The Lone Star Heroes

Everything is big in the Lone Star State of Texas! For 9 years this great state was a Republic and when it became the 28Th state of the Union in 1845 this historic flag was adopted9below). As with the flag of the United States, the blue stands for loyalty, the white represents strength, and the red is for bravery. Why hasn't anyone made the connection that Texas, big in generosity and heart, and which has stepped up to the plate in a more impressive way than any other group of people to help the Katrina Ravaged Louisianans is also the state from where President Bush comes from and where his Ranger's Courage and Lone Star Empathy was nurtured. Our Commander in Chief is a son of Texas, the state that gave us the U.S. Texas Ranger Division, more commonly known as the Texas Rangers, which is the oldest law enforcement agency in North America with statewide jurisdiction. The Texas Rangers have investigated crimes ranging from murder to political corruption, kept the peace during riots, protected the Texas governor, tracked down fugitives, and functioned as a quasi-military force. During Texas' fight for independence from Mexico, the Rangers served as scouts and couriers. After independence was gained and the land became the Republic of Texas the Rangers were the brave men that protected settlers. Throughout the years of the Republic, the Texas Rangers the frontier safe from Mexican invasion and attacks from Indians. That independent and courageous attitude of Texans and their resilent spirit is immortalized in the American adage "Remember the Alamo" and is echoed today in the People of Texas and in our President. President George W. Bush. He was the very successful two term Governor of the great state of Texas before he rode into Washington on a Stallion and took on Al Qaeda. He reached out to the Governor of Louisiana before Katrina hit and asked her to call for a state of emergency so the Feds could help but she said no! His administration and the US Military are now in charge and NOLA and the rest of the Sunbelt states of Mississippi and Alabama will recover. An area of 90,000 square miles or the size of the United Kingdom has been devastated, and bringing it under control after being KO'ed by Katrina is no small task. Like his fellow Texans, President Bush has been out among the victims of the Hurricane consoling them and sending Federal Help.

It's true everything in Texas is big, for even the rain drops in Texas are bigger, just like I was told when I arrived in Houston in the fall of 1992. I had the great opportunity to train at the University of Texas Health Science Center on the campus of the Texas Medical Center about a mile away from the Astrodome which is home to thousands of displaced NOLA hurricane survivors. This Medical Center is an impressive campus which houses 10,000 hospital beds, two medical schools and a score of hospitals. It is one of the most important and impressive centers of medical research and health-care delivery in the WORLD. Texas is an impressive place and the people are incredible! Just look at what these big hearted Texans are doing for the Katrina Victims at the State and at the Federal Level. I think the history books of Louisiana will someday make the Texas cry their own and change nothing but one word "Remember the TEXANS"! Don't "mis-underestimate Texas nor the Texans like I did before I was welcomed their as a Doctor in training!
Texas as a Republic. 1836-1845
During nearly ten years of independence, the Texas republic endured epidemics, financial crises and still-volatile clashes with Mexico. But it was during this period that unique accents of the Texas heritage germinated. Texas became the birthplace of the American cowboy; Texas Rangers were the first to use Sam Colt's remarkable six-shooters; Sam Houston became an American ideal of rugged individualism. Texas joined the United States on December 29, 1845. The red, white and blue Texas state flag with its lone star (the same flag adopted by the republic in 1839) today flies virtually everywhere: on government buildings, schools, banks, shopping malls, and even on oil derricks.

Francis X. Yubero, M.D.