Roy P Benavidez - The Lindenau Ancient Warrior

Lindenau is almost a has-been place, with only a small Lutheran church and a "Rifle Club" dance and meeting hall. Its so flat along the Texas Gulf Coast, but Lindenau reminds me of the Austrian hills in "The Sound of Music". Gone are the train and the tracks, as well as the Post Office, the store, and the school. My neighbor was born there, and his childhood home in the center of Lindenau burned down more than 70 years ago. There is no hospital, so when one was born there it was by midwife or such. I hadn't met anyone else who was born there. Most babies today are born in Cuero Hospital 6 miles away. Some of the things that are still seen in Lindenau include Texas Horny Toads, Red foxes, Wolves, Coyotes, wild Turkeys, as well as Raccoons, Skunks, and Armadillos. Rarely a cougar has been seen. The animals far outnumber the people.

Searching for Lindenites, I ran into a name of a famous person born in the area -Roy P. Benavidez . There were several Elementary Schools in Houston named after him. Part of Highway 59 was also called the Roy P. Benavidez Highway (? or the George Bush / Lloyd Bentsen Highway). He served in Vietnam and was finally awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor by President Reagan in 1981. He was a daring warrior in the face of injury and incredibly difficult odds. He was born there - August 5, 1935 - of immigrant parents (Mexican and Yaqui Indian descent) and grew up in El Campo, Texas. He finally succumbed to the effects of Diabetes in 1998. [The Yaqui Indians have there own warrior history.]

"Roy enjoyed his life in the rural community of El Campo, Texas. Although he is physically gone from this earth, he left a lasting impression on countless individuals from all walks of life. His message continues to be echoed to our nation's youth who are the future leaders of America." - via Wikipedia

Benavidez died Nov. 28, 1998, in San Antonio, Texas. Three elementary schools in Texas, a park in Colorado and the naval ship USNS Benavidez have been all named in his honor. In 2001, the Texas legislature honored Benavidez with the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, and the Hasbro toy company released the Roy P. Benavidez G.I. Joe action figure, the first G.I. Joe to portray a soldier of Hispanic heritage.


Seems like heroism today is in the movies, false accomplishments, and false successes. His story is one of true success and true valor. We know what he did and would do in the face of crisis and death.

The cigar I dedicate to this honored hero is the Gurkha Ancient Warrior robusto. It is a short dark and stubby little 41/2 x 50 stogie with a Brazilian wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and Dominican and Honduran filler. It is an attractive dark maduro or oscuro cigar with the Ancient Warrior having shed its maroon bands and opting for a more seemly one. The taste was slightly tart/sweet on the pre-light and lit well with pleasant smoke and good draw. The toasty/woody/cedary taste seemed to overtake the initial taste, and then mellowed to a moderate woody spiciness. The finish was medium to long.

May we all leave such a legacy!