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Post by Treasuredude on Jan 19, 2008 19:10:53 GMT -6
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Post by WY Man on Jan 19, 2008 20:39:47 GMT -6
Hmmm... That is worrysome to me. What will become of it? What will become of the museum and all the relics in the collection?
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Post by Scout on Jan 19, 2008 22:42:18 GMT -6
Everybody empty out your pockets now...do we have enough to buy it? With a couple of slot machines and a McDonalds next door we can makes this place pay big dividends. Wait a minute, make that a Taco Bell. I understand the place lacks any parking places.
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Post by elisabeth on Jan 20, 2008 3:30:41 GMT -6
It says there are parking lots round at the back ...
Is there any hint as to what they expect it to fetch? If only we, and the Friends, and the CBHMA, and (if we were still on speaking terms) the other LBHA could club together and buy it.
Or ... anybody know a kindly millionaire with an interest in the subject who might step in and save it for the nation? Maybe Brad Pitt. He was scheduled to play Custer at one point, so must know something about it all; "The Brad Pitt Foundation" would sound well to him, don't you think? Or David Milch. Not all might agree with his views on Custer, but he seems genuinely to care about the history of the Old West ... The Smithsonian? A university? The Autry museum? Or some corporation that could do with scoring brownie points for philanthropy at the moment? There must be so many individuals and institutions out there for whom the price of this -- whatever it may be -- would just be pocket change. Perhaps we should select one or two and lobby them, hard.
The thought of that archive falling into the hands of someone who'd just auction it off piece by piece makes the blood run cold.
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Post by Montana Bab on Jan 20, 2008 21:02:08 GMT -6
The thought of that archive falling into the hands of someone who'd just auction it off piece by piece makes the blood run cold. Couldn't agree with you more, Elisabeth! What really makes my blood run cold is how that battlefield and all the land surrounding it was not confiscated by the US Government in the first place, and preserved as sacred ground. And then even if one could find a corporation, or rich individual with connections to take over Garryowen, there is always the pending lawsuit and all the mess of its location involved. Pretty disgusting situation! (I like the Brad Pitt idea, but I think his favorite chick is more interested in Africa. And do they really need a connection to Hollywood to add to all the confusion in LBH? Talk about a circus atmosphere!)
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Post by Treasuredude on Jan 20, 2008 21:37:55 GMT -6
There was that guy (didn't ever find out his name) who was matching funds contributed to the Custer Battlefield Preservation Committee. I think he also paid for a trip into space if I remember right.
But.... the last thing someone with money wants to do is walk into a lawsuit.
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Post by Melani on Jan 20, 2008 23:36:57 GMT -6
Seems like the Preservation Committee should start fundraising now.
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Post by harpskiddie on Jan 20, 2008 23:39:38 GMT -6
Brad Pitt has become involved in building new homes in destroyed sections of New Orleans. He has lent his name, his labor and some of his treasure to the effort. You all may have seen his "pink houses" project on Larry King Live [not to say that Larry King is actually alive].
Gordie MC
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Post by ignimbrite on Jan 24, 2008 12:34:00 GMT -6
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Post by doyle1876 on Jan 24, 2008 12:54:49 GMT -6
I find it unbelievable if not somewhat macabre that a soldier's mortal remains (somebody who has given the ultimate sacrifice) can be in private ownership! It may even be the remains of Kildare soldier - Corporal James Martin, G Co. - as the remains were found without a skull.
Can the Government or the State not step in and purchase the property and contents on behalf of the American people?
Maybe I should get the Irish Government involved......
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Post by harpskiddie on Jan 24, 2008 13:15:42 GMT -6
Of course they can, the Government, that is. Why they have not acquired all of the land over which the battle was fought, at least the land from Ash Creek north, and including the valley, is a question for others to speculate upon. The whole shebang could have been declared a National Monument right from the word "go" and preserved for posterity forever - and with no outlay of cash. A quid pro with the Crows would have worked, I'll wager.
Gordie MC
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Post by gocav76 on Jan 24, 2008 13:33:32 GMT -6
Gordie, This thread has me wondering where our dead from the Spanish American War are buried? I would imagine in cemeteries located in Cuba. I wonder how they have fared over the years?
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Post by fred on Jan 24, 2008 14:00:44 GMT -6
A quid pro with the Crows would have worked, I'll wager. Yeah, they could give them Pine Ridge or Standing Rock.
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Post by fred on Jan 24, 2008 14:03:14 GMT -6
This thread has me wondering where our dead from the Spanish American War are buried? Ask Nguyen Cao Ky. I'll bet he has some insight as to how these things work. Best wishes, Fred.
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Post by Melani on Jan 24, 2008 14:07:48 GMT -6
It will be a cold day in--someplace--when the government comes up with the dough to purchase all that land. I also heard the Real Birds wanted to sell MTC, but wanted way more than it's thought to be worth. That's where the Preservation Committee should come in, though that is also way complicated. The article linked above says the committee is "not even remotely interested" in buying Garryowen, since they are in the business of buying land, not archives. All the buildings, businesses and the museum included in the sale make the whole thing even more complex, and it will probably go to somebody who wants a business opportunity. That's if it goes at all--the article also said Kortlander tried to sell the place in 1997.
It has been discussed before on this board that when the Preservation Committee does manage to buy land, they can't just donate it to the NPS without an Act of Congress. That's not impossible, I suppose, but it would certainly require jumping through a few hoops. But at least if the Preservation Committee owns a piece of land, it won't be developed.
The Civil War Preservation Trust manages to buy large hunks of battlefields back East. I have been to their website to try to figure out how they do it and what happens to the land after they buy it, but have not had much success in gathering that info. Maybe I should email somebody there, if I can find a contact address, and ask 'em about it.
I personally think the Unknown Soldier is safe. The monument is a little overblown, but seems perfectly respectful. The bad press that would result from messing with it would certainly prevent that from happening.
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