100th Birthday Celebration for a Grand Old Lady...

[DustDevil]

...USS TEXAS BB-35, commissioned 12 March 1914.
Veteran of two World Wars, participated in the shore bombardment at Normandy and Iwo Jima.
She was hit twice by German shells at Normandy one rd penetrated her hull but did not explode and is on display in the Officers' Mess. The other round killed the only crew member to die in battle in her entire service, the helmsman on the bridge, Christen Christensen. I believe he was a Quarter Master 2nd Class. It has been said she was a blessed ship.
Yesterday was chilly and rainy but did not keep many people away from the celebration. There were, I think, 32 of her crew members in attendance and they were and are honored for their service.

 

[Faster horses]

Awesome! Gave me the shivers to look at that picture.
Thanks!

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

Thanks for the history lesson

What is the stack/tower in the background? :?

 

[DustDevil]

Thanks, FH and BMR. That is the San Jacinto Monument in the background. The top of the 570' monument is a Lone Star, shrouded in rain clouds yesterday and it was built commemerating the Texas Centennial on the site of the Battle of San Jacinto where Santa Ana was defeated by Sam Houston's Army.
The park is kind of an oasis of land in a fairly native state, surrounded by refineries, chemical plants and tank farms.
Do I sound like a tour-guide ?

 

[leanin' H]

I love history and that was dang cool! Thanks a whole bunch for sharing that with us.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

Thanks, FH and BMR. That is the San Jacinto Monument in the background. The top of the 570' monument is a Lone Star, shrouded in rain clouds yesterday and it was built commemerating the Texas Centennial on the site of the Battle of San Jacinto where Santa Ana was defeated by Sam Houston's Army.
The park is kind of an oasis of land in a fairly native state, surrounded by refineries, chemical plants and tank farms.
Do I sound like a tour-guide ?

little bit :wink:

That's what i like about this place. we get local guides to many places we might never get to.