Lyndon Johnson Day
On November 19, 1955, SWTSTC and the city of San Marcos honored Johnson with a dedicated “Lyndon Johnson Day.” In honor of the occasion, Johnson, accompanied by his wife Lady Bird, daughters Lynda Bird and Lucy Baines, mother Mrs. Sam Johnson, and two of his sisters, gave his first major address since his heart attack in July 1955.
Homecoming Parade
As part of the celebrations, Johnson led the largest homecoming parade in the college’s history. The parade featured eight bands, two drill teams, twenty-three decorated cars, and eighteen floats, which all exhibited highlights of Johnson’s life. For example, the sophomore class’s contribution showed the senator as a young boy growing up in Stonewall, and Chi Gamma Tota’s float depicted Johnson as a member of the school’s victorious 1928 debate team. In honor of Johnson’s past and a nod to his future, the Future Farmers of America’s float displayed three houses: his farm home, his college boarding house, and the White House.
Homecoming Football Game
The festivities continued at the football game’s halftime, when the marching band played songs celebrating important milestones of Johnson’s life. The band formed an anchor while playing a rendition of “Anchors Away,” in tribute to his service in the Navy during World War II. During “Eyes of Texas,” the band assembled into an L and a J, Johnson’s initials. Johnson’s election to the U.S. Senate was also recognized during the band’s performance of “Stars and Stripes Forever,” during which they came together in the shape of the Capitol building. His former classmates further toasted Johnson by presenting a large color photograph of him to the college.