Yesterday I spoke with Pat Bowen who taught history and political science at RHS and ENMU-R.  I had him at both and he was greatly respnsible for my love of both subjets.  In fact, I double majored in both history and poly sci.  Pat (age 81) and his wife Doris reside in Nogal and Pat still enjoys riding his horse on his property there. To this day, I fondly recall his enthusiastic teaching style and his devotion to the history of our country, that he so greatly loves.  Which brings me to my point; I wish to thank all of you who became teachers for the long hours you worked and the dedication you had towards the betterment of our youth.  I hope that you realize that you have created a legacy in those you have touched.  Here's a toast to the teachers in our life.

Bucky Cox

Well said Bucky,

I have already posted a salute to RHS students, but in this case, I think I will add some more.   History, while I found most of it boring - almost to tears - there was some of it that I found very interesting!   To that end, I know that teachers have certain points they must make about historical events or whatever it is they are teachiing.   My point of one such history class by a teacher long agao , way before I even showed up at RHS, was a teacher, while trying to make a point that I would be tested on later, alluded to some other issues about the historical episode.

I do not like "Irish Pennants" (loose ends).   That being said, I am now a history buff, pretty much into the 1834 -  1870 American history era.  I am no slouch on Pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary War - and the War of 1812.  

So to you teachers,Thanks for all that you do, but also Thank You for some of the things you do not say!

I remember Mr. Bowen who taught history. It was about the only time I liked history. Bless his heart! Now that I have lived through some political upheavals (Papadopoulos dictatorship and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus) in my life while living in Greece, history is so much more important to me now.

Hi Jo Ann,

I do not envy you having gone through that.  I was off the coast of South Viet Nam when that country fell, in 4 hours.   We fished people out of the ocean in cargo nets.    As far as the eye could see in ANY direction were US warships and Military Sealift vessels.   The ship I was on took aboard as many RVN helicopters as we could house, throwing away those we could not carry to make space for the next one. I witnessed other Marines doing searches on new arrivals, in one case an RVN Field Grade Officer with 2 Pullman suitcases.  When forced to open one, with the helicopter and blades still in motion being pushed back off the deck into the briney sea, the suitcase exposed US currency to the ensuing wirlwind scattering the money across the deck. 

The people I felt the most grief for were the poor ones who managed to make it to us who gave up their money (Piasters) to the sea breezes one is in almost constant contact with at sea.  My constant mental and physical support was the fact that I was part of a larger, self supporting organization where culture, language, food and lifestyles were a constant given - and we had backup!  Lots and lots of backup!

All of our fellow classmates have either lived or made history.  Some more than others.  To keep from repeating mistakes we must learn from the mistakes made by those who came before us.     

I agree with the salute to Pat Bowen (I may have had him for my history class - just not sure).  I do agree with the salute to all teachers, history and otherwise.  I would offer that it isn't just what they taught but also the questions they leave unanswered.  The later is what got me into digging further into history.