Historically, the period between 1890 through 1920, may have been our most prolific era of patriotic imagery. Veterans of the great American Civil War, and those organizations supporting them were in a full-blown fervor to remember the momentous events and the sacrifices endured by so many during the conflict. As veterans groups sponsored reunions and encampments throughout the nation, the glory and melancholy of it all would show through in literature, music, and art. The G.A.R. or Grand Army of the Republic were unquestionably the most active of all the groups. Depicted are several examples of postcards depicting the patriotism and remembrance of this group of Union Veterans.

Patriotism on the farm!. Behold the red, white and blue.

America is gearing up for the big Olympic event in London this next week. On display for the world to see will be our own superhero athletes representing this great nation of ours. The world will be watching, as our men and women compete, cheer, and wave the stars and stripes in celebration of victories, we may be fortunate to achieve. So it goes for all nations, who will send their superheros to the world competition. Each nation's people will have a patriotic verve that seems to be only surpassed in times of conflict.

The world will be watching, and more importantly our children will have an opportunity to watch many of our nation's athletes become national heroes. I look forward to this opportunity of planting the seeds of American patriotism to people around the world, for reasons other than an armed conflict. It is my sincere hope the example our nation sets at this year's games, is a platform that inspires a patriotic nation of future superheros. 

Its all about growing the seeds of American patriotism. What better way to get those seeds off to a good start than surrounding them in good American soil contained in an Uncle Sam hat planter. 

It appears that when man first stepped upon the North American continent he was destined to come under the red-white-and blue spell of patriotism. An incredible find just recently discovered and put on display in Benoit, Wisconsin was a "Patriotic Theropod."

Yes, some of the first patriotic seeds of our great nation were spread thousands of years before man set forth upon our continent. Yet another great moment in our patriotic history.

Branding our nation's goods as Made in America, was once more than a mere tag on the back of a shirt, coat, hat, or food package. It was a statement of our national patriotism often incorporated into a brand or product through an emblem that was proudly displayed in packaging or in advertisement of goods. American companies were once proud to use our nation's patriotic symbols to market their products. Today we search for an obscure label, or tiny script on the container. The once proud symbols of American patriotism, that scattered seeds of America throughout our nation and the world, are all but relics in the marketplace today.

 "MADE IN AMERICA" - Patriotic seeds are meant to be planted in our own country first and foremost. But not everyone seems to get the message. Last evening, ABC evening news ran the story about the decision made by "American" fashion designer Ralph Lauren to provide the US Olympic team with opening ceremony attire entirely made in China.

No, there weren't any seeds of patriotism distributed for our depressed economy at home to grow on. I do appreciate that sponsors step up to help our athletes and in support of the games, but why not do it right and support the country too.

I have a question - when our athletes step forward to accept a medal ,and American flags are being waved and wrapped around a celebratory neck, who do we thank for providing these flags, China?

The US Olympic committee should be embarrassed, Ralph Lauren and his company should be ashamed.

WE CAN DO IT TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Image surfing this past week for historic graphics and photos with patriotic themes, and I came across this photo and story. I thought I would give it another posting with full credit to the author of the story and photographer from Racine Wisconsin. Truly an image with "Patriotic Seeds"!!

Photo/Jeffery Phelps

Mark Madson runs down a hillside in Racine on Wednesday, carrying markers used in painting a football-field-sized flag with a tractor. He will add white stripes to the red ones and white stars to a blue field. 'I want to share the feeling I have when I look at the American flag,' Madson said.

 

Giant flag painted across Racine field

By JEANETTE HURT

of the Journal Sentinel staff

Last Updated: Oct. 31, 2001

Racine - Using a tractor as a brush, 300 gallons of paint as a palette and a landfill as his canvas, Mark Madson painted a masterpiece Wednesday.

 

Madson, 49, usually spends his days running his Little Limestone Co. quarry in Clinton in Rock County, but Wednesday he took a turn playing a patriotic Michelangelo. With the help of landfill employees, Madson spent the day painting an American flag the size of a football field - more than 100 yards long and about half as wide - on a slope of the Kestrel Hawk landfill, which is off 21st St., just beyond the back parking lot of Sam's Club on the city's southwest side.

"I want to share the feeling I have when I look at the American flag," Madson said, helping Troy Underhill and Francisco Aralleno fill a hand sprayer with extra blue paint.

Madson, whose blond hair and sun-tanned face was dribbled with blue paint, said he originally wanted to paint the flag in a field outside of Clinton to show his patriotism after the terrorist attacks Sept. 11 in New York and Washington, D.C., but the state Department of Natural Resources said no.

"That's just begging for a flag, but the DNR said I couldn't paint over the weeds," Madson said. "They're protected weeds."

Driving an Oliver 550 tractor, Madson painted the blue corner of the flag with Underhill and Aralleno's assistance before working on the stripes.

"It's a good place to have this - there's enough space here," Underhill said, stepping out of the way as Madson drove by with the tractor, spraying streams of leftover blue paint.

Madson said he came up with the idea to use the landfill about a month ago while he was having breakfast with his friend, Mike Ettner, at Elizabeth's Cafe in Delavan. Ettner runs the landfill, and he offered the field and assistance from employees.Ettner's help, along with paint donated by Hallman/Lindsay Paints of Madison, computerized design donated by Beacon Ballfields of Middleton, and fertilizer equipment donated by DeLong Co. of Evansville and Janesville, got Madson on his way.

"These people had faith in my idea, that it was a worthwhile project," Madson said.

Madson said he designed the project - and the paint system - the Thomas Edison way.

"I found 87 ways to do it wrong before I came up with the right way," Madson said.

Madson is used to playing with equipment and trying out new ideas. He has a truck suspended in a tree outside of his house near I-43. He has produced a two-hour video, "How to Build a Pro Street Lawn Mower," a guide on souping up riding mowers. But this is his first foray into painting.

Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Nov. 1, 2001.

 

Photo/Jeffery Phelps

Apartment complexes provide perspective on the scope of Mark Madson's undertaking Wednesday in this aerial photograph on the southwest side of Racine. 'I've never had so much fun watching paint dry,' Madson said.

Hey, we had another Birthday!! Patriotism was in full bloom, flags, banners, fireworks, lots of red-white-and blue. 236 years old this week. Thank you, founding fathers and all those that have followed to keep this nation great and safe. I salute our old friend Uncle Sam. (My Favorite Uncle)

Happy birthday Uncle, and may you have many more!