The Texas Society and the Texas Chapter #5 (Houston) are honored to be the host for the 75th Annual General Convention in San Antonio, Texas. San Antonio is considered one of the top vacation spots in the South. Our hotel is the Old Menger Hotel, probably the oldest hotel west of the Mississippi and is located not only in the middle of all the good shops and restaurants of San Antonio but also next door to the famous Alamo. A step away from the Menger is the famous River Walk (the river that flows through downtown San Antonio). Everyone must take one of the famous boat rides.

The Convention Committee has decided to provide as much free time as possible to those attending because to get the real feel of San Antonio you must leave the hotel and get down on the Riverwalk where the shops and cafes are. Also since June has some uncomfortable weather we are encouraging casual wear as much as possible.

It is never too early to start making plans so mark your calendar accordingly. We encourage everyone to bring their young families. Also there will be no formal bus tours. You will have time for touring, shopping, exploring or just relaxing in the afternoon.

A little bit of history regarding your host city which is a Mecca for history buffs: When the area was first explored by the Spaniards in the late 1600s, a small Indian community was established on the San Pedro Springs area. The Spaniards named this the San Antonio River because it was discovered on the feast day of St Anthony. The actual founding of the city came in 1718 by Father Antonio Olivares, when he established Mission San Antonio de Valero. Soon five Spanish missions, chartered by Canary Islanders were built along the river. The Spanish Governor’s Palace was completed on Military Plaza in 1749, and San Fernando de Bexar Church was built by 1758. In 1773 San Antonio de Bexar became the capital of Spanish Texas. By 1778, the settlement’s population of more than 2000 was mostly poor Indians and Mexican settlers and was described as “miserable” by visitors. You will see that things have changed.

Mark your calendars.

The Texas Society & the Texas Chapter #5

David G. Whitaker DCS, Chairman
dgwhitaker@sbcglobal.net

---

Register for the 75th Annual General Convention of the Military Order of The Stars and Bars, to be held in San Antonio, Texas June 7-10, 2012.

Please make your room reservations with the Menger Hotel by calling 800-394-1454. Ask for the MOS&B Convention rate for $115.00. Their address is:
204 Alamo Plaza
San Antonio, TX 78204
The hotel web site is www.mengerhotel.com