Happy Semiquincentennial!

[NWFanatic]

I was here for the Bicentennial too..who else on here is an old man?

[voicefromthestands]

Me

[Tech Boys]

I remember the Bicentennial well.

[libertybearcat]

I was

[Predatory Primates]

I was 6, but I remember a huge party in the small town I lived in.

[KPKCBC]

missed it by a few months

[GorillaFan]

Me. I have a lot of those quarters.

[Gorilla John 92]

I was. I collected the 50 state 7-Up cans that when stacked in a pyramid created a portrait of Uncle Sam. Unfortunately the collection no longer exists as they were thrown away. They were in pristine condition when they were tossed by my folks.

My dad was also a serious beer can/bottle collector (over a thousand in all) dating back to the 60's with both domestic and foreign brands purchased in Europe (one being a Budvar can from the Czech Republic when it was still part of the communist block that I obtained in Europe). My nephew in-laws took part of his collection and he gave the rest away. I cringe when I think about how much he "donated" but know that the person who took the bulk of them is extremely charitable and I know the proceeds went to good causes.

[Tech Boys]

I still have the Arkansas 7UP can. Drinking cokes was not something my family did so we didn't try to collect them all and I had no say in the matter being only 12 then.

[transparent58]

Didn't make my first appearance until November, but I was festering...

[briansperry1998]

I was six but I do remember it!

[ZubCat81]

Was alive and well for The Bicentennial as a newby summer of '76 student at Northwest. Had just served four years in the Navy as a pretty proud American who had the distinct honor serving on the original crew of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) over 50 years ago. That made me a Plank Owner. Sadly, the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is now preparing for it's retirement and decommissioning ceremony sometime in March, 2027. No official date yet. Hope I'm still alive to make the ceremony. The photo below is it's arrival back to it's original dock at the U.S.Naval Station in Norfolk, VA on July 9, 2026. I was a 20-yo when I arrived onboard back in March,1973. It was still under construction at Shipbuilding & Drydock at Newport News, VA at the time and the Navy set myself up with three buddies at a pretty sweet condo with the view of the James River until we were finally able to move onboard sometime in '74. Enjoyed taking my breakfast up to the flight deck to eat my bowl of oatmeal, buttered toast, and a couple cartons of OJ in plenty of early mornings watching the sun come up whether still docked or at sea. The marines had a regiment onboard and it was when they were running on that flight deck while I was eating my oatmeal that it motivated me to start running, as well. Carried over when I started my career as as that 1976 summer student at Northwest and throughout my five years there at Northwest.