We’ve all been there…eyes scanning across the beauty of Lake Champlain when – suddenly in the distance – a dark shape is seen above the water.

COULD IT BE???

No. It can’t. Why? Because my grandfather, Boston immigrant Patrick “Southie” O’Leary, slayed the beast back in 1937.

Photos from the day Champ was killed at Leddy Beach, taken by the Burlington Free Press

For years my grandfather was worshipped as a hero (the town of South Hero is named after him). Until one day, when the ACCD (Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development) noticed a decline in the tourist economy. Now that the legendary Champ was gone, there was nothing for Burlington to offer Canadians except the new gentleman’s club, Rasputin’s.

So what did the politicians do? With a twist of the media’s arm they spread propaganda, claiming that the monster my grandfather had killed was a fake; a forgery made of wax. My grandfather was branded by the public as a fraud, and he was soon thereafter exiled to Rutland.

Ever since, the media continues to spread the myth of Champ’s existence because it brings in fat tourist dollars, not to mention providing an unrealistic mascot for our local baseball team.

Don’t believe me? Don’t you think it’s interesting that the media’s Champ is green…the same color as money?

That’s because our economy leeches off the image of a living Champ:

Sickening.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

My grandfather’s legacy will not be vandalized. Please share this page with every Vermonter you know, and show your support by purchasing the Champ collectible shown at the top of this page.

It’s time to wake up.