Hootin' Anni's Day Trippin' : Veterans

Showing posts with label Veterans. Show all posts

§ He's Got a List...and Checking It Twice!!

At sunrise, I was getting prepared to go to town along the seawall; a car trip over Ocean Drive, parallel to the coastline. The Rotary Club and several other institutions recognize veterans in a special way. It's quite impressive to see. The first time, years past, I went to view the tribute, there were maybe 50-75 flags in one park only, unfurled with each flag dedicated to a certain veteran of wars/peace time. I try to go each year. This year, a couple days ago, I drove there with intentions of taking photos as I walked. But, to my surprise, the flags display started at ONE park and continued through 4 more seaside parks....my estimation is 1000s of flags! Each separate flag dedicated to an individual. The flags are purchased for $50 to raise money and help those who served our country. I was in awe. I took a few photos, but this is just a minimal effort....

At the first park I pulled off and didn't park, I just sat in my car and viewed a bit. I was a bit speechless. I knew there'd be more further down the street, closer to town. I left shortly and followed the traffic flow to another...surprised at how many I'm seeing! Then, another park! Still more flags. The scene was a spectacle and humbling! Finally I stopped at the 'main' coastline park and got out and walked along the trail.

Leaving from my morning walk, it was becoming overcast, and I had other stops to make before heading home. Before I reached the car the sky was painted gray yet the sun persisted...

I stopped at the nearest Dollar Tree, but didn't find much. Across the street, there is a Walmart. I still had to get some bananas for lunch [my potassium supplement]. Once in the parking lot I noticed a LOT of police vehicles up front. My first thought was a shoplifter caught. Then, what with things going on these days I thought "Should I go in or stop somewhere else". There was no commotion or lights flashing. Nothing roped off, no stand off scene, and other shoppers were coming out and going in. Okay. Safe! I bagged my bananas and then, just 'cause I'm a fanatic, I headed to the holiday shopping area.

As I walked through the aisles, I notice the cops!!!! They were everywhere. Each had a cart and a list. Their carts were filled. Aha! This too is a tradition here in Corpus. The police department play holiday angels to those in need....children [poor, orphans, foster homes]. I stopped and asked the one in my aisle if I could take his photo for my blog. He permitted me to snap a photo. I asked how many he is shopping for and he said three. "All girls". Later as I walked further, I spied another officer...she was talking to herself. I had to laugh inwardly.

Then I saw some holiday leggins and first blogger I thought of was Sandra. She shops frequently at Walmart and wears those comfortable leggins with ease and style. I thought these would be perfect with a long plain red top. With her complexion and fun demeanor, these would be great. Even if she wouldn't wear them anywhere, they'd make a wonderful set of lounging pjs or part of Christmas Eve wardrobe!! She'd look mahvelous, don't you think?!

When I got back home, Isaiah was happy to see me.

§ Sunshine on My Shoulders....

....Makes Me Happy

I woke up yesterday morning to clear skies and no rain. And, since it was so chilly at that hour, I waited 'til the temp climbed up a bit, to 50 degrees, before I went out walking. I just walked a short distance this time. I have been wanting to go down along Ocean Drive/Shoreline and view the Veteran's Flags of Heroes that are gracing our city ... Sunday is the last day. I was hoping for a perfect day and it was. Lining the park and placed strategically on the lawn and surrounding the WWII bronze sculpture is the American Flag by the 1000s. Each flag is sponsored by a donor family in memory of their choice....each flag has a tag on it with the person's name. Soldier, Airman, Seaman....those who served in military and wars. My first sighting of this park as I turned the curve on the street was startling and humbling. As I walked the grounds I felt pride in every step and wanted to honor each and every one. They served their country, by choice or drafting, and some lost their lives to keep us free. Brave men and women.

Without any more words, I show you and hope you, as I was, can be awed by the pride of a nation as you view the images!!

§ PART THREE - Voices of South Texas

If you missed them PART I and PART II

I conclude this Veteran's Day Series on November 11th. Old Bayview Cemetery, as I mentioned in the previous post, is sitting on a bluff. In Yesteryear, the view would have been beautiful ---the wide open scenery and the sparkling water. Today, the view with just a hint of bay water spotted here and there between modern and some dilapidated structures, is mostly roof tops of buildings near the ship's channel. The cost of progress. As I mentioned, I planned on ending this on a sad note of more modern times. You see, this antiquated cemetery has been, over many years, highly vandalized!! Everywhere you look, headstones have been knocked over and smashed. Some not even recognizable any longer...heaps of rubbish and rock debris. The city has erected a 12 foot wrought iron fence around the perimeter and gated it with stone...locking it up at sunset and opening it only in daylight hours. Of course, when vandals have something in mind to do damage, there is no stopping them. It's highly patrolled, but still mischief is evident today...

Of the 633 interments recorded, these long remembered are soldiers and officers of many wars, The Mexican War, The Indian Wars, Civil War, and others. Prominent citizens, infants, to slaves. Several markers showed us the immigration records...from Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, South Wales, some were native Texans. Among a few seen here:

Matthew and Tom Nolan joined Harney's Regiment of Dragoons, United States Army in the late Fall of 1845. They were both born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. Mat was 12, but Tom was only 9 so he lied about his age telling the recruiting officer he was 10. Mat signed on as a bugler, Tom as a drummer, Company G, 2nd U. S. Dragoons. As soon as the Confederacy was established in Texas, Mat Nolan was authorized to raise a company in South Texas. He enlisted the whole company of the Walker Star Rifles (named for an Indian-fighter named Andrew Jackson Walker, by their Captain Charles Lovenskiold). The militia company had to be rebuilt after most of the stronger and younger men joined Nolan's company. Mat Nolan had many other adventures in Confederate service, but he was needed back in Corpus Christi in 1864. Matthew was shot and killed by the Gravis Brothers.

William James Biggio was born February 26, 1877, in Rockport, Aranas County, Texas to William Biggio and Rebecca Manahan. He stood 6ft 1in. tall, had gray eyes, black hair and a dark complexion. He was married to spouse #1,Petra Gonzales, and they had one daughter. He married spouse #2, Hettie May Anderson and they had two daughters. William was a Wells Fargo guard and clerk, in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. He enlisted in the Texas Rangers while in Webb County, Texas, as a SPECIAL RANGER attached to Co. C. from July 25, 1917 until January 1918.

Thaddeus Higgins Birth: 1817 Death: Sep. 12, 1845 2D Lieut. Co. G4 U.S. Inf. 1817-1845

Encamped with Zachary Taylor in Corpus Christi in 1845.

Cadet at the Military Academy, July 1, 1836, to July 1, 1840, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to Second Lieut., 4th Infantry, July 1, 1840.

Served: on frontier duty at Ft. Jesup, La., 1840-42, -- and Ft. Gibson, I. T., 1842; In garrison at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., 1842-44;

On frontier duty at Natchitoches (Camp Salubrity), La., 1844-45; In Military Occupation of Texas, 1845; and by the bursting of a steamer's boiler, was Killed, Sep. 12, 1845, near Corpus Christi, Texas.: Aged 28.

FIND A GRAVE - Old Bayview Cemetery - Corpus Christi, Texas

§ PART TWO - Voices of South Texas

If you're interested, and missed my previous post, here's the link:
PART ONE of the Voices of South Texas

For the beginning, I'm going to take you back to the 1800s along the coast of the Texas Coastal Bend. Standing on the bluff, looking toward the Bay of Corpus Christi [looking east, northeast] the view on the hill would be unobstructed. Only the year 'round green prairie grasses below your feet, and the glistening water of the sea as it ebbed and flowed. A few live oak trees and the bending twisting and gnarled stand of mesquite trees with their wispy fern like leaf clusters would be gently swaying in the breeze. A beautiful, quiet, tranquil and peaceful surrounding. There would be no tall buildings and paved streets, no ship channel bridge or heavy traffic that you'd see today. The two diagrams/mappings seen below show you what the area looked like in different decades in the 1800s. Later in history a ship channel was dredged since, at this time, the bay was not deep enough for ships to dock...the ships had to moor near what is now Ingleside Texas, closer to the Gulf of Mexico and deeper waters...

...from an army camp to where Water Street was actually ON the shore [2nd map circa 1887]. Today Water Street is a block away, now there is Shoreline Drive.

Corpus Christi wasn't always so named. In the early 1800s, it was best known as Kinney's Ranch [circa the time frame of the first cemetery in 1845]. In 1852, Kinney's Ranch became incorporated...Corpus Christi now existed on the map with a population of 175 in 1860. The first mayor was Benjamin Neal. Ironically and historically I believe the "Neal" family is still a big part of the city today...Samuel Neal, also a prominent judge, may be a descendant of Judge Benjamin[?].

Kinney's Ranch became a prominent military outpost in the 1800s. Under the command of Zachary Taylor [in time, he'd become our 12th President]. With the Annexation of Texas, with victories of many battles in the area, he became a national hero. But, while he was in command, a sidewheeler steamship, the "Dayton", experienced an explosion in the boiler, killing several troops [sailors] including officers on board. There was then, a dire need of a burial ground. Taylor acquired, from Kinney, land that would become the first cemetery in Corpus Christi. AND the OLDEST Federal Cemetery in the state of Texas...nearly 170 years in existence. Old Bayview, became a burial ground for military veterans of several wars, pioneers and young children, prominent dignitaries to even slaves. It's a monument, an historical landmark, teeming with history of this area.

There are many State of Texas Historical Markers within the cemetery compound...