Weekend updates – Texas
Once did a driving trip, hitting up the Buffalo Soldier’s monuments at Ft. Riley and Ft. Leavenworth, stopping at the Negro Leagues Museum and American Jazz museum and hitting the Harry Truman Library in Independence, MO. This may take a little longer…it’s Texas, y’all. Things are further apart. Here’s a few ideas:
It’s official – the USS Texas, moved to Galveston for repairs from her former home by the San Jacinto Monument, will officially remain in Galveston.
The Galveston Wharves Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move the Battleship Texas to Pier 15, which is near the cruise terminals. They didn’t give a timetable of when the ship would make its move there, though. AP News
She served proudly in WWI, WWII (Pacific and Atlantic theaters) and her single busiest day was shelling Omaha Beach at D-Day. She supported the landings in North Africa and Normandy before heading west to support Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and is the only surviving Dreadnaught class ship . Wiki
Add Galveston to your travel plans. Best to avoid mid-summer, it does warm up a bit.
From there head up 45 to Houston, to the Center for African American Military History (CAAMH), inc., dba Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM) in the Museum District.
In 1866, through an act of Congress, legislation was adopted to create six all African American Army units. The units were identified as the 9th and 10th cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st infantry regiments. In 1869, the four infantry regiments were reorganized to form the 24th and 25th infantry regiments. Buffalo Soldiers Museum
Some proud history there, and a damned fine tribute to folks who were not even allowed to vote – but fought and died for our country. Did you know a group of 25th Infantry soldiers bicycled 1900 miles from Ft. Missoula to St. Louis in 1897? 100 pound bikes, no paved roads… fact. St. Louis PR
Head west to Fredricksburg, TX. The National Museum of the Pacific War is there. Now, the Hill Country of Texas is lovely but a primarily naval museum there? Well, turns out that a fella you may have heard of was actually born there, Admiral Chester Nimitz, and much of the museum is dedicated to him.. By the way, this is a Smithsonian affiliate.
Besides being a big wine town, Fredericksburg is noted for German cooking, and they claim their barbecue is first-rate. Museum followed by dead critter and libations – what more could you ask?
Then you head northeast to Arlington. Not the cemetery, the town between D and FW. Come March 25th, the newest museum on the list will be opening: The National Medal of Honor Museum. This one is brand new, and I read they will have a variety of exhibits on famous battles like Chosin Reservoir and Guadalcanal. For a few bucks extra they even offer the “Dustoff Experience”. MoHMuseum Saw the Confederate* Air Force Museum its first year in Midland, and the WWII Memorial in DC the weekend it opened. I’m thinking seeing this one in its inaugural year is mandatory.
*Wasn’t PC-renamed to Commemorative then.
Category: Army, Navy, None, We Remember
That’d be one nice helluva road trip. Might as well swing by San Antone to pay respects to the Spirit of a Maternal Ancestor that died with Buck Travis on The North Wall. (I raised a glass to them boys this past Thursday, 6 March) Had a Paternal Ancestor that help Ol’ Ben and the boys take the Mission from Cos’s troops in December of ’35, was there when Santa Ana marched in in Feb ’36. Lucky for him, he was sent out to carry dispatches to Sam and Houston kept him with the Rabble Army, ultimately fighting @ Jan Jacinto.
Might want to have the CAF flying air cover when you go into Houston. Jus’ sayin’.
I’ve gone to the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg. Budget a day to get the full experience.
Couple of great German bierhausen just down the road. I favor Der Auslander, but either is fine. Good old fashioned German cooking as well.
Take a side-trip to Enchanted Rock as well – if it’s not the height of summer.
A bit southeast is Luckenbach Texas too, if you’re so inclined.
Was just in Midland overnight, and should be there again this coming week. Didn’t realize CAF museum was there. need to do some research.. problem is, trips are just quick overnight, not sure I’ll have time required.
It’s worth taking a day. Too, I’m a big fan of leaving a reason to come back.