The Treasure That Was Found on Oak Island was the original name of this article when first published over 3 years ago. However, now the modern Treasure Hunting Patriarch of Oak Island, Dan Blankenship has passed. For 219 Years many have searched and very little, if any, has ever really been found, until now. But to tell this story correctly one needs some background information. Hunting for lost treasure seems to be in our DNA and here is how you call tell it is part of our very own genetic make up.

1. The “Buried” Treasure That Was
on Oak Island
Reprinted with permission from National Treasure Society and J Hutton Pulitzer
JAN 20
The Treasure That Was Found on Oak Island was the original name of this
article when first published over 3 years ago. However, now the modern
Treasure Hunting Patriarch of Oak Island, Dan Blankenship has passed.
For 219 Years many have searched and very little, if any, has ever really
been found, until now. But to tell this story correctly one needs some
background information. Hunting for lost treasure seems to be in our
DNA and here is how you call tell it is part of our very own genetic make
up.
1 Regardless where we each grew up we “played” as children searching for lost
treasure. We could hail from NYC, the Texas Panhandle, a farm in Missouri, or
any country; we all as kids played hunting for treasure.
2 As an adult, with childhood games and dreams set aside, we still have
treasure lurking in the deep dark recesses of our minds (and I can prove it).

2. Think about this. Almost every week we can see someone stranded on the
road, or with the hood on their car up, or maybe changing a tire on the side of
the road and car after car will pass and never stop to help. BUT, let the
following scenario occur:
1. You are driving down the highway
2. Out of the corner of your eye you spy a briefcase on the side of a road,
just off in a ditch maybe
3. Your first thought IS NOT “Oh someone lost their briefcase” it is “I
wonder if it is loaded with money?” and if you don’t slam on your brakes,
you turn around as soon as you can and head back to investigate.
That very scenario is how I have come to believe the quest for hidden
treasures is in our DNA. We may have never read a treasure story as a
child, nor hunted for or found real treasure; but we have all experienced
the above.
DNA, 2,857,698,560 sequenced based pairs and infinite combinations and
it seems hunting for treasure and seeking the lost, is within and desired by
each and everyone one of us. Maybe, just maybe, it is how God made us
hard wired to continually search out the Who, What, When, Where, Why
and How?

3. Maybe we are inherently wired to just know “history has been recorded
wrong” by the Political Parties, Ruling Classes, the Elite and the Church
and the only way a great creator could assure that one day the real truth
would emerge was to seed into our very formula, our hidden owner’s
manual, if you will; the desire for search and the thrill of the chase? Who
really knows, I do not? But this idea does seem logical to me.
Now back to Oak Island and this ongoing 223 year old and ongoing
mystery.
We all know the original story, and if you don’t, just watch two episodes
and it is burned into your brain – repeatedly (lol, just an inside joke), but
what some people do not know is just how long it took this story, this
legend, this magical story to grip the world and morph into a movement.
In a post on Facebook, I posted there were over 2700 individual published
books, which either tell, re-tell, theorize or mention the Oak Island
Treasure and in the years between 1800 and 2000, there were (in the
United States alone) more than 44 MILLION WORDS written about the Oak
Island Treasure.
Let me give you something to measure context here:
1. The Bible has 807,361 words
2. That means JUST IN USA NEWSPAPERS for the years mentioned above,
IF you were to publish those words in tiny print and on thin sheeted
paper all into one book, the story would be contained in a book 55.5
TIMES AS THICK AS THE KING JAMES BIBLE!
3. NOTE: this does not even include magazines nor any other countries
printed words except for the USA. (Imagine the volumes such would
take)
A book 55.5 times as thick as a Bible! Now that is a legacy.
What you might not also know is Canada, for 215 years of the 223 years of
searching has downplayed, joked about or ridiculed all those involved in
the search for the treasure of Oak Island. Yes, there have been supporters
for certain areas, groups or factions, i.e., hard-core treasure hunters – but
the support has been few and far between.

4. These points bring me to Dan Blankenship (may God rest his soul).
50 Years ago THIS MONTH (funny how this falls on the 50th Anniversary
date of the story that changed people’s lives) Dan Blankenship read that
well know fateful article in the Reader’s Digest (remember this article is
over 3 years old). The story of Oak Island was enough to inspire and
encourage an America living in Florida, to leave friends and family behind
and move lock-stock-and barrel to Nova Scotia, Canada. It was then that
Dan became just “another one of those Oak Island treasure hunters”.
Dan became part of the story and fabric of Oak Island, but in the process
he also became the butt of hate, ridicule and mockery. It is bad enough to
be, much less announce to the world, “I am a treasure hunter”, but to
have the world look at you as a joke, or one wasting their life or the lives
and resources of their family is brutal. Forget the back breaking labor,
think of all the hateful words written. In fact, the term “money pit”
dubbed on Oak Island became lodged in the modern vernacular as the
term used for “the bottomless hole of squandered debt and futile efforts”

5. The Urban Dictionary defines the term “money pit” as the following:
Something of value, which, for some reason or another, has continued to
absorb considerable amount of payments due to its continuing failure to
live up to expectations.
That idiomatic expression became solidified in the minds of the world as a
direct result of the efforts conducted on Oak Island and as such the idiom
has been the bane of Dan Blankenship’s existence and retelling of his life’s
work.
Time always has a way of coming full circle and in time those with a
passion and are driven to both dream and execute on those dreams end
up proving all the doubters wrong and history will go through an
adjustment period and all those what hated and ridiculed will start to act
as if they supported the “nut case” from the beginning and were always
backing them and “knew they could do it!” that is just part and parcel of
the road traveled by those who choose to take the road less traveled. Yes,
there still will be naysayers and I still maintain, “The vultures are circling”.
With the huge success of the Curse of Oak Island series, and the millions of
fans engaged, you can bet some opportunist newspapers, magazines and
such will try to capitalize on such attention by trying to discredit the
series, the participants, the island, the potential of recovery of something;
you can bet stories will be coming out soon to attempt to hijack the
attention. This always happens when groundbreaking things are afoot
and especially when history is on the precipice of monumental change. I

6. would be the first negative shots are fired by the very place the story
began- Nova Scotia (just sit back and watch).
As for me, it is my desire to start correcting history and part of that is to
share with the world what the lives of these “nut jobs and cranks and
hoax masters and stock scammers” (and those are the more polite words
that have been used about all Oak Island Treasure Hunters, but especially
Dan Blankenship, since he has been at it the longest).
Here is the true story of Dan Blankenship and what he really is to the
world and history. (see my video eulogy here)

7. In a world where we have lost touch with supporting those with dreams
and have moved from “innovation to entitlement”, we have forgotten
what it means to take risks and that with taking risks comes the saying;
“the greater the risk the greater the reward!”
Decades ago we started the move from “dream and work hard son and
make a difference” to “everyone gets a trophy for just breathing and
showing up”. We have watched in the over 50 years Dan has dedicated his
life to a dream, to being told don’t dream because just because you exist
and take up space, we all owe you.
We have been taught not
to “make our way” but to
“take our fair share” and
while all this
undermining of the true
American Dream (no
offense to my
international friends and
readers, just using a
known saying – lol – see
even I worry at times
about offending), Dan
became the living
epitome of “living the
dream”.
Here is what the story really is:
Dan left the comfort and security of his permanent residence, circle of
friends and family to pursue a dream, which stirred in the deepest part of
his soul. Not many in today’s world would take such a step.
Dan left a career and you could say, a guaranteed regular paycheck, to
swap it for a dream, which more likely than not, would be met with NO
paycheck and certainly no guaranteed security. How many in today’s

8. world would leave a guaranteed paycheck, to pursue a dream with no
guarantee of a paycheck, which everyone thought to be a myth? Not
many I think.
Dan swapped a successful
career for something there
was no real training course
for and was an occupation
based only on
backbreaking work and
trusting your gut instincts;
two things, which are no
longer valued in this
upside down world we live
in.
Dan swapped the comforts
of his wife and children
(more unsung heroes in
this story), and made them
feel the pressure and
discomforts in numerous
ways that no spouse
and/or parent would want
family to experience; but that is what it took to pursue the dream.
How many people today would take such steps? Not many, but mark my
words, just like those who say, “I am a descendant of Ben Franklin” or
even “Or as a Bell, Alexander Graham Bell is my ancestor” – all the
Blankenship’s going forward will be proud to say “I am a Blankenship, an
ancestor or relative of Dan Blankenship” and people will know they mean
and are referring to Dan Blankenship of Oak Island Fame and Lore.
Dan swapped a normal life for a life where whenever you read about Oak
Island and its legendary treasure, you were more than likely to read “Dan
is chasing a pipe dream” and many other hurtful words. How many

9. people who knowingly enter a career knowing they would become the
butt of jokes and hate? Not many.
As a writer, one could
go on and on and talk
about what Dan gave
up to pursue this
dream of dreams
which had the odds
stacked against him
(172 years of pre-
existing baggage and
ridicule), but there is a
greater lesson to be
learned here.
As I have traveled the United States these last few days there has not been
an airport, coffee shop, gas station or grocery store where that has not
been several people who has stopped me and say, “Hey you’re on Oak
Island!” Even entering one line heading through airport security, where I
dress weird enough to begin with, I noticed several TSA Officers gathering,
looking at me and even pulling their drug-sniffing dog over to where I
would pass through the line.
Naturally, I have learned when I pass through airports with my HOLDSTER
not HOLSTER under my arms, which holds my cameras, recorders and
small scientific equipment; I am going to have to address “what is that rig
under your arms?” So I prepped myself for the usual answers and my
ever-standing joke “my ass just does not look good in a fanny pack, so I
wear my fanny pack under my arms”.
So here I come getting ready to either be shifted to another line or having
to pull out my current State Department ID and explain who I am and why
I look the way I do. As I drew closer their faces seemed just a little too
stern for me, but as I got mere inches away, the lead Officers face broke
into a huge smile and he said “I love you on Oak Island!” Come to find out

10. – THEY ALL – were huge fans of Oak Island and it was regularly the topic as
they did their thankless job checking passengers by the tens of thousands
each day.
In all the fans I met while on the road and the countless photos and selfies
we took together so they could show their friends and brag to their friends
they watched the show with, there was ONE RESOUNDING COMMON
MESSAGE.
We as a family or group of friends gather and watch Curse of Oak Island.
This occurs for three reasons:
1. Great Story
2. Great People
3. And the most fantastic executive producer/writer to ever-put together
engaging and authentic television programming – Kevin Burns.
Now for the real lessons learned:
COMING TOGETHER
Dan Blankenship being not willing to give up led this dream to morph into
this incredible television series. This
incredible television series has
families gathering together and
friend gathering together to discuss
a great story, a passionate legend
and to join in something which is
great, clean, upstanding family
entertainment which is not centered
about goof-balls, antics, made up
drama, missing teeth, foul language and general TV buffoonery. We have
learned to come together again in homes and share and engage and
rendezvous over something special about a regularly scheduled TV event.

11. DREAMING BIG
Millions of people, thanks to the stick-to-it nature of Dan following his
dream, how now witnessed it is okay to dream and is okay to dare to
dream big! Not too many shows out there now which support dreaming
YOUR OWN DREAM. They all seem to promote dream about being
someone else, or having what someone else has, versus “make you own
dreams come true”.
CAMARADERIE
Dan not giving up has shown the world it does
take a team, all with different expertise to be
willing to work together to get to the end game.
In a world which features bitchy housewives,
backstabbing each other to get more attention
or contest shows which teach a message of “get
people to like you, and then use those people to
get the one you don’t like voted off the island
and when you are one of the last few, then ditch
all those other bastards at all costs, because it’s
about you baby!”

12. As Marty coined “The Fellowship of the Dig” is a real phenomenon and
that feeling has extended into TV households around the globe where
people gather with refreshments and snacks and gather in their own form
of fellowship our team calls “Digging the Fellowship of the Dig!” No much
TV programs these days stand for such a great, inspiring and wholesome
message.
GET OUTSIDE AND EXPLORE
Dan and following along on TV have
shown getting outdoors and exploring can
be both exciting and healthful. One could
easily attribute the sharp mind, wit and
body of Dan’s 93 years to all his physical
activities on the Island. One, when
watching the Curse of Oak Island, can
clearly see the “hunt” has kept him sharp.
Dan remembers all the facts and is an
incredible walking encyclopedia of
knowledge. This I attribute to his constant reading and research in the
pursuit of solving this Oak Island Mystery. How many things on TV
promote outdoor activities and mind engaging research? Not many – if
any.
RETIRE AND LIVE YOUR DREAMS
Dan is officially retired and one knows
Rick is retired as well; yet here are two
men who exemplify that one can still
pursue their dreams into retirement. A
segment of the population clearly
ignored and considered by most to have
served their purpose and should be on
their porch and in a rocking chair, now
get to see men (with an average age in
their sixties) chasing a dream and living
a full life. Now that story has become cool.

13. TV always gravitates to the young and the twenty and thirty something’s
willing to play and act a fool on TV to get ratings. That is not the case with
Curse of Oak Island. Mature men chasing a dream and the unequivocal
leader being 95 years young! Now that is a shining example and how
many TV shows reflect such today? Not many. My own father is 85 years
young and leads our Base Camp Team on all our expeditions. There is
tremendous value in old age and earned wisdom.
NEVER GIVE UP AND WORK HARD
Unscripted TV shows and
producers love to stage junk to
add drama, not Curse of Oak
Island, but more important the
show is all about “Hard work and
NEVER GIVE UP!” Now there is a
grand message for all to see,
hear and learn. In a society which
is getting further and further
away from hard work and with
advertisements and glossy
magazine adds selling “instant
gratification”, Curse of Oak
Island is about “patience and
determination” and the value of
such. Now, how many things
today teach the lessons of never
give up, Work hard and persevere? Not many IF ANY!
These examples could just go on and on, but you surely see my point.
Treasure Legend aside, there are numerous benefits to society –
specifically TV viewers- are gaining from watching the Curse of Oak Island.
There are many unsung heroes of Oak Island; two, which should be
recognized, is Janie, Dan’s late wife (who Dan has now reunited with in
heaven) and his son David that you see in the series. Janie stood side by
side with Dan and supported his dream and although she has passed, one

14. can only imagine she is watching over Dan and Dave and seeing the
difference in the world they are making and she is proud and can surely
feel “treasure or not, my guys are making a difference”.
Dave, working arm and arm – hand in hand with his father, also had to
endure his share of ridicule and jokes, but he stood solid with Dan as well.
Dave deserves as much credit as Dan for giving his best years to this
dream and for working hard towards solving this amazing mystery.
For me, this year Season Two Finale (remember this article is several
years old when originally written)– the most important payoff was the
shows vindication of both Dan and Dave which came from the irrefutable
scientific and visual proof of something monumental and game changing
at the bottom of 10x. But even a more amazing point is DAN USED
ANCIENT DOWSING to find the spot for 10x and his instincts and gut
where correct.
There may not be a final, final answer our immediate gratification society
wanted for the season finale, but we all now know in our gut, Dan was
right all along. To see Dan’s reaction and to hear his words and to share
that moment with him there on the Island was one of the highlights of my
life. Yes, there will be many who still say and think nothing was found, but
I was there and tend to know more than most, and I still firmly believe
Oak Island is the “tipping point” in changing history as we have been
sold”.
Now for the haters and those who have or still mock or ridicule Oak Island
and specifically Curse of Oak Island. Those people will always around and
they will never go away. Why will they not go away? It’s simple.
Even if you witnessed us bringing up something like the Ark of the
Covenant or the bones of Mary Magdalene LIVE ON TV, the haters will still
hate and you know why they will still hate and naysay?
DNA. Yep, DNA as I stated at the beginning of this article. A certain code in
DNA that allowed Dan to chase the dream and never give up and it is a
section of DNA that makes haters perpetually hate and naysayers always

15. naysay. It is just the way they are made. The most fantastic finds in history
will not change that. Watch how people comment in social forums and
you will gain great insight to their genetic makeup. It is very telling.
In closing, Dan has outlived all his original haters in the media who made
the term “money pit” take on a life of its own and have a negative
connotation. But Dan stayed the course and that is all that matters and is
what we should celebrate and honor.
As I sit here writing this article on Martin Luther King day 2015, I have
come to realize what I have known since I first read about Dan
Blankenship, got to confirm once I met him (along with the honor to work
shoulder to shoulder with him), Dan is a treasure himself.
Dan Blankenship and what he stands for is something to be aspired to by
all. He is a rare breed of man, which society is not making many more of
anymore. I for one VOTE for all of us to push for “Dan Blankenship Day”, a
national day of remembrance where we honor the dreamers, the ones
who made waves, bucked the system and proved thinking out of the box
can be meaningful to mankind.
Dan and Dave Blankenship are two of the amazing and irreplaceable
treasures found on Oak Island. Can I get an Amen?