News and EventsWelcome to the Veterans Museum of Texas News Room. Stop back frequently to learn about the latest activities and news. For more information please call the Veterans Museum or Norman Ward at 936.295.5162>> CLICK HERE - UPCOMING EVENTS
News ArticlesMuseum to Hold Garage Sale July 17-18, 2009
The HEARTS Veterans Museum will hold a fundraiser garage sale on Friday and Saturday, July 17-18, from 8 AM to 5 PM at the Veterans Conference Center (Walker County Storm Shelter) at 455 SH 75N in Huntsville. The Conference Center is adjacent the new Museum building and near the Texas Prison Museum, not far off IH 45 on the north side of Huntsville.
The sale will feature furniture, yard equipment, a piano, appliances and clothing. Many items are from an estate sale that have been donated for the sale. The sale will be held inside the air-conditioned Conference Center building, and a concession stand will be available. Donations are still being accepted. For further information or donations, call the Museum at 936-295-5959.
6-2-09 Randy Wells Named Director of HEARTS Veterans Museum
Randy Wells of Huntsville started his duties as the new director of the HEARTS Veterans Museum. Wells, who has lived in Huntsville for eight years, takes over as museum director from longtime director Charlotte Oleinik.
Click here to see Huntsville Item story.
3-16-09 Veterans Conference Center to Host Open House
The Veterans Conference Center will hold an open house on March 21 from 2-5 PM. The Conference Center is located at the Walker County Storm Shelter at 4555 State Highway 75. The HEARTS Veterans Museum manages the meeting rooms in the Storm Shelter under contract with Walker County as the Conference Center when it is not needed for emergency use. The new Museum building is currently being constructed adjacent the Conference Center.
The open house will feature an exhibit of photographs and memorabilia of Madison Wolfe, who served as official photographer fro Gen. Douglas McArthur during World War II. A ceremony will be held at 3 PM, and the Hunstville Men's Choir will perform. Refreshments will be served. The public is cordially invited to attend.
2-14-09 Museum to Market Storm Shelter as a Conference Center
The HEARTS Veterans Museum is under contract with Walker County to lease part of the recently opened Walker County Storm Shelter at 4555 State Highway 75 as a meeting facility. The Museum will lease the 9000 square foot main room of the 14, 300 square foot shelter. A new museum building is under construction adjacent the Shelter.
While the facility will continue to be officially known by its current name, the Museum will be permitted to market it as a "conference center." The main room can be divided into four smaller rooms for different events such as weddings and conferences.
In keeping with its main function as a storm shelter, all rentals are subject to priority use as a shelter in event of a catastrophic event anywhere in Texas.
Click here to see Huntsville Item story.
1-14-09 Walker County Storm Shelter Dedicated
The Walker County Storm Shelter was officially dedicated on January 14 with an estimated 150 people in attendance. The 14,300 square-foot shelter located at 455 State Highway 75 North was constructed by Brothers Construction Company of Shenandoah at a total cost of $3.1 million. The shelter was paid for by grant money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Rural Community Affairs of Texas.
The HEARTS Veterans Museum of Texas is in charge of leasing the 9,000 square-foot main room when it is not required as a shelter. The room can be divided into four smaller rooms for different event such as weddings or meetings.
Tom Oleinik is the complex director for the museum.
Click here to see Huntsville Item story.
 10/08 Museum Represented at "Wings Over Houston"
The H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum was represented at the recent Wings over Houston Air Show at Ellington Field by M. B. Etheredge and John Fuchs. The air show also featured many "warbirds" flying from World War II, aerobatic performances and a special show by the Navy's FA18 and the Air Force's Thunderbirds demonstration team.
Both Etheredge and Fuchs spent long hours in the Heroes and Legends tent signing autographs on air show programs, photos and books for military and aviation history fans of all ages. Etheredge was one of the most highly decorated soldiers of World War II and is author of the recent book From Huntsville to Hell. Fuchs was a crew member of a B-17 that was shot down over Germany and who spent many months as a prisoner of war.
Also in attendance representing the museum were Geraldine and Keith Persoon and Lee Murrah.
 10/08 Texas Fallen Heroes Memorial Visits Museum
The Texas Fallen Heroes Memorial, a display with photos of all Texas soldiers who have died in battle in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001, was on display earlier in October in West Hill Mall adjacent the H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas. The memorial is sponsored by the Order of the Purple Heart--Katy Branch.
The Memorial was opened with a ceremony attended by families of fallen heroes and veterans and soldiers from the Huntsville area. The colors were presented by the Sam Houston State University ROTC. The Huntsville Men's Choir provided patriotic music. Each family was presented a yellow rose in memory of their fallen hero.
Speakers included Museum Director Charlotte Oleinik, Huntsville Mayor J. Turner, Randy Wells, County Judge Danny Price and District 8 Congressman Kevin Brady. The keynote speaker was LTC Champe Miller, U. S. Army, who reminded the audience that the results in Iraq are much better than has been reported by the media.
Click here to see the Huntsville Item story.
7-04-08 Huntsville American Legion Grand Opening
Sam Houston Post 95 of the American Legion will have the grand opening of its new facility at 12 Noon on July 4th, according to Post Commander Ron Falkenburg. Speakers will include George Bannon, American Legion Division Commander and J. Turner, Mayor of Huntsville. Turner is the architect of the new facility. The flags of the United States and Texas as well as the POW flag will be raised, and the Honor Guard from Willis, Texas will present a 21 gun salute. After the ceremonies, there will be games, including pool, 42, shuffleboard and washers. At 9 PM guests will gather on the lawn to watch the fireworks display at nearby Katy Bar Ross Park. Festivities will continue on Saturday with a family day and a barbecue from 12 Noon to 7 PM. The public is invited for both days. The facility is located at 1919 Industrial Blvd. 5-30-08 Museum Honors Recruiters
The HEARTS Veterans Museum recently treated ten recruiters representing the armed forces in the Huntsville area to an appreciation lunch at the Golden Corral restaurant. Event organizer, retired Air Force recruiter Larry Johnson, said the Museum wanted to recognize the recruiters and honor them for the good job they are doing in helping keep our country free. Museum Director Charlotte Oleinik recognized the need for support from the community in their difficult job and emphasized that the recruiters are welcome at the Museum if they every need help with anything.
Read more... 5-26-08 Memorial Day Service Recognizes Veterans
For the eighth consecutive year, the Museum honored veterans of all military branches with a Memorial Day service at the First Baptist Church in Huntsville. Patriotic and inspirational music was provided by the Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church Choir, the Belle Chanson Women's Choir and the Huntsville Men's Choir.
Museum Director, Charlotte Oleinik welcomed attendees to the Service, and Richie Harris, president of the Museum Executive Board, provided and update on the status of the new Museum building on IH 45 North. Harris said that architectural plans are complete and are awaiting approval by the General Land Office.
Singing of the stirring service anthems by the Men's Choir has become an inspirational part of the service. As each service anthem is sung, veterans from that branch of the service are asked to stand and be recognized.
Mickey Evans spoke on the history and meaning of Memorial Day, and Rep. Kevin Brady spoke about his trips to Iraq and his discussions with soldiers stationed there. State Rep. Lois Kilkhorst caught the mood of the crowd perfectly with her tearful appreciation for the sacrifices of the veterans in defense of our country. Read more...
4-03-08 Museum Feted As One of Texas' Treasures
The HEARTS Veterans Museum is pleased to be featured in the new book, Treasures of Texas by William Faubion (Morgan & Chase Publishing Inc., 2008). The book is a compilation of the best of Texas ranging from 'Accommodations & Resorts' to 'Restaurants' and 'Wineries'. The HEARTS Museum is covered in the section on 'Attractions, Museums & Culture and is described as a "living presence in Huntsville."
Treasures of Texas is on sale in the Museum gift shop.
4-01-08 Etherage Book on Sale at Museum
The biographical novel From Huntsville to Hell by Huntsville writer Guy Wendell Hogue, about Huntsville war Hero, Lt. Col. M. B. Etheredge, is now on sale in the Museum store. Copies are personally autographed by Col. Etheredge.
Etheredge enlisted in the U. S. Army in World War II as a private. His leadership abilities were soon recognized, and he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He eventually reached the rank of Captain in World War II and was later promoted to Lt. Col. For his heroic exploits Col. Etheredge won 3 Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Stars, and 2 Purple Hearts. He was one of the most decorated soldiers of World War II.
After the war Col. Etheredge graduated from Sah Houston State University and served as a professor there for 30 years. He is still very active in the community, and he serves as a member of the Executive Board of the Museum.
2-26-08 NDIA Event Supports Veterans Museum
The Lone Star Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)pledged proceeds from its February 26th banquet to the HEARTS Veterans Museum of Texas. The event was held at the Fort Worth Club with Lt.Gov. David Dewhurst as the keynote speaker. Several members of the Museum as well as State Rep. Lois Kolkorst of Brenham were in attendance. The Lone Star Chapter is the largest of six chapters spread across the United States. The chapter holds three events during the year with proceeds going to a group selected by the Chapter. U.S.Marine Corps Col. Dennis Beal, a 1976 graduate of Sam Houston State University, is a member of the board of directors of the Southwest Chapter and was instrumental in helping the chapter sponsor the HEARTS Museum. The Lone Star Chapter is the largest chapter of this organization, Beal said. The NDIA is composed of thousands of defense contractors throughout the United States and puts on hundreds of trade shows a year that specialize in every area of defense and technology prowess. The Arlington, VA based NDIA is a non-partisan,non-profit association with a mission to provide a legal and ethical forum for the interchange of ideas between government and industry to resolve industrial problems of joint concern. "This is a chance to showcase the museum to all of these different companies which in turn may generate individual grants from them," noted Museum director Charlotte Oleinik. "Its great to get our name out in front of all of these companies." From left are Don Hartman,acting President, NDIA; Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst; and Col. Dennis Beal,USMC (Ret), NDIA Board member and National Campaign Chariman for HEARTS Veterans Museum.
9-12-07 Memorial Statue Unveiled during Remembrance Ceremony
Walker County residents honored the fallen heroes and people who died Sept 11, 2001, during a Tuesday morning ceremony at the Nemee Flagpole Plaza. 6-27-07 HEARTS Museum Receives $2 Million State Grant to Construct New Museum
On June 27, 2007, H.E.A.R.T.S Veterans Museum of Texas received a grant in the amount of $2,000,000 from the State of Texas to build a museum. The museum is now in the process of hiring an architect to design and coordinate the construction. The museum is still in need of approximately $300,000 in grants and donations to showcase and display veterans' artifacts, to cover communications of various kinds and to preserve the memorabilia from veterans of all wars. For information about the above, contact H.E.A.R.T.S Veteran Museum of Texas, Charlotte Oleinik, 936-295-5959. 6-27-07 Kolkhorst Announces $2 Million for HEARTS Veterans Museum 4-28-07 Camp Huntsville Marker Dedicated 4-19-07 Arbor Season Program Highlights Dedication of Live Oak Tree
The Huntsville Garden Club TFWC-Woman's Forum dedicated a live oak tree during the Arbor Season program. The tree replaced an original tree planted in November 2004 at the future site of the H.E.A.R.T.S. Museum in memory of the fallen soldiers from Walker County in the Vietnam War. 12-06 HEARTS Museum Receives Strake Grant
The HEARTS Veterans Museum received a grant of $15,000 from Houston's Strake Foundation in December, 2006, according to Museum Director Charlotte Oleinik. U. S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) was instrumental in helping the Museum obtain the grant, Oleinik said. He made the request to the Foundation and handled all the necessary paperwork. Oleinik has spoken with Strake officials, and they are very supportive of the Museum. She stated that the Museum is very grateful for the donation and the grant will be used for operational expenses.
The Museum is currently located in the Huntsville Westhill Mall but plans to construct a permanent home on IH 45 North near the Texas Prison Museum and adjacent to a new emergency shelter already under construction. The Museum will operate and maintain the shelter and use it as a conference center under normal conditions, but it will become a shelter in emergencies such as that caused by Hurricane Rita in 2005. 12-26-06 HEARTS Receives Donation for Permanent Home
Local veterans and community members gathered for a short presentation in front of the museum's current location in West Hill Mall to accept a donation for $50,000 donation from the AT&T Foundation. Pictured from left are Pancho Roberts, AT&T Pioneer; Huntsville Mayor Jay Turner; Charlotte Olienik, HEARTS Museum Director; Whitney Whitmier, AT&T External Affairs Regional Manager; Congressman Kevin Brady; and Walker County Mayor Danny Pierce. 09-11-07 Memorial Statue Unveiled During Remembrance Ceremony
09-11-07 Fallen Heroes Memorial Statute Unveiled During Remembrance Ceremony11-22-06 USO Comes to Walker County
11-18-06 Donated Items To Be Sent To Military Personnel Overseas
11-17-06 Pioneers Donate to HEARTS Museum
11-14-06 Commissioners Hire Shelter Architects
11-13-06 A Wall of Honor
10-07-06 Fraternity To Raise Funds for Memorial
08-16-06 Walker County Earmarked for Shelter
07-25-06 HEARTS Museum Hold Luncheon Recently
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