Thoughts and Sentiments of Hebbronville

About the Book

It has been my privilege to be much acquainted with the author of this book. Our friendship has been part of our lives. For years, destiny pushed us to different careers and kept us geographically apart, yet the relationship has never diminished. We were also blessed with a similar curiosity to learn more of who we are. After retirement, these questions became more dominant. As time went on without even thinking of publishing, our observations were meant to be for family only. This happened at a time when we were miles apart; we never shared these urgings for writing our historical observations with each other. Mr. Ramirez’s research on this issue started long before we had touched bases with each other. In the meantime, off and on, I was doing the same thing. We navigated the same waters but in different boats. As such, we never compared notes. Later on he confided to me that he still did not feel prepared to share his knowledge with the rest of us. I disagreed! Finally, he started writing and revealing much of our historical data. Our history is replete with toil, sacrifices, and glory; but his opinions are respected. The events narrated in this book add greater clarity to a beautiful past. Its contents are not only stimulating—they also make us proud.

About the Author

Rafael Ramirez, Jr. is a retired business management instructor at Laredo Community College. He was also a public school teacher, an advertising director of a major department store, and the owner of an advertising agency before joining Laredo Community College. He is a graduate of Hebbronville High School, having been born and schooled in Hebbronville, Texas. He is also a graduate of the former Texas A&I College in Kingsville, now Texas A&M University at Kingsville, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree. He earned a Master’s Degree at Corpus Christi State University, now Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi, Texas. Like his peers, he participated in the military. He was in the United States Army Reserve for a period of eight years in the era which included the Viet Nam War and the Cuban crisis, serving both as an enlisted man and an officer. He also taught Military Science (ROTC) at a local high school. A life-long history buff and always inquisitive about his ancestors, his heritage, and his native land, he started to research these areas upon retirement. The assembling of the family tree, the study of his native land, and the research into his family land grant inspired him. He is married to Graciela C. Ramirez, a former Superintendent of Schools in Laredo, Texas. They have a daughter, Cynthia Michelle, who is a high school assistant principal in the same city, in which they make their home, Laredo.