Archive for the ‘History’ Category
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24
Oct
2009
Chris McCandless – A Reflection
Most of us live our lives tightly woven in the embrace of modern society. There are people like me who do manage to get away a few weeks in the year to the wilderness and throw off the shackles of technology and the conveniences of indoor plumbing and soft memory-foam beds, but even I am guilty of punching the clock and watching the world go by. Chris McCandless was an idealistic young man who shook off his shackles for good and set out to find himself and ultimately meet his end in the place he held so high.
Many of you will have probably read the Jon Krakauer book or seen the Sean Penn docu-drama film “Into The Wild” and know the general basis for this article while some of you may be reading about this for the first time. This amazing story (the film being based on the book) chronicles Chris McCandless from his comfortable suburban life and University education and follows his travels across America. Having given all of his money to charity, abandoning his 1970s Datsun B210 after it (and nearly he) was washed away in a flash flood, he set forth to his ultimate destination of Alaska. It was his ambition to live a period of solitude in the Alaskan countryside before returning to his life in society. Chris had no survival experience, very little money, and no means to get there. But that wouldn’t stop him.
Chris, renaming himself to Alexander Supertramp (a direct reference to the 1908 book The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp by William H. Davies), would make his way on foot to the far North. Along his way he would take any opportunity for exploration that he would encounter, almost always going into dangerous situations (such as canoing down the Colorado River into the Gulf of California) with very little preparation, experience, and equipment. For a time he worked in South Dakota in a grain mill where he began to prepare for his final destination and acquiring hunting and meat preservation tips from local hunters and friends. Having prepared, at least in his eyes, for his “Alaskan Odyssey,” he set for Fairbanks, Alaska where he bought a Remington Semi-Automatic .22LR (with 400 rounds), some very basic camping supplies (such as a sleeping bag, cooking pot, etc.), and a book on the local Alaskan flora and fauna.
22
Jul
2009
His War: One Man’s Journey
I’ve been doing some research into the Italian campaign of the Second World War as of late for a project I’m drafting, and it got me thinking about something a little more personal. My grandfather, Elmer Ernest Mahar, was a soldier of the Second World War and he fought in Italy, recieving a shrapnel wounds on May 19, 1944 in the Liri Valley, Italy.
So I thought I’d write down what I discovered about this quiet, unassuming, but patriotic and brave man. My latest full-length article, His War: One Man’s Journey traces my grandfathers steps from recruitment to garrison duty in Newfoundland to the landings at Sicily, Reggio, and through the Ortona campaign and to the Adolf Hitler Line.
My grandfather wasn’t some super-soldier that they’re going to make a movie about, he was just a rifleman who wanted to do his duty. He was two years under aged when he enlisted, and he sacrificed his hearing and suffered wounds to his right arm. He was a soldier, and why he may not have been a Sergeant Major who won a Victoria Cross, he was still a hero, just like all other soldiers who fought beside him.
So if you want to experience a story about a soldier, someone similar to your own father or grandfather, then you should read the full article by clicking right here. The article is as accurate as my research allows, based on a handful of books, websites, and documentation and war diary entries from his combat unit, The Carleton & York Regiment. If you’re interested in learning more or would like assistance in tracking down some war history pertinent to your family, don’t hesitate to contact me for some help.
9
Jul
2008
The Real Kid: Who Was Billy the Kid?
As those of you who visit the site with any degree of regularity may have noticed, there are several essays and articles posted that I have written over the years. Having progressed my writing skills leaps and bounds since high school, I’ve decided to update all articles on the site with editing spelling, grammar, adding in additional information, and yes, even pictures.
The first of my updates is an essay of which I am very proud of, entitled The Real Kid. This article covers the claim that Ollie P. Roberts, a Texas man, was the infamous William H. Bonney, or better known as Billy the Kid. The history books all state that The Kid was killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett, yet in 1949 his story was discovered by William Morrison, a lawyer who wasn’t even looking for a story and heard about it totally by chance. “Brushy Bill” Roberts had kept his identity a secret since the supposed 1881 murder, even from his own wife, yet wished to receive a pardon of which he was promised as a young man.
Is it myth or reality? There is evidence to support both cases, but I’ll let you read for yourself and let you form your own opinions. Click here to read the article, and don’t be afraid to tell me what you think about it. History is always meant to be debated, that’s the only way we can find the truth.
