Treasures: Nov./Dec. 2009

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http://www.viamagazine.com/top_stories/articles/treasures_nov09.asp

November/December 2009 [1]

Amish quilts in San Francisco's; a gold pocket
watch in Alaska; and a centuries-old
Japanese sword in Brookings, Ore.

Sword of peace

Bomber pilot Nobuo Fujita carried his family's centuries-old Japanese sword when he flew over southern Oregon during the only World War II aircraft attacks on the contiguous United States. In 1962, he presented the blade to the city of Brookings, Ore., as a gesture of friendship. See it at the Chetco Community Public Library. (541) 469-7738, chetcolibrary.org [2]

Simple flag of the last frontier

In 1927, Aleutian Islands native Benny Benson, age 13, won this gold pocket watch for his entry in a contest to design an Alaska flag. "I colored a piece of paper blue and drew on it the dipper pointing to the North Star," Benson said later. In the state's 50th anniversary year, his flag still flies. See his watch and more at the Alaska State Museum in Juneau. (907) 465-2901, museums.state.ak.us [3].

Photography by Mark Kelley (Simple flag of the fast frontier)

This article was first published in November 2009. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.