Dowdy: Heroine of 1775 goes on a very similar run with very little recognition in North Carolina. Enduring the wintry conditions, Betsy swam across Currituck Sound, rode through the Great Dismal Swamp, Camden, and then Elizabeth City, and then galloped inland more than 50 miles to Perquimans County, Her journey was more than 50 miles. I discovered Dowdy reading a children's book to my daughter. I found it in a children's book called The Ride: The Legend of Betsy Dowdy Paul Revere was a famous patriot who significantly contributed to the American Revolution. He participated in the Boston Tea Party and helped organize a network of soldiers to keep a surveillance on British military. He is famously known for his dangerous Midnight Run to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British were coming. His Midnight Run included a boat ride across the Charles River and a horse ride through the country side. (Approximately 13 miles)

Determined Doctor

The life of  Alexander Augusta is inspiring and valuable to remember.  He was an African American in the late 1800's.  Augusta was a doctor, teacher, leader and hero.  He was a Virginia native who served as a surgeon of the 7th U.S. Colored Regiment.  His pursuit of education and social justice was sparked by his own personal convictions.  His burial at in Arlington Cemetery is a testament to his courage and bravery.

                                                     

Civil War Humanitarian

Robert Kirkland was the Angel of Marye Heights.  He was a Confederate soldier from South Carolina.  Hours after a dramatic Union loss he asked his superiors to help suffering Union soldiers.  Kirkland brought canteens and solace to soldiers in pain.  He risked his life to console soldiers before their death.  He deserves to be remembered as a brave hero because of his humanitarian  actions at Marye Heights.  

Kirkland exemplifies the concept: When you have a choice to be right and kind.  Choose kind.

 

   

Louis Bonacasa: Serviceman's Poetry

Teaching and discussing the sacrifice of fallen soldiers is very important on Memorial Day.  Here is a poem written by a brave soldier who had the lines of his poem tattooed to his chest before deployment.  Read: Daddy's Little Girl  by Staff Sgt. Louis Bonacasa.

Excerpt From Daddy's Little Girl:

Your pretty smile will melt my heart

And your sad cries will always tear me apart

Daddy will be there to wipe away your tears

And there to protect you from all your fears

Your sweet little laugh will be music to my ears