October 2019
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Newsletter
Sponsored by the City of Waco
Official State Historical Center of the Texas Rangers
Home of Texas Ranger Bicentennial 1823-2023
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Thoughts from Texas Ranger Cody L. Mitchell
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Howdy,
I just watched Ranger Jake Burson's interview at
https://wccc.tv/video/texas-ranger-conversations-jake-burson/
and it reminded me to drop you a line. I am so glad that y'all are doing these interviews. I think it does a great job showing the public the diversity of our work and the unique and specialized abilities of each Ranger.
I just got back from my yearly trip to Australia where I have been going for the past four years to speak about child safety and related issues. As always it was an amazing time and it allowed me to work with some amazing people from around the world. The topic at this year's conference had to do with paraphilia so I tailored my lecture to online pornography and how it affects today's youths.
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This led to a good segue to teach investigators from around the world new ways of comprehending this problem and how it requires us to change our traditional approach to sexually motivated crimes. I use these techniques in the
Interdiction for the Protection of Children Program
co-developed with DPS Lieutenant Derek Prestridge. The speaking/training was a huge success and it led to invitations to speak in various cities to child advocates about similar topics.
I was also presented with an award for my international commitment to fighting crimes committed against children. It was a surprise as well as an honor.
Lastly, I wanted to tell you that I spoke to several Australian and African Police Officers who had recently been to Texas on vacation and had made a special trip to the Museum. They were very impressed by the displays and had to show me all the photos they had taken of themselves in front of the display cases. You would have thought they had gone to Disneyland. LOL.
Anyway, keep up the good work and as always thank you for all you do to support the Rangers.
Cody L. Mitchell
Texas Rangers
Co. F
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Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Patsy Wallrath visited with museum board members Chief Hank Whitman, Ret., Assistant Chief Frank Malinak, Ret. (not pictured) and Laura Greenwood on September 17. Mr. Wallrath presented the Museum with a Colt Navy Revolver, Second Model, manufactured in 1851.
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The .36 caliber revolver features the naval battle scene of Texas’ victory over Mexico on May 16, 1843 on its cylinder. On this date, Texas’ Commodore Edwin W. Moore defeated a superior fleet of Mexican warships, a crucial event during Texas’ struggle for independence. The revolver will go on exhibit later this month.
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Left to Right: Ret. Chief Whitman, Mr. and Mrs. Wallrath, Ms. Greenwood
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Discovering the Legend
: Doug Dukes Explains Walker's Creek
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In collaboration with the City of Waco and Historian Doug Dukes, we have just uploaded a new episode of
Discovering the Legend
. This episode looks at the advancement in tactics and technology for the Texas Rangers in the mid 1800s, especially at the battle of Walker's Creek. Check it out here:
https://wccc.tv/video/doug-dukes-walker-creek/
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Discovering the Legend
is a series of TV programs about Texas Ranger history, artifacts and art, and modern Ranger duties. It is produced in cooperation with the Texas Rangers, City of Waco, historians, and donors, as part of our mission to disseminate knowledge and inspire an appreciation of the Texas Rangers.
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On September 7th, Education Programs Manager Audrey Ladd and Collections Assistant Rachel Smith were invited to San Antonio to participate in the Alamo's
Living History Saturday: Frontier Justice
.
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Audrey and Rachel set up a table in the Living History Encampment at the Alamo and gave four presentations about Texas Ranger History. As visitors walked by throughout the day, they were able to look at and interact with objects from TRHFM's education collection (a collection of replicas and duplicates that the public can touch and pick up).
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The Legends of the Texas Rangers Reenactment group, which you have seen at TRHFM's Spring Break Round Up, were also at the Alamo to help tell the story of the Texas Rangers.
A big thanks to the Alamo for inviting TRHFM to
Frontier Justice
. We had a blast sharing Texas Ranger History with San Antonio!
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Welcome to the Board: Asst. Chief Frank Malinak, Ret.
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We welcome Frank Malinak to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Board. Frank served in Texas law enforcement for more than 34 years, beginning his career with Sheriff’s offices in Lee County and Bryan-College Station. He joined the Texas Department of Public Safety as a State Highway Patrol Trooper, advancing to the Texas Rangers in Midland in 1993 investigating violent crimes, public corruption and organized criminal activity.
From 2009 to 2012 and in 2014, he served as Lieutenant and then Major of Co. F in Waco with a jurisdiction spanning 42 counties. Significant cases included
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assistance to the Army after the mass shooting at the Fort Hood Army Base in 2009. His investigative work received Presidential and DOD citations. Malinak led a task force in 2010 apprehending the “Twilight Rapist,” who targeted elderly women in Central and Southeast Texas.
From 2014 to 2017, he served as Deputy Assistant Director of Texas DPS and Assistant Chief of the Texas Rangers. In addition to his primary responsibilities he helped secure authorization for various Texas Ranger Bicentennial™ initiatives, authorization for the new historical center I-35 sign, and may other projects. He has spoken at educational events at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame.
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Trips to Discover
Features the Museum
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We are delighted to be featured in the digital travel magazine
Trips To Discover
article "11 Best Things to Do in Waco, Texas" by Madison Dragna.
Every year, 12 million people use the
Trips to Discover
website to discover and plan visits to new destinations, hotels, and attractions. Check out the article at
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Bicentennial Event, Activity & Celebration Ideas
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The Texas Ranger Bicentennial in 2023 is a state-wide celebration. We encourage organizations to participate during the Bicentennial year, 2023.
Are you a member of an organization in which your members may want to participate in the celebration? We hope you'll take these suggestions back to your board meeting and discuss them. Once you pick an event, please contact the Museum to request the official Bicentennial Seal of Approval.
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Types of Organizations:
- Municipal public library
- Regional historical association
- Local history museum
- Schools and homeschoolers
- Community book club
- City Parks & Rec department
- History department of colleges and universities
- Gun collector group
- Scouting: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire...
- Local law enforcement group
- Tour operator
- Media: newspaper, film maker, book publisher...
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Types of Bicentennial Events:
- City-wide parade
- Summer reading book club
- Group travel tour of Texas history and TRHFM
- Community display of borrowed Texas Ranger items
- Chili cookout or fish fry
- Luncheon with speaker from our Bureau
- School essay, podcast, or video contest
- Western art contest in high schools
- Research and publish a paper/article
- Genealogy workshop and lock-in at library
- Children's coloring contest (see Activity Sheets)...
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Gift Shop Feature: Waco Handcrafted Candles
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"It's Fall Y'all!" Waco Handcrafted has created custom scents for the Texas Ranger Museum gift shop. Museum staff enjoyed collaborating on naming the creations. Scents include: "Even Rangers Need a Vacay", "Beachside Ride", "Rattlesnake Bite", and more! The candles are available in small and large mason jars and wax melt cubes. Visit us today!
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To shop more items available for purchase, please visit our
Gift Shop online
, or in person 9am to 4:30pm daily. You never have to pay admission to shop.
Sales from the Gift Shop benefit the preservation and education activities of the Museum. Please call (877) 750-8631 or email
thestore@texasranger.org
to order. We ship worldwide. Thank you!
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Texas Ranger Bicentennial
TM
Partners Program
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Be part of the Texas Ranger Bicentennial! The Texas Rangers will commemorate their landmark 200th anniversary in 2023. With a $100 contribution, you will receive:
- A limited-edition enameled bronze pin featuring the official Texas Ranger Bicentennial™ seal
- A certificate signed by an active or distinguished retired Texas Ranger
- Your name or family name on the online roster of Bicentennial Partners™
- A one-time-use family admission ticket (admits 4) to the Museum.
$90 of the contribution qualifies as a charitable contribution. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame is a 170(c) government-owned nonprofit.
Please
click here
to learn more about the program.
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Official Texas Rangers Bicentennial Pin
Trademarked by the Texas Dept. of Public Safety
Designed by the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
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Education Center
The following groups utilized the Education Center for programs in September:
NAACP
Cooper Foundation
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Save $1.00 off regular adult admission for up to two adults. Coupon not valid on discounted senior or military admission. No cash value.
The museum is open 9am to 5pm with the last guest admitted at 4:30pm. The museum is located off I-35 and University Parks Drive in Waco, Texas. For more information, call (254) 750-8631 or visit
www.texasranger.org
.
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Newsletter Compiled by Christine Rothenbush, Marketing & Development Specialist
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