The Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, honors the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. He earned every decoration for valor this country could offer, as well as similar honors from Belgium and France. His life began in a family of poor Texas sharecroppers, and after the war, his achievements and contributions touched millions.
In January 1945, near Holtzwihr, France, 2nd Lt. Murphy’s company was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. He ordered his men to withdraw to protective woods, but remained at his forward post ordering close-in artillery strikes to support the withdrawal, a move that devastated the advancing Germans.A U.S. tank nearby had taken a hit and was burning, threatening to explode. With the enemy closing around him, Murphy climbed onto the burning vehicle and used its machine gun to kill dozens of Germans, ultimately stopping their advance. The Germans tried to eliminate Murphy, only to be destroyed as they approached his position. He was wounded, but continued to fight until he exhausted his ammunition. He withdrew to his squad and organized a counterattack, causing a full withdrawal of the Germans. These actions earned him the Medal of Honor.
Murphy spent three years in active military service. He entered as a private, rose to the rank of staff sergeant, and was given a “battlefield” commission of second lieutenant. He was wounded three times and survived nine major campaigns in Europe.He was released from active service in September 1945. Actor James Cagney invited him to Hollywood to try his hand at acting, but the succeeding years were tough, with the movie industry offering only small parts.
Then in 1949, Murphy played himself in the Hollywood release of his autobiography “To Hell and Back.” The film was a big hit, holding the box office record until the 1975 release of “Jaws.” Murphy’s place in Hollywood was assured and he went on to star in 26 films, mostly westerns, over the next 15 years. In 25 years of acting, he made a total of 44 films.
Murphy owned ranches throughout the Southwest, where he bred and raced horses. He was a prodigious gambler, betting on horses, sporting events and cards. It’s reported that he won and lost fortunes.He is also known as a successful poet and songwriter. His compositions have been recorded by Dean Martin, Eddy Arnold, Charley Pride, Jimmy Bryant, Porter Waggoner, Jerry Wallace, Roy Clark, Harry Nilsson and many others.
Murphy suffered bouts of depression, insomnia and substance abuse as a result of his war experiences. Recognizing his addiction to prescribed sleeping pills, he broke the habit by locking himself in a motel room for a week.Audie
Murphy suffered from what is today known at PTSD. Until the 1960s, “battle fatigue” and other war-related mental illnesses weren’t discussed publicly. He was the first to do so, bringing national attention to veterans’ mental health issues and making a lasting contribution to their treatment.
Audie Leon Murphy died in a Memorial Day weekend plane crash in 1971 while on a business trip. He was 46.
Source: Department of Veterans Affairs http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/names/index.asp
Everyone living in or close around San Antonio (Bexar County), please take advantage of early voting which starts this monday,October the 20th and runs through Friday October 31st.
You also can vote by mail.This service is available to any voter who has difficulty walking or standing for long periods. Please call ahead to notify the early voting clerk that you want to vote from your car. The election official will bring your ballot to your car outside the polling location.
Q:Where are early voting sites?
Here is a list of all early voting places you can attend. Just a reminder you can vote at any of these places listed but if you decide to vote on the 3rd or 4th of November, you will have to vote at your precincts location.
Early voting locations
http://www.bexar.org/elections/Early_Voting_Calendar_Joint_Election_-_corrected.pdfA map of all early voting locations
http://www.bexar.org/elections/2008_ev_November_withzipcodes.pdf
For more helpful info please check out this website.
http://www.bexar.org/elections/index.html
Barack Obama has won the democratic nomination. Yes, we can. Yes, We Did! As one of millions of Americans, a liver transplant nurse coordinator and her adult son, a computer programmer, through volunteering, can now share in the success. Read the blog about volunteering on Texas primary election day and see the pictures of Barack Obama's visits to San Antonio.
San Antonio Texas needs attention
I went downtown yesterday and not one piece of evidence of the election or more importantly OBAMA
I want to start taking videos of the people on the street and need help
Thanks
This is a link to a video of when I traveled to Texas and volunteered seven days for Barack's campaign. He ended up loosing Texas to Hillery. But after elections I got to see him give a speech in San Antonio. Seeing him in person was really a good ending to my trip.
Ben and Tom's excellent adventure to San Antonio Texas
Rick and Monica Brooks and daughter Nikki silk screened more than 50 shirts and placards with various slogans including "No blue states, no red states but the United States" and "United for Change (with our Democratic Donkey)". It will be fun to see them being worn in the neighborhood. I bet if you ask the Brook's they will make shirts at another event too.
Precinct 2045 Democratic chair, Celina Pena, gamely introduced herself saying something like "I am an avid supporter of Hilary Clinton and a new avid supporter of Barack Obama." Enrique Valdivia, our neighbor and Edwards Aquifer Authority board member offered words of support. Trey Martinez Fisher was represented by an ample supply of ice, soda and bottled water. It was rumored that Trey was at an event in Washington that featured Barack himself.
I attend a Texas Alamo Community College called St. Philips College in downtown San Antonio and each day I see less and less people wearing/talking about the Obama campaign or politics in general...what's going on guys? We should get together soon and one of the campuses and raise that support level!!!
SCOTT
Several of our grassroots organizers went down to the river walk today, and were passing out fliers letting locals know about Barack’s visit this evening. For those of you who didn’t see one of the fliers or hear about it from one of the San Antonio volunteers, the doors of the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre open at 6 PM. Click here for more details.
The excitement for Barack’s visit today was everywhere, and there was an overwhelming interest here in downtown San Antonio for Barack and his message of change.
Join Barack Obama at a Stand for Change Rally in San Antonio, TonightStand for Change Rally with Barack Obama Verizon Wireless Amphitheater 16765 Lookout Road Selma, TX 78154 Friday, February 29 Doors open: 6:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public; however space is limited and an RSVP is required. Space is available on a first come, first served basis.Get more information and RSVP here.
Stand for Change Rally with Barack Obama
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater 16765 Lookout Road Selma, TX 78154 Friday, February 29 Doors open: 6:00 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public; however space is limited and an RSVP is required. Space is available on a first come, first served basis.
Get more information and RSVP here.
YES WE CAN!
Let's get letters supporting Obama to the top 10 Texas Newspapers by Monday! Look at how many people we can reach with just one letter. The possibilities are huge. Please join the group Texas Letters to the Editor Group!! to find out how to get started. I have all the tips, contact info, and support that you need. Share your personal story or whatever inspires you about Barack. Just write down what you aleady tell your friends and family. We can do this together!
Houston Chronicle - Contact PageHouston - (Pop. 1,953,631)
Dallas Morning News - Contact PageDallas - (Pop. 1,188,580)
Austin American-Statesman - Contact PageAustin - (Pop. 656,562)
El Paso Times - Contact PageEl Paso - (Pop. 563,662)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Contact PageFort Worth - (Pop. 534,694)
Corpus Christi Caller-Times - Contact PageCorpus Christi - (Pop. 277,454)
Laredo Morning Times - Contact PageLaredo - (Pop. 176,576)
Amarillo Globe-News - Contact PageAmarillo - (Pop. 173,627)
Brownsville Herald - Contact PageBrownsville - (Pop. 139,722)
Abilene Reporter-News - Contact PageAbilene - (Pop. 115,930)
Here is what we have confirmed thus far:
San Antonio: Tuesday Feb. 19.
Stand for Change Town Hall with Barack Obama La Plaza De Guadalupe 1327 Guadalupe Street San Antonio, TX 78207 Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Doors Open: 12:00 p.m.
Stand for Change Town Hall with Barack Obama
La Plaza De Guadalupe 1327 Guadalupe Street San Antonio, TX 78207
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Doors Open: 12:00 p.m.
Sign up here: http://tx.barackobama.com/page/s/sanantonio
Houston: Tuesday Feb. 19
Toyota Center 1510 Polk Street Houston, TX Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.
Toyota Center 1510 Polk Street Houston, TX
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.
Click here to sign up: http://tx.barackobama.com/page/s/houston
Security will be tight and you will most likely be searched and possibly wanded. Please be aware that you cannot bring in homemade signs. Please do not bring any bags, either. The less stuff you have, the quicker everyone can get checked in.
Info on Austin and D/FW is pending venue confirmation. I'll send it as soon as I have it.
8-0 since Super Tuesday (w00t), but there are many challenges left, especially Texas and Ohio. I'd like to offer up some ideas/advice for GOTV efforts in these two critical states, and ways to keep raising the energy level to swing these states to our column.
Read on for details!
As early as last June, our grassroots volunteers in San Antonio, Texas were organized and spreading the word about Barack.
"One of the things I like about Texas is that we're the friendly state," says supporter Carolyn James. "Politics has gotten to be very cut-throat and vicious... And one of the things that Barack Obama can do is to bring back friendliness into politics, so that people work together for a cause."
Our meeting Wednesday will be a training session on the program that is about to sweep Texas: Precinct Captains. Please join us at 6:30 Wed. Feb 13th. 301 Broadway suite 106 210-569-1206
We have our Feet in the Street Packets ready, so if you're ready to canvass San Antonio please come into the office this week. You'll get instructions, a map and the Obama literature that you'll need to get San Antonio Democratic Primary Voters ready for March 4.
You can call the office at 210-569-1206 for more info.
alamObama in MLK March in San Antonio Jan 21, 2008
We had OVER 200 Obama supporters come down to help commemorate Martin Luther King's March & I have a dream speech! Thank you San Antonio. You all came together for a really important event!
Follow this link for the rest of the pictures:
http://www.bubbleshare.com/album/304387.50b81dca5ff
