![]() |
Nachman's 3201 - 3207 Washington Avenue Downtown Newport News, VA 23607 http://www.nnhs65.com/08-15-07-NNHS-Bill-Roos.html
http://www.nnhs65.com/05-26-17-NNHS-SueAnne-Kates-Bangel.html
|
![]() |
Dear Carol -
I
thought you might like to see the Daily Press Sunday, August 13, 2006 and
Monday, August 14, 2006. A beginning series Love your web site! Sincerely, Joanne Kates Roos of VA - 08/15/06
Joanne! How nice to hear from you! It sounds invaluable! Thanks for letting
us know! And I'm delighted that such a story was written. |
![]() |
Who Built: Retail pioneer, civic leader Rena
Nachman Kates The department store president was lenient with credit, active in groups and might have found today's retailers lacking a personal touch. |
|
Rena Nachman Kates | ||
BY VICTOR REKLAITIS 223-5682 August 14, 2006 NEWPORT NEWS -- Before Patrick Henry Mall or City Center at Oyster Point, shoppers flocked to Nachman's Department Store. Everybody seemed to buy from the downtown store in its heyday. It was Virginia's third-largest department store in the 1930s, and no store in the state surpassed it in merchandise sold per cubic foot. Few traces of the place remain today. The Nachman name is still visible throughout Hampton Roads because of Nachman Realty, but that business isn't headed by descendants of the store's founder. Rather, it's run by descendants of one of his brothers. Nonetheless, Nachman's Department Store is remembered for drawing shoppers to Newport News, its personal touch and its leaders. They included the civic-minded Rena Nachman Kates, who was the store's president for about 15 years. Kates - born in 1898 in a flat above the store when it was on 18th Street - was involved in the business from childhood through 1970, when a chain absorbed it. She began serving as president in 1954. Female executives were rare at that time, but it's unlikely that Kates considered herself a pioneer, said JoAnne Roos, one of Kates' twin daughters. "I don't think she ever really thought about it, because her mother before her worked right alongside my grandfather," said Roos, a York County resident. Kates' mother, Ida, was the store's second president after the death of her husband, Sol Nachman. He opened the family's first store in 1894 and tried a few downtown locations before settling on the corner of Washington Avenue and 32nd Street. But Sol Nachman died two years before a new three-story 60,000-square foot building that he designed opened at that site in 1931. The new building's first floor had cosmetics, men's clothing and a lunch counter, while other floors carried women's and children's clothing, books and home furnishings. It was the Peninsula's premier department store. Movie star Ava Gardner, who once lived in Newport News, bought her wardrobe there in the 1940s before screen tests in New York. "You're nobody unless you owe Nachman's." That was the kicker to a story that Kates enjoyed telling in 1989, three years before her death. A woman tells her friend that she's just paid off her Nachman's bill, and the friend exclaims, "You'd better go down and buy something else." When customers owed money, Nachman's was often lenient. Roos said Kates even helped some customers who were hard up, continuing a tradition started by Sol Nachman. Also during Kates' tenure, Nachman's was ahead of other stores in opening its lunch counter to blacks, according to the book "Newport News: A Centennial History." Kates was active in Temple Sinai, a number of local civic organizations and efforts to help Jewish refugees after World War II. The local groups included the still-running Peninsula Camp Fund Committee, which she co-founded to send children in need to camp. Nachman's was bought by Philips-Van Heusen Corp. in 1970 and made part of the Rices-Nachmans chain. It was later absorbed into the Hess's chain. In the mid-1980s, the Nachman's building on Washington Avenue was torn down. A branch store that Kates opened in Warwick Shopping Center on Warwick Boulevard is also no more. Sue Anne Bangel - Kates' other daughter and a Lancaster County resident - said the local retail scene in 2006 probably would upset her mother and grandparents. The personal touch toward customers and employees, she said, is often lacking today. |
||
Extracted and preserved for us by Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 08/17/06 |
Nachman's was my
favorite downtown store!
As it was where I'd go every afternoon to catch the Stuart Gardens
bus back
home,
I usually had time to stop in and "window shop".
I remember seeing Mrs. Green from my church
who worked up front in the jewelry
department,
as well as several women from my neighborhood who worked
elsewhere in the store.
I remember going upstairs to the portrait studio for my junior and senior
pictures.
I remember looking at the beautiful clothes and dreaming.
In the fall of
1967, I had the privilege of working in the stationery department on the first
floor. Mrs. Freeze, mother
of Tom ('63) and Gene ('64) worked in the silver department.
She was always so cheerful, and I remember her sweet face.
I also remember
some things back in the fifties at Nachman's
that were not so pleasant, but extremely indicative of the
times.
Outside the multitudinous teeny tiny bathrooms for white and 'colored' men and
women and employees
were the side by side water fountains - not for adults and children as is
commonplace today, but for white and 'colored'.
I remember as a child being offended by this needless and insulting duplication,
and the injustice of it all.
Despite this one
regretful look back at things that were not as rosy as we like to paint them
fifty years later,
Nachman's remains one of my favorite places. I miss it.
- Carol Buckley Harty of NC - 11/03/03
I too waited for the bus at Nachman's.
Mrs. Wilson (wife of the band director) worked in stationery there when we
were
in school.
Mrs. Flick worked in cosmetics. Her daughter was in a class a year or so
after '63 - Helene Flick.
- Kathleen Pilgrim Clark ('63) of VA - 11/06/03
Thanks, Kathleen!
Helene's mother was
one of the Stuart Gardens neighbors to whom I referred.
And Helene was in the Class of '64, it's true.
- Carol Buckley
Harty of NC - 11/07/03
Hey, does anyone
remember those machines in Nachman's basement that you could put your feet in
and see the bones
of your feet?
They were in the children's shoe department and were some kind of an x-ray
machine used for fitting shoes
properly!
I remember getting up there and putting my feet in them just for fun when my
mother was shopping around...and
my feet are still on the end of my legs and getting me around town...
amazing all the things we did as kids and survived...no consumer protection
laws, haha!
And wasn't Nachman's photo studio something wonderful?
When my daughter had her senior COLLEGE photos taken
they were so unprofessional
that I told her to come home with her cap and gown and we went to a professional
photographer
because by gum, after paying for four years of tuition we were going to have
some decent photos!
- Jean Poole Burton ('64) of RI - 08/29/04
Thanks, Jean!
Did you receive the note I sent you about the foot x-ray machine in Nachman's?
I remember buying a dress there that I just
could not do without and wondering
what my mother would say because it was so expensive...it cost $18. What a hoot!
The dress was a black sheath with a white lined lace
topper that buttoned in the back
and I wore a white hat and white
gloves of course for Easter I think. Now people
wear jeans and t-shirts to church!
-
Jean Poole Burton ('64) of RI - 09/06/04
Thanks, Jean!
Jeans and t-shirts to CHURCH?!? The Downfall of Civilization as we knew
it...I lost the hats in '67 and the gloves a few
years later, but I still wear nylons
and 3-1/2" heels to church myself!
Nachman's
Department Store was the official vendor for the Boys Scouts of America back in
the forties and fifties.
They carried the scout uniforms for Cubs Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer
Scouts,
and had all the neat gear and
accessories that any scout would ever need.
The official merit badge booklets were purchased there, as well as
the badges
earned by hard working scouts.
They were a well managed store, and many of students in my class had parents who
were employed at Nachman's.
- Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 09/06/04
Thanks, Joe! I had forgotten that part!
Carol,
Thought you might like the tune of the old Nachman's commercial.
- Tim Parsons ('73) of VA - 10/15/04
WOWZERONI, Tim!
I don't know where you find these treasures, but I'm beginning to believe you
have magical properties!
Thanks so much! This is a jewel!
Dear Carol,
I am a cousin of
At 8 AM I, too, cannot open the site.
Looks like a server problem, again.
What a serendipitous e-mail from Joanne.
I bet those former employees have all
kinds of memories and memorabilia
from
the store. Maybe Joanne could solicit
those once she can show them what is on
the site.
- Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 12/10/04
I hope so! Thanks, Dave!
Dear Carol
How cool. I hope Joanne can access the site.
I am sure some of the people at the
luncheon will love this and
perhaps
have things they would like to share.
Best,
-
Harron
Ellenson ('65) of MA - 12/10/04
Thanks, Harron! Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Dear Carol
I got it! It is just wonderful and I thank you and Harron for
revealing this wonderful extension
of the Nachman story.
We have been meeting and giving the former employees
a Christmas luncheon for many
years. And it appears it was
their happiest moments as well. Many thanks
for this extension of these memories.
I will share it at the luncheon next
Thursday on the 16th. Happy Holidays.
Very sincerely,
- Joanne Kates Roos
PS. I too was fascinated as a child with the shoe machine in the basement
(that would be frowned on today) to look
at my feet. It was fun for me too.
Tell Jean Poole Burton ('64 of RI)
my twin sister, Sue Anne Bangel, and I did the
same things she did and remembered that experience fondly.
Thanks for your
Old Stomping Grounds
contributions.
Sincerely,
-
Joanne Kates Roos
of VA - 12/10/04
Thank you, Joanne! This is very exciting! Have a delightful party,
and give everyone our best!
Carol,
I was so happy to see the email you had from Joanne Roos.
She mentioned her sister, Sue Ann Bangle. They are twins.
When their mother (Ida Nachman's daughter) delivered them, Mrs. Nachman was sort
of upset.
You see, she had gotten
layette items from the store...for one baby.
And she lamented that she couldn't duplicate them at the later date when she
needed doubles of everything.
So she initiated a program at Nachman's Department Store called Twin Insurance.
If you bought layette items there and registered yourself, there was a bonus if
you delivered twins.
Nachman's doubled
your purchases! I'm sure it didn't happen so often that it
hurt the store financially.
When my mother was delivering my younger brother, there were many foreign
interns
(remember, Riverside is a teaching
hospital) coming in and out, listening to
mom's belly, smiling and nodding.
She couldn't understand all the commotion and
there wasn't much English being
spoken.
Knowing just how carefully my parents had budgeted for one more child,
her doctor
didn't have the guts to tell her she was carrying twins!
When a Canadian medical student came in to have a go listening to the
dual heart
beats,
Mom asked him what was up.
He told her it was exciting to hear the heart beats of twins.
My mom's only
comment: 'I wish I had shopped at Nachman's'!
- Kathy Pilgrim
Clark ('63) of VA - 12/13/04
Oh, WOW! Thanks, Kathy!
I neglected to mention that my mother's cousin worked (at Nachman's) in the 50s
and maybe the 60s.
If memory serves, it may
have been the fabric department, because I have a
strong visual memory
of being fascinated by those counter-edge mounted fabric length measuring
devices, even as a 6 and 7 year old ...
(engineers are born, not made).
Her name was Mary Alice Ring Price, but she most likely went by the nickname
"Berta".
Perhaps one of that group will remember her.
- Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 12/13/04
Perhaps so. Thanks, Dave!
I have some
memories of Nachman's Department Store.
I worked there after school during my senior year.
I was a
"copy boy" in the advertising department, and the department manager was
a man named Andrew J. Bachman.
At the time he was also Chairman of Selective Service Board 122.
His name, along with the name of Esther M. Davis
should be familiar to all of
the guys
who lived in the Newport News area during the late 60's.
Mrs. Davis was Executive
Secretary of Selective Service Local Board 122,
and I still have all my deferment cards and my induction notice with her
autograph on them.
- Terry Haney
('66) of VA - 12/14/04
Thanks, Terry!
DEAR CAROL,
I WAS INTRODUCED TO YOUR WONDERFUL WEBSITE TODAY BY JOE MADAGAN ('57 of FL).
I TOO HAVE SOME
VIVID MEMORIES OF NACHMAN'S.
I MOVED TO NEWPORT NEWS IN 1955 AS MY FATHER WAS HIRED AS THE LADIES CLOTHING
BUYER
FOR THE
FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS OF NACHMAN'S.
WE WERE INTRODUCED TO THE OWNERS, CHARLES AND RENA
NACHMAN KATES,
THEIR TWIN DAUGHTERS, SUE ANNE BANGLE AND JOANNE ROOS,
THEIR HUSBANDS,
DR. BANGLE AND BILL ROOS (WHO WORKED AT THE STORE ALSO),
ISADOR NACHMAN, AND THE OTHER
EMPLOYEES WHO WERE ALL RELATED,
LIKE THE ACCOUNTING HEAD, MR. NACHMAN, WHOSE DAUGHTER
HARRIET ('60) ALSO
ATTENDED NNHS IN THE 50'S.
WE WERE TOGETHER SOCIALLY ON MANY OCCASIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
UNTIL THE STORE WAS SOLD
IN THE EARLY 70'S.
THE FAMILY-OWNED DEPARTMENT STORES OF THE EARLIER PART OF THE CENTURY
WERE NO LONGER ABLE TO HOLD THEIR OWN AGAINST THE BIG CHAINS. THIS WAS THE TREND
NATIONWIDE.
WHEN THE STORE WAS PLANNED AROUND 1930 IT WAS THE FIRST TO LAY DOWN A VERY LARGE
LAYER
OF OYSTER SHELLS TO ALLOW A BASEMENT TO BE CONSTRUCTED.
NEWPORT NEWS WAS ON THE WATER
AND BASEMENTS OF THAT SIZE WERE UNHEARD OF UNTIL
NACHMAN'S DID IT.
I WORKED IN THE MEN'S DEPARTMENT DURING CHRISTMAS FOR A FEW YEARS.
IT WAS MY VERY FIRST JOB.
I SOLD WHITE SHIRTS BY ARROW FOR $3.50!
THEY CAME WITH 6 OR 7 DIFFERENT COLLAR STYLES AT THAT TIME.
DURING THE REGULAR SCHOOL SESSION I WOULD GO TO THE
LIBRARY TO STUDY
AND THEN HANG OUT AT THE
STORE UNTIL MY FATHER WAS READY TO GO HOME AT 6 PM.
I THOUGHT THE HORRIBLE TRAFFIC JAM WE WOULD
FIND AT THAT TIME WAS THE VERY
WORST!
NOW AFTER LIVING IN CALIFORNIA FOR OVER 30 YEARS I WOULD LOVE
THAT AMOUNT OF
TRAFFIC!
I WAS HAPPY TO LEARN OF THE ANNUAL LUNCHEON FOR THE EX EMPLOYEES GIVEN BY
JOANNE.
THERE WERE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE SALES PEOPLE WORKING IN EVERY DEPARTMENT---TOTALLY UNLIKE THE
STORES OF TODAY.
THERE WAS A PRIDE TAKEN BY EMPLOYEES IN THEIR WORK AND THEY
WOULD HELP EVERY CUSTOMER
TO THEIR BEST ABILITY.
SOMEBODY MENTIONED MRS. FLICK IN COSMETICS---SHE WAS A TERRIFIC SALESLADY.
I KNEW HER QUITE WELL, AND HER HUSBAND, WALTER, AND THEIR DAUGHTER (HELENE -
'64) AS WELL.
I HOPE SOME OF YOUR OTHER READERS REMEMBER NACHMAN'S AS THE OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE
OF THE COLORFUL DAYS OF FAMILY-OWNED DEPARTMENT STORES!
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR LINK TO THE PAST!
- DR. STEPHEN OPPENHEIMER, NNHS CLASS OF 1957 - 12/27/04
WOWZERS! Thank you, Dr, Oppenheimer - and Joe!
Dear Carol
Opal Rich's sisters - "Mary" was the switchboard operator - I sat with her many
hours when I was a little girl.
The switchboard room was directly across from my dad's office, Charles Kates.
I loved to talk to Mary - "girl talk" - and
she taught me how to work the
switchboard.
For a long time, that was my life's ambition. I loved Mary.
Her sister,
Rosa Peach, was the credit manager on the mezzanine floor.
Rosa's husband was the Chief of Police in Newport News
in the 1940's.
After I was married and had children, my Congregation, Temple Sinai, initiated
a project on Christmas Eve
to volunteer
at Mary Immaculate Hospital and take over the duties we could to let the
employees have Christmas Eve
with their families.
I volunteered for the telephone operator's job, remembering my wonderful days
with Mary. It came
in handy.
After a few days of training with the operator at the hospital, I handled my
childhood ambition just fine.
My
oldest daughter, Donna, carried linens to the different floors. It was a
memory I hold dear.
And Mary at Nachman's
gave me my first start on this volunteer position.
Happy Holidays,
- Joanne Kates Roos of VA - 12/28/04
What a beautiful, heart-warming story! Thanks so much for sharing this treasured
memory with us, Joanne!
You should know that under Nachman's basement flowed a river on its way to join the James. There was a large sump pump which worked automatically most of the time. It was kept in reasonably good repair by "Pop" our very competent maintenance supervisor except when he forgot his chewing gum or duct tape. When that happened the basement flooded and that was an exciting event. Anybody besides me remember that?
- Bill Roos - USNA '49 and SIL - of VA - 12/28/04 (by way of Harron Ellenson - '65 - of MA and Joanne Kates Roos of VA - 01/06/05)
Thanks, Bill - and Harron and Joanne!
My father has the ability to do water witching. He knew that there was a strong river under Newport News, along
with weaker tributaries. I was surprised to learn that others actually knew about this. Daddy helped many people
locate water to drill their wells. Most, as was ours, were used for gardens. Our well's water was ice cold but tasted of iron. I share his ability but to a much lesser degree. When my branch will twist to the water, the force dramatically changed when he would put his hands on mine, the branch would literally tear the skin from one's hands to turn. Interesting.My Auntie, Anna Coffee, worked for many years in Nachman's. She was in clothing. The last I recall visiting her she was
selling hats. I have many fond memories of going into that store. I helped my mother pick out her china there, bought a
lovely white bathing suit there in '65 and almost won a contest as a model for Nachman's after being selected as a finalist for my writing. A lovely cheerleader won. That is where I picked my first perfume scent...a serious matter for a young lady. I often went with my mom for treats in the tea room, also. All in all, many happy memories related to Nachman's.- Frances Goodson Wang ('65) of VA - 01/07/05
Thanks, Frances!
Gorsuch Drug Company! Omigosh. That was where I had my very first job at the tender age of 15. I learned how
to gift wrap Russell Stover Candy boxes. After that I worked at Nachman's Department Store in the jewelry department. Those jobs were very convenient. I could walk to them from NNHS, since I didn't drive until after I
went to nursing school.- Gene Collins Glave ('60) of SC - 09/23/05
Thanks, Gene!
Gene - I remember working in Nachman's also. Do you remember the "pneumatic" tube system they had?
When you charged or paid for a purchase, the money/paperwork was sent to the office on the second floor
by way of tubes (much like the ones used now at drive-in banks.) And, what a treat to eat in the lunch room
at Nachman's!
One more bit of trivia - does anyone remember the x-ray devices used in shoe stores to ensure a proper fit?
You would try on shoes and then stick your feet under this big machine. The x-ray would show if the bones in your
feet were straight or cramped, etc. Who knew that x-rays were not a particularly good idea!- Karen Weinstein Witte ('60) of FL - 09/24/05
Thanks, Karen!
Another fantastic newsletter... You have outdone yourself lady! I can close my eyes and walk into Nachman's just like it was still there...Men's department on the right, women's millinery on the left, cosmetics, tea room in the back. And those plastic bra models with the bras on them! What teenager ever thought she would have anything like that to put into a bra!!!
Those brownies must have been my inspiration because I have been told I make a mean brownie!
The founders of Nachman's would indeed be disappointed in today's clothing stores where you are likely to be waited on by teenagers who have no idea about the product they are selling...or worse even...you walk all over the dept. store and cannot find a clerk or a customer service station that is open! You may as well avoid the hassle and shop online...I have to say that Kanter's in Hampton was one of my favorite stores as well...the ladies who worked there would always point out that they had new things in the store and would even tell you what they had that would look especially nice on you. I feel that customer service is a thing of the past...I wish the banks, phone companies, and other business would spend less on advertising and more on hiring human beings (in this country) to answer their phones and conduct business...well so much for my rant!- Jean Poole Burton ('64) of VA - 08/19/06
Thanks, Jean!
I rarely shopped at Nachman's.......a little too expensive for my pocketbook. My favorite store and where I got my very first charge card was Leggett's. Although Washington Avenue was a little drive from my house in Hampton, those were the glory shopping days!! In and out of Leggett's, Woolworth's, Hofheimer's, Butler's, Montgomery Ward, et al. When they opened a Leggett's in downtown Hampton, I was thrilled since I lived so close. However, it just wasn't the same as downtown Washington Avenue. :(
- Gloria Woolard Price (HHS - '65) of FL - 08/19/06
Thanks, Gloria!
I mostly shopped at Leggett's, but I think I made a few purchases at Nachman's. I certainly remember and was fascinated by the tubes for sending payments upstairs to the office. I don't remember eating there. I am not sure, but I might have bought my wedding gown at Nachman's (in 1962). I remember being at a store having a bridal show, and the gown was being modeled. I really liked the gown and the price. I cannot imagine any other store being large enough to have a show, except Leggett's, which probably did not do that type of thing.
- Nat Woolard Cunningham (HHS - '60) of FL - 08/19/06
Thanks, Nat!
My mom had a credit card at Nachman's and I used to love when she would get her monthly bills, and there would be perfumed sample cards in the bills. I remember specifically dragging mom to Nachman's one Friday night. I wanted to get a new pocketbook, and I ended up buying a brownish all leather bucket bag -- I loved it. I loved Nachman's and La Vogue (when I got older). I never liked Leggett's, but sometimes had to shop there. I might not have had a ton of clothes in high school, but I had some nice things, and I knew how to sew skirts.
- Kathy Mooney Abrams (Hampton HS - '64) of NY - 08/19/06
Thanks, Kathy!
I remember fondly the clothes that my mother purchased at Blechman's for me. I also remember the saleswoman at Nachman's that set aside my accessories and would call my mother as we approached the second floor with my hats and handbags. She also sold me Feltman Bros. outfits for my sons in the late seventies.
- Barbara Brewer ('69) of VA - 04/23/07
Thank you, Barbara
William Topkis 'Arch' RoosYORKTOWN - William Topkis 'Arch' Roos, 80, passed away Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007. Born in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of the late Harry B. and Jechebet T. Roos. Mr. Roos attended Bullis Prep School and the United States Naval Academy where he excelled at playing football. He was the first member of his class to gain command of a ship, the USS Brandt. After leaving the service in 1954, he came to Newport News to work in his wife's family business, Nachman's Department Store, where he was general manager. Under his leadership, Nachman's was the first peninsula business to integrate their lunch-counter. From 1974 to 1993, he was President of Penn's Luggage Shops in the Tidewater area. During that time, he was a board member and served as President of the National Luggage Dealers Association. Mr. Roos was very active in his community having served on the Downtown Merchants Association and the Newport News Planning Commission. He was campaign chair-person of the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula. In 1972, he was appointed to the State Highway Commission by Gov. Holton; he was on the boards of Dominion Resources/ Virginia Power, Newport News Savings and Loan, and First and Merchants Bank. His philanthropic interests included serving on the Family Services Board and serving as President of the United Jewish Community. Mr. Roos was a recipient of the Humanitarian Award of the National Council of Christians and Jews. Most recently, he had been involved in the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation and was a great supporter of Naval Academy athletics where he established the Pooley Award for exceptional sportsmanship in football. He also supported the establishment of a Jewish Chapel at the U.S. Naval Academy. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Joanne Kates Roos; two daughters, Donna Roos, Linda Roos and her husband, Kenny Cole Jr.; a son, David Nachman Roos; three grandchildren, Billy and Hannah Cole and Holly Jo Roos; sister, Natalie R. Swan of California and her family; and a sister-in-law, Sue Anne Bangel, her husband Bill and their family. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the nurses and doctors who cared for him at the Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News during his recent illness. A funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 at Peninsula Funeral Home, conducted by Rabbi Mei'rah Illinsky. Burial will follow in Rosenbaum Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Achievable Dream 10858 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601, Friends of the Jewish Chapel at the United States Navel Academy 326 First Street, Suite 22 Annapolis, MD 21403, or the Building Fund at Temple Beth El 600 Jamestown Road Williamsburg, VA 23185 or a charity of choice. Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Published in the Daily Press from 8/13/2007 - 8/14/2007.
Guest Book
(This page was created 06/02/03.)
Animated Navy Flag clip art courtesy of http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/KevsGifsGalore/Patriotic.html - 06/18/03