HomeMy WebLinkAboutTexas WWII MemorialA8 Austin American-Statesman ~ Wednesday, August 15, 2007
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MICHAEL LAOSA,
Publisher
RICHARD A. OPPEL, BELINDA GAUDET,
Editor Executive ~cePresident/General Manager
FRED ZIPP, ARNOLD GARCIA JR., EDWARD BURNS,
Managing Editor EditorialPageEditar V~ceFresident/Chief Financial Officer
DAVID A LOWERY, ALBERTA PHII.LIPS, BRUCE RIGHT, Editorial Writers
tribute at
f you walk out the west doors of
Ithe Capitol, your eyes come to
rest on a monument that bears
a "T" outlined by an arrowhead.
For too long, that tribute to Texas'
36th Infantry Division has been
the primary acknowledgement on
the Capitol grounds of the state's
World War II GIs.
Though the 36th Division, then
as now a National Guard outfit,
was mobilized for the war and
served with distinction, Texas sol-
diers weren't exclusively assigned
to that unit. Texans served in all
branches and all theaters of that
epic war. World War II Texans are
long overdue for the recognition Mike Blackwell
they earned and deserve. TExAS suQ.niNC Arm raocuREMENr comm~ss~oN
That finally happens today when The new monument honors the 830,000
a monument honoring all Texans Texans who served in World War II.
who served in all branches in World
War II is officially dedicated. served nationally.
In 1945, Aug. 15 was VJ Day Interesting statistics, but statis-
- Victory over Japan - so the se- tics don't come close to telling the
lection of the date is no accident. numerous stories of valor, sacri-
By the time Japan surrendered in fice and courage. Soward helped
1945, more than 830,000 Texans had spearhead the fundraising effort to
served. Of those, 22,000 gave their make the monument a reality. It is
lives. a replica of the Texas pillar on the
Larry Soward, the Texas Com- national World War II monument
mission on Environmental Quality in Washington, D.C.
commissioner, noted that 830,000 The ceremony is scheduled for 10
was 5 percent of the Texas popula- a.m. today on the grounds west of
tion in 1940, and that number rep- the Capitol. It is an elegant salute
resents 7 percent of the those who that has been too long incoming.
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