Happy 4th of July, loyal airmen, and anyone out there who just happens to stumble on this site.  Today is July, 4th, 2008, the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by our Founding Fathers.  The bravery of those congressional delegates in Philadelphia was matched by the citizen farmers who took up arms against a government that unjustly taxed them without fair and equal representation.   Men like the brave Massachusetts lads depicted above in the Battle of Bunker Hill, who were willing to lay down their lives for a country free of the yoke of tyranny, where every man, woman and child could live in peace and pursue their dreams without fear of reprisal or religious and political persecution.  What our ancestors did in 1776 was create an ideal and from it they shaped an amazing land, the United States of America.

To this very day it stands as the very beacon of hope and democracy in a world still suffering from ideological monsters and modern day tyrants.  Having served in the military and seen foreign lands, I came home to the belief that she is worth fighting for and dying for, as those brave Massachusetts lads did long ago.  So today my heartfelt thanks go out to all those who have ever worn the uniform of our military forces, past and present.  Those of you now in service, both home and on those far off distances shores, God bless and keep you strong, safe and soon bring you home to this “home of the brave.”

                
Now in reflecting on America's history, I found myself remembering all those glorious stories of heroic men and women I was taught as a child in grade school; from Paul Revere to George Washington and Betsy Ross.  They seemed like figures of myth to me, way larger than life.  As a teenager I loved Walt Disney's efforts in regards to celluloid patriotism with their JOHNNY TREMAINE, the story of a Boston boy who becomes a member of the Sons of Liberty.  Then there was the SWAMP FOX, a series of about Francis Marion, the Southern soldier who practically invented guerrilla warfare, using his knowledge of the land to confound the British troops.  These were lots of fun but they were really glamorized in the Hollywood fashion.  No one made a real effort to show how it truly must have been.

Until, that is, historian David McCullough wrote is two books, 1776 and JOHN ADAMS, the latter winning him a Pulitzer Prize for history.  Then along came Tom Hanks and HBO.  They adapted McCullough's epic into a memorable, inspiring sever part mini-series that is now available on DVD.  The joy of this book, and the series adapted from it, is that the characters we thought we knew now appear as real flesh and blood, imperfect people, all of them filled with fears and doubts about the events that ensnared them.   Somehow seeing them with all these misgivings suddenly allows us to realize just how courageous they truly were.   Had the American Revolution failed, and at the time of the signing, the odds were very much against us, all our leaders, both military and political would have been hunted down by the British and tried and hung for treason.  This is one of the most profound, eye-opening series I've ever had the pleasure of viewing.  If you, like me, are enthralled and fascinated by history done to this excellent caliber, then I recommend you pick these up, both the book for its dept of fact and research and the DVD for the deft performances of Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney and John Adams and his wife Abigail and Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson.  Believe me, you won't be disappointed you did.

Of course one of the hallmarks of a free society is commerce and after telling you all about our new Airship 27 store (go to Air Fare Page), I had to share the above with all of you.  Your beaming Air Chief is tickled pink (or this that an off rouge?) with his Airship 27 baseball cap, coffee mug and that awesome Brother Bones Comic Cover tee.  I know, the book isn't even out yet.  Ha.  Patience, loyal airmen.  We'll be making that announcement within the next few weeks for sure.  Anyway, here's the deal, guys and gals.  We are so happy with the quality of the gear on-sale at the shop, I'm making you this offer.  Any loyal airman who approaches me at a convention wearing any of our Airship 27 gear, or carrying an Airship 27 cup, notebook or whatever purchased from our shop will get to buy any one Airship 27 pulp title on our table for 50% off the selling price!   That's our way of saying thanks for supporting us and joining in on all the fun.

So there you have it, loyal airmen.  Now before this happy day is over, go out and barbecue and set off a few dozen firecrackers.  HAPPY 4th of JULY & GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Ron – Over & Out.