Honoring our Veterans this weekend

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Published: Wednesday, 06 November 2019 15:00

As we celebrate Veterans Day this weekend, we here at the Winter Texan Times, want to give a big Thank You to all who have served in the United States armed forces. Thank you for your dedication, patriotism and the sacrifices you have made to defend America and preserve the freedoms we all enjoy today, and every day. You deserve our respect and honor.

In honor of Veterans Day, many cities and organizations are honoring Veterans in their communities. These events are open to the public.

The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VCB) is scheduled to host the Pre-Veterans Day Hotdog BBQ on Thursday, November 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the McAllen VA Outpatient Clinic, 901 East Hackberry Ave.

Lyford CISD will pay tribute to the Nation’s Veterans at their 31st Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 8 at 9:30 a.m. The event will be held at the Bulldog Stadium, 8204 Simon Gomez Rd. The ceremony will honor local heroes and their families from across the Rio Grande Valley and Texas.

The City of Mission will hold a Flag Laying Ceremony at 4 p.m. on Monday, November 8, at the RGV State Veterans Cemetery, 2520 Inspiration Rd. Call (956) 583-7227 for more information. The city, in conjunction with 5X5 Brewing and Texas Citrus Fiesta, will have events throughout the weekend honoring Veterans including a parade, chili cook-off, a golf tournament, and entertainment. More details are in the full story in this week’s edition or you can go online to missionvet.com.

The VCB will also host a Veterans Day Celebration on Friday, November 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Harlingen VA Outpatient Clinic, 2106 Treasure Hills Blvd. The event will feature food, a raffle, car show and benefits fair.

On Saturday, November 9, join the City of South Padre Island, the Southernmost point on the Purple Heart Trail, for a weekend filled with family-friendly events to honor and celebrate our Veterans. The day’s events begin with a SPI Beach 13.1 Relay and 5K at Isla Blanca Park. A Veterans Day City program will be held at the SPI Convention Center starting at 11 a.m. along with a Food Truck Festival at 12 p.m. There will be a La Mafia Concert at the Cameron County Amphiteater (Isla Blanca Park) at 4 p.m.

The American Legion Family Post 172, Mercedes ISD and the City of Mercedes are sponsoring an Annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at the corner of 6th St. and Texas and end at the Mercedes Livestock Show Grounds.

A Veteran’s Day Parade will be held Saturday, November 9, in the City of Edinburg. The parade will begin at Richard R. Flores Stadium, 1800 S. Stadium Dr., and run through Closner & Kuhn St. Set up begins at 8 am, parade begins at 10 a.m. For more information, contact (956) 383-6246.

The Third Annual Military Ball will be held Sunday, November 10, at Isla Grand Beach Resort, 500 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island. The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. The event will feature a dinner, dance and door prizes. Marines will perform the traditional cak cutting ceremony. Tickets can be purchased by going to their website at https://sotxmilitaryball.com/.

The City of San Benito is having a Veteran’s Day community-wide march downtown San Benito beginning at 8:45 a.m. on Monday, November 11. The event will end with a ceremony at 9 a.m. at the San Benito Veterans War Memorial, 2115 North Oscar Williams Road.

A Veteran’s Day Ceremony will be held Monday, November 11, in Alamo at the Veteran’s Memorial Park, 311 N. Alamo Rd. The event will begin at 9 a.m.

Veterans Day will be celebrated on Monday, November 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas, 29th St. and Col. Plummer Dr. The event will start with the beautiful voices of the McAllen High School band and choir. First Sgt. Christina Wilson will be speaking to guests from Afghanistan. The band and choir will perform the beautiful hymn The Battle of the Republic. This beautiful and inspiring song will be followed by the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Regiment, (USA) and its members. The medal will be presented to Myriam Morales Klusmann, for her brother Jose who was killed in Korea. Master Sergeant Daniel Jaime, Purple Heart recipient, will also be recognized with this medal. Keynote speaker will be U.S. Congressman Vincente Gonzalez, District 15. While you are at the Memorial, visit the 15 new walls which will be the children’s Plaza of History stories. They will be engraved in granite. These stories will be authored by school children and form the basis for the new “Children’s Library of American History Stories.” For further information please call Col. Frank Plummer at (956) 631-2511 or Jan Hartzog at (956) 585-1312.

The McAllen Wind Ensemble will open their season Tuesday, November 12, with a veteran’s tribute titled “America,” at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. All veterans, current service members, and first responders are invited to be guests of the McAllen Wind Ensemble with free admission to the concert. Special guests will include the Sweet Adelines. The performing arts center is located at 801 Convention, C St. Go to http://www.mcallentownband.org/all-events/ for more information and to purchase tickets.

Mission to host first ever Veterans Day Parade

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Published: Wednesday, 06 November 2019 13:33

Each year, thousands of people unite to commemorate Veterans Day, a holiday that honors all those who have served the country in war or peace — dead or alive — although it is largely intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices. This year, the City of Mission is honoring local military heroes with its weekend-long Mission Veterans Festival, “Our Mission is Service,” beginning Friday, November 8, with a flag-laying ceremony at the RGV State Veterans Ceremony, 2520 Inspiration Rd, in Mission.

“Veterans Day is not just a chance to enjoy an extra day off from work or school. We want to make sure our community recognizes its true purpose,” Mayor Dr. Armando O’Caña said. “We must acknowledge the men and women who have served in our armed forces and we’re hoping that some World War II and Korean War veterans join us. We need our citizens to come out and wear their red, white and blue, bring the family and honor our heroes with this exciting new event.”

On Saturday, November 9, the full-day celebration kicks off with the Saluting Our Veterans Cook-Off from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the CEED Building, Bryan Rd. and Bus. 83. There will be live music, food vendors and more. A fair with vendors will also take place at the City of Mission Parks and Recreation building next door to the CEED Building, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The day will continue with the Mission Veterans Day Parade at 3 p.m. The procession will begin at Leo Peña Placita Park, runs east on Business-83 to Bryan Road and end at the CEED building.

The festive parade will showcase floats, RGV veterans, military vehicles, festooned golf carts and local marching bands. A military flyover is also scheduled for the parade. The procession is expected to wrap up by 5 p.m.

Community members can then take part in the Mission Veterans Day Festival from 5 p.m. until midnight outside the CEED building in conjunction with the 5x5 Brewing Company. There will be plenty of family-friendly entertainment including live local music performances. Taste-tempting delights will be available for purchase from several food trucks and food vendors. Military vehicles are being sought for display at the festival. In addition, veterans’ organizations will be on hand to promote military services and government resources available to veterans.

“We will also be having a chili cook-off at 5x5 on Sunday between five veteran teams to include the army, marine corps, navy, air force and the coast guard,” Sean Downey, Brand Manager of the 5x5 Brewing Company said. “The winner will be decided by the people’s choice so it should be a good showdown.”

The Chili Cook-Off will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 10 at 5x5 Brewing. The cook-off will be between five veteran teams competing for bragging right on the best chili in the US military. Teams competing will be from the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

A Cars and Stripes Car Show will also take place on Sunday from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Setup will start at 12 p.m. Rewards will be given at 6 p.m. for best overall, best Veteran entry, best car, best truck and best motorcycle. Sunday events will benefit Sand Devils MC and American Legion.

The celebration recognizing military men and women will continue Monday, November 11 at 8 a.m. with a golf tournament at Shary Municipal Golf Course. The tournament be free for all veterans. Ready Tee Golf has teamed up with the City of Mission for the first-of-its-kind Veterans Day Golf Tournament. The “Fairway to Freedom” is a 3-man Florida scramble. It will be a fun filled day with food, beverages, door prizes and comrades.

“We want this weekend to lead into Veterans Day and for our men and women in uniform, past, present, and future, to know that we cannot thank them enough,” Mayor O’Caña said.

Full information can be found online at missionvetfest.com.

The Mission: To keep the planes flying

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Published: Wednesday, 06 November 2019 11:20

The mission of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is to keep the planes from WWII flying. What started with one plane has grown not only into a mission to save the planes from the era, but to also keep them in their natural habitat – in the air.

More than 11,000 volunteers work to keep the airplanes flying so generations can “see, hear, feel, and experience the power and majesty of these aircraft in operation.” The CAF goal is to keep these airplanes alive to “tell the story of the greatest generation.”
 

Read more: The Mission: To keep the planes flying

King Ranch holds their Ranch Hand Breakfast

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Published: Wednesday, 06 November 2019 00:00

It's Texas brag time! Once we could brag that we were the largest state in the Union, but not anymore. Even so, we can still brag, for surely that is what Texans do best. The "brag" this time is that south Texas has the largest ranch in Texas ... the famous King Ranch. 

Read more: King Ranch holds their Ranch Hand Breakfast

BE SAFE. DRIVE SMART.

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Published: Saturday, 02 November 2019 00:00

TxDOT aims to reduce the number of crashes involving pedestrians

AUSTIN—The Texas Department of Transportation is launching a safety campaign to remind drivers and pedestrians to slow down, be alert and obey traffic laws.

Last year, there were 5,694 traffic crashes involving pedestrians in Texas, resulting in 632 deaths and 1,205 serious injuries. In the Rio Grande Valley in 2018, there were 219 traffic crashes involving pedestrians, resulting in 23 fatalities and 46 serious injuries.

The top factors contributing to these crashes were pedestrians failing to yield the right of way to vehicles, drivers failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians, driver inattention and failure to control speed.

TxDOT offers the following tips to help keep pedestrians safe.

If you’re driving reduce your speed when approaching crosswalks and stop for pedestrians; yield the right of way to pedestrians when turning; be careful when passing buses or stopped vehicles. Stay alert and put your phone away—pedestrians may enter your path suddenly; and obey the speed limit and drive to conditions.

If you’re walking use sidewalks whenever they’re available. If there’s no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic; always cross at intersections or marked crosswalks - look left, then right, then left again before proceeding; make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Never assume a driver sees you; be visible. Wear something light or reflective after dark; don’t be distracted by devices that take your eyes and ears off the road; and as a passenger, get in or out of a vehicle on the curb side of the street.

Whether you’re driving or walking, alcohol can impair your judgment, coordination and reaction times.

Through the Lens Photography Exhibition open Nov. 9

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Published: Friday, 01 November 2019 00:00

An exhibition of photographs by members of the Upper Valley Art League will open with a free public reception from 7 to 9 pm on Saturday, November 9, at the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center Gallery.

Titled Through the Lens, this year’s exhibition will showcase various styles of photography ranging from traditional, digital and mobile created by UVAL members and the UVAL Photography Group. Exhibition coordinator Cyndee Galindo quotes Alfred Stieglitz, “In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.”

The exhibit will be on display from November 9 to December 7, 2019 at the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center Gallery which is located at 921 E. 12th Street in Mission, Texas.

The event is free, and the public is welcomed to attend this exhibition. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Upper Valley Art League is one of the oldest non-profit organizations in the Rio Grande Valley. Since its beginning in 1935, the Upper Valley Art League has been dedicated to serving the artistic needs of the Rio Grande Valley by providing art instruction, art exhibitions and a forum for artists to gather.

The Upper Valley Art League endeavors to create a space that will serve as a resource center, cultivating the artistic growth of the community by hosting exhibits of local and guest artists and offering classes and workshops in a variety of media. The organization serves ages young and old, from both sides of the border.

For additional information about UVAL, its classes, membership, events and exhibitions, visit the website at uppervalleyartleague.org or call (956) 583-2787.

Mission launches ‘team up to clean up’ campaign

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Published: Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:00

Community being asked to curb illegal dumping

The City of Mission is taking a proactive stance and enlisting help from the community to curb illegal dumping. Illegal dumping is dumping of any waste, whether it is oil, furniture, appliances, trash, or landscaping cuttings, upon any public right-of-way, city property or private property, without consent of the owner.

“With the residential growth and tourism in Mission, we are particularly focused on keeping our city looking nice for both our residents and guests. We want to tackle the issue of illegal dumping,” Councilman Ruben Plata said. “We want our city to be an inviting environment and everyone should do their part. By teaming up with our community, we can make it happen.”

The Code Enforcement Department with the assistance of the Mission Police Department is patrolling neighborhoods daily to deter illegal dumping and investigate citizen complaints. Community help is also essential to catching and preventing illegal dumping.

“We want to engage our residents to help us find the people who are violating our city ordinance,” Planning and Zoning Director, Jaime Acevedo said. “They are our eyes and ears and it helps tremendously when we receive community support to catch people that are illegally dumping debris.”

While trash piles can be a real eyesore throughout the city, Mission’s code enforcement officers say there are bigger issues at hand.

“We have trash and tires that are dumped, and if we get rain, those tires fill up with water, and then you get mosquitoes. It’s a domino effect,” Acevedo said. “Working together with our citizens, we can keep our city clean and this helps us to reduce the cost of additional manpower for prevention and cleanup.”

Illegal dumpers face fines of up to $2,000 for avoiding proper disposal. If anyone sees illegal dumping, they are urged to call the City of Mission Code Enforcement Department.

If you observe someone in the act of dumping illegally, please take down the following information if it is safe to do so:

• Date, time and location of incident
• Description of vehicle and license plate number – (Photos optional)
• What items/materials were being dumped – (Photos optional)
• Description of person(s) dumping
• Any other information that may be useful in identifying the violators.

With adequate information, the City will investigate and pursue criminal charges against identified violators. Callers may choose to remain anonymous.

To report illegal dumping please call 956.580.8697.

STHA holds symposium

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Published: Wednesday, 30 October 2019 11:00

The South Texas Historical Association (STHA) will hold a two-day symposium this week. The symposium will feature exhibits, history related presentations and talks, and more.

Part of the international flavor at the upcoming South Texas Historical Association (STHA) Nov. 1-2 Symposium in Alamo is Octavio Herrera Perez from the University of Tamaulipas, Mexico. He will be speaking on “The Low Rio Bravo or Grande del Norte in the Historical Memory of an International Region” at 10:15 a.m. on the symposium’s opening day.

Perez will be followed by George Diaz from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley discussing “Border Contraband.” In the afternoon that Friday, Alberto Rodriguez from Texas A&M Kingsville, has a talk titled “Performing Blackness in Mexico and the Borderlands: 1920-2000s”

Other topics related to South Texas’s heritage include the 1933 Rio Grande hurricane, Civil War General Philip Sheridan’s time on the border, descendants of founding families in the RGV, several other family histories and the background of the settling of the Alamo area. These speakers and others come from Texas A&M College Station, Texas State Historical Association, American Society of Sugarcane Technologies, RGV Hispanic Genealogical Society/Cameron County Historical Commission, Alamo Museum, independent scholars, regional historians and a retired CIA official.

The symposium will be preceded by a 6:30 p.m. reception Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Alamo Museum, 130 South Eighth St., a time to meet and greet speakers. Presentation of a patriotic quilt to a U.S. service veteran is also planned in coordination with a veteran’s exhibit.

The symposium, which is free, except for the $10 lunch each day, begins with a welcome at 9 a.m. Nov. 1 at Bowie Parental Engagement School on Bowie Avenue in Alamo. Emilio Zamora, president of STHA will be part of the welcoming portion along with Alamo Mayor Diana Martinez, Carroll Brinchfield, of STHA, Idolina Vela, president of the Friends of Alamo Museum, and Alejandro Oyoque, museum curator and director.

In addition to the 30-minute history presentations each day, there will be exhibits in one of the classrooms that include model railroading, a Native American arrowhead collection, and Valley baseball. Posters from a middle school contest on South Texas history will be on display, with the winner to be featured on the cover of the STHA’s biannual academic journal. Vendors also will have displays and a STHA silent auction will be conducted.

The symposium is one of two held annually as part of the STHA’s 65-year effort to collect, preserve and disseminate historical records and data related to South Texas along with added emphasis on the Tamaulipan background and the colony of Nuevo Santander. This is the first two-day event in STHA history.

For more information, call 956-961-4398 or stop in at the museum on Eighth Street.

Halloween events abound

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Published: Wednesday, 30 October 2019 10:30

While Halloween is thought to be just for kids, there are often activities for adults too. Most of the events in the Rio Grande Valley are geared toward families and children, but there are some that everyone can take part in. Some of the Winter Texan parks have their own events as well. Here are a few outside of the parks that we adults can enjoy.

The City of Pharr is having a Nightmare on Fir Street tonight from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Pharr Aquatic Center, 1000 S. Fir St. Your choice of dressing up for the event, it features Halloween themed activities, a haunted house, and of course candy. They will also be holding a canned food drive, so bringing a non-perishable canned item is encouraged.

The Gladys Porter Zoo always holds their Boo at the Zoo. The last two nights of this event are tonight and tomorrow, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $2.50 per person, free for zoo members. The event boasts a spooky good time including trick or treating, carnival-style games and more.

Hidalgo will have a Dia de los Muertos Halloween Fiesta on October 31 with a parade beginning at 6 p.m., a movie at 8 p.m. and a haunted house will be available the entire evening. The event will be located at Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum and World Birding Center, 902 S. 2nd St.

A Dia de los Muertos Procession will be held in Brownsville on November 1 at 6 p.m. The events will continue through November 2 at 10 p.m. Location for the main events is Carlotta K. Petrina Cultural Center at 1452 E. Madison St. The procession will take place from the historical cemetery and will include the market square, Brownsville Performing Arts Academy and the Cultural Center.

The International Museum of Fine Arts will be holding their A Dia de los Muertos Festival on November 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On exhibit will be community altars honoring humanitarian leaders who inspire the RGV community and beyond. For extra fees, visitors can decorate a sugar skull. There is a schedule of events throughout the day that include a Catrina contest, a performance by the UTRGV Ballet Folklorico, story times, crafts, games, vendor market, food trucks, and a lecture titled Mexico, Bones and Life. For more information visit their website at theimasonline.org.

The Museum of South Texas History will have an event on November 2 from 4 to 10 p.m. The museum will celebrate and commemorate the traditions of religious and spiritual worship. There will be an altar exhibit featuring 11 altars intended to tell stories, share memories and honor the lives of the dearly departed. The exhibit will be on display through November 17.

A Mystery Altar will feature vintage photographs of unidentified people from the photograph location in the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives. The altar will honor the nameless and carry a preservation message about the importance of documenting family photographs. Another altar, located in the Grand Lobby, constructed by CISD Longoria Middle School art students, will honor the legendary Rogelio Botello Rios, radio and television personality who passed away in 2017.

The event is included with museum admission. The museum is located at 200 N. Closner Blvd. in Edinburg.

We are sure this is not a complete list of Halloween events in the area. Look at your city websites and the museums close to you to see if they are holding something closer to you.

CAF: Saving the aircraft that saved the world

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Published: Wednesday, 30 October 2019 00:00

Editor’s Note: This story about the Commemorative Air Force will take place in two stories. This first part will give you a history and purpose for the CAF and what they do. Next week we will let you know how you can help them achieve their ongoing mission.

According to Commemorative Air Force history, the CAF started with just a single plane, right here in the Rio Grande Valley. Lloyd Nolen, a crop duster pilot that had recently returned from WWII, and a small group of ex-service pilots pooled their money together to purchase a P-51 Mustang in 1957. Together they formed an organization to share the expense of maintaining the Mustang and their love for the plane.

In short time, through their efforts, the group eventually added a pair of F8F Bearcats to the collection. It was then they realized what they needed to do – save the aircraft that saved the world. They created what is now the Rio Grande Valley Wing Museum of the CAF – now a worldwide organization with over 10,000 members in 75 wings/detachments and over 150 planes, known as the Ghost Squadron, and other vehicles from WWII, Korea and Vietnam. They now operate the largest fleet of historic combat aircraft.

America had produced nearly 300,000 aircraft by the end of the war. By 1960, most of the planes from the WWII era were gone – destroyed, lost, in great disrepair, and forgotten. Most, what remained, were empty shells, stripped of wiring, armament and instruments; others were broken up, crushed for scraps or smelted. As CAF says, “all radio channels of their crews faded away.”

What started as a hobby for these few men, grew to an urgent mission to save history. The survivors were few, and Nolen, and his group, were eager to have their stories known. They set out to try to preserve one of every type of plane from WWII. Once they began finding planes, it was their goal to restore and bring history alive, to inspire greatness in future generations.

“Airplanes weren’t meant to sit on the ground and to sit at museums gathering dust,” said the CAF.

“Rather, they should be seen in their natural environment through flight. Their engines rumbling, propellers turned to life, their wings shivering in anticipation for flight. These machines were meant to fly, to inspire, and to fulfill the humans desire to dance among the clouds.”

Today, among their collection, the CAF owns one of the only remaining flying Boeing B29 super Fortress Bomber (FiFi) and the Curtis SB2C Helldiver carrier base dive bomber; an original Japanese Mitsubishi A6M30 carrier-based fighter; and a Russian I16 Polikarpov fighter.

With their collection, the CAF dedicated each Wing to have a different collection of aircraft, a different specialty. The RGV Wing has trainer aircraft from WWII and a few vehicles as well.

“The history and service of the men and women who flew these airplanes are both compelling and inspiring,” says the CAF.

Tom Santos, Executive Officer of the RGV Wing, said it takes a lot to be a pilot. You must know more than just how to fly planes. There is a special certification one needs to fly these planes. Once certified, pilots keep a logbook on how much they fly and when to make sure they put in their flights hours and the planes get the airtime they need.

Chris Hughston, operations manager at the RGV CAF, said there is an intense culture of safety when it comes to flying the planes. For example, anyone that flies in one of the airplanes must wear one of the real flight suits. They are fire retardant, not fireproof, and will buy you an extra 30 seconds to a minute if you are in open flame. It will also keep burning things off you – like oil and gas.

Hughston pointed out that a lot of the maps they use today are some of the same they used so many years ago. What they have started incorporating though, is having the same map on tablets, versus the paper. This allows them to see more than what is on paper, like navigation and radar overlay. Being that most of the planes are open cockpit, a paper map can be lost very easily when you are trying to read the chart/map and keep your hands on the controls.

He recalled flying their oldest plane, a 1928 bi-plane – it was a beautiful day as he was getting ready to land when the aircraft’s registration, an index card sized piece of cardboard, came flying out of the airplane, hitting him in the face.

“It was not a pretty landing,” he said, and there were many people that were witness to that. His registration card ended up out on the runway.

He laughed saying that when you come in and do a beautiful landing, there is no one around to see, but when you mess up, all of the sudden everyone is out there watching.

The CAF can use anyone he said. You don’t have to be a pilot to help at the CAF. Ground help is needed as well. There is other antique machinery at the airport. They have trucks, jeeps, support equipment and a 1928 Model-T – which is a two-owner vehicle getting its engine rebuilt for the second time.

The CAF has created an educational traveling exhibit and series called Rise Above that feature’s unsung heroes such as the Tuskegee Airmen and WASP. These are stories that are shared in the hopes of inspiring others to rise above their differences, their challenges, to achieve their goals.

The CAF says the stories shared in their exhibits are only the beginning.

“It’s only limited by the number of untold stories of valor” in America’s aviation history.

The American Air Powered Heritage Museum in New York, a visitor can see the single largest collection of authentic WWII aviation nose art, cut by firemen axes and chainsaws from the fuselages of derelict army air force bombers awaiting demolition in 1946. This display shows the folk art of how the pilots and crew members personalized the very aircraft in which their lives depended on during the war.

The RGV Wing has its own museum as well. Although space is limited, there are quite a few things to look at. These are artifacts that have been collected over time or have been donated by members or by local WWII vets and families. Tears were present as a member of the RGV CAF spoke about some of the artifacts they have in their museum.

The museum curator, David Christopher, shared stories of some of the artifacts and how they got there or what they have meant to visitors.

An older couple came into the museum and the wife was startled. She started crying, said Christopher. When the couple approached a certain display, the wife had to walk away and compose herself.

The display contained a picture of a bomber with his crew. One of the volunteers at the time, found out that the picture had the lady’s her ex-husband in it. He had left to fight in the war and did not return alive.

Christopher said he must do quite a bit of research on how to take care of some of the artifacts they have. One thing he has researched is how to take care of leather since they have several leather jackets on display.

He was taking care of the jacket when he realized there was something in one of the pockets. He gently reached into that pocket and found a bag of ashes. Checking on some of the displays and noticed a leather jacket that needed some extra care and he wanted to make sure it stayed preserved in the south Texas heat.

For a while, Christopher choked up and Santos had to help him continue the recollection.

A member had donated the jacket. When they talked to him, he told them it was the ashes of his father.

“His father wanted his ashes to stay with his jacket.”

They still have this jacket on display, with the man’s ashes safely in the pocket.

The RGV Wing is in Port Isabel at the Cameron County Airport. For more information, or to set up a tour, call Christopher at 970-397-4604 or Santos at 956-579-2611. Information can also be found on their website at www.rgvcaf.org.