L L A A G G R R A A N N A A D D A A ◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘ www.granaderos.org ◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘◘ The Fourth is coming! The Fourth is coming! ….The Fourth of July, that is. Everyone is invited to come out and witness a patriotic spectacle on Tuesday, July 4 th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the San Antonio National Cemetery located at 517 Paso Hondo just east of downtown. See page 5 for more information on this patriotic event that our group sponsors every year. It’s going to be a fantastic ceremony. Musket Detail Color Guard: Spanish Grenadier: Adam Dominguez Commander: Bill Bowlin American Militia: Dan Phillips U.S. National Flag: Kevin Kanter American Militia: Randy Pike Spanish Nat’l. Flag: Ricky Reyes American Militia: Pad Kelly Granadero Guard: Roger Valdez American Militia: Doug Crumly American Militia Glenn Hadeler Tejano 1776 Juan A. Gonzalez Spanish Grenadier: Tim Thatcher Spanish Grenadier: Jesse Guerra Fife & Drum Corps: Drum Major: Ricardo Rodriguez Fifer: Crystal Benavides Fifer: Louisette Zurita Fifer: Julie Soto Drummer: Alex Zamora Drummer: Jesse Benavides Drummer: Urban Urbano Drummer: Mario Martinez General Bernardo de Gálvez: Portrayed by Michael Cristian Ju ly 2017 Order of Granaderos y Damas de Gálvez San Antonio Chapter IN THIS ISSUE: PG. The Fourth Is Coming 1 Next Meeting / Events 2 Birthdays / Chapter Officers 2 Memoriam – James Salinas 3 Recent Internet Articles 4 4 th of July Flyer 5 June Meeting Minutes 6 -7 Granaderos in Modern World 7
….The Fourth of July, that is. Everyone is invited to come out and witness a patriotic spectacle on Tuesday, July 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the San Antonio National Cemetery located at 517 Paso Hondo just east of downtown. See page 5 for more information on this patriotic event that our group sponsors every year. It’s going to be a fantastic ceremony.
Musket Detail Color Guard: Spanish Grenadier: Adam Dominguez Commander: Bill Bowlin American Militia: Dan Phillips U.S. National Flag: Kevin Kanter American Militia: Randy Pike Spanish Nat’l. Flag: Ricky Reyes American Militia: Pad Kelly Granadero Guard: Roger Valdez American Militia: Doug Crumly American Militia Glenn Hadeler Tejano 1776 Juan A. Gonzalez Spanish Grenadier: Tim Thatcher Spanish Grenadier: Jesse Guerra Fife & Drum Corps: Drum Major: Ricardo Rodriguez Fifer: Crystal Benavides Fifer: Louisette Zurita Fifer: Julie Soto Drummer: Alex Zamora Drummer: Jesse Benavides Drummer: Urban Urbano Drummer: Mario Martinez General Bernardo de Gálvez:
Portrayed by Michael Cristian
J u l y 2 0 1 7
Order of Granaderos y Damas de Gálvez
San Antonio Chapter
IN THIS ISSUE:
PG. The Fourth Is Coming 1 Next Meeting / Events 2 Birthdays / Chapter Officers 2 Memoriam – James Salinas 3 Recent Internet Articles 4 4th of July Flyer 5 June Meeting Minutes 6 -7 Granaderos in Modern World 7
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(No regular meeting in July due to our 4th of July event)
Wednesday, August 2nd
Royal Inn Oriental Cuisine Restaurant 5440 Babcock Rd
Dinner at 6:30 Meeting at 7:30
Guest Speaker: Dan Arrellano Newest Appointee to the San Antonio
Tricentennial Commission
Tuesday, July 4 10:00 am – 11:00 am 33rd Annual Fourth of July Patriotic Ceremony at the San Antonio National Cemetery. Tuesday, July 4 8:30 pm – 9:00 pm 4th of July parade at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort and Spa.
Happy Birthday!
July 1 Dr. Joel Escamilla Judge Ed Butler
July 8
Corinne Staacke
July 9 Miaoyin Rojas
July 15
James Salinas
July 16 Jack Cowan
Gerard Cortese
July 27 Claire Steves
Santos Villarreal
San Antonio
Chapter Officers:
Governor Joe Perez
Deputy Governor: Ricardo Rodriguez
Treasurer
Elizabeth Perez
Secretary Briana Perez
In Memoriam – Granadero James Salinas
We mourn the passing of Granadero James Salinas. James was a kind, gentle soul who was always ready with a joke to make someone’s day. James and his wife, Betty, have been active members of our organization for several years. They both made a trip to Spain with our organization and James spoke fondly about how much he enjoyed the adventure.
James was an avid gun collector and loved to teach people about the 1757 Spanish musket used by the Granaderos. He participated in uniform at several events during the years including Color Guards and presentations at local libraries. James passed on June 6, 2017 at age 75. He will be dearly missed not just as a member of our group but as a friend. May he rest in eternal peace.
At left is James at the Maverick Library teaching a mother and her children about the Spanish musket of a Granadero.
At right is James getting ready to march in the Maverick Library with other Granaderos and a fifer.
Below left is James (far right) on a trip to Spain along
with (L-R) Sylvia Escamilla, Betty Salinas, Emma Vela, John Espinosa, Dr. G. Roland Vela and Dr. Joel Escamilla.
At right are Betty and James Salinas along with
Governor Joe Perez taking toys donated by our members to the San Antonio Children’s Shelter just before Christmas Day. Below are Past Governor Joel Escamilla, Sylvia Escamilla and Governor Joe Perez holding our group’s flags at the burial service for
James at San Fernando Cemetery #2 in San Antonio.
Recent Articles on the Internet
This article appeared in the online version of the Corpus Christi Caller Times. It was written by Judge Robert Thonhoff and reminds all of us about the fascinating Texas Connection with the American Revolution. See the article with video and related graphics at the following address: http://www.caller.com/story/news/columnists/2017/06/27/texas-connection-american-revolution/430157001/ !Viva Judge Thonhoff! This 4th of July, it is important for people of Hispanic descent and others to realize Hispanics have been involved in our country’s quest for freedom and independence since the American Revolution.
Overlooked by most historians much too long, the contribution of Spain, Texas included, was vital in the winning of American independence more than 200 years ago.
One of the heroes of the American Revolution was Spanish Gen. Bernardo Galvez who assisted Gen. George Washington by helping defeat the British in several major battles. He led as many as 7,000 Spanish and native American troops to victories in several battles.
They were trailed by vaqueros from San Antonio, Goliad and Nacogdoches who provided thousands of cows to feed Galvez’s and later Washington’s army in their quest to quell the British. The vaqueros also participated in the battles.
So impressive was Galvez, that after the war. on a 4th of July parade in Philadelphia, he rode at the right of Gen. George Washington in recognition of his and Spain’s contribution to the victory of the colonists in the American Revolution. The Spanish troops marched with the American troops in that parade.
Today a portrait of Bernardo de Galvez — governor of Spanish Louisiana and hero of the American Revolution — rests in the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Galvez has been honored with numerous monuments and many plazas and parks have been named in his honor in the United States. There is a 12-foot statue of him in New Orleans. Soon, Pensacola will have another statue honoring him as the hero of the Battle of Pensacola where he routed the British during the American Revolution. The city of Galveston was named for him.
These facts are covered in my book, “The Texas Connection with the American Revolution.”
Robert Thonhoff is a Texas historian.
~ Free and Open to the Public ~
July 4, 2017 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The Sights & Sounds of the American Revolution The Shot Heard ‘Round The World Wreath Laying for All Who Defended Our Freedom Keynote Speech by the San Antonio Postmaster Special Postage Stamp Unveiling Presentation Musical Presentation by a Fife & Drum Corps Roll Call of the 13 Colonies with the Firing of Muskets 3-Volley Rifle Salute Honoring All Veterans The playing of “Taps” for All Fallen U.S. Soldiers
Sponsored by the Order of Granaderos y Damas de Gálvez
Order of Granaderos y Damas de Gálvez Minutes for the meeting held June 7, 2017 at the
Royal Inn Oriental Cuisine Restaurant Submitted by Joe Perez
Attendance: George Aguayo, Joe Aguayo, Mike Aguayo, Reyna Araiza, Abel Araia, Eileen Barrientos, Judge Ed Butler, Sr., Rafael Cavazos, Jack Cowan, Lucila Flores, Roberto Flores, Yolanda Kirkpatrick, Deborah Knippa, Kevin Knippa, Olga Lizcano, Manuel Lizcano, Jimmy Peet, Joe Perez, Ricky Reyes, Susan Thonhoff Rodriguez, Stephen Rohrbough, Corinne Staacke, Leslie Stapleton, Tim Thatcher, Victoria Thonhoff, Robert Thonhoff, Richard Whynot, Alex Zamora, Joe J. Zavala The meeting commenced at 7:33 p.m. Abel Araiza gave the Invocation. Mike Aguayo led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Governor Joe Perez welcomed guests Stephen Rohrbough, Kevin Knippa and Deborah Knippa. Joe announced the passing of Granadero James Salinas and asked for continued prayers for him,
his wife Dama Betty Salinas and the rest of his family. Joe had copies of James’ obituary for people to take with them as it also had information on the Rosary and Interment. A moment of silence was offered for to remember James.
Treasurer Elizabeth Perez was unavailable but provided the Treasurer’s Report to Governor Joe Perez for presentation to the group. The Treasurer’s Report for May had a Beginning Balance of $1,810.02, Expenses of $905.00, Income of $440.14, and an Ending Balance of $1,345.16. A motion to accept the report was made by Jimmy Peet and seconded by Alex Zamora. After a vote, the motion carried.
Governor Perez announced that we have a new member who joined that night. The new member is George Aguayo who was given a round of applause. Joe then announced the birthdays for June for Priscilla Marrah, Yolanda Kirkpatrick, Tim Thatcher, Rafael Cavazos, Crystal Benavides, Clifford Normand and Alex Zamora. He also announced the upcoming events on the 4th of July in the morning at San Antonio National Cemetery and a parade in the evening at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort Hotel, which gives the group an honorarium for our participation.
Richard Whynot provided us with an update on the Galvez plaque placed at the Galvez statue in New Orleans, announcing that this year is the 5th anniversary of the new plaque.
Stephen Rohrbough represented the Louisiana Society Sons of the American Revolution as he and Judge Ed Butler presented a Good Citizenship Medal to Granadero Richard Whynot for his tireless efforts and assistance in giving presentations and working to teach the public about General Galvez and Spain’s contributions to the American Revolution.
Joe Perez announced an endeavor that is just in the idea stage and involves Judge Ed Butler writing a letter to the President of Texas A&M University-San Antonio to create a Galvez Center on campus since it is on ranch land that provided cattle to General Bernardo de Galvez during the American Revolution. Judge Butler would donate his vast collection of historical books and
possibly have Jack Cowan and Judge Robert Thonhoff donate their collections to the center to serve as an educational and research center for information on the Spain’s involvement in the American Revolutions. Joe mentioned that the Granaderos y Damas de Galvez already have a mannequin and could raise money for a uniform and accoutrements for a soldier display at the center. Joe said there is much work to be done for this to come to fruition and that Judge Ed Butler will keep our group apprised of the project’s progress.
Abel Araiza provided the group with an update on a letter to corporate sponsors for donations to our organization which, if successful, could quadruple our current treasury. Joe commended Abel for pursuing this because we have never worked to obtain corporate sponsorship to help with our treasury.
Joe announced that Granadero Clifford Normand in Baton Rouge is working with groups in Louisiana to present a Battle of Baton Rouge presentation in late September.
Joe introduced our Guest Speaker, Leslie Stapleton, who is the Manager of the Archives & Special Collections Library at the University of Texas A&M-San Antonio. She gave an excellent presentation and answered many questions from those in attendance.
