My grandma with LBJ

[Maestro]

Well I am back from my grandmother's funeral. It was awesome and it was a celebration of 91 years rather than a somber, melancholic funeral. We also started cleaning out her house which was a treasure trove for me since I love history and geneaology. She never mentioned all that she had. One picture that I knew I wanted was one with her and LBJ. They met in a park in the Hill Country here in Texas. He was with Gen. Westmoreland, another controversial figure. I know that LBJ was a hard-nosed politician who would fight dirty but she said he was more than cordial at their meeting; a true no non-sense guy; not like the spoiled brat we have now. Anyhow, I have so many neat things to post I'll just start with this picture.

[texas1928]

1. That is cool.

What a neat pic.

[johnnie]

2. Very cool

That's a great picture to have. Thanks for posting it.

[no name no slogan]

3. The last time a REAL Texan was in the White House

was in 1968. I didn't agree with LBJ on foreign policy, but the simple fact that he got the civil rights acts AND the Great Society programs passed speaks volumes for the man.

[Maestro]

11. Totally agree.

LBJ and Westmoreland both should have accelerated the witdrawal from Viet Nam but didn't. But he does get kudos for his domestic programs.

[Bucky]

17. Sadly for us all, Bush is a real Texan. Just the asshole kind.

I'd like to think nothing crappy comes out of this state, but that ain't necessarily so. Bush grew up here, enjoyed the priviledges of wealthy Texans, and took to the good ol boy ("don't care if he's a fuck up, his daddy belongs to my golf club") mentality like a spoiled baby duck to water. He's not the best of us, but he is of us. The fact that he's born in Connecticut is hardly a strike against him. I'd suppose that 60-70% of us were born outside this state. That's a normal for a Texan. LBJ isn't the last Texan to hold the White House, just the last Texas mensch to do so.

[no name no slogan]

18. Dubya ain't Texan

he spent most of his life in boarding schools "out East". He's about as Texan as I am (and I'm a lifelong Minnesotan).

[Misunderestimator]

4. My great aunt knew LBJ in Texas too!

When she was director of the Legislative Reference Division of the Texas State Library. Here's her picture from when she was the Directory of the University of Texas Law Research Center in the early 20s...

[Maestro]

6. That is very cool.

What I think is so funny, is that LBJ was with his family near, Lady Bird was there too, and my grandparents were travelling through the Hill Country with their Holiday Rambler and had decided to stop at a park to eat. While they were there a small group pulled up in some trucks and a black cadillac. I find this hard to believe but my grandmother swears there were no secret service agents. My grandmother, over time, became sure that in fact, LBJ was in the group so she approached the group. As she got closer she definitely recognized Lady Bird and then LBJ. She politely asked for a picture. LBJ agreed without hesitation and even offered my grandparents a drink but my grandparents did not want to impose any more than they had. Try doing that with * or Deadeye Dick. You'd have to sign some damn loyalty oath. :)

[Misunderestimator]

7. A different world, and a whole lot different integrity.

I wish I had a picture like the one you have. Really wonderful. :hi:

[Shine]

5. Very cool, maestro. You've got a great piece of history, there.

How special for you to be gifted by such a wonderful treasure, in memory of your beloved Grandmother.

[wain]

8. Looks like a post-presidency LBJ

Johnson really aged rapidly after leaving the White House. He seemed to be more reclusive in his later life.

Westy looks plain out of a general's uniform.

Both of these men suffered great stress at the top of their careers, most of it of their own making.

Still, it's a very memorable picture of your grandmother.

[Maestro]

10. It was post presidency after he had returned to the Hill Country.

He still hadn't grown his hair out though. My grandparents, at least my grandmother, really admired LBJ even before the meeting from what I could ascertain talking politics with her before she died.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

9. Maestro, that picture is priceless..

Not only is your beloved grandmother in that shot, but with two Americans that changed the course of our country's history.

What an heirloom for your family!!!

[Maestro]

12. Wait 'till some of the other stuff.

It's not political and probably only important to me, but there is much more.

[SeattleGirl]

13. Wow! That is such a cool picture!

Thanks for sharing Maestro. I hope if you find more pictures, you post them as well.

[Gormy Cuss]

14. Great piece of family history..

Really neat story too. It's especially interesting to have a photo of Westmoreland in his weekend duds. I have a photo of the general with my uncle during Vietnam but they're in uniform.

Your grandmother looks like she was enjoying the moment.

[Maestro]

19. I know she was enjoying the moment.

She really liked being around famous people. She loved classic actors and actresses. She and my grandfather went to see Johnny Carson in the 60s and through my uncle who worked at Technicolor they met many different actors and actresses.

[Mizmoon]

15. Poor LBJ

the man who could have been a great president *sigh*

[pitohui]

16. wow

nice photo

[Dinger]

20. K & R, And PLEASE Put This In GD Too!

Pleeeeeeeese :)

[Maestro]

24. Why?

GD can be quite persnickety about things you know? ;)

[Dinger]

25. Oh Cripes, Just Do It

You'll be glad you did.

[muse]

21. Great photo. This is how I think of him on his ranch.

If you ever get a chance to go to the LBJ ranch in the Texas hill country, go. You will understand the man a lot better when you get think about him in the context of the land he loved.

[Floogeldy]

22. This is totally awesome.

I feel blessed to have seen this pic. :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. Wow what a find!

Awesome picture.

[Maestro]

26. I've seen it all my life

but since I recently purchased a scanner and with the unfortunate passing of my grandmother I knew this is what I wanted to snag. Ironically, most on that side of the family are hard-core repukes!

[libodem]

27. What a treasure

a real president, real family history, that's special! Man.

[chookie]

28. WOOO HOOOOO!

Great picture. What a great thing to leave for the Ages. God bless your granny.

[GRLMGC]

29. That's really cool

Thanks for sharing :)