International Relations!

Philadelphia Eagle · Post by **Philadelphia Eagle** » Sat May 14, 2005 6:22 pm

I was fortunate today in being able to play a (very small) role in the furtherment of international relations between the United States and Britain.

We regularly visit Valley Forge National Historic Park which is close by. The Park covers several hundred acres of rolling grassland and is criss-crossed with paths, cycle trails etc.

As it is also the site where General Washington camped in 1777/8 to mount a (successful) attack on the British forces trying to undo Independence it has major historical significance with replicas of various military items from those days.

As such it is visited by many tourists - both American and foreign.

This morning we decided to pay one of our regular visits. It was a typical Spring day with temperatures in the low 80s, cloudless sky and low humidity. Pefect.

The Park has many beautiful shade trees and we stopped under one so that my wife could sit on a bench for a while (I, of course, was sitting anyway in my wheelchair).

On another park bench under the same tree sat a couple so we exchanged the usual pleasantries.

It turned out that they were from England on their first vacation to America and were having a great time.

Unfortunately both ( the lady in particular) were suffering a little from the warm weather and, as we sat there, she was perspiring quite a lot.

We were some distance from the nearest park store where they could have gotten something cool to drink so my wife produced two cans of soda from the coolbag attached to my wheelchair.

They were both profuse with their thanks for this very minor piece of assistance we could offer and, having recovered visibly from their dehydation,set off to return to their tour bus in good spirits.

They said they wouldn't forget their first visit to America and insisted on taking a photograph of the occasion!

If they mail me a copy I'll post it on the Forum!

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sat May 14, 2005 6:33 pm

well good on you Philly, i am all for good US~~British relations! and often.

:-4

Tan · Post by **Tan** » Sat May 14, 2005 6:50 pm

Excellent!

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Sat May 14, 2005 7:56 pm

Awww come on Philadelphia Eagle:

You know that we Americans have no compassion for people from other countries!! We have our priorities already set and we would never show that we cared............ NEVER!!!!!!!!

So I am calling your bluff here and now. This was ALL fabricated and could not be true.......... Tell me yes so we can keep our un-compassion intact...

PLEASE!!!! For we all know we are a un caring bunch of simps!! Cut and Dry

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Sat May 14, 2005 10:58 pm

Good on ya P.E, although it never crossed my mind that you folks in the States were anything but curtious.

I'm sure that Smithy will agree when she visits later this year. :yh_flag

john8pies · Post by **john8pies** » Sun May 15, 2005 3:59 am

I fully approve of anything which enhances UK/ USA relations!

Post by **spot** » Sun May 15, 2005 8:22 am

Bravo, PE. Every little kindness adds to the joy of living.

It must be an interesting monument. No battlefield, no battle, but the place where the American Army learned its trade. Didn't someone say that the Army never again lost in a fair fight, after Valley Forge?

How much of Philadelphia survives from the time when it was the American Capital? Are areas of the city considered Heritage sites, the way Valley Forge is?

devist8me · Post by **devist8me** » Sun May 15, 2005 8:36 am

People like yourself PE, keep reminding me that there are good kind people out there. Thank goodness for that.

Philadelphia Eagle · Post by **Philadelphia Eagle** » Sun May 15, 2005 9:35 am

Hi there Spot.

Parts of old Philadelphia are designated a ' National Heritage Site' and important landmarks like the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House and Independence Hall have been faithfully restored.

Enactments of the signing of the Declaratiom of Independence are also carried out by people dressed as they would have been in those days rather like the City of Boston replicates the Boston Tea Party etc.

Valley Forge is indeed facinating and those log huts which Washington instructed his men build for their accomodation during the bitter winter weather they encountered have also been faithfully replicated.

As you might imagine tours of Historic Philadelphia, Vallry Forge and of course Gettysburg are firm favorites with tourists.

Now BTS - if I didn't know better I could swear you are a cynic!

You know that we Americans love everyone - well perhaps not quite everyone - but the majority of people and I'm sure you really feel the same way!

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Sun May 15, 2005 10:19 am

Philadelphia Eagle wrote:

Now BTS - if I didn't know better I could swear you are a cynic!

You know that we Americans love everyone - well perhaps not quite everyone - but the majority of people and I'm sure you really feel the same way!
Who?

Witto Ol me a cynic!

PE....... You got me. LOL

I think what you did is what 95% of REAL Americans do everyday and I applaud you for it. I had 2 of my forefathers fight beside Gen George Washington at Valley Forge and am glad to hear that there are GOOD citizens around to help others enjoy their history.

My thanks to a fellow citizen.

Post by **spot** » Sun May 15, 2005 10:30 am

BTS wrote: I had 2 of my forefathers fight beside Gen George Washington at Valley ForgeThis is not to detract from the honor but - what were the other 126 doing, if you'll excuse my estimate?

Sillyness aside, you know, Benedict Arnold had quite a number of troops under his command. Washington wasn't the only commander in the field. "My ancestors fought shoulder to shoulder with Benedict Arnold" doesn't have quite the same ring to it!

BTS · Post by **BTS** » Sun May 15, 2005 11:28 am

spot wrote: This is not to detract from the honor but - what were the other 126 doing, if you'll excuse my estimate?

Sillyness aside, you know, Benedict Arnold had quite a number of troops under his command. Washington wasn't the only commander in the field. "My ancestors fought shoulder to shoulder with Benedict Arnold" doesn't have quite the same ring to it!
Not sure what your point is. So you had ancestors who fought side by side with Benedict Arnold (Who was under Gen. Washington)?

One of the ancestors helped Baron von Steuben train our troops there. He actually led his men SIDE by SIDE in squirmishes with Washington. He was a Col.

I can change it to what then?

Post by **spot** » Sun May 15, 2005 11:32 am

BTS wrote: Not sure what your point is.Never mind, BTS, I'm not as good as I'd like to be at expressing ideas on paper. It wasn't important.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon May 16, 2005 4:53 am

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/a ... urists.asp

smithy87 · Post by **smithy87** » Mon May 16, 2005 5:29 am

abbey wrote: Good on ya P.E, although it never crossed my mind that you folks in the States were anything but curtious.

I'm sure that Smithy will agree when she visits later this year. :yh_flag

Yeah well done P.E

In good ol Blighty it would have been curtious to point you in the right direction of the drinks kiosk!!! LOL :wah:

I'm kidding, but I have heard off numerous people that Americans are very curtious which makes a nice change in this day in age :-6

capt_buzzard · Post by **capt_buzzard** » Wed May 18, 2005 2:11 pm

I try to get along with All my neighbours in the United Kindom. Its just that some of them, still don't like us Irish.