Sgt Alvin York
Veterans Day is just over a week away so Balladeer’s Blog looks at some more World War One history.
SERGEANT ALVIN YORK – At age 29 (yes, twenty-nine) Alvin York of Tennessee was drafted into the United States Army in November of 1917. York trained with the 82nd Infantry Division at Camp Gordon, GA. In April, 1918 the unit arrived in Liverpool, England and by mid-May was at Sommes, where they began relieving various units in the trenches to acquire their first field experience.
June saw York and the 82nd move to Lagney, where they patrolled and raided enemy lines for several weeks. In September York and his comrades participated in the St Mihiel Offensive and in October they fought in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, during which York earned the Medal of Honor. Continue reading
DOUBLE OVERTIME DYNAMITE – The SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE VAQUEROS played host to the CITRUS COLLEGE OWLS in a game for the ages. The Vaqueros trailed the Owls 7-0 in the 1st Quarter and 14-10 at Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with Citrus College on top 28-17 but Santa Barbara City College came back to force Overtime with a 31-31 tie to end Regulation. The teams exchanged TDs in the 1st OT but in the 2nd the Vaqueros’ Carlos Benitez returned a blocked PAT for 2 points, cutting it to a 44-40 Owl lead. From there a TD run made it a 46-44 SBCC win. 
With Veterans Day fast approaching Balladeer’s Blog takes a look at some more World War One history since that conflict gets much less attention than World War Two. 
FRANK LUKE – This 21 year old copper miner from Arizona managed 18 kills in 17 days before meeting his own end. In addition to shooting down enemy planes Frank Luke specialized in bringing down the much tougher targets: lighter than air craft. Pilots had to thread their way through relentless anti-aircraft fire AND rockets to accomplish a kill on such craft, making it sort of the fighter pilot equivalent of stealing bases in baseball. 
As always I want to thank all of you readers of Balladeer’s Blog! I love how you are solid enough that you don’t leave in a huff just because you might read something you disagree with or don’t like. 
RANGERS TOPPLE THE APACHES – The unranked KILGORE COLLEGE RANGERS took the field against the number 8 team in the nation – the TYLER COLLEGE APACHES. The Rangers trailed the visiting Apaches 10-0 to end the 1st Quarter but pulled to within 16-14 by Halftime. After the break Kilgore College took control, ultimately upsetting Tyler College in a 50-29 rout. 
WHEN RANKED TEAMS CLASH – The number 11 COFFEYVILLE COLLEGE RED RAVENS traveled to face the 17th ranked DODGE CITY COLLEGE CONQUISTADORS in a Jayhawk Conference showdown. The Red Ravens seized a 14-6 1st Quarter lead and expanded that to a 24-12 advantage by the midpoint. The 3rd Quarter ended with Coffeyville College clinging to a 24-19 edge over the Conquistadors. In the end the Red Ravens prevailed 31-26. 
Well, Hillary COULD say that and her obedient corporate media allies would report it as: HILLARY PASSIONATE ABOUT HER PLANS FOR THE WORKING CLASS. In that same spirit here are some more potential headlines distorted through the prism of what one percenter Carlos Slim and company have done to the concept of “journalism.” 
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN PRISON FOR RAPE: THE NEGLECTED HEROES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST WHITE PRIVILEGE 
THE GALLOWS MAN – This is another neglected American horror legend which has been presented in many different versions over the years. Ralph Sutherland was born in 1702 in either New York City or a town near the Catskills, depending on the version. 
THE DEAD PIT (1989) – This horror film was the directorial debut of the very prolific director Brett Leonard. While not a four-star movie The Dead Pit is enjoyable enough for the Halloween Season and should certainly appeal to anyone into 1980s horror flicks. This movie’s hybrid of zombie elements and slasher elements is both its charm AND the reason behind its love-it-or-hate-it status. 
CREDIT GOES TO BEN GARRISON AT GRRRGRAPHICS.COM 
