Military History in San Antonio, Ft. Sam Houston - Tues., June 2, 2015

Susan, Darren and I were going to walk at Ft. Sam Houston on Monday, June 1. I thought they were going to pick me up at the RV park and I waited in front for them. About five minutes after the time they were supposed to be here, I got a text asking where I was. They were at the start point at Ft. Sam Houston. I explained I was waiting for them in front of the RV park. We had a mix-up in our communication.

Both Susan and Darren are retired military. If I went through the Ft. Sam Houston base gate in the car with them, I wouldn't have to go through the base Visitor Center and do a 1/2- to 3/4-hour background check.

Anyway, arrangements were made to meet Tuesday and do the walk then. Meanwhile, since they were already there, they decided to go ahead and walk. They later told me it wasn't a very good walk -- it was hot, humid and the directions were confusing. They got lost quite a bit.

Fast forward to Tuesday...they picked me up at the RV park office and we zipped onto base with no problem. That's how easy it is when you ride with two retired officers: one Army, one Air Force.

The 10k Volksmarch started at the IHG Hotel on base. The first mile or two we walked next to the Parade Ground and passed the 1941 Eisenhower Quarters (where Colonel and Mrs. Dwight Eisenhower lived in 1941) and Krueger Quarters (Walter Krueger, commander of 2d Infantry Division and Third U.S. Army here, and Sixth U.S. Army during the Pacific Campaign during WW II lived here in 1939-1941). Talk about a who's who of historic military personnel.

Eisenhower Quarters (1941)

Below is the Foulois House. It was erected in 1908 as a Bachelor Officer Quarters for permanently assigned male officers during the period 1908 to 1968. It had other designations over the ensuing years, but the interesting part is about Foulois himself.

This facility was designated the Foulois House in 1981 in honor of Benjamin Foulois, pioneer military aviator. Military aviation was born March 2, 1910 when Lt. Foulois made the first military flight at Ft. Sam Houston in Army Aircraft No. 1. He enlisted as an engineer in the war with Spain and was commissioned for gallantry in the Philippines. He commanded air service troops and was Chief of Air Services AEF in 1917. He was the sixth person named to the National Aviation Hall of Fame as the first Air Corps Pilot.

MG Foulois retired as Chief of the Air Corps and lived to see his Air Service become the mighty USAF, and his one-hundred-foot altitude flight of 1910 expand to outer space. What a life!

Foulois House (Quarters named in honor of Benjamin Foulois)

As we continued our walk, we passed the old laundry services row, then came to officers row.

MG Foulois Quarters 1910-1911

Next we came to the grandest house of all, the Pershing House, named in honor of General John J. Pershing. In 1917, after his return from the pursuit of Pancho Villa, General Pershing assumed command at Ft. Sam Houston. While occupying these quarters, he was chosen to command the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. In 1919, he was appointed "General of the Armies of the United States," the only person hold the rank.

General Pershing's Quarters

More walking along parade grounds

Darren and Susan - happy walkers today

M-48 Medium Tank, 90 MM "Patton"

Another view of the M-48 Medium Tank, 90 MM "Patton"

From the parade ground and display of military tanks and cannons, we headed into The Quadrangle, the oldest building on the post. Built in 1876 as a supply depot it is the Headquarters for the Fifth U.S. Army. This was my favorite part of the Volksmarch. The Quadrangle encompasses eight acres.

Entrance to The Quadrangle

Here's why this enclosed quadrangle was my favorite part of the walk...I fell in love with the peacocks!

A strutting peacock

The colors are awesome

This place is just amazing. In addition to the landscaping, peacocks, ducks, geese and deer, there is a beautiful tower.

The Tower is 90 feet tall and measures 16 feet square at the base. It was built to hold a water tank and a watchman's station at the 60-foot level.

Cannons have been displayed
at the Tower since 1895.

In 1882 a clock replaced the water tank

One more peacock

From The Quadrangle our walk took us past the Gift Chapel which was built with donations from local citizens and soldiers. The Chapel was dedicated by President William Taft lin 1909.

We made our way back toward the start. Darren and Susan wanted to see the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Museum. (Bob and I had already toured it.) We spent 45 minutes in the lovely air-conditioned building learning about the part the Army Medical Department has played throughout U.S. History.

Many different types of vehicles have been used to transport wounded soldiers from the battlefield. Here are a few of them. I bet you've never seen the last one before!

Model T Ford Ambulance

1942 Willys MB (jeep)

The following conveyance is a litter load carrier. "It was dependent upon ground effect to keep it afloat, assisted by strong skirts around the periphery. It was known as a gemule (ground effect mule) and could carry a 400-pound load. The engine and fan were at the rear, and the 5 horsepower was enough to boost the platform up to 12 inches to clear obstacles. The goal for the gemule was to carry supplies into forward combat areas, and to provide evacuation to the rear. Gemule was probably built by the Vertol Corporation circa 1950s." (Quote from sign in the AMEDD Museum)

Gemule: Litter carrier, ground (experimental)

After the museum we finished the walk by passing the Old BAMC (Brooke Army Medical Center).

After the walk, we ate lunch at Freddy's Steakhouse. Darren and Susan wanted to see "Tomorrowland" which Bob and I had already seen. I opted to see "Far from the Madding Crowd." Darren and Susan enjoyed "Tomorrowland." I thought "Far from the Madding Crowd" was a good period piece. The best part about it was Carey Mulligan. I loved her character and the way she portrayed her, although she was quite stupid in her choice of husband. I agree with the critics on this one, the audience knew who would make the best match for her long before she figured it out. It got quite tedious toward the end.

This was a great day with friends. I learned a lot about the military doing this walk with two retired officers. Travel Bug out.

Kilometers - Sat., Apr. 12

Today Susan and I did the Ft. Sam Houston Volksmarch, part of the Fiesta celebration in San Antonio. The length of our walk was 11K (6.82 miles). To convert kilometers into miles, use the following formula: # of miles times 0.62; e.g., 11 x 0.62 = 6.82.

Our walk started in the Ft. Sam Houston Army Medical Department Museum.

Susan in front of jeep ambulance

For rugged rescues.

Iron lung used to treat polio.

From the museum, we walked outside around the base. The base is so big that we didn't duplicate much our walk from two years ago. We walked past the Exchange and the Army Uniforms warehouse, past Fort Sam Houston Theater, and through many areas of officers quarters and homes.

MASH helicopter

A display in the museum explained about DustOff. These are the teams that work the helicopter ambulances, go into a battle zone and run to retrieve the wounded. If the medics aren't sprinting to rescue their wounded, they aren't considered worthy to be on the squad. Their goal is to get in and get out as quickly as possible.

Below is the shoulder sleeve insignia for U.S. Army Medics. The maroon and  white are the colors used for the U.S. Army Medical Department. The wings and serpent allude to the Caduceus symbol representing all medical services, and the sword in place of the staff
relates to the United States Army. The sword with point to base is symbolic of sacrifice and mercy, and alludes to the noncombatant role of the medical services.

 

Housing on base.

The Stilwell House was open to walk through. We enjoyed the period furniture.

Stilwell House living room.

After the Volksmarch, we drove to San Antonio Botanic Gardens and had lunch at the Carriage House Cafe. At the botanic garden, there are many purple martin birdhouses. The purple martins are currently in residence! Susan wanted to check out the Plant Sale and we did that, then headed for home.

Purple martin condo.

Beautiful color on the purple martins.

Tonight we are going to Shared Beat Crawfish Boil, a fundraiser being held at Random Event Center and Beer Garden. The funds raised tonight go to medical supplies, dental and vision programs, and scholarships to help Safe Passage, an educational reinforcement program serving families living around the  Guatemala City dump. The doctors, dentists, and nurses pay for their own trips to Guatemala. Shared Beat pays for the medical supplies and scholarships. A worthy endeavor.

Must go get ready for a fun evening.

Travel Bug out.

S is for San Antonio

San Antonio, New Braunfels, Guerne, Texas:

We were up early to travel an hour into San Antonio to do the Caminada de Fiesta volkswalk (10K non-competitive walk) around Ft. Sam Houston. Upon our arrival at Ft. Sam Houston, we checked in at the U.S. Army Medical Museum where we started the walk, literally. The first part of the walk was through the museum. We didn’t take time to read all the displays because we were on a mission to do the 6.2 miles in two hours. The most interesting thing we DID spend time on was a hospital train car used to get medical facilities closer to the battlefield. Our walk took us through the train car.

The rest of the walk went past the Gift Chapel, through the Ft. Sam Houston Museum, past barracks, officers’ residences, family housing and through a park on base. The day was gorgeous, clear, and about 75 degrees.

U.S. Army Base Ft. Sam Houston

Housing on base

Me stretching

View from walk--golf course.

Walk route markers into park.

We think this is a hospital on base.

 After our six-mile walk on the base, we headed downtown to see The Alamo and Riverwalk. It’s Fiesta time in San Antonio, not to mention Saturday, so throngs of people were downtown. Bob bought Chinese lunch to go which we ate in the car so we wouldn’t be tempted by the expensive restaurants along Riverwalk. We walked through The Alamo and its grounds.

Part of downtown San Antonio, Texas.

Line to get in the "Shrine" at The Alamo.

The Alamo (podium out front part of Fiesta)

On the grounds of the Alamo

Bob and "unknowns" outside Alamo Museum.

From the Alamo, we walked to and through a mall to get to Riverwalk. 

Dancing senoritas were on one of the fiesta stages as we walked by. 

We were amazed by all the restaurants lining the Riverwalk. Lots of riverboat tours went by. So much activity! We walked approximately two miles while downtown. 

The Mall

Riverboat tour

Restaurants and shops line the river.

Lots of different bridges.

Beautiful tile murals.

My handsome honey!

Awww...too cute.

Cool building in downtown.

Total walking today: 8-9 miles.

We had chores to do so we headed north on I-35 to Camping World in New Braunfels. Bob bought a new skylight for the 5er, butyl tape and some sealant.

Walmart was next on the list, but we got sidetracked looking at old town New Braunfels. While there, we found Naegeli’s Bakery, the oldest bakery in Texas. We drove past. Bob said, “Let me know if we’re missing anything.” I couldn’t help myself and said, “We missed the bakery.” Around the block we went and joined the line of people waiting to buy streusel, bread, cookies, cream puffs, eclairs, lebkuchen…is your mouth watering yet? Ours were. Bob settled on peach strudel and a cream-filled doughnut. I opted for a butterfly roll covered in chopped walnuts and a cinnamon roll without frosting. Glad we didn’t miss that!

We made it to Walmart and completed our shopping. On the way back we “had” to go past the bakery again (darn it!). Second round for me was a chocolate-topped cream puff and an apple strudel. Bob ordered an éclair and a muffin. (You'll be hearing about some hikes and bike rides to make up for all that!)

For shits and giggles, we drove past Schlitterbahn water park (the best water park in Texas according to locals--couldn't see much of it from the car) and continued out to the town of Gruene (pronounced "green"). 

Gruene, Texas is on the banks of the Guadalupe River. A pleasant, historic town where the big attractions are the Saturday Market, old town, art galleries, restaurants and swimming/tubing in the Guadalupe River on a warm day. The town was packed, traffic backed up in all directions. A police officer was directing traffic at the main intersection.

After Gruene, we drove to Hwy 306 to try a new route back to the 5er. We cut time off our trip home using Hwy 306 to Blanco.

Bob got up on top of the 5er with the new skylight and found the outer skylight was securely sealed to the inner skylight, so we could not re-use the inner skylight. Tomorrow we return to Camping World for the inner skylight.

The rest of the afternoon we relaxed and read our books. Bob finished “Angel’s Weep” by Wilbur Smith.

I read a big chunk of “Catching Fire,” the second book of “The Hunger Games” trilogy.