Roger Felton

Well, you guys have my puny collection beat every way to Sunday and I can't wait to see those photos!  Aw heck, just bring the guns.  We can fire off a few rounds in the bar...lol.

Hey, speaking of that, have any of you ever been to the Menger Bar (Menger Hotel) in San Antonio right across from the Alamo?  Fascinating place.  Many famous people have stayed in that old hotel...Babe Ruth, Mae West, Teddy Roosevelt and many others.  The bar is quite small but has massive very ornate hand carved wood.  The actual bar has an odd V shaped repair job that many people miss seeing.  That's where Carrie Nation came in with her hatchet and started hacking up the bar.  I think her darling hubby was a lush if I remember the story correctly.

The bar is also where Teddy Roosevelt formed some of his "Rough Riders" that we learned about in history.  You did pay attention, didn't you?  Anyway, if you look closely at the bar (on one of the posts and other areas) you can see where ole Teddy took out his gun and blasted away.  Bullets are still in there.  He didn't get arrested so I suppose it's ok if we take a few pot shots at the reunion...strictly for historical posterity, of course.

Arletta Parnell (Glankler)

I will definitely be bringing a couple of my guns.  But I think I will leave them at my sister's, lol.  Guns and drinking....not a good idea. LOL, and I will be enjoying a few cocktails.  My hubby is not going to make it, but my sister wants to come.  What a pest she was being 6 years younger than me.  But she is a fun, lively party girl.  lol. Won't be dull for sure. At least we all are talking now and know what to talk about then.  For me, travels, guns, cars, and I will leave my politics at home, I promise. lol.  BTW, most of us were born in 47 right.  I just got this today.  I thought it very funny, so I am going to share.  Sorry if I step on anyone's toes.

           The year was 1947. Some of you will recall that on  July 8, 1947 , about 68 years ago, numerous witnesses claim that an Unidentified Flying Object, (UFO), with five aliens aboard, crashed onto a sheep and mule ranch just outside  Roswell ,  New Mexico . 
 
             This is a well-known incident that many say has long been covered-up by the U.S. Air Force, as well as other Federal Agencies and Organizations.  
 
             However, what you may NOT know is that in the month of April, year 1948, nine months after the alien crash , the following people were born:  
 
             Barrack Obama  Sr.  
             Albert A. Gore, Jr.  
             Hillary Rodham 
             William J. Clinton 
             John F. Kerry 
             Howard Dean  
             Nancy Pelosi 
             Dianne Feinstein 
             Charles E. Schumer 
             Barbara Boxer  
             Joe Biden 
 
             This is the obvious consequence of aliens breeding with sheep and jack-asses.   
                  
             I truly hope this bit of information clears up a lot of things for you.   It certainly did for me.  
                  
             And now you can stop wondering why they support the bill to help all Illegal Aliens.

Dorothy Fowler (Montgomery)

Love your post. I have no guns and have never wanted one; however, the time has come I am contemplating buying one. My brother suggested a 9 mm automatic. Please let me have your suggestioons. I'll have to take shooting lessons.

Teddie Jordan ' 64

Arletta, thank you so much for putting those facts together, suddenly you have made everything so clear for me. 

And I'm thinking a bunch of you might want to have a pre-reunion get together out at Carters Country gun range on Treshwig, or Southwest Shooting center out at Addicks, and burn a little powder.

Roger Felton

That's a great idea, Teddie.  Sounds like a blast (no pun intended)

Joanna Hinton (Garrett)

I would wlecome the chance to meet up with some target shooting but my husband will not allow me to travel with any of our collection unless he is with me since I am coming alone.  However, would love to go with you guys just for the outing.  Teddie, if you put this together, put me in the "attend" list.

Thomas William Wade

Dorothy, I purchased a revolver for my wife nearly 2 years ago. It was her 1st. weapon and she wanted to carry it on her person when she ran errands etc. I chose the simplicity of a .38 special revolver as the mechanics are basically , load, point, and shoot. She went with me to the gun shop and we looked at several models to see which she would find the most comfortable. We quickly discounted the semi automatics and examined several makes & models of revolvers. She lked the Ruger LCR model, which was exactly the gun I had hoped she would choose. It is light weight (13 ozs.) unloaded, has no external hammer to catch on clothing or purse items etc, is double action, holds 5 bullets, ammunition is inexpensive and readily attainable, has very little recoil and is easy to conceal. It can also be loaded with the same ammunition the FBI used before they changed to the semi-auto pistols the now carry. I took her to an indoor range the next day for her to try it out. After a brief safety, aiming and loading session she went to work on the 2 boxes of shells I had brought. She shot at targets set at 9, 21, & 45 feet away. She had 0 misses and actuall placed all her shots in the lethal zones. When qualifying for her CHL she was told she shot at the "instructor" level. Now she won't leave home without it. I'm thinking of giving her a job as my body guard. Hope this is helpful to you in making your selection

Mary Jane Hardie (Reddick)

Hello All,  I have been on a mission to locate my old friend Judy Oberg Summerford. We went on together to Baylor and were in weddings etc together. Just found her on Facebook this morning and sent her a message. It might be cool for her to receive several...so we can coax her into connectinf and coming back to the Reunion. Her sister Joan still lives in Houston. How about some help here!

William Jewel Howard, Jr.

I have enjoyed the posts abount guns. I am a life member of the NRA as are my two sons. I am also a member of the Tomball Gun Club and enjoy shooting whenever I get the chance. My favorite rifle is my Springfield M-1 Garand 30-06 S/N 1681252. It was used in both WWII and Korea.  I sent it to Springfield and had a new match barrel installed. I also had them re-parkerized it. My favorite pistol is my Magnum Research, Inc. .45 cal. Baby Desert Eagle.

 I am retiring this year and am looking forward to spending time re-loading for my various weapons.

See ya'll at the reunion.

Dorothy Fowler (Montgomery)

Thanks for all the info.  This will help when I buy.  Hope to see all of you at the reunion. I remember Judy Oberg. If you have her e-mail address, send her the info for the reunin. 

Roger Felton

Making our fellow classmates and old friends that normally don't attend reunions feel, not just welcome, but their presence really wanted is a smart idea.   It will help make this reunion one of the best ever.

With the recent boneheaded cuts in military spending, who would have ever thought we'd ever have more guns than the US Army?  Hey, ya'll stay safe and see ya in August!

Arletta Parnell (Glankler)

Hey Roger, I love that picture of you.  You put the baby Bambi down. LOL!!!

Arletta Parnell (Glankler)

Dorothy, shooting lessons are awesome.  You learn all about guns and so much more.  Especially for women. Like never be without your cell.  I don't know about Texas, but in TN. it is mandatory that you take classes and be certified in order to get your license to carry. But it is well worth it.  I went on to take the classes they offered on knives and self defense when confronted by an armed person and you can't get to your gun.  They were taught to us by the SWAT officers from the SWAT team in Memphis.  It was valuble for me because at that time I was a store manager, and after many armed robberies, I felt more comfortable with myself if confronted again. From that moment on, I truly enjoy my guns. 

Roger Felton

Thanks Arletta.  Yeah, I put Bambi down when I noticed it lifting it's tail.  This is the photo of me you most often see in the Post Offices. 

Shooting lessons are great.  When I was getting my Certification to teach police and sheriff officers Crime Prevention techniques for home and business, the shooting instructor was showing us his fast draw and blew his little toe off on his right foot.  He hopped and limped a lot but still finished his presentation.  Tuff dude.

Roger Felton

Found an eBook called, "How a Texan Learns to Shoot".   It gave several suggestions on how to increase your skill at the range.  I can't remembr all of the "tips" but one caught my attention.  It said to be sure to bring a six-pack of beer and consume them before getting down to your really serious shooting.  The advantges included "staying relaxed" and the one that had me ROFL was the one that said beer enabled you to "see twice as many targets, thus giving you double the chance of hitting one".  Plus, the cans make good targets, too.

That's crazy.  Everyone knows that Prozac and Valium in sufficient quantity does a much better job. LOL

Arletta Parnell (Glankler)

OMG Roger, I am laughing so hard.  You truly are a hoot!!!!!

Barbara Curry (Hanvey)

William, the NRA is the NRA is the NRA. And shooting guns for hunting and target practice (protection?) works for many people.  BUT, Open-carry sucks, and quite simply will end up as disasters waiting to happen.  Why the hell....?  Thank goodness for Whataburger and all the other family-oriented food places that will eventually forbid open-carry.  Comment if you want, but I've given my only post on this disasterous Jan 1 law.

p.s.  My father and brother skinned deer in our garage, and we ate delicious venison (and dove, quail, duck etc) in various kinds of recipe types--roasts, stews, sausage etc.  So I'm no prude about guns.  I shot a shotgun into a tree (& hit it!) across the bayou way behind Candelight Park before the woods became homes.  Other than that one time, guns mean nothing to me.  And I know you know that's fine.

Barbara Curry Hanvey

Hilda Carol Smith (Godell)

Thanks, Barbara, for giving your thoughts about the gun issue (especially open carry), that some of us (myself, anyway) were not bold enough to undertake.  I feel the forum has become a place for proseletizing a cause and I never thought that was the purpose.  Of course, I do believe that free discourse is the most valuable asset we have and your response is evidence that each can and should have a voice!  Perhaps, at some point, we'll get back to the topics I've found so enjoyable - retirement plans, and the pictures of travel spots and new grandbabies!!

Dorothy Fowler (Montgomery)

I know there was a reason you were all friends. Can you dare to imagine if we had this forum. cell phones, or Facebook whe we were in high school? 

Roger Felton

Well, Dorothy, if we had those things when we were in school our grades might have been a lot lower but we'd have learned to type a lot earlier.

Pamela Roesler (Lemoine)

I agree with Barbara 100% and believe we need stronger gun control laws. I, too, come from a hunting family, but none understand the need for these rapid repeat guns and do believe the law is too lax. I have all dads guns.

Lindy Clarke (Hall)

Well, now I have to weigh in... I was enjoying these gun collector/afficionado comments... and I think it's pretty rotten to chide others for a topic that doesn't interest you (there have been many topics that did not interest me... but conversations evolve).
I find that most gun-owners (like myself) do NOT favor Open Carry... however, to keep that in perspective, Open Carry is only allowed for licensed gunowners, which may make MORE people register. 
I don't think the discussions WERE prosletyzing for gun laws; this was a simple discussion of a leisuretime activity. I would suggest that an opposing view(s) would be plenty welcome, were it not quite so indignant.
While I have "carried" for my entire adult life, I tend to frown upon "bambi-killers", but I do like the venison that comes afterward :o) ... yeah, it's a paradox.

Roger Felton

Some good points and everybody's viewpoint should be respected.  I was working in Kileen, TX the day that idiot drove his truck thru the wall of the Luby's Restaurant, got out and shot everyone in sight.  I could have easily been eating there.  Had just one trained person been carrying a licensed gun, there might have been a lot of people still alive today that aren't.  We live in a totally insane world these days.  Nutjobs on every corner.  These thugs don't go thru the gun registration and training process.  They can get their hands on a gun anytime they want.   Taking guns away from law abiding citizens by passing "gun control" legislation is bad law and only let's killer thugs know they are safe when they decide to attack someone.  As for "Open Carry" I think it's stupid to allow someone to walk down a shopping mall carrying an AK47 over their shoulder or a Colt 45 strapped on their hip.  Concealed is fine in my book.  But I do have my doubts about people getting trained and licensed to carry a gun around in a single day.    Just my two cents.....

Hilda Carol Smith (Godell)

Roger Felton

I think you nailed it, Hilda.  We were so much better off without those things.  When you think about kids growing up with fingertip access to good, vlauable and unlimited information and then look at the incredible amount of time spent instead on video games and texting.  So much potential being wasted so badly.  I was talking to a group of kids that wandered over to watch me fly one of my model planes and I was astounded at how little they knew about anything.  These were 10th thru 12th graders who thought Iran was a city in Iraq.  Hillary Clinton was our vice-president and school was boring and all they wanted to do was pass...grades didn't matter.  All felt they were smarter than their teachers.  Anybody have a clue how we got to this point?

BTW, I didn't think the conversation went "political" at all.  Just one of many interesting opinions we all share here on this amazing forum.