2011 ICAN Heroes Luncheon

The speaker Rev James C. Brown of Sweet Home Baptist Church spoke of the qualities of Heroes. One quality of all heroes is that they show the mercy of God. They will not separate principles from practice. He continued that if the world controls your mind – You are a conformer. If God controls your mind – You are a transformer and transformers make life better for everybody.Mayor Archibald made the declaration of Mr. James Francies, Jr. as the 2011 ICAN Hero and that he was to evermore be “Cowboy”. He remembered that on Monday he had talked to an entire hall full of heroes of the WWII Honor Flight and now many of the ICAN heroes were in the same hall.{{more}} “There are so many people honored here that the city may have to name the north conference hall as Community leaders were also on hand to honor Mr.Francies. Photo by Joe Starkeythe “Hall of Heroes” due to all of the people honored here that make the Big Country very Big.”Mr. James Francies, Jr. was recognized as the “World’s Oldest Active Trail Boss” and as a True Historian — dedicated to researching, presenting and preserving African-American History. He moved to Abilene in 2002 from Houston, Texas. Mr. Francies is a veteran and served in the United States Army from 1953-1954 in Germany as a weapons instructor. He achieved Expert Marksman recognition. He is the father of four children, 2 boys and 2 girls and grandfather of 6 children.Mr. Francies has a servant’s heart and true love for community asMs. Ashley King, reporter with K-TXS TV was Mistress of Ceremony. Photo by Joe Starkeyis evidenced by his leadership in many organizations some of which are: Prairie View Trail Riders AssociationEstablished in 1957 under the leadership of Mr. James Francies, Jr., the Prairie View Trail Riders Association is the oldest African-American trail ride in the United States. It was approved in 1958 as the first African-American trail ride association of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Its purpose is to promote agricultural interest in young Americans and to perpetuate the principles, methods and traditions of the Western world as well as the African-American Western Heritage. The Prairie View Trail Riders Association serves as a booster for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and supports Prairie View A&M University in its educational programs.The annual trail ride begins approximately 102 miles west of Houston, Texas. The trail ride travels an average of 20 miles per day. The trail stops at Ministers from the Carver Neighborhood were on hand to honor Mr. Francies. Photo by Joe Starkeyelementary schools in route to Memorial Park to display its wagons and animals for the children in its efforts to promote the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.African American Center for Cultural Education SocietyOrganized October 22, 2007 to educate the African American community about our history, culture and contributions to the world we live in and to share that information with others.The goal is to build a Black History Museum in Abilene, Texas. Curator and Historian of the Abilene Black History Museum Mr. Francies has taken on the task of collecting, displaying, hosting, educating and caring for the artifacts of the museum. He supports the museum with his own funds and enormous amounts of time and patience. He is always researching more material and unique ways to encourage the Abilene community to participate in the museum activities and displays. In 2006, Mr. Francis wasMayor Norm Archibald read a Proclamation naming April 13th, 2011 James Francies Day. Photo by Joe Starkeyinstrumental in the unveiling of the history and photograph Genevieve Daniels, for whom the G.V. Daniels Recreation Center is named.Education and Recreation Program is sponsored by GV Daniels Recreation Center Seniors with goal of improving students’ study in all classes with a special emphasis on Math and Science.