STE. GENEVIEVE – Ste. Genevieve VFW Post 2210 is looking for suggestions – for a nickname for its cannon.
In a news release the Post said “Giving names to inanimate objects such as cannons helps the human to bond with it and have a relationship with that object. It’s not unique to war. Example: Garden shops advise customers to talk to their plants. Most people thought this practice was funny, but the idea was for the customer to bond with his or her plant. If there was a relationship with the plant then the person would remember to water it, give it sunshine, take better care of it etc. Naming weapons is an example of the same psychology at work.”
If a soldier, sailor or airman bonds with their weapon they will take better care of it and take pride in it. The practice continued at least as late as WW II when pilots would name their aircraft, for example “The Memphis Belle”. The plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima to help end WW II was named in honor of the pilot’s mother, “Enola Gay”.
Sailors nicknamed their ships. Examples: The USS Constitution–“Old Ironsides”. The Attack Air Craft Carrier USS Constellation– “The Connie”. The USS Enterprise–“The big E”. Some tank nicknames were “Raging Bull,” “The Iron Maden,” “Appetite for Destruction”. Many had unique nicknames.
The VFW wants the young people of our community to bond with our newly restored gun by giving it a nickname–help us! Thank You!
Some cannon nicknames we have found from Civil War to present are: “Sudden Death”, “Jumping Billy”, “Viper”, “Mad Anthony”, “Bulldog”, “Tom Cribb”, “Spitfire”, “Big Bertha”, “Revenge”, “The General”, “The Dictator”, “Smasher”, “Whistler”, “Widow Maker”, “Tessie”, “The Scene Shifter”, “Devil’s Voice”, “Fury”.
Names may be sent to the VFW hall in Ste. Genevieve at: VFW Post 2210, 852 Memorial Drive PO 347, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670. The person whose name is selected for the cannon will be announced, honored and revered.