Monday, December 29, 2008 12:53:57 PM · by BGHater
· 74 replies · 2,015+ views
AP ^ | 28 Dec 2008 | WALTER PUTNAM
Posted on 03/18/2009 11:26:54 AM PDT by BGHater
A GROUP of Welsh Americans are hoping their campaign to reinstate a plaque celebrating the arrival of Prince Madoc ap Owain in the US will overcome its final political hurdle.
The plaque was blown out of its position on the Alabama shoreline at military museum Fort Morgan by Hurricane Frederic in 1979.
The Alabama Welsh Association (AWA) wants the plaque restored to its original position and last year won the backing of the state’s House of Representatives.
Though the motion then stalled in Alabama’s senate the AWA believes a resolution calling for its reinstatement could be passed when the local authority reconvenes later his month.
According to legend, the Welsh prince arrived in Mobile Bay, Alabama, in 1170, in order to escape a war of succession in his homeland following his father’s death.
If true it would mean he was in the country three centuries before historians say it was discovered by Christopher Columbus.
AWA say the plaque must be reinstated in recognition of the area’s links with Prince Madoc.
But the Alabama Historical Commission, which runs Fort Morgan, believes a plaque celebrating a Welsh prince is ill-suited to the museum’s military ethos.
In a letter to AWA the Historical Commission said the site only “focuses on the United States military presence”.
However, president of the AWA Janice Gattis maintains the Commission is failing to see the tourism potential of the Madoc link.
She said: “It’s our Plymouth Rock.
“It represents our heritage and our connection with Wales – Alabama has a strong connection with Wales.”
Madoc is said to have set off on his journey from Rhos-on-Sea – a plaque in the Conwy town celebrates his voyage.
Mrs Gattis added: “We have an online petition with more than 2,300 names from across the world. We’ve got Welsh people in Australia, Canada and Japan who want the plaque put back up.”
The Mobile, Alabama, chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) paid for and installed the plaque in 1953.
After the hurricane struck, the museum authorities had it placed in storage at a warehouse before it was handed back to DAR.
Margaret Odom, the leader of DAR’s Virginia Cavalier chapter, in Mobile, said they would gladly see the plaque moved back into position.
The executive director of the Historical Commission Frank White has said: “The Alabama Historical Commission carefully considered the facts and chain of events.
“The plaque was delivered to the Mobile Chapter of the DAR and is now in their possession.”
ping!
And ping!
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Thanks bamahead. |
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When settlers moved across the country they found blond haired, fair skinned indians and celtic writtings and coins.
My dentist always INSISTS I get rid of all plaque. Welsh or otherwise... Hrmph
Restoration of the Commemorative Welsh Prince Madog Plaque to Mobile Bay
SunkenCiv and I signed it a couple years ago. This is not far from my house.
Alabama ping of interest!
I’m of Welsh heritage....dammit! My maiden name! American Indian, Irish, British, and Chinese too! Should keep the ACORN Census robots busy @ the door! LOL!
YES! Prince Madoc preceded Columbus. He deserves the recognition. I’ll go to my grave believing that.
I realize that ocean currents and weather were a fairly serious obstacle in crossing the Atlantic. But even so, do the so-called experts ever grab a globe and realize that there are several places where crossing the Atlantic is shorter than going from Israel to Gilbraltar in the Mediterranean?
Especially the North Atlantic. Even more so if you factor in islands like the Azores and the Carribean islands? I mention the Med because it’s been crossed by ships for thousands of years. Why couldn’t have someone made it here earlier than the Vikings?
People should be able to put a monument saying the Martians landed if they want and are willing to pay for it with their own money. If they want to believe it, you have a constitutional right to believe whatever you want, regardless of how idiotic.
Sorry, but Bjarni Hergelfson discovered North America several years before even Leif Erikson was credited for it. And Leif Erikson was credited with it back in the year 1001 AD.
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