Meadows of Dan in Patrick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
You Buy 'Em, We'll Fly 'Em!
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, May 25, 2019
1. You Buy 'Em, We'll Fly 'Em! Marker
Background image: the "Dedication ceremony in Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 6, 1943" of the Spirit of South High.
Inset #1: Close of dedication participants.
Inset #2: World War II poster.
Eighteen months earlier, the bomber had been purchased through the United States government's "Buy a Bomber" campaign to fund World War II efforts.
School students from Grand Rapids, Michigan sold over $300,000 in United States War Bonds and War Stamps to buy the plane, earning the right to name it The Spirit of South High.
Although the plane was destroyed, all crew members survived.
(captions)
(background) Dedication ceremony in Grand Rapids Michigan, April 6, 1943.
(upper right) South High School's marching band and the student body Queen and her court participated in the dedication ceremony.
Dedication photos courtesy of The Grand Rapids Public Library
Posters encouraged Americans to help finance the war effort by buy War Bonds and War Stamps.
Division of Political History, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Erected by Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space
this page online
Location. 36° 45.114′ N, 80° 24.316′ W. Marker is in Meadows of Dan, Virginia, in Patrick County. Marker can be reached from Mabry Mill Road SE (Virginia Route 603) 0.2 miles south of Blue Ridge Parkway, on the left when traveling south. Near the parking lot for the rest rooms. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 226 Mabry Mill Rd SE, Meadows of Dan VA 24120, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sorghum Making (within shouting distance of this marker); Homemade Soap Recipe (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Whiskey Still (about 300 feet away); Challenges (about 300 feet away); Bark Mill (about 400 feet away); Appalachian Houses (about 400 feet away); Lumber Drying Rack (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Meadows of Dan.
Also see . . .
1. Mabry Mill - Milepost 176. Marker is located in a secondary parking lot for the Mabry Mill site. (Submitted on August 28, 2019.)
2. The story of one B-17 Bomber, some high school students and Virginia’s most photographed spots, wktv. (Submitted on August 28, 2019.)
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, May 25, 2019
2. You Buy 'Em, We'll Fly 'Em! Marker (Close up of insets.)
Inset #1: South High School's marching band and the student body Queen and her court participated in the dedication ceremony.
Inset #2: Posers encouraged Americans to help finance the war effort by buying War Bonds and War Stamps.
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, May 25, 2019
3. You Buy 'Em, We'll Fly 'Em! Marker
Background image: the "Dedication ceremony in Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 6, 1943" of the Spirit of South High.
Inset #1: Close of dedication participants.
Inset #2: World War II poster.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 17, 2023
4. You Buy 'Em, We'll Fly 'Em! Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2019. This page has been viewed 353 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 28, 2019. 4. submitted on July 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
