I wanted to place this cache here because it is so close to the National Guard Armory. It is a chance to say THANK YOU to all the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.
DONT TREAD ON ME is a very strong statment in the United States with very deep historical roots. The phrase was written under the image of a rattle snake and emblazoned on a yellow flag. This is known as the Gadsden flag and falls within the historical flags of America. The Gadsden flag was created by Christopher Gadsden who was an American statsman and general. We don't know for certain where, when, or by whom the familiar coiled rattlesnake was first used with the warning "Don't Tread on Me". It first entered history books in the fall of 1775 when the Continental Navy was started. To accompany the Navy on their first mission, Congress also authorized putting togeather five companies of Marines. Some of the marines that enlisted in Philadelphia were carrying drums painted yellow, with a fierce rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike, whith thirteen rattles, and sporting the motto "Don't Tread on Me." Why would a snake be chosen for the symbol of America?
The rattle snake is found in no other quarter of the world besides America. A rattle snake never begins an attack, nor, once engaged ever surrenders. The rattle snake never wounds til it has generously given notice, even to its enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on it. Lets also not forget about the thirteen rattles. The rattles are distinct and independant of one another but are very tightly united togeather. So you can not seperate them without breaking them into pieces. One of the rattles by itself can't make a sound but unite them all togeather will give anyone alarm.