Dennis Walker
Dennis Walker is a grandson of a Seadrift legend. Back in the day people knew the name Louie Walker. In my home growing up Louie Walker was a household name!
Louie Walker was a Seadrift legend… a farmer, alligator hunter, hunting guide, plant worker, boat ramp owner. It is estimated that Louie’s family came to the Seadrift area perhaps in 1902. Louie ended up owning a couple of hundred acres of land outside of Seadrift in the Long Mott area. People would come from miles around to buy the produce from his farm.
Several of Louie’s sons went into the military. One of his sons (Dennis’s father William) was an Air Force fighter pilot. William was one of the first 100 pilots to break the sound barrier. He was a member of the “Mach Buster” club. All his sons went into the military as well. Dennis was one of them. He enlisted in the Air Force and was a weather observer. Commenting about his military service Dennis said, “It taught me discipline. It gave me opportunities to learn.” Dennis’s other brothers served in different capacities as well. One was a captain of a military sub. Another went into the Marines. The third brother was in the Air Force. He spent his entire military career of twenty years in Germany and upon retirement he still lives there!
Dennis’s own daughter, Kelly, was a combat photographer assigned to Special Forces units. One of her duty tours was in Afghanistan where she was injured and is medically retired.
As Memorial Day is just around the corner let us remember all those who served in the military.
Retired Major Paul Gonzales
After serving 25 years in the military my wife Glenda (Chatham) and I retired in Seadrift. My wife is the daughter of Robert Chatham and the late Margaret Chatham. I have two children, Chris, Alisha, and one grandson Layne. I am the son of the former Air Force Tech Sargeant Edward Gonzales and the former Cecilia (Cil) Saenz of Port O’Connor. I have one brother, Tim, who also lives in Port O’Connor. I come from a long line of men and women who served this country.
In 1987 I enlisted in the Coast Guard and obtained the rank of E-5. In 1991 I transferred to the Army National Guard, attended Officer Candidate School in Salina, Kansas, and was commissioned as 2LT. I am a graduate of the Ordinance Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Services and Staff School, and the Advanced Operations Warfighter School. I was assigned the Commanding Officer of the 714th Security Forces and deployed to Mosul, Iraq in 2006-2007. My company’s assignment was to provide security for convoys transporting fuel from Turkey to Bagdad. When I returned from Iraq, I was assigned the task of creating curriculum for service members with PTSD. Other assignments included my being given the title of Operations and Training Officer for Weapons of Mass Destruction Team, Budget Officer, Executive Officer for a maintenance battalion, and Aide to the Adjutant General to the State of Kansas.
I enjoy living in the small town of Seadrift, the city by the bay. It is a sleepy town that has a small-town atmosphere. There’s no traffic lights or city traffic. The people are always friendly and always wave when you are driving around town. It’s seeing kids riding their bikes or playing on the baseball field that gives this town much charm.
Remember our veterans by taking the time to reach out your hand and thanking them for serving this great nation to protect our freedoms and way of life.
Reginald A. Johnson
The Seadrift Postmaster has stories to tell how his family played a part in black history, specifically as black cowboys. Reginald A. Johnson is proud of his family’s history. You would be, too!
Did you know that after the Civil War there were a number of blacks that traveled west and found themselves in a trailhead outfit or working on a ranch as was the case in Reginald’s family.
Reginald’s great grandfather Paul Lott worked on the O’Connor Ranch moving cattle and doing ranch work. His great grandmother Barbara Novella Lott worked and lived on the Welder Ranch where she cooked and raised children. Reginald’s grandfather Nathaniel Youngblood grew up on the Welder Ranch. Reginald’s mother’s family worked on the Welder, O’Connor, and McFadden ranches. His daddy’s family were farmers in Gonzales County.
Reginald was born and raised in Victoria. His mother was a schoolteacher. His dad worked at what used to be Union Carbide. Reginald says he grew up fishing with his grandfather in the San Antonio Bay. He loved playing sports and is a VHS graduate.
Reginald served in the Army infantry from 1989 to 1992. He served with the 3rd AD Battalion and was a tank-gunner in a mechanized unit. He ended up being stationed in Germany. Concerning military service Reginald had this to say, “I believe that every young lady and every young man should serve at least two years their country for the discipline and for the structure.”
After the military, he moved to Austin and worked at DELL Computers for 8 years. While in Austin he met and ended up marrying Carlette. They have been married for 26 years and have two daughters, Caelen and Jaelah.
In Lake Charles, Louisiana Reginald started working for the Postal Service. He worked there for 26 years.
In 2005 Hurricane Rita demolished their home in Louisiana. The family moved to Victoria where Reginald moved up in the Postal Service to the position of supervisor. He has worked in Austin, Rockport, and currently in Seadrift where he serves as postmaster.
Reginald shared his thoughts about his current job. He said, “I enjoy my job. I enjoy customer service. I enjoy this community. Everybody has treated me well. I’m all about building relationships, not tearing them down. Communication is key.”
We salute Reginald and others like him that have served our country. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their service!
