Millersview, Texas--Population 197

My dad and his twin sister at the homestead

One hundred and ninety seven people live in Millersview, Texas.  Most are retired.  The 5 or 6 school age children attend school 12 miles away.  The cemetery has a larger population than the town itself.  Among the notable people buried there, you will find my mom and many members of my family.  Millersview is where my grandfather homesteaded.  It is where my 80 year old dad now lives. It was important to him to retire on "the land" of our family. 
On the living room wall of our family home, my dad proudly displays two items of important family history.  The first is a plaque award by the governor in 1999.  It is called the Family Land Heritage Plaque.  This plaque is only awarded to families holding the same farm for 100 years.  It is an important part of our family history.  The second item on the wall, is a shadowbox of pins, buttons and stripes from dad's days as a Marine.  His days in Korea are as important part of my heritage, as the farm. 
Not much happens in Millersview, Texas.  The locals meet at the post office daily.  Everyone has a key to the gas station, so its always open.  If you buy gas or "feed", just leave a note.  No, I am not making this Norman Rockwell world up, that's just the way they roll in the land of cactus and mesquite.  Honestly, it's not really where I would chose to live, but I respect the things important in this "wide-spot" in the road. 
One day every year, November 11, the locals host a barbecue for about 2500 people.  It's a homecoming of sorts.  There's a lot of eating and visiting.   The veterans  are awarded a ball cap with their branch of the service and the war they served, noted on the bill. 
You won't read about this celebration in any large newspaper or see it covered by the TV news, but this annual event is important in the hearts and minds of those gathered.  It is a time to see family and old friends.  It is a time to kiss the new babies.  It is, most importantly, a time to thank soldiers for their service to our country. 
It is a time to remember that there are families with plaques symbolizing 100 years of land ownership.  These plaques would not exist if not for those efforts of the soldiers. A gathering of this nature is a real eye opener.  This is when you realize that "the war to end all wars," did not end all wars.  At today's barbecue, there will be a few wearing the Korean War caps and even fewer fearing the WWII caps.  A sprinkling of those representing he Vietnam war and Desert Storm can be seen around the big gym where they meet and greet. Today's soldiers from Operation Freedom and Iraqi Freedom will be among the youngest, but no less deserving. 
So, what does my family, in tiny town America have to do with real estate?  Well, somebody's gotta say it, so here I go again!  My family and your family enjoy the rights and responsibilities that come with land ownership because of the American soldier. It really doesn't matter which ball cap the soldier wears, the sacrifices were the same.  The goal was the same. 
Today, in Millersview  Texas, they will pause, honor and thank our soldiers for their service.  Please do the same in your corner of the world.

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.  ~Elmer Davis
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