Guys! I love the site. Keep up the great work. I think this forum is a great idea. I'm going like alot reading all of these. Can you tell me more about the governor of Virginia changing the motto? I'm from Virginia, and I'd personally love to have that for my state motto! It was from Kyle's update on february 19.

Congratulations on the first official question posted by a G.i fan, unless one slipped by me, which is unlikely.

In 1953, Virginia governor John S. Battle unsuccessfully attempted to change the state's motto from "sic semper tyrannis" to "ol' Ginny gonna get you."

While John S. Battle (1890-1972) was known for his stance on civil rights and full funding of public education, he was also greatly respected in Va. for his fierce state loyalty. His opponents claimed that he was crazy, but really, he was just passionate. On the campaign trail and in his personal conversations he always referred to the state as "ol' Ginny." After a particularly good year for the state, he was quoted in a newspaper as telling the governor of Maryland, "You better watch out, ol' Ginny gonna get you."

Needless to say, the public loved his spunk, as well as the phrase. It became a popular phrase of the day. Pushing for a lasting legacy, Battle tried to change the state motto to the new catch phrase. However, while he had strong support from the public, the state house of representatives didn't think it was a responsible course of action.

And so the state motto stands. "Sic semper tyrannis." Translated from Latin: "Thus always to tyrants."