Ben Zeller

16 hours ago

"On this day in 1945, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz signed the instrument of surrender with Japan that ended World War II. Nimitz, born in 1885, was the descendant of German pioneer settlers of Fredericksburg. He was named commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet shortly after Japan's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, and later commander in chief of Pacific Ocean Areas as well. With authority over the entire Pacific theater except for Gen. Douglas MacArthur's Southwest Pacific sector and the inactive southeast, Nimitz coordinated the offensive that brought the Japanese to unconditional surrender. He signed the peace treaty aboard the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Nimitz later spent two years as commander in chief of the United States Fleet, and also served as a roving ambassador for the United Nations and chairman of the Presidential Commission on Internal Security and Individual Rights. He died in 1966. In 1964 a local citizens' group established the Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Memorial Naval Museum in the old Nimitz Hotel in Fredericksburg. The project evolved into the National Museum of the Pacific War."
- Text and photo source: Texas State Historical Association
Learn more: www.tshaonline.org/texas-day-by-day/entry/361 ... See MoreSee Less

Ben Zeller

7 days ago

One of only two native-born Texans elected president... "On this day in 1908, Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th president of the United States, was born on a farm near the town of Stonewall in the Texas Hill Country. His father was a state legislator, and his mother also encouraged her son's interest in public affairs. Young Lyndon graduated from Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Texas State University) in San Marcos in 1930. The following year he became secretary to Congressman Richard M. Kleberg. Thus Johnson was set on the path of a lifetime of politics--from director of the National Youth Administration, to U. S. congressman and senator, and ultimately to the White House. His notable achievements include signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965."
Text and Photo from the Texas State Historical Association.

Learn more: www.tshaonline.org/texas-day-by-day/entry/1192 ... See MoreSee Less

Ben Zeller

1 week ago

On this "National Dog Day", I must say...we love our two rescue dogs, Chester and Daisy 🙂 ... See MoreSee Less

Ben Zeller

1 week ago

Nine years ago, Victoria County got hammered by Hurricane Harvey. Before, during, and after the storm, I worked alongside our emergency management and public safety officials and saw people all across our area rise to the challenge.

In the days and months that followed, we became #VictoriaStrong. Nonprofits stepped up, neighbors helped neighbors, and folks throughout our community came together in extraordinary ways.

While the devastation here was not nearly as severe as what some other communities experienced, Harvey was an intense storm that taught us a lot. Since then, we’ve taken numerous steps to make sure Victoria County is as prepared as possible for whatever comes our way.

Through Harvey and the many other disasters we’ve faced since, we’ve learned that preparation matters, and that Mother Nature can be unpredictable.

As we recall our Harvey stories, let’s remember those lessons and the strength of a community that comes together when it matters most. ... See MoreSee Less

Ben Zeller

2 weeks ago

On August 20th, 1886 a CAT 4 hurricane destroyed Indianola, Texas. A powerful reminder of the dangers we face of the Texas coast and the importance of making sure your family and home are prepared should a storm come our way.

Learn More: www.tshaonline.org/texas-day-by-day/entry/822 ... See MoreSee Less

Ben Zeller

2 weeks ago

"I must say as to what I have seen of Texas it is the garden spot of the world. The best land and the best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here."
Davy Crockett ... See MoreSee Less