April 1st 1996: The Taco Liberty Bell Hoax

#4: The Taco Liberty Bell

1996: The Taco Bell Corporation announced it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to express their anger. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed,

a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when

White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known, he said, as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

Related:
• Taco Liberty Bell (full-length article)
• Unlikely Acquisitions announced on April 1st
• April Fool’s Day hoaxes involving national landmarks

To read more on the hoax visit here >>>

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To visit the Real Texas Traveling Liberty Bell site here >>>

The Last Doughboy: A Tribute to Corporal Frank Buckles (1901-2011)

The Last Doughboy

from Belladier’s Blog

“David, you have a duty to live. I have a duty to live. There are so many people we need to outlive.”

-Corporal Frank Buckles

February 1, 1901 – February 27, 2011

Corporal Frank Buckles died after completing all of his duties to his country at 110 years and 26 days.  I had the distinct privilege to become part of this wonderful American soldier’s life after he called me up one July morning in 2007. The call went something like this:

David: Good morning! This is David Hall. How may I help you?

Frank: Hello, this is Frank Buckles. I’m a WWI veteran. It is a fine thing you are doing with the Liberty Bell, sir. I-

David: (interrupting) Thank you.

Frank: I would like to stand with you. Well, I need to go. Thank you for what you are doing for our troops. (Click.)

I googled Frank Buckles and there he was – WWI army corporal, one of four Americans still living. I excitely went to the kitchen to tell my wife, Phyllis, the news. I had talked with an American icon.

Later that day, Phyllis received another phone call:

Susan: Hello, my name is Susan Flannigan. Did you receive a phone call from this number earlier today?

Phyllis: Yes, yes, from a Frank Buckles. He talked with my husband.

Susan: I’m Frank’s daughter. Did he promise you anything?

And so began a friendship that has endured to bless our lives.

Frank had a duty to live.

Letter to Frank Buckles

Corporal Frank Buckles’ Bell Song

Frank Woodruff Buckles Website

Liberty Bell Site

Crossposted on R3publicans / CLibertyC

Originally published on: Mar 10, 2011 @ 3:44

Frank Buckles will be laid to rest in Arlington Memorial with full military honors on March 15, 2011