LBJ Museum and Library

Today we braked for LBJ 's Museum and Library.
http://www.lbjlibrary.org

Adios Eagle Pass

We have been in Eagle Pass since March 9. Barb has been working at Maverick Nursing and Rehab during this time while I continue to play. I got in 1170 miles of bike riding while here in preparation for Ride the Rockies that begins June 7. I have enjoyed my time here.

I have enjoyed all the acquaintances I have made: Pastor Becky, Juliet, Mia, Peggy, Marcie, Glennis and everyone at 1st UMC; EP Evening Lions Club members including Ramon, Pedro, Martin, Ruel, Lupe and about 35 others, a great bunch of Lions and proud Americans; VFW members Ruben, Fucando, and Sammy the bugler. Also Ismael the local Veterans Service Officer who asked if I had been re-evaluated and gave me the paper work to get it started. I might get my service connected disability elevated as a result of making his acquaintance.

Tomorrow we depart with the first stop at the LBJ Library in Austin. We will be back to Delano Monday evening and then I will be leaving Saturday for Ride the Rockies, which will test all the training since RTR last year.

Adios Alex, Emily, Susie, Lisette, Liz and everyone at Marverick

VFW observes the traditional Memorial Day on May 30

I spent part of my last day in Eagle Pass at the VFW Memorial Day Program. This was the third Memorial Day Program of the year for me. Scroll down to see the others.

The VFW doesn't support the last Monday of May as Memorial Day. We continue to lobby for its return to May 30.

Officers of VFW Post 8563 Eagle Pass, Tx

Gary has a collection of artifacts from
Vietnam on display.

Eagle Pass High School Jr ROTC Color Guard.
 The VFW procured this helicopter
 from Ft. Rucker, AL.

 

Vietnam artificats (not the woman).

Mission: Border Hope

Pastor Becky was one of the first people I met in Eagle Pass. I have been attending her Wednesday morning book discussions and devotions. She has been telling me about what Mission: Border Hope has been doing and her vision to eradicate poverty in Eagle Pass.

If you are looking for a place for some charitable giving this would be a worthy cause. Click here for more information. Or if you are looking for a mission trip, the Mission can accommodate you.

Club de Leones de Noche Eagle Pass

I presented a certificate to the EP Evening Lions Club on Tuesday that reads:

Este certificado se da en agradecimiento por

hospitalidad y la amistad que se muestra durante mi tiempo en 

Eagle Pass. Texas 

10 de Marzo de 2014 al 31 de Mayo de 2014

                     Club de Leones de Noche
                                  Eagle Pass

PresenteEl dia 27 de Mayo de 2014

                      

                                     

Memorial Day in Texas

Today I motored over to Del Rio to their
Memorial Day Program that was held inside (due to a much welcome rainy day) for the first time in 27 years, according to the retired Air Force General who has emceed the program for all of those 27 years.

I would say they meant the intent of General Orders #11 of the Grand Army of the Republic

.


This is a very nice memorial. I am still looking for any that exceed what has been done in Streamwood, Ill., Analaska WI and Arlington, MN, the best I have seen outside of Washington, DC.

Here is something I haven't seen before. This memorial was put in place by Alamo Chapter 1836 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, which provides space for bricks for veterans wounded in any of the wars.

This fighter jet is located on the Chamber grounds along with the memorials and pays tribute to all the Air Force personnel associated with nearby Laughlin Air Force Base.

Lauglin Air Force Base is located a few miles east of Del Rio. It is the largest pilot training base in the USAF. Sometimes I hear the trainers buzzing around Eagle Pass.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day will be observed at the Eagle Pass First United Methodist Church on Sunday.

The traditional Memorial Day observance in Eagle Pass is May 30, 11:00 a.m. at Maverick County Park put on by VFW Post 8562.

There are no programs around here on Monday, the 26th. You can go to the one in Delano, MN on that day, however.

It's a short drive of about 22 hours between Eagle Pass and Delano so everyone should be able to make one or the other. :)

Maverick OT/PT Staff

Emily, PTA; Alex, Director of OT/PT; Barb, OT; and Suzy PT.

Today I took pizza to the OT/PT staff at Maverick Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Today's Ride

The new tire I put on a few weeks ago suffered a puncture on the sidewall caused by a pebble. The smoothest road around here has a lot of trash on the shoulders. These little pebbles are always popping out when you hit them. So I ordered another tire from Gear West in Long Lake, MN. These tire problems are getting expensive, @ $80 including shipping. I might have to change my route to a road that rides a little rough but isn't so prone to these problems.

I put a big patch inside the tire. I am not sure it will hold so I may limit bike riding until the new one arrives and work out at the Edge. Mail service from Minnesota is anywhere from two to five days.

Back to SA

We motored back to San Antonio this weekend and visited one of the San Antonio Missions. This is all very interesting history of the Spanish occupation of the Southwest.












Mission San Jose is well preserved and is the largest of the four missions in San Antonio.

The U.S. Navy was guarding the Alamo on Armed Forces Day. Jason, you have the wrong MOS.

Pat O'Brians was hopping Saturday afternoon.

Mission San Antonio de Valero por la noches

Veterans' Appreciation Day in Eagle Pass

 Today I attended the Veterans' Appreciation Day that was held in the VFW Post 8562 Hall. It was sponsored by the Family Endeavor's Supportive Services for Veteran Families. They served chicken, beans and rice, a Mexican-American favorite.

This hall is rented out mostly. The Post has a smaller one next door that is used for meetings and smaller gatherings.

Paying the electrical bill for air conditioning is a major challenge.

This mural representing all the Armed Forces was painted by high school art students. It is well done.

I am doing certificates of appreciation for the Post to present to kin of a deceased veteran at the Memorial Day Program and a bunch of others that will be presented on Memorial Day, May 30. I am glad to be able to help them out.

VFW Post 8562

Tonight I attended a meeting of VFW Post 8562  (I am a Paid Up For Life Member) seeking a color guard for a Memorial Day Program I am organizing for Sunday, May 25 at First United Methodist Church.

I met Estaban Trevino who runs the color guard for the Post. We graduated from high school the same year. He was an elementary teacher for 26 years.

Texas Hill Country

Today we motored to Texas Hill Country and Garner State Park, named after Cactus Jack Garner. See earlier post regarding Cactus Jack.

On the way to the park we braked for these flags by a rancher's corral. Most of them are flags of Texas colleges. Some of which I have never heard of. But of course Texas A & M (Aggies) is included.

The Frio River has been dammed up creating a lake that is about 2.5 feet deep, which makes for good paddle boating, kyaking, swimming, and floating on inner tubes and air mattresses.

The Civilian Conservation Corps did a lot of work in the park. It reminds me of all the work the CCC did in Custer State Park. I didn't get any pictures of that.

 



This is the highest hill I have seen in Texas. But Texas is a big state and I haven't seen it all.

In nearby Leakey, population 450 and the county seat, you
can find the Real County Museum. It cost a dollar to enter.
I don't think they take credit cards so bring lots of cash!

This is a good look at Hill Country. Towns nearby include Concan and Leakey. Garner State Park has a lot of camping spots including RV spots. This would be a good place to bring an RV in the winter and ride bike. There are some rollers and some short steep climbs.

There are also mountain bike trails in the park.

Delano Legion Post 377 Awards Presentations

The Delano Knights of Columbus were cited
for their outstanding financial support for
American Legion Programs.

Without the partnership and financial support of the Delano Knights of Columbus, Legion Post 377 would not be able to carry on all the programs that supports veterans, Americanism and Children and Youth.

                                             

Marlene Kittock

Marlene Kittock, Delano City Clerk, was instrumental in working with FEMA to get the Legion Post out of the flood plain. This results in a considerable cost savings in flood insurance.

Mike Brandenburg, 1st Vice Commander

Mike Brandenburg, 1st Vice Commander, was named Legionnaire of the Year. In addition to his duties as 1st Vice Commander taking care of membership, Mike does a lot of work around the post including mowing, looking after color guard equipment, and many other things.

Steve Stahlke                                      

Steve Stahlke was named Club Board Member of the Year for his work on the board that oversees the bar and facilities. Steve conceptualized and implemented the upgrade to the outdoor patio. He organized the recovering of the bar stools. He is always looking for ways to improve the facility and bar and kitchen operation.                                                                                              

Bernie Dyreson

Dan Wendel

Roger Georges

Dan Wendel was awarded $250 for his volunteer hours around the Post and community from his employer, which he turned over to the Post.

Bernie Dyreson painted the exterior of the building and did a number of other things to improve the facility.

Roger Georges is our in-house electrician. He changed out lighting fixtures that will result in lowered utility bills and did a number of other electrical projects around the building.

Pam Hoschal

Pam Hoschel, a member of the auxiliary, was recognized as a "Newsletter Contributor". She also takes the lead in addressing the newsletter.

Dick Amundson

Dick Amundson was recognized as "Newsletter Addressor". He picks up the newsletter from the print shop and either assists auxiliary members in putting the labels on or does it himself.










George Krause received his 50th Year Continuous Membership Certificate.

Quick Trip...

...to Delano for Monday's Legion meeting. The shuttle driver from EP to San Antonio Airport once worked in the Jolly Green Giant cannery near Glencoe,  Silver Lake, Hutchinson, so he knew where west metro kind of was. He remembered the I35 bridge going down, which was 2008. He went to Minnesota when he didn't have a job here.

SD Vietnam Veterans Reunion

I received this video of the Vietnam Veterans Reunion of 2006 from Chuck Gorman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtCZVAts1m4