Fan Fair - Vol. 4

[morrobay]

[CellarDweller115]

How about Madonna?   

[CellarDweller115]

[morrobay]

William Shatner aboard Smoke 'N War Wind at the 2010 Del Mar National Horse Show

[morrobay]

[Roco]

Friedrich Von Steuben: Father of the U.S. Military



If George Washington was the father of the nation, then von Steuben, a gay man, was the father of the United States military.
 
To appreciate the contributions von Steuben (1730-94) made to the American Revolution, consider this: Before his arrival in Valley Forge in 1778, the Revolutionary Army had lost several battles to Great Britain and, without him, the United States of America might still be the British colonies.
 
February 1778: Arrives at Valley Forge to serve under Washington, having informed Congress of his desire for paid service after an initial volunteer trial period, with which request Washington concurs.
March 1778: Begins tenure as inspector general, drilling troops according to established European military precepts.
1778-79: Writes "Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States," which becomes a fundamental guide for the Continental Army and remains in active use through the War of 1812, being published in over 70 editions.
1780-81: Senior military officer in charge of troop and supply mobilization in Virginia.
1781: Replaced by Marquis de Lafayette as commander in Virginia.
1781-83: Continues to serve as Washington's inspector general, and is active in improving discipline and streamlining administration in the army.
Spring 1783: Assists in formulating plans for the postwar American military.
 
Washington rewarded Von Steuben with a house at Valley Forge (still in existence and open for visits) which he shared with his aide-de-camps Capt. William North and Gen. Benjamin Walker. Walker lived with him through the remainder of his life, and von Steuben, who neither married nor denied any of the allegations of homosexuality, left his estate to North and Walker. His last will and testament, which includes the line "extraordinarily intense emotional relationship," has been described as a love letter to Walker.

 
http://www.bilerico.com/2011/10/friedrich_von_steuben_father_of_the_us_military.php

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Interesting that you should post that, Roco!

The article you linked briefly mentions the site of his final resting place as Utica, NY, but it's actually
in Remsen, NY, north of Utica and I know because I lived in Remsen, NY and environs for about my
first twenty plus years!  Apparently Steuben was granted several thousand acres by New York State
after the War and he built a small cabin and spent much of his time there. The grounds are beautiful
and in addition to the historical aspect of the place are used as a park where people can picnic and many
groups used it as well like school group outings and the volunteer firemen's organization and such.

Can you imagine--less than a mile from where I lived growing up was a historical gay figure that I knew
nothing about until years after I moved away!  A young gay person growing up in a small town and a
gay figure of historical importance and a place I was frequently acquainted with and I knew nothing
about this!  Just knowing that growing up would have granted me at least one better day.

Imagine my huge surprise when I first learned of it!

I found a post on the New York Traveler site once where several photos were
posted of this place and which brought back several memory photos of my own.

http://newyorktraveler.net/baron-von-steuben-memorial-site-remsen-ny/

[Roco]

Thanks Lyle!

Gay history is all around us, if we only knew it.

I hope that someday, the contributions that gay Americans make

to their country will not be swept under the rug and forgotten.

[CellarDweller115]

If any of you saw the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics, you'll remember that the Queen seemed to have an angry look on her face.





The picture has become an internet sensation with many various captions that seem to fit soooo well.  For your enjoyment, I've put a few of them below, just scroll on down.

[CellarDweller115]

[CellarDweller115]

[CellarDweller115]

[CellarDweller115]

[CellarDweller115]

[Cally]

LOL! Poor old Queen - I think her face just naturally falls into that position - even though she seems to have a cheerful nature - and it must all be quite an effort at 86.  But I did think she should have raised a smile when she declared the Games open...