250 years ago the Founding Fathers established a new country built on the greatest political idea in history: that every person’s rights come from God, that every person has value. 91 years later, the Star-Spangled Banner flew over Alaska for the first time.
Once derided as “Seward’s Folly,” Alaska has more than proven its worth to the country with its natural resources like gold and oil, its strategic location for aviation and maritime trade, and most of all its people. During the Second World War, thousands of Alaska Natives volunteered to form the Alaska Territorial Guard. Serving without pay, they provided security for lend-lease routes to Russia, passed intelligence to the Army, and rescued downed airmen. To this day, American Indians and Alaska Natives volunteer to serve their country at a higher rate per capita than any other ethnic group, and Alaska Natives have even reached the halls of Congress. Safe to say that Alaska and her people have formed a significant thread of the great American story, and will continue to do so for a long time to come.
This month, as we all celebrate the milestone of 250 years of American Independence, KNOM also marks 55 years of its own humble contribution to Alaska and the American story as a whole. It is thanks to your support that KNOM has been able to serve the people of Western Alaska for so long. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making KNOM’s mission a reality! God bless you all, God bless Alaska, and God bless the United States of America!
