The Front Page
The Risk is Real - Serving our Country
Remembering those that have served and those that are serving our country.
You know sometimes it doesn't hit you until it is personal.
Please remember these Santa Anna folks that are serving our country in military combat, training, or support: Maricela (Marty) Siller, Clay Stewardson, Eddie Dawson, Ike Garza, James Watson, Austin Voss, Randy Casey, Mike Montgomery II, Mark Rutherford, Allen Tucker, James Culpepper, Shane Watson, Brandon Beloat, Glen Donham, and Jeffrey Watson.
1910 American soldiers or sailors have died in Operation Enduring Freedom as reported by the Department of Defense and the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. Pray for our country, its' leaders, and our soldiers and sailors.
Please remember the many serving as volunteers for various groups and those that may be working for the media or one of the many Department of Defense contractors that have employees in support roles in Iraq including Santa Anna's Jason Dane. These folks are serving an important part in the rebuilding of Iraq and the danger is just as great if not more for them as it is for soldiers.
The
Iraq Coalition Casualty Count has also tracked the deaths of 98 American contractors working in Iraq so the risk is real.
Many service men and women return home safely. Operation Tribute to Freedom Homecoming Photographs.
We must never forget the sacrifices of men and women serving our country from all generations. Tex Wright recently sent me this information:
The Coleman County Historical Commission has started work on a new project.
Since this year is the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII, we (Texas Historical Commission statewide) have started a project to honor the ones who served.
We (I) have set up a Web Page to keep people posted on what is being done and to ask for their help in remembering those Men and Women.
The Web Page is:Coleman County Historical Comm.
WW2 Commemorative Activities
More Football, Hurricanes, Etc.
As we end up the week and I watch CNN and the mass exodus of people from the Texas Gulf Coast, particularly Houston as Interstate 10 has literally become a parking lot, I wonder about a lot of things that I would do if I was evacuating like helping relatives, saving pets, and my home, and irreplaceable.
It is certainly something that must be difficult to do. I hope that I never have to experience it. There is no doubt that this hurricane is going to and already has affected a lot of lives. If nothing else the price of gasoline and fuel. Many cars have run out of gas as they travel down the Interstate in bumper to bumper traffic.
The price jumped 20 cents per gallon across most of central Texas today as hurricane Rita approached.
As far as football goes I expect that most of the central Texas games will be played and most of the Coastal games will be canceled. Santa Anna will take on their Coleman County rival, the Panther Creek Panthers in what is hopefully going to be an exciting game. Panther Creek and Santa Anna are both struggling this year with Santa Anna at 1-3 and Panther Creek at 0-3. Panther Creek is coming off a bye week and recovering from some injuries and Santa Anna is coming back from a tough battle with #4 Highland last week.
I had hoped to have more Santa Anna Homecoming news for you but I am disappointed that more have not taken advantage of SantaAnnaNews.com for their reunion plans. So far Tom Guthrie is the only one that has sent me any information about their get together.
Well that is about all I have for you... hope you have great Friday and good luck to the Mountaineers!
Football, Volleyball, Hurricanes, Etc.
The news is a little light so far this week because I stayed up too late the last several nights.
Monday I was watching the Dallas Cowboys blow a 13 point lead to lose 14-13 at home on Monday Night Football to the long time rival Washington Redskins of all teams!
Tuesday proved not much better as several fans of the Lady Mountaineers traveled to Bronte to watch as the Ladies lost their fifth match in a row. All of the lost matches have been on the road but this one counted as the Ladies lost their first District match to the Bronte Lady Longhorns.
The Lady Mountaineers came out very strong leading most of the first game only to have their spirits broken. They never did get it back together as they lost the next two games. Hopefully the ladies will get it back together as they take on the ladies from Albany in a non district match this Saturday in Santa Anna.
One good thing about our trip to Bronte was getting to see their new state of the art gymnasium. They have built a really nice facility with fold up style stadium seating on both the home and visitor's side. The air conditioning is nice too. Cindy and I also got to stop by one of our favorite Mexican food restaurants, Alejandra's in Ballinger.
Wednesday I could not help but watch too much CNN as the Texas Gulf Coast cities are evacuating and a Jet Blue plane made a breathtaking emergency landing in Los Angeles following a nose gear failure.
With the hurricane Katrina's devastation and now with hurricane Rita bearing down on the Texas Gulf Coast, I really think that our state and federal governments, as well as the cities, are paying more attention to the seriousness of these storms.
I was very proud when I heard that our students have raised some $5000 and has requested of the Ex-Student Association to donate any Homecoming parade prize money to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
The following message was released by Dr. Charles Breithaupt UIL Assistant Director:
As we reflect on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation left in its path, we are overcome with feelings of both sadness and hope for our fellow Americans affected by this disaster. It is in times like this that the strength of character is truly revealed in the school people of Texas. As the governing body of extracurricular activities in the state of Texas, the University Interscholastic League is overwhelmed by the continued efforts made by the schools and students of our great state.
Communities across Texas that have already provided shelter, food, medicine and financial support to a quarter of a million evacuees from the affected area are still in need of your assistance. With this in mind, the UIL is presenting a challenge to its member schools to raise awareness and provide support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Through the "Friday Night Challenge", presented by the office of Governor Rick Perry, the UIL is partnering with local Red Cross chapters in Texas to help the evacuees of Hurricane Katrina with monetary support. The UIL is urging every member school to broadcast the "Friday Night Challenge" message over its public address system, scoreboard and local radio station if possible. This message will encourage Texans to contribute cash donations to their local Red Cross chapters and to continue their support of the evacuees. In conjunction with the Red Cross, schools can establish the process for the acceptance and distribution of donations.
The "Friday Night Challenge" consists of a video and public address/radio announcement to be read at local football games. Both messages are available on the UIL web site until the end of football season. Please note that the video message is a high-resolution video that will take approximately 10-12 minutes to download. If the video link requests a username and password, enter the word Texas, for both entries.
We ask that if you have a video scoreboard you please take the time to download this important announcement. Otherwise, use Governor Perry’s message through your public address system.
Hurricane Katrina is on its way to becoming the costliest natural disaster in the history of our country, and Texans, in unprecedented numbers, have risen to the challenge of helping our fellow Americans. On behalf of the UIL, I thank you for opening your communities and schools to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and for your continued generosity.
The UIL encourages all member schools to participate in this "Friday Night Challenge" and share your stories of support with us.
Sincerely,
Dr. Charles Breithaupt
UIL Assistant Director
Mountaineer Football
The Mountaineers took on the #4 ranked team, Highland, this last Friday and played a really spirited game but came up a few points short of winning.
The Mountaineers were picked to lose by 45 points and lost by only four points with a score of 46 - 42. The Mountaineers had a shot at winning in the last minute but ran out of time. Highland had a really fast running back that was reported in the Coleman newspaper as rushing for 2300 yards and winning the 100 and 200 meter run at the State Track meet last year.
I was really impressed with the kind of game that the Mountaineers played and hope they can bring the same spirit to this week's game against Panther Creek on their home field.
These ladies and SAM lead the spirit on a kickoff
Speaking of spirit.. how about that Mountaineer Band!
The Mountaineer Marching Band
They are really looking and sounding better each week. Second year Band Director Shane Strawbridge is really doing a great job with these band members. They seem to really be having a lot of fun and even paying attention to the football game. Also have you heard Jarod Jones' National Anthem trumpet solo? It will send chills through you.
Jarod Jones plays his trumpet
The Moon and music have a calming effect on some Mountaineer fans!
See the Sports Page for the photo album of the game, band, and cheerleaders!
Lady Mountaineers Volleyball
The Lady Mountaineers had another bad Saturday of volleyball. Cindy and I traveled all the way to Junction as did several other Lady Mountaineer fans only to watch the Ladies lose two in a row in a double header to Harper and then to Junction.
Hopefully the ladies have all that out of their system as District volleyball begins this Tuesday with the first game against Bronte in Bronte. These ladies have always kept their heads up in the past and we all expect nothing less from them now as they take on the most important part of the season.
Jelisa Kirven on a slam versus Harper
Jesse Hensley gets one in too
See the Sports Page for the photo albums of the games.
Homecoming
With the sounds of football and the shorter days I know that Homecoming will soon be here. There has been some interest in a classes of the 80's reunion and with Homecoming scheduled for September 30th and October 1st there isn't much time left for planning. The ones that are interested so far are from out of town and looking for someone here in town to host it.
Send an e-mail to news@santaannanews.com and I will try to connect everyone that is interested.
Why not make SantaAnnaNews.com your Homecoming headquarters and send me your class's reunion information?
Submitted by Tom Guthrie:
Santa Anna High School Class of 1995 Plans Homecoming Reunion
The Santa Anna Class of 1995 has planned a ten year reunion during the Santa Anna Homecoming on September 30th and October 1st. Plans are to meet during the football game on Friday night. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. After the game plans are to meet get together and catch up on old times. On Saturday, October 1st the Santa Anna Ex Students Association will gather at 10:00 a.m. A noon meal will be served. This is optional. The actual reunion gathering will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Santa Anna High School and run until 5:00 p.m. During this time we will catch up on old times, watch videos, view pictures, and tour newly remodeled high school. Classmates are encouraged to bring any old videos or pictures. Spouses and children are welcome. If anyone would like to bring something to munch on such as chips and dip or a veggie platter that would be appreciated. All friends, family, and former teachers are welcome to stop by and visit. If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Tom Guthrie at 325-280-9368, James Rendon at 512-775-2334, or Katrina Guerrero at 325-348-3136.
Santa Anna High School Class of 1995
Saint Willow Baptist Church Fundraisers
Saint Willow Baptist Church in Santa Anna, Tx located on the Brady Highway is trying to raise money to fix electrical wiring, new doors, and install New air conditioner units. There has been fundraisers set up for a few weeks now every Saturday to help raise the money.
Our goal is approximately $5000 and should help take care of everything needed to be done to the church. Last Saturday there was a snow cone/refreshments stand and the church also sold chili dogs and frito pie and raised about $200. This Saturday there will be a barbecue where they will be selling plate lunches for $5.00 a plate. Including barbecue, potato salad, and beans.
We would appreciate all the help we can get in trying to raise this money for our church. There is an account at the Santa Anna National Bank for St.Willow Baptist Church. Any donations of any kind would be gladly accepted. If you have any questions or concerns you can call Judy Jackson @ (325)-348-9129 or email at shantebj@hotmail.com, Roeanna Barton @ (325)-348-3223 or Gail Kirven @ (325)-348-3247
Want your own dot com?
This is a great time to get it whether you just want it for an e-mail address of your own, like james@yourlastname.com, or for putting some family pictures on the web, or getting your business on the web
1 and 1 is by far your best bet!
Any questions just send me an e-mail and I will be happy to help you get started, or just click the 1 and 1 ad on the left, or any of the links in this article.
