The Lone Star State has a special relationship with World War II veterans. Texas sent more of its citizens off to the war than any other state. It also became a major training center for new recruits and a industrial power for the war effort. Today there are many organizations that support the state's veterans and educate school students about the history of a period that dramatically changed the face of the state. Veteran stories Texas are an important part of the collective memory.
The war changed the nature of the state and its people. Before the war, the population was almost entirely rural, impoverished during the Great Depression, and traditionally centered around agriculture and the home. While the young people responded to the call to arms, the rest of the population entered with great zeal into war efforts at home. Rural people flocked to the factories, causing the urban centers to swell. Women left the seclusion of their kitchens and became factory workers.
The state saw its permanent population grow by one third, while over a million and a half trainees were processed through the training facilities. Over 22,000 military personnel gave their lives to the fight for freedom, and many came home wounded or impaired. Famous Texans include Audie Murphy, the Army's most decorated soldier; five Medal of Honor winners of Latino descent; and General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In 2005 the Texas Historical Commission launched the 'Texas in World War II Initiative'. This project celebrates the sites and stories of the region and its people in the second world war. The initiative seeks to inform the public and preserve this rich heritage. Policies focus on education for middle and high school students. Although the stories include memories of service overseas, the experiences of the home front are emphasized.
The metropolitan area of Bryan and College Station TX has many resources for veterans. These twin cities are located in a Texan's idea of 'easy access' to Austin (85 miles), Houston (100 miles), Fort Hood (90 miles), and the veterans hospital in Temple (70 miles). The web page for College Station has multiple references to veteran services.
Brazos County, home to College Station, is also where a support group called 'Brazos Valley Cares' holds fundraisers for organizations that serve veterans. They raise money for the Texas A&M 'Veterans Recovery & Support Center' and San Antonio's 'Family Support Center". Check out their web page to see what else they do.
Many veterans have been able to return to normal life and resume both public and private affairs successfully. Others may suffer from post traumatic stress and not fare so well. All of them have stories to tell, as do those who stayed behind and supported the war effort. Texas beef fed armies, local industry made all the things wartime demands, and families struggled to survive without their young, strong men.
It is important to publish and preserve these stories for future generations. Supporting our veterans is a national effort, but all Americans can learn how to be effective by investigating the way Texans do it in the Lone Star State.
The war changed the nature of the state and its people. Before the war, the population was almost entirely rural, impoverished during the Great Depression, and traditionally centered around agriculture and the home. While the young people responded to the call to arms, the rest of the population entered with great zeal into war efforts at home. Rural people flocked to the factories, causing the urban centers to swell. Women left the seclusion of their kitchens and became factory workers.
The state saw its permanent population grow by one third, while over a million and a half trainees were processed through the training facilities. Over 22,000 military personnel gave their lives to the fight for freedom, and many came home wounded or impaired. Famous Texans include Audie Murphy, the Army's most decorated soldier; five Medal of Honor winners of Latino descent; and General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In 2005 the Texas Historical Commission launched the 'Texas in World War II Initiative'. This project celebrates the sites and stories of the region and its people in the second world war. The initiative seeks to inform the public and preserve this rich heritage. Policies focus on education for middle and high school students. Although the stories include memories of service overseas, the experiences of the home front are emphasized.
The metropolitan area of Bryan and College Station TX has many resources for veterans. These twin cities are located in a Texan's idea of 'easy access' to Austin (85 miles), Houston (100 miles), Fort Hood (90 miles), and the veterans hospital in Temple (70 miles). The web page for College Station has multiple references to veteran services.
Brazos County, home to College Station, is also where a support group called 'Brazos Valley Cares' holds fundraisers for organizations that serve veterans. They raise money for the Texas A&M 'Veterans Recovery & Support Center' and San Antonio's 'Family Support Center". Check out their web page to see what else they do.
Many veterans have been able to return to normal life and resume both public and private affairs successfully. Others may suffer from post traumatic stress and not fare so well. All of them have stories to tell, as do those who stayed behind and supported the war effort. Texas beef fed armies, local industry made all the things wartime demands, and families struggled to survive without their young, strong men.
It is important to publish and preserve these stories for future generations. Supporting our veterans is a national effort, but all Americans can learn how to be effective by investigating the way Texans do it in the Lone Star State.
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Our website is dedicated to all the personal veteran stories Texas. To read the posts, visit the main page now at http://huavets.org.
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