Delmar DustPan

I was up to the Asian Foodmarket at Bargin Bill Flea market today. At the store they have a free give-a-way "newspaper" called the "Asian Journal". I usually pick up a copy because first it is free and second because I read about anything that comes my way. The "newspaper" is mainly aimed at Filipinos. I think the Philippines is one of those countries, like India, whose main export is people.

First, the paper was in English or I would have never known what was in it. In general the paper has news about the The Philipines and other articles of interest to Filipinos working in the United States. There is also a high number of ads for immigration lawyers and recruiting companies. The recruiting companies mention they can get you a free H1B or immigrant visa sponsorship. Some offer free 2 week hotel accommodations for foreign recruits upon arrival in the United States. There were also a number of articles explaining what to do to protect yourself from employers and gain permanent status.

Now I know there are a number of companies that recruit or provide legal representation to immigrants, but I am always surprised when I see ads for them. I know also these immigrants get ripped off everyday and some of these ads sound like they are rip offs. The paper seems to be one of a number of "newspapers" and "magazines" whose main purpose is to provide a setting for these Ads to be presented to the public.

Delmar Pizza had a well deserved review in the Daily Times yesterday.

On March 6th there will be an auction of 206, 208 and 300 E Walnut St Delmar Md by Marshall Auction. I was impressed with this gentleman because he came to the Planning and Zoning Meeting to verify these two lots were buildable in Delmar before he advertised them. I mentioned his presents at the meeting in this post.

In his ad in the Sussex Guide he mentions the lots have been approved for a home with a 30ft width, otherwise they will need a variance.

Yesterday, while I sit in the waiting room at Carl King’s Tires with ESPN on the TV (what else would be on the TV in a tire place?). I caught bits of The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing testimony from and about Roger Clemens drug use. Do these Senators and Representatives have nothing better to do than to spend their time asking questions about some one who plays a kids game? The economy sucks, a war is in Iraq, and our borders might as will have an open gate for anyone who wants to enter and these elected leaders are wasting their time on something as trivial as this. Who cares if he shoots up with what ever shit he takes, it is about as interesting and as important to government business as what Britney Spears is doing, yet ESPN was showing this stuff live and I got to see it repeated later that day on the national news and our government, again, wasted about a million dollars in time and expense to have a hearing on this.

There will be a Spaghetti Dinner at Camelot Hall on Saturday, Feb 16th from 4 to 7 pm
$7 adults, $5 children 4 to 12, Under 3 free Carry outs $8


Children Theater of Delmarva on Saturday, Feb 16th will have a puppet show on the at 2nd floor of Boscov, at the Centre (the mall) in Salisbury, the show is FREE and starts at 2p.m., doors open at 1:30 p.m.



The Second Annual Chili Cook-off will be at the Harley Davidson in Seaford on Saturday February 16th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. a tasting packet will be $5.00

Feb 14, 1888 The Laurel Gazette

DELMAR ITEMS

The assault on an Irishman which occurred here several nights ago, still creates much excitement. The real facts of which probably will never be made known. It started as similar cases, from whiskey, and ended in a drunken brawl; but I think it will serve as a good lesson to some of the leaders. We sincerely hope it will.

Our youngest daughter, Susan, turned 20 today. Happy Birthday Susan!!!

I will admit it has been a bit airish the last couple of days, but look around; bulb plants are breaking thru the ground, some trees have gotten buds on them, there are a few blossoms of forsythia. It gives you hope.

From the Bi State Weekly February 11, 1949

FRENCH GRATITUDE CAR TO VISIT DELMAR THIS SUNDAY

TO BE ON DISPLAY FROM 4:45 UNTIL 6

"Commander Ralph Good, of Glen Rayne Post No. 15, The American Legion, announces that plans have been completed for the reception of the Delaware car of the French Gratitude Train, which is to be in Delmar, Sunday February 13. The car which is being taken on a tour of Delaware cities and towns during the week of February 13, by the 40 and 8, the American Legion organization, will arrive in Delmar at approximately 4:45 p.m. and will be on display in front of the Avenue Theatre until 6:00 p.m.

All residents of Delmar and vicinity are urged to view this expression of the gratitude of the French people for the Friendship Train that was sent to France by the by the United States.

Welcoming ceremonies by the Mayor and Town officials of Delmar and Glen Rayne Post have been arranged by past commander, Francis E. Nunvar.

The hundreds of gifts which the car contains are to be distributed to the State of Delaware, the archives, commission of the state, schools, hospitals, orphanages, Veterans administration hospital, catholic Diocese of Delaware, Wilmington Lodge, BPOE, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and libraries. There will be no general display of gifts at one place, but each institution which receives a gift will be asked to display them. The gifts will be distributed during the tour.

The State Highway Department will provide the trailer-tractor to be used in transporting the Delaware car on its tour of the state."

As the article stated the French Gratitude railcar came to Delmar. In November 1947, citizens of the United States embarked on a private relief effort to provide aid to war torn France and Italy. This aid was $40 million dollars in supplies filling 700 cars was sent to Europe and was called the "American Friendship Train". There was also a short film documentary called The Friendship Train.

The Freedom Train, painted red, white and blue in Salisbury Maryland in 1947.

A French rail worker and World War II veteran, Andre Picard was so touched by this gesture he suggested France reciprocate. A French veteran’s organization quickly embraced his idea and developed a committee to collect the gifts. A search was conducted to commandeer boxcars from rail yards and depots throughout France to restore them in preparation for their journey. The Railcars themselves were built between 1872 to 1885. Over 52,000 gifts totaling 250 tons were collected to fill 49 boxcars bound for all the states in the U.S. including one car to be shared by the District of Columbia and the territory of Hawaii. Because the French Railcars were too narrow of a gauge to fit our railroad tracks they were carried around to the States on flatbed trucks.

The care of the boxcar was later placed with an independent veteran’s organization, La Societe des Quarante Hommes at Huit Chevaux, referred to as, “The Forty and Eight” society, which was organized in the 1920s by World War I veterans that rode aboard the cars throughout Europe.

The "Forty and Eight" draws its origin from World War I, when the United States had Americans in France to fight "The War To End All Wars." The first thing they ran into was a Voiture boxcar. The narrow gauge railroads of France had box cars that carried little more than half the capacity of American boxcars and these were used to transport the soldiers to and from the fighting fronts. Each boxcar carried carried 40 men or 8 horses (40 hommes et 8 chevaux). The cars were stubby, only 20.5 feet long and 8.5 feet wide. The cars gave their name to a fraternity formed within the American Legion — La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux.



The Delaware Gratitude railcar resides in Seaford at the American Legion there. I measured the car and it is about 8 ft by 20 ft which would give a square footage of 160 ft. If they packed 40 soldiers, with rifles and field packs into each one that would give each person 4 sq ft, or a space 2 by 2 feet. I don’t see how you can even stand in that space.

The Coats of arms on the boxcar represents the provinces of France.

The State of Delaware has a historical sign by the car.

A good website on the cars is at
Merci train