Check out a different blog...

We are going to be taking a short break, getting the other blog up and running, and then alternating posts between the two. The goal is 3 posts a week on each blog.

Check it out here. There’s more to it than just 1/6 scale, by the way. I’m just posting some things on the other blog that I feel are more appropriate there. There also will be a monthly contest with what I feel are nice prizes. Enjoy!

https://kitbashingnearthefield.blogspot.com/2020/03/geronimo.html

Burp the Bayou!

Have you heard about the Big Bubble in the Buffalo Bayou?  Have you seen the mysterious red button on the Preston Street Bridge?  We heard about this shortly after we moved here, and I had to look into it to find out what it was.

In the middle of the brick column on the south side of the Preston Street Bridge, is a little red button.  When you press it, the water in the bayou will bubble for several seconds.  I realize that this is just a button and some bubbles, but if you are going to visit it, you really have all the materials you need for a great adventure.

First off, there is no sign above this little button.  It is just a mysterious red button in the middle of Downtown Houston.  You don’t know whether you should press it or not.  And if you do press it, what will happen?  Where should you look?  And say you see or hear the bubbles, what is causing it?  Did you wake a bayou monster?  And if a boat is traveling down the river, what would happen if you timed the bubbles just right?

For best results, tell your kids you hear there is a mysterious red button in Downtown Houston and you need to find out what it does.  Get them close to the bridge and see if they can find it. 

Once you find it, ask for ideas on what it might do and see who is brave enough to push it.

Once pressed, try to find the bubbles and ask what could be causing them?  Finish up with several minutes of pressing the button, running to the side of the bridge, watching the bubbles and giggling with delight.

To get here, drive or take METRO Rail to the Preston Station.  Walk a few blocks west towards the Downtown Aquarium until you are over the water. On the southeast side of the bridge you will see the little red button.  The water on the south side of the bridge will bubble.

The bubbles are to aerate the slow moving water.  The water is aerated automatically throughout the day and whenever a brave passerby presses the button.  

20 People You May Not Have Known Were From Houston

*Randy Quaid as, “Cousin Eddie”*

*Patrick Swayze in “Red Dawn.”

*Gary Busey in, “The Buddy Holly Story”*

*Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl in “Popeye.”*

Like all major cities, Houston has had its share of famous celebrities, actors, and athletes. Here’s my list of 20 that you may or may not have known were born in Houston, or the Houston area.

Beyoncé was from Houston’s Third Ward

Patrick Swayze, whose most notable role was in “Dirty Dancing.” He was taken from us when he was way too young!

Randy Quaid, everyone’s favorite cousin. “Shitter’s full!”

Dennis Quaid, who played Jerry Lee Lewis in the movie, “Great Balls of Fire”, among numerous other roles.

Gary Busey, from Baytown, just outside of Houston, gave the best movie portrayal to date of the legendary Buddy Holly.

Kenny Rogers, the Gambler! What more needs to be said?

Hilary Duff, the actress.

Travis Scott, rapper and significant other of Kylie Jenner.

Howard Hughes, the eccentric and reclusive billionaire.

Jennifer Garner, actress and one of the spouses of Ben Affleck. 

Michael Strahan, former NFL Star and current TV host.

Shelley Duvall, actress from, “The Shining”, “Popeye”, and several other movies.

Vince Young, former NFL quarterback.

Anna Nicole Smith. We all know her tragic story.

Jaclyn Smith, one of Charlie’s original Angels.

Phylicia Rashād, wife of Ahmad. Also known to most of us as Clair Huxtable. 

Billy Gibbons, from the Double Z Ranch, and one of the beards of ZZ Top!

Billy Preston, musician who gave us, “Nothing From Nothing”, and, “Will It Go Round In Circles?”

AJ Foyt, champion NASCAR and USAC race car driver and owner.

Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets, and founder of the Landry’s Seafood chain of restaurants. He’s actually from Galveston, but that’s close enough!

The Bissonnet Track

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On this date in history: November 20

In 1789, New Jersey becomes the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights.

In 1815, the Second Treaty of Paris is agreed upon. After the Battle of Waterloo, France agrees to pay reparations. The Napoleonic Wars end.

In 1815, Russia, Prussia, Austria, and England also sign an alliance “for the maintenance of peace in Europe.

In 1817, the First Seminole War begins in Florida.

In 1861, Kentucky’s Confederate Government files an ordinance of secession.

In 1862, the Confederate Armies of Mississippi and Kentucky merge to create the Army of Tennessee under Braxton Bragg.

In 1910, Revolution, led by Francisco I. Madero, breaks out in Mexico.

In 1917, the first successful use of tanks in warfare occurs. The British use tanks to break the German lines in the battle of Cambrai.

In 1928, Boston Garden opens. The Canadians beat the Bruins 1-0.

In 1940, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia join the Axis Powers.

In 1942, the British 8th Army recaptures Benghazi, Libya.

In 1943, U-538 is sunk in the Atlantic.

In 1943, US forces land on Tarawa and Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.

In 1945, the Nuremberg War Trials begin. 24 former German leaders are put on trial, most for war crimes related to the Holocaust.

In 1949, the Jewish population of Israel reaches 1 million.

In 1962, Mickey Mantle wins his third AL MVP award.

In 1962, the USSR removes bombers from Cuba. The US lifts the blockade.

In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys sack Pittsburgh quarterbacks an NFL record 12 times in one game.

In 1967, Tom Seaver is named NL Rookie of the Year.

In 1968, the US performs a nuclear weapons test in Nevada.

In 1969, Willie McCovey barely beats Tom Seaver for the NL MVP Award.

In 1971, Richard Petty wins the 21st NASCAR Sprint Cup.

In 1975, Ronald Reagan announces his candidacy for the Republican Presidential nomination.

In 1975, Walter Payton rushes for an NFL record 275 yds in one game.

In 1977, Cale Yarborough wins the 27th NASCAR Sprint Cup.

In 1982, 7-yr-old Drew Barrymore hosts Saturday Night Live.

In 1984, Dwight Gooden wins NL Rookie of the Year.

In 1985, Don Mattingly win the AL MVP Award.

In 1989, Robin Yount wins the AL MVP Award.

In 1990, Rickey Henderson wins the AL MVP Award.

In 1992, Windsor Castle, home of the British Royal Family, catches fire.

In 1995, the “Beatles Anthology, Vol. 1” is released.

In 1995, Princess Diana admits in an interview that she cheated on Prince Charles.

In 1997, Eric Lindros of the Philadelphia Flyers tries to bite Marty McSorley.

In 2016, Jimmie Johnson wins his 7th NASCAR Sprint Cup, equaling Richard Perty and Dale Earnhardt 

In 2019, Britain’s Prince Andrew gives in to public outcry over his friendship with Jeffry Epstein, and announces he’s stepping back from public duty.

November 20 is a busy day. There were many more, but this is a brief synopsis.

Who wants a prize?

Post the answer in the comments. To give everyone a fair chance, I’ll stop comments at 9:45am CST tomorrow, and will randomly pick a winner from those who posted the correct answer.

Who am I? (The picture is the Civil War ancestor, not the person the post is about).

1. I am named after my grandfather, who was killed in the American Civil War.

2. I learned a lot about horses and warfare from John Singleton Mosby in my early years. He and I often reenacted Civil War battles.

3. I was an Olympian, but lost my chance for gold in my strongest area of competition when the judges said I completely missed the target on a few of my shots. I argued that I didn't miss, but rather that the shots in question passed through holes in the target.

4. I first met my future commander during tank training exercises in Gettysburg.

5. I believed in the tactics of fast mobility, and always hitting hard and being on the offensive.

6. I also believed that an officer's job was not only to ask the impossible of his men, but to get it out of them.

7. I died in a car accident after the war ended in Europe, and I am buried with my men in Luxembourg.

Good luck!

Buffalo Soldiers

Today’s post comes from a Facebook friend of mine, Allenz Strickland. Allenz tells the story well, so here it goes:

“This post is about the nickname given to African American U.S. Army personnel. For the Bob Marley song.

Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on September 21, 1866, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. This nickname was given to the Black Cavalry by Native American tribes who fought in the Indian Wars. The term eventually became synonymous with all of the African-American regiments formed in 1866:

9th Cavalry Regiment

10th Cavalry Regiment

24th Infantry Regiment

25th Infantry Regiment

Second 38th Infantry Regiment

Buffalo Soldiers of the 25th Infantry Regiment in 1890

Active:

1866–1951

 

9th Cavalry Regiment

10th Cavalry Regiment

24th Infantry Regiment

25th Infantry Regiment

Engagements

American Indian Wars

Spanish–American War

Philippine–American War

Mexican Border War

World War I

World War II

Although several African-American regiments were raised during the Civil War as part of the Union Army (including the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and the many United States Colored Troops Regiments), the "Buffalo Soldiers" were established by Congress as the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army] On September 6, 2005, Mark Matthews, the oldest surviving Buffalo Soldier, died at the age of 111. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Systemic prejudice:

John J. Pershing

General of the Armies John J. Pershing is a controversial figure regarding the Buffalo Soldiers. He served with the 10th Cavalry Regiment from October 1895 to May 1897, starting as a first lieutenant when he took command of a troop of the 10th in October 1895.

In 1897, Pershing became an instructor at West Point, where he joined the tactical staff. West Point cadets upset over Pershing's disciplinary treatment and high standards took to calling him "(N*) Jack," because he had learned to have full respect for black soldiers while leading them. Later during the Spanish–American War, where Pershing served with the 10th for six months in Cuba, the press softened the term to "Black Jack", which they continued to use in World War I.

At the start of the Spanish–American War, First Lieutenant Pershing was offered a brevet rank and commissioned a major of volunteers on August 26, 1898. He fought with the 10th Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers) on Kettle and San Juan Hills in Cuba and was cited for gallantry.

During World War I, Pershing was the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) on the Western Front. While earlier a champion of the African-American soldier, at this time he did not defend their full participation on the battlefield, but bowed to the racist policies of President Woodrow Wilson, Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, and the Southern Democratic Party with its "separate but equal" philosophy.

Baker was cognizant of the many problems of domestic and allied political involvement in military decision-making during wartime, and gave Pershing unmatched authority to run his command as he saw fit, but Pershing practiced realpolitik carefully where black participation was concerned, not engaging in issues that might distract or diminish his command. Even so, Pershing allowed American soldiers (African Americans) to be under the command of a foreign power for the first time in American history.

The Punitive Expedition, U.S.–Mexico border, and World War I 

World War II 

Korean War and integration 

Medal of Honor recipients (1866–1918) Edit

Memorial to Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Clinton Greaves, 9th US Cavalry, at Fort Bayard, New Mexico

Sgt. John Harris of the 10th U.S. Cavalry with a Sharps rifle, c. 1868.

This list is of the officers and men who received the Medal of Honor due to service with the original units called "Buffalo Soldiers".

Edward L. Baker, Jr.

Dennis Bell

Thomas Boyne

Benjamin Brown

George Ritter Burnett

Louis H. Carpenter

Powhatan Henry Clarke

John Denny

Pompey Factor

Clinton Greaves

Henry Johnson

George Jordan

Fitz Lee

Isaiah Mays

William McBryar

Adam Paine

Isaac Payne

Thomas Shaw

Emanuel Stance

Freddie Stowers

William H. Thompkins

Augustus Walley

George H. Wanton

John Ward

Moses Williams

William Othello Wilson

Brent Woods

This list is of other notable African Americans who served in the original units as "Buffalo Soldiers" from 1866 to 1918.

John Hanks Alexander

Allen Allensworth

Lewis Broadus

Henry Ossian Flipper

Edward W. Pearson, Sr.

Charles Young

Cathay Williams

Today is Buffalo Soldiers Day–proclaimed by President George Bush on 24 July of 1992 and celebrated on 28 July annually thereafter to celebrate the all-black Army regiments’ “outstanding legacy of service.” The Buffalo Soldiers, as Bush acknowledged, are a historically important group best remembered for fighting on American’s western frontier. But “their achievements were not limited to the western United States,” Bush said: Members of the Buffalo Soldiers served in other parts of America and “in places as far-flung as Cuba, Mexico, and the Philippines.” The Buffalo Soldiers fought through both world wars and a number of other conflicts. Throughout all of this, as Bush acknowledged, because of racism “they often received the worst food and equipment and labored without the respect and recognition that were their due.”

There is a great deal more to know about these extraordinary Soldiers as individuals, see my future post that will include more detailed dedications to these individual Soldiers that were essential in the shaping of our Great Nation, ‘Enjoy your Saturday morning Cup of Joe.’”