It was bound to happen

Really, it was.

Nick Snider, a retired United Postal Service executive, has founded the National Museum of Patriotism, which is being constructed in Atlanta, Ga. — and is funding the project partly with his own money.

Snider, 60, said the idea for the museum was conceived in 1996. At first he was simply looking for a place to show his 14,000-piece collection of “sweetheart jewelry” from World War II. However, he has since expanded his idea to create an entire museum of patriotic items. Many Americans would be pleased to have a museum dedicated to exhibiting pride in the United States.

“I would probably go out of my way to go to that [museum],” said ex-Marine Patrick Donnelly from Papillion, Neb. [story]

I think that the confident, patriotic statement from the ex-marine pretty much sums up my general feelings toward something of this obvious magnitude, except where he left out the “would not” part, and the “why the fuck would anyone want to see a 14,000 piece collection of anything that didn’t have pokemon on it?”.

But, not being one to blindly condemn others for what I see as a futile waste of resources, I decided to take a trip to, um, *checks article*, Atlanta, to view first-hand some of the priceless artifacts scheduled for display in the museum.

First up:THE MASK

Well, Mr. Snider obviously doesn’t believe in saving the best for last, he opened our tour by springing on me this authentic AMERICAN FLAG adorned mask. I really believe it needs no further introduction:

if you thought that was great, wait until you see the needlework:

I about pissed myself in excitement, a HAND CRAFTED plush AMERICAN FLAG dog bone.

Unfortunately, it took the remainder of my two week stay to view the remaining red white and blue pillows, curtains, and door mats that we have been drooling on and wiping our feet with all these years, but if I ever make it back, I was promised a private tour of the new bumper sticker wing!

“He sent a fairly large selection of his sweetheart jewelry collection, bracelets lockets, rings, earrings and broaches,” said River Heritage’s curator Nick Hatch. “We also have some in-service flags that flew in the windows if someone had a son serving in the military.”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” he said, “I think it’s something long past due.”

Long past due indeed.