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DOES A BEXAR SH*T IN THE WOODS?
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Subject: DOES A BEXAR SH*T IN THE WOODS?
Time: 4:27:00 PM EDT
Author: friedman3109
The USS Bexar. I realize that I don't know everything (I'd be impossible to live with if I did), and as it turns out, I had never heard of the USS BEXAR (http://www.ussbexar-apa237.org/page/page/933246.htm) until a WWII vet came into my store this week wearing a hat bearing the name. The ship joined the Ghost Fleet late in 1945 and later played an essential part in Operation Crossroads (hey, read the website!) and was actually stationed here in Norfolk for a time. Her history is extensive and significant.
"Beck-sar?" I asked. "No, the "x" is silent," the gentleman replied. According to him, the ship was named for a man whose surname was "Bear." Unable to read or write, Mr. Bear would simply scribble an "x" over his typed name when required to sign important paperwork. Thus, the name "Bear" was mistakenly read as "Bexar" and the new moniker stuck. "Good thing the man's name wasn't Mr. Sey," I remarked.
"What?"
"I said, 'How interesting.'"
"Oh."
Intrigued, and wishing to see a photo of the illustrious hero Mr. Bear, I found the ship's website. As much fun as the above explanation is, the truth is that the name dates back to the 1700s and a Spanish nobleman, the Duke de Bejar. At some point the Duke found himself in Texas and the silent "j" was replaced by confused Englishmen by a silent "x' -- Really, does the letter matter when it's silent anyway?? -- and Bexar County was born. It is near San Antonio.
Please take a moment to visit the website and read the history of the USS BEXAR and see the really great photos that have been compiled to reflect the ship's history.
Kudos and thanks to Robert Weiss for the information on the site.
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Subject: DOES A BEXAR SH*T IN THE WOODS?
Time: 4:27:00 PM EDT
Author: friedman3109
The USS Bexar. I realize that I don't know everything (I'd be impossible to live with if I did), and as it turns out, I had never heard of the USS BEXAR (http://www.ussbexar-apa237.org/page/page/933246.htm) until a WWII vet came into my store this week wearing a hat bearing the name. The ship joined the Ghost Fleet late in 1945 and later played an essential part in Operation Crossroads (hey, read the website!) and was actually stationed here in Norfolk for a time. Her history is extensive and significant.
"Beck-sar?" I asked. "No, the "x" is silent," the gentleman replied. According to him, the ship was named for a man whose surname was "Bear." Unable to read or write, Mr. Bear would simply scribble an "x" over his typed name when required to sign important paperwork. Thus, the name "Bear" was mistakenly read as "Bexar" and the new moniker stuck. "Good thing the man's name wasn't Mr. Sey," I remarked.
"What?"
"I said, 'How interesting.'"
"Oh."
Intrigued, and wishing to see a photo of the illustrious hero Mr. Bear, I found the ship's website. As much fun as the above explanation is, the truth is that the name dates back to the 1700s and a Spanish nobleman, the Duke de Bejar. At some point the Duke found himself in Texas and the silent "j" was replaced by confused Englishmen by a silent "x' -- Really, does the letter matter when it's silent anyway?? -- and Bexar County was born. It is near San Antonio.
Please take a moment to visit the website and read the history of the USS BEXAR and see the really great photos that have been compiled to reflect the ship's history.
Kudos and thanks to Robert Weiss for the information on the site.
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8/21/06 2:01 PM
I would simply answer the question"No! Not this Bexar. In this instance she played her part to protect and defend for just a hair shy of 25 full years. She's long gone now, but kept alive in the loving memories of her crew/s."
Thanks, Bob
Robert 'Bob' Weiss
Volunteer Membership Secretary
and Site Webmaster
USS BEXAR REUNION ASSN
P.O. Box 303
Brookhaven, New York 11719-0303