Scholars study military history at symposium in central Texas

Area residents and scholars gathered Saturday to learn about military history and its place in today's society at the first Central Texas Military Symposium.

More than 25 professors, retired military members and historians presented papers on and discussed topics such as military history in colleges, warfare in the 19th century and personalities in history.

The program, which was held at Central Texas College, was sponsored by the University of North Texas Military History Center and the Texas A&M University-Central Texas Department of History and Political Science.

Jerry W. Jones, assistant professor of history at TAMU-CT, said he and some UNT colleagues came up with the idea for the symposium in March.

"It's really something that happened through spontaneous combustion," Jones said, adding the symposium allowed attendees to learn from various scholars and experts.

Michael Leggiere, deputy directory of the Military History Center, said the symposium not only taught attendees about military history but gave students an opportunity to gain professional experience....