Miss Betty Holder was one of my closest friends. She was also an icon of Caddo Lake's "old guard". These old guardians were among the fist to insist that the lake be respected and protected when most concentrated on exploiting Caddo Lake.

First I would like to comment on Miss Betty's special and historic role --as the last member of Caddo Lake's old guardians. Then I'll speak briefly about what she meant to me as a friend.

Miss Betty's death marks the passing of the last icon of Caddo Lake's "old guard" --or more accurately Caddo Lake's "old guardians". Col. John T Echols, Robert Speight Sr., George Williamson, Fred and Loucille Dahmer were the ones I was privileged to know. I never knew many other old guardians --like Franklin Jones Sr. I am sure many of you knew and will recall them for us. I believe they were the first generation who advocate a strong conservation ethic a part of the local culture. They were plain and clear talkers. "Keep Caddo Lake natural", they said. It's still our goal today. And Miss Betty was the last of them, I think.