The cross-country adventure of Annie Amerika - the patriotic nickname of Bridgeport's own Gale Wilkison - came to an end on Aug. 12. In her own words, from her Facebook fan page:
"Did you hear about the woman who traveled over 10,000 miles this summer to give away American flags to complete strangers? That's me Annie Amerika and I drove 10,889 miles in 65 days and I gave away 70 large American flags. So why would I give away over $1800 in American flags? I gave away these donated flags to unsuspecting homeowners because those homeowners are the patriotic backbone to our great country. Anyone who flies an American flag every day and flies it proudly even when old glory is tired, they are heroes in my story."
Annie's mission to replace the worn-out flags of rural citizens across the U.S. was a dream of her late husband, John E. Wilkison IV, a Vietnam veteran. When he died in a car accident in November 2010, Gale decided to make his dream a reality, and Annie Amerika was born.
About to hit the road Aug. 12 for the last leg of her trip, the one that would bring her back to Bridgeport, she wrote:
"Today as I head home I will ponder my journey and all the wonderful patriotic people I have met along the way. People who have changed me forever and helped heal my heart heal by sharing their stories. Those that made me laugh, and cry. I anticipate temporary sadness when I get home, but my heart will be filled with love and I will never forget just how blessed I am."
Annie has announced she plans to write a book chronicling her trip, and she's asking for the help of her followers.
"I can easily write about what I learned on my trip but could you please tell me how my journey and story has touched you, or maybe share a story from or about the last 65 days," she wrote on her Facebook page. Anyone wishing to contribute can send her an e-mail at AnnieAmerika2012@gmail.com.
You can still follow her online, or read up on her journey if you missed it, at www.facebook.com/AnnieAmerika2012 or www.AnnieAmerika2012.blogspot.com.
This day in history - Aug. 23
1305: Scottish leader and national hero, William Wallace, was executed in London.
1784: Four counties in western North Carolina declared their independence as the state of Franklin. The counties lay in what would eventually become Tennessee.
1838: The first class graduated from Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in South Hadley, Mass. It was one of the first colleges for women.
1892: The printed streetcar transfer was patented by John H. Stedman.
1904: Hard D. Weed patented the grip-tread tire chain for cars.
1914: Japan declared war on Germany in World War I.
1939: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression treaty.
1944: Marseilles, France, was captured by Allied troops during World War II.
1959: In the Peanuts comic strip, Sally debuted as an infant.
1982: Gaylord Perry of the Seattle Mariners was tossed out of a game for throwing an illegal spitball.
1983: The U.S. announced that it was nearly ready for a test flight of an anti-satellite missile.
1996: U.S. President Bill Clinton imposed limits on peddling cigarettes to children.
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