HomeMy WebLinkAboutXmas2011[1]
M
What began as a new year bursting with energy
and an increased focus on my passion of
archiving Brazos Valley history ended abruptly
with a major career change. The city of College
Station, in their infinite wisdom, decided that
the position of Heritage Programs Coordinator
could be done in half the time without benefits.
Many members of the community and good
friends campaigned hard and heavy on my
behalf once again. But this time, it was to no
avail. Leaving the employ of the City of
College Station, after 6-1/2 years, was not
without tears and concerns for the future of the
Heritage Programs and specifically for the
Project HOLD website. I made great and lasting
friendships at the city. My last day was
September 16th. But this is not the end of the
story.
On September 19th, I began a new career as a
Sr. Graphic Designer with Texas Engineering
Extension Service (TEEX), a part of the Texas
A&M University System. This opportunity has
given me a chance to expand my horizons and
work with an international organization and an
amazing group of people. I am certainly feeling
December 2011 •College Station,, Texas
It’s History
A New Career
Anne’s Christmas Letter
W
O
Military History
more comfortable financially. I started out
in the John B. Connally Building behind the
Hilton Hotel. But just last weekend, our
offices moved to a facility further south in
College Station. No matter what, I am
thrilled to be a part of the TEEX family.
My association with the Brazos Valley
Veterans Memorial Board continued to be
rewarding as we culminated the year in the
dedication of a World War II memorial
statue on the Lynn Stuart Pathway. This
statue, a US Naval aviator, was created in
the likeness of LT (jg) George H.W. Bush.
Four more statues are planned to pay tribute
to all who served during WWII. We are
getting closer to our goal for the Vietnam
Memorial. The War of 1812 Memorial will
be dedicated June 1, 2012. I look forward to
my fifth year of serving on this board with
some of the finest folks in Brazos Valley.
As you know, I have a special place in my
heart for veterans and gladly work toward
honoring their service. I thank my late
father for instilling this appreciation and
dedication in me.
A special treat for me this year was having
my grandson, Thomas Allen Gunter (11), at
the Veterans Day ceremony and the WWII
Memorial Dedication at Veterans Park. His
interest in military history continues to
Anne poses with an
appreciation plaque
given to her by the
members of the city’s
Historic Preservation
Committee during an
Exploring History
Lunch Lecture.
Wax prototype of the
Vietnam Memorial to be
dedicated at Veterans Park
on the Lynn Start Pathway.
grow. This year he was able to visit with several
veterans, two of them generals, as well as
members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.
He was certainly in his element. A photo of him
at the Wall of Honor appeared on the front page
of The Eagle newspaper. His knowledge and
depth of understanding of military history is
remarkable and equaled only by the tough
questions he asks. He tells me that he is either
going to be a Marine “because they are first in
and first out” or an actor. It could happen!
Occasionally, I sell one more of Daddy’s “Gare
le Bete, A History of the 814th Tank Destroyer
Battalion, 1942-1945” books. Hopefully, one
day I will be able to republish this wonderful
history. There seems to be a renewed interest in
this part of WWII history. I have also
discovered a manuscript Daddy wrote that is
based on an incident that happened while
Thomas Allen at the dedication of
“”Day of Infamy.”
Back row: Tamara, Brent (April’s brother), April
and Thomas. Front row: Ava Delaine, Anne,
Forrest Calvin, and Thomas Allen.
“Day of Infamy”
Anne Boykin, 2015 Langford St., College Station, TX 77840 979.450.3296
Tamara continues her work with IBM in Austin
as Global Marketing Manager. Her travels this
year took her to Wyoming and Japan.
Tamara and Miss Olive continue to foster
Golden Retrievers. There is never a dull
moment with the foster dogs but Olive manages
to keep them under control.
Tamara participated in a national sketchbook
project this year. One of my favorite pages
appears below.
Thomas Allen’s shadow on the Wall of Honor.
Photo appeared on the front page of The Eagle,
Nov. 12, 2011.Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Mother and Daddy were stationed in Botswana.
I would certainly like to publish this as well.
On January 28, 2012, I will be one of several
members of the community to be honored at the
African American National Heritage Society
Annual Appreciation Banquet. Their focus this
year in selecting honorees is historic
preservation. The AANHS is recognizing my
efforts in documenting the hidden history of our
African American community through research
of desegregation in the A&M Consolidated
School District, as well, as my work in helping
four church congregations receive historic
markers from the city of College Station
Historic Preservation Committee.
Thomas and April brought the Gunter kids to
College Station this year for their first Aggie
football game. The photos below show best
what a great time they had.
Thomas continues his career at IBM as
Manager, ISV & DR Operations, in Austin.
April works part time as Parent Support
Specialist at Round Rock ISD. The kids are
growing fast and are active in scouting. Thomas
Allen earned his Arrow of Light this year. This
month, Thomas Allen and Ava played roles in
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at Sam
Bass Theater. They performed in 16 shows
The Gunter Crew
Tamara
T
T A Special Honor O
since the beginning of December. Thomas
Arthur got into the act with a cameo as a
firefighter in one of the productions.
Ava attended a Selena Gomez concert and also
visited the American Girl store in Dallas. She
had a successful season selling Girl Scout
cookies in the spring and more Girl Scout
goodies this fall. Forrest won a blue ribbon this
year for his science fair project called “The
Biggest Pop” that compared various brands of
microwave popcorn. He also had his artwork,
“The Cactus,” displayed at the Round Rock ISD
Performing Arts Center. He, too, perfected his
sales and marketing expertise selling popcorn
for Cub Scouts.
The Gunter gang at Kyle Field.
Forrest and “The
Biggest Pop”
“The Cactus”
Ava and her dad on
Opening Night
Tamara
Miss Olive
The Sketchbook Project
Thomas Allen and a
female member of
Corps of Cadets
HAPPY NEW
YEAR
from Anne