Beyond the Scenery

PARK NEWS

Alcatraz                  Yes, Alcatraz Island is in the National Park Service, part of San Francisco’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area. To get there, you have to take a ferry.

We know Alcatraz mainly as the site for a federal penitentiary from 1934-1963, whose inmates included notorious gangsters Al Capone and George “Machine-Gun” Kelly, and the so-called “Birdman of Alcatraz” Robert Stroud. For the 80 years before that, the U.S. Army used it as a military reservation and citadel.

In November 1969, the self-proclaimed “Indians of All Tribes” occupied and laid claim to the island, protesting the treatment of Native Americans. Over nineteen months, thousands—Hell’s Angels, Vietnam war dissenters, students, celebrities, and ordinary Americans—joined the cause. The situation became uncontrollable, as buildings were burned and vandalized, and federal marshals intervened, evicting those who remained in June 1971.

The first thing you’ll see is graffiti left over from 1969-1971, then you can take a self-guided audio tour of the cellblock. Three exhibits explore Alcatraz’s birds, the Indian occupation, and mass incarceration in America. Opt for a night or Behind the Scenes tour for a creepier experience.

So why am I mentioning this now? Of the fourteen escape attempts from “The Rock,” officially none were successful. The word “officially” is used because of a June 11, 1962 breakout of three men who were never found. Both the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the FBI concluded the trio and two others who took flight by trying to swim to freedom are “missing and presumed drowned.”

America’s 250^th Birthday in the Parks

On June 7, 1775, the 2^nd Continental Congress was still in session at Philadelphia’s State House, now called Independence Hall and part of Independence National Historical Park in that city. That’s when Virginia Delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion to put in writing the Congress’s intention to completely sever the colonies from England.

While the resolution met with broad support, a vote on its acceptance was delayed in order for more delegates to receive guidance from their home colonies on how to cast their ballots. In the meantime, the Congress appointed five delegates to begin drafting a decree proclaiming America’s freedom.

          Even before that, though, several colonies had already declared their separation. On June 15, 1776 Delaware announced its split not only from England, but also from Pennsylvania, to which it had been connected since 1682. That state’s First State National Historical Park observes the 250^th anniversary of Separation Day, as it’s called, this year on June 12-13 in New Castle, Delaware. Friday’s events include live music and local food. The following day features a colonial-inspired parade, children’s activities, programs, rides, games, food trucks, and live entertainment. Everything wraps up with a fireworks display that evening. Admission to the park is free.

Yet one more significant battle took place before our Declaration of Independence was approved. The British navy, recovering in Nova Scotia from their retreat from Boston, decided to take on America’s southern colonies. This story is told at South Carolina’s Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park.   

The British fleet reached the coast of North Carolina in May, but unfavorable conditions there sent them on to Charleston, South Carolina in June, where they landed on what’s now called the Isle of Palms. This is near Sullivan’s Island, which held a partially-built fort constructed with palmetto log and sand, guarding Charleston harbor. Patriot Colonel William Moultrie commanded an as yet unnamed garrison.

On June 28, the Royal Navy and its nine ships began discharging over 270 cannons at the fort. Approximately 400 colonial troops equipped with a mere 31 cannons fired back. After nine hours, the British withdrew in a crushing defeat.

In the aftermath, the garrison was dubbed Fort Moultrie. Fort Sumter acquired its name from Thomas Sumter, who took part in the action, and went on to participate in other Revolutionary War campaigns in the south.

Carolina Day, which memorializes the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, will be held at the park on Saturday, June 27. A commemoration ceremony starts the day, followed by historic musket and artillery firing demonstrations, and hands-on activities for all ages. This too is a no-cost event.

Another person who defended Charleston was loyalist Colonel Christopher Gadsden, considered an extremist by many of his contemporaries. You might recognize his flag, which has had a resurgence in popularity this century. 

  

And speaking of flags…

         Flag Day, June 14, is a fee-free day in any National Park Service site that charges admission.

 

BOOKS

         Pelican Book Group releases Blue Jean Bayou by Janis Jakes on June 12. This clean contemporary romance novel takes place in the East Texas bayou.

         For those of you looking for a devotional, Lauren Crews’ Word Made Flesh comes out this month through CrossRiver Media.

 

WITH GOD, THERE IS AN ESCAPE

         “No temptation has taken over you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

But…first you must receive Jesus as Savior; to those who do, “He gave the power to become children of God” (John 1:12). Otherwise, “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3).