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Home My WebLink AboutVeterans Day Program, 2016VETERANS DAY CEREMONY Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 • 5 p.m. Louis L. Adam Memorial Plaza, Veterans Park & Athletic Complex 3101 Harvey Road • College Station, Texas 2 2016 Board of Directors and Officers Memorial for all Veterans of the Brazos Valley, Inc. John Anderson .........................................Audit CommitteeSteve Beachy ............................. Special Assistant to the PresidentGlenn Burnside................................................ChaplainIrma Cauley .................................Brazos County RepresentativeChip Dawson ...................................History Committee (Chair)Chris Dyer ..................................ACBV Ex-Officio RepresentativeJerry Fox ..................................................... TreasurerDennis Goehring ..................................Fundraising CommitteeMike Guidry ............................................Event CommitteeJohn Happ....................Vice President, Development Committee (Chair)Brian Hilton .................................................. SecretaryRandy House ................................................. PresidentFain McDougal ..................................Development CommitteeMike Neu ....................... Chief Information Officer Committee (Chair)Louis Newman ..................................Development CommitteeDavid Sahm .................................Design Committee (Vice Chair)David Schmitz .........................City of College Station RepresentativeJim Singleton ....................................Design Committee (Chair)Travis Small............................... Special Assistant to the PresidentKean Register................................. City of Bryan RepresentativePerry Stephney .........................................Event CommitteeJohn Velasquez .........................................Flag CoordinatorBill Youngkin .................................... Event Committee (Chair) Veteran Affiliations Air Force AssociationAmerican LegionBrazos Valley Marine Corps LeagueDisabled American VeteransMilitary Officers Assoc. of America National SojournersOrder of DaedaliansVeterans of Foreign WarsVietnam Helicopter Pilots AssociationVietnam Veterans of America 3 Veterans Day Program Honor Wall Roll Call Bill Youngkin, Esq. BVVM Board of Directors Welcome Remarks LTG Randolph House, USA (Ret.) President, BVVM Board of Directors Invocation MAJ Glenn Burnside, USMC (Ret.) Chaplain, BVVM Board of Directors National Anthem, Texas Our Texas The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band Special Recognition of LTG Randolph House, USA (Ret.)Community Partners Special Recognition of Bill Youngkin, Esq.Brazos Valley Heroes Service Medley The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band Keynote Introduction The Honorable John Cornyn United States Senator, R-Texas Keynote Address GEN Hal M. Hornburg, USAF (Ret.) Special Presentation LTG Randolph House, USA (Ret.) Rifle Salute Ross Volunteers Texas A&M University Taps The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band 11 November 2016 5 p.m. Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Veterans Park & Athletic Complex College Station, Texas “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation.” -UNKNOWN 4 World War I, known as “The Great War” during its time, officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of the “war to end all wars.” An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the day of Nov. 11 each year a legal holiday, and a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I. But in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; and after American forces fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of many veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Veterans Day continues to be observed on Nov. 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on its important purpose: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. ~The above content appears on the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs website at: http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/ vetdayhistory.asp History of Veterans Day Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry wait for the end of hostilities near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France. This photo was taken on Nov. 11, 1918, just minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect. 5 Senator John Cornyn R-Texas I n 2014, Texans overwhelmingly re-elected Senator John Cornyn to represent them for a third term in the U.S. Senate. Since he was first elected in 2002, Sen. Cornyn has earned a national reputation as an articulate and powerful voice for Texas and conservative values in Washington. Sen. Cornyn, a San Antonio native, strongly believes that we need more Texas solutions in Washington, which is why he consistently fights to bring the Lone Star State’s commonsense solutions to the federal level. He has committed himself to strengthening our national defense, securing our borders, repairing our broken immigration system and strengthening the economy by keeping taxes low, reducing federal spending, and fighting job-killing regulations from Washington bureaucrats. Sen. Cornyn has also been a tireless advocate for Texas military personnel, veterans, and their families, and he has fought to provide these brave Americans with the best possible support, care, and benefits. In addition to serving on the Senate Finance and Judiciary Committees, Sen. Cornyn serves as the Majority Whip, a position that gives Texas a powerful seat at Congress’ leadership table. Sen. Cornyn has served the people of Texas for the last three decades, first as a district judge and later as a member of the Texas Supreme Court and Texas Attorney General. He received his undergraduate degree from Trinity University, his law degree from St. Mary’s School of Law, and his LLM from the University of Virginia Law School. Sen. Cornyn married his wife Sandy in 1979, and they have two grown daughters. ~ The above biography appears on the official website of Senator John Cornyn at: https://www.cornyn.senate.gov KEYNOTE INTRODUCTION 6 GEN Hal M. Hornburg USAF, Ret. G en. Hal M. Hornburg graduated from Texas A&M University in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and later earned a master’s degree in human resource management from the University of Utah in 1978. While at A&M, Hornburg was a Ross Volunteer, Distinguished Student, Outstanding Military Student, Commanding Officer, and 2nd Group Staff in the Corps of Cadets. Hornburg entered the United States Air Force in 1968 and commanded all levels—flight, squadron, wing, numbered air force and major command. While on active duty, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and was awarded three Legions of Merit, 10 Air Medals, two Air Forces Distinguished Service Medals and the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. In 2004, he was made an honorary Tuskegee Airman in honor of his efforts in developing and mentoring minority officers and airmen. General Hornburg commanded a composite fighter wing during Operation Desert Storm, directed air operations over Bosnia, commanded the Joint Warfighting Center, served on the Joint Staff, and directed operations at Headquarters U.S. Air Force. He also has served as Tactical Air Command’s F-15 demonstration pilot for the East Coast, Air Force Liaison Officer to the U.S. Senate, Chief of the Air Force Colonels’ Group, and he commanded Air Education and Training Command. Hornburg retired as commander, Air Combat Command in 2005 after 36 years of service to the USAF and more than 4,400 flight hours. He continues to serve the aerospace field as an Aerospace Industry Consultant. In retirement, Hornburg serves as a director for the Armed Forces Benefit Association and on the Advisory Board of the Camber Corporation. He is a vice president of Segs4Vets, an organization that awards Segways to veterans severely injured in the line of duty to restore the gift of mobility. He is the Past President and Chairman of the Texas A&M Association of Former Students and past Chair of the Texas A&M President’s Board of Visitors for the Corps of Cadets. General Hornburg and his wife, Cynthia, reside in Boerne, TX, and are the parents of two sons, both Air Force pilots, and six grandchildren. KEYNOTE ADDRESS 7 Bryan Rotary Field of Valor * Nov. 6-13 During the week of Veterans Day, Bryan Rotary displays 1,000 American flags at Veterans Park. Rotary members also lead tours of the American Mile and Lynn Stuart Pathway history trails for more than 1,470 fifth-grade students. To dedicate a flag or become a Veterans Week docent at next year’s event, go to http://bryan-rotary.org/. Special Veterans Day Presentations THE ROSS VOLUNTEERS The Ross Volunteer Company, the oldest special unit of the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets, serves as Honor Guard for the Governor of Texas. Ross Volunteers attend all Texas governor inauguration ceremonies and perform the three-volley salute at Texas A&M’s Silver Taps and Muster events each year. The group first organized as the Scott Volunteers on Texas A&M campus in 1887 (then known as Texas A.M.C.) for drill precision. It was named for Thomas Scott, agent of the board of regents and business manager from 1883 to 1891. When Gov. Lawrence Sullivan Ross was appointed college president in 1891, the company was renamed the Ross Volunteers. Lawrence Sullivan “Sul” Ross was the 19th Governor of Texas and a Confederate States Army general during the American Civil War. Ross came to be known as a “Soldier, Statesman and Knightly Gentleman,” and all Ross Volunteers are expected to reflect his traits and values. The company is composed of junior and senior Corps of Cadets members chosen from among their peers on the basis of honor, humility, and character. Reference: Heathman, C. (2013, July 2). Special units within the Corps of Cadets.The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved from http://myaggienation.com. 8 2016 Wall of Honor JAVIER ENRIQUE AGUILAR USA JOEL LEWIS ANDREWS USMC ALFRED P. BIRDWELL USA M.J. BLACKMAN USN ARTHUR LEE BLACKMON USA SHAWN MATTHEW CAMPBELL USMC CRAIG LEE CHAMPION USA ERIK JON CHRISTMAN USA DOYLE B. “BUD” COOPER USA TRAVIS LLOYD ENGELBRECHT USA FRANK L. FIELDS, JR. USA WILLIAM GREY FORD, JR. USN PATRICK K. GAMBLE USAF CARL L. GODING USA WILLIAM C. GRACE USA EDDIE E. HARRISON USA MARILYN E. HODGES USAF GERALD W. HOLEMAN USA HAL M. HORNBURG USAF CHRISTOPHER NEIL JADLOWSKI USA ARTHUR R. “RUSTY” JONES IV USA MICHAEL L. KUBOVIAK USA ARZA L. LAWRENCE USAF JAMES R. LAWRENCE USMC WILLIAM HARPER LEIPER USA LONNIE E. LOCKE USAF WALTER W. LOW USA ROBERT L. LYTTON USA SUSAN D. MARTY USAF THOMAS A. MARTY USAF JAMES M. “MIKE” MASON USAF BRENT E. MCMAHAN USA DALE ALLEN MCMILLAN USN JOE HARLIN MCNAIR USAF KARL HOWARD “ROCKY” MCNAIR USAF 9 2016 Wall of Honor BERNARD MISTRETTA USA TYREE H. NEWTON USAF EUGENE H. NUGENT USA FRANK L. PATRANELLA, JR. USAF ERNEST G. PITTMAN USA JACOB ALAN POEHL USN BOBBY J. RAGSDALE USA ARMOND DEJEAN RAMBO USA HERMAN L. RATHKE USA JONATHAN A. REED USA JOSEPH A. REED USA JOE A. RODRIGUEZ, JR. USA ENOSENTE SAUSEDA USN HAL BRENT SHARP USA HARVEY GENE SIMANK USA FRANCIS J. SKINNER USAF USA DAVID J. SKINNER USN JOHN A. SKINNER USA JAMES REAVIS SMITH USAF ROLAND MORRIS HICKMAN, SR. USMC HARRY E. STARR, JR. USN JOHN WILLIAM STEVENS USAF ROBERT W. STOREY USN PAUL E. TRALMER USAF CHRISTOPHER M. WERLINGER USMC JOE BROOKS WHITE USN CHARLES W. WHITLEY USA ANTON E. WILGANOWSKI USA BILLY JOE WILLIAMS USA LOUIS O. WILSON USA USAF ROBERT A. WRIGHT, JR. USA ROBERT A. WRIGHT III USA ROBERT A. WRIGHT IV USA HARRY JAMES YERRINGTON USA MATTHEW TRAVIS YOUELL USA SPENCER MARTIN YOUELL USA 10 The mission of the Memorial for all Veterans of the Brazos Valley, Inc., is two fold: (1) To take a proactive role in honoring veterans who have served in the uniformed services of the United States, and (2) To serve as an educational venue for future generations to learn that freedom is purchased with a heavy price and sacrifice. Chartered in 2000 as a non-profit corporation by the State of Texas, BVVM is generously supported by numerous community residents, organizations and partners including the municipalities of Bryan, College Station and Brazos County. In May 2002, Don Adam, chairman of The Adam Corporation and veteran of the U.S. Army, provided the first major gift to the memorial. In gratitude, BVVM named its main plaza “Louis L. Adam Memorial Plaza” in honor of his father, who also was a U.S. Army veteran. BVVM was dedicated Nov. 10, 2002. President George H.W. Bush attended the dedication, saying: “The Brazos Valley community can stand proud. The names that mark the memorial showcase the sons and daughters who gave dedicated service to our nation so that future generations can share the freedoms we enjoy. Their task was great and their sacrifice even greater, but their legacy stands firm and their memories burn bright.” The red granite Wall of Honor serves as the memorial’s primary feature, highlighting the etched names of 4,846 military service members from all periods of U.S. history who are family and friends to those residing in the Brazos Valley. Notable names on the wall include 24 U.S. Presidents with military service and seven former Texas A&M University students who received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award. The bronze sculpture mounted atop the wall’s 250-ton granite base is the work of artist Robert Eccleston from Schuyler Falls, New York. Eccleston served as a U.S. Army Ranger in the 10th Mountain Division before his beginning his career as an artist. BVVM Sites & Statues The first of many memorial sites to highlight U.S. military engagements was the War on Terror Memorial, dedicated May 30, 2005. This site features a steel relic from one of the World Trade Center Towers in New York City struck by U.S. enemies on Sept. 11, 2001. The Lynn Stuart Pathway, a half-mile trail connecting all of the BVVM war memorials, was dedicated Sept. 22, 2006. This trail honors Brigadier General Louis Lynn Stuart (U.S. Army), whose support and leadership were critical to the initial development of BVVM. Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial History 11 The American Revolution site, titled Liberty or Death, was dedicated July 1, 2010. A bronze Continental soldier is shown standing in dramatic pose. The War for Texas Independence site, titled Come and Take It, was dedicated Oct. 2, 2010, the 175th anniversary of the Battle of Gonzales. The bronze statue depicts a rugged frontiersman. The Korean War site, titled Katchi Kapshida or “We Go Together,” was dedicated Nov. 11, 2010, around the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. The site features two bronze statues, one Korean soldier and one American soldier, standing together against a common enemy. The first World War II site statue, titled Day of Infamy, was dedicated Dec. 7, 2011, the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The site features a bronze statue in the likeness of President George H.W. Bush as a young U.S. Navy airman. The War of 1812 Memorial site, titled Don’t Give Up the Ship, was dedicated June 1, 2012, the 200th anniversary of the start of the war. The second World War II site statue, titled Letters from Home, was dedicated Nov. 11, 2013. Sculpted in the likeness of C.J. Allen of Bryan, Texas, the statue features a U.S. Army infantryman resting on a stone wall while reading a letter from home. The memorial pays tribute to those who served in Europe as well as those who supported the war effort back home. The Vietnam War Memorial site, titled HOT LZ, was dedicated May 31, 2014. The site monument features a bronze UH-1D Huey helicopter with soldiers preparing to drop onto a dangerous (or “hot”) landing zone. The Civil War Memorial site, titled Going Home, was dedicated April 9, 2015. The site monument features two bronze statues in the likeness of soldiers from opposing sides, each looking back at his former enemy. The Indian Wars Memorial site was dedicated Sept. 21, 2016. The site monument features two bronze statues in the likeness of unlikely allies: a U.S. Army Buffalo Soldier and a scout of the Tonkawa Tribe. The statues designed and sculpted by local artist J. Payne Lara are the focal point of each war site. His work offers a vivid portrayal of the many military veterans of our past. Photo of the Indian Wars Memorial statues at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex, dedicated Sept. 21, 2016. Left: Buffalo Soldier of the U.S. ArmyRight: Scout of the Tonkawa Tribe 12 Special thanks to Anne Boykin BVVM thanks Anne Boykin for her tireless effort in the creation and promotion of our memorial, and for her significant contributions to historic preservation in the Brazos Valley. Anne Boykin grew up in College Station, graduated from A&M Consolidated Schools (’67) and is a former student of Texas A&M University (’71) and Arizona State University (’71). Her ties to the Brazos Valley began in the late 1800s when her great-great grandparents were married by a circuit priest from St. Joseph’s at Steele’s Store, an Italian community near the Brazos River. Anne moved to Austin in 1975 where she formed Left-Write Ink, a free-lance calligraphy and graphic design business still in operation. She moved back to her home town community of College Station in late 2004 to help with the care of her parents. Her mother, Rosemary Boykin, documented the history of the Brazos Valley Italians in three books. Anne’s father, Calvin C. Boykin, Jr., wrote several articles and a history of his 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion. It was her father who suggested that Anne become a volunteer for the City of College Station’s historic online library database, Project HOLD. It was through this work that Anne became involved in efforts to preserve the history of area veterans. Both Anne and her dad served on the research committee that helped establish the American Mile at Veterans Park. In 2007, Anne began her nine years of service on the board of directors for the Memorial for All Veterans of the Brazos Valley at the invitation of then President Steve Beachy. By 2010, with the help of numerous educators, authors, and historians, Anne finished the design of BVVM’s 22 historical interpretive panels in honor of her dad. Currently, Anne is a Graphic Designer at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. She recently completed the design of 14 historical interpretive panels at the newly dedicated Boonville Heritage Park in Bryan, Texas. Anne has two children: Tamara Anne Gunter and Thomas Arthur Gunter, both in Austin; and four grandchildren: Thomas Allen, Ava Delaine, and Forrest Calvin Gunter and Dustin Garza. 13 BRAZOS VALLEY VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND D enise Fries, owner of Fries Financial Services, in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, recently established an endowment fund to benefit the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station. With Fries’ gift of $5,000, the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Fund will provide lasting support to BVVM board members in the management of ongoing memorial expenses such as landscaping and maintenance of site areas, repair and replacement of monument items, special event promotions, educational tours and other related activities. Denise Fries and Community Foundation President Patricia Gerling will represent their respective organizations at today’s event. Please join us in thanking these women for their support of Brazos Valley veterans. How to contribute The Community Foundation accepts a wide range of assets, including securities, real estate, life insurance and deferred gifts. The Foundation is also recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charity by the IRS, which allows donors to take maximum tax deductions for their charitable gifts. In order to make a one-time or recurring donation to the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Fund, please email president@cfbv.org. cfbv.org $5,000 Gift presented by Fries Financial Services 14 ON DECK * WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL Rosie the Riveter is a famous symbol of the contribution of women workers in the U.S. effort during World War II. Rosie was a fictional character from a popular song written by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb. The song and name inspired many artists to feature Rosie’s character wearing practical, hard factory clothes brightened by a red bandanna tied around her head. In movies, newspapers, posters, photographs and articles, campaigns featuring Rosie the Riveter stressed the patriotic need for women to enter the work force, and they did, in huge numbers. Between 1940 and 1945, the female percentage of the U.S. workforce increased from 27 to 37 percent. By 1944 there were nearly 20 million working women. Rosie the Riveter will represent the home front of the war effort and the third World War II Memorial site statue. The site has two other statues: ‘Day of Infamy’ representing the Pacific Theater and ‘Letters from Home’ representing the European Theater. Rosie will also be the first female statue featured at the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial. How to contribute Three local chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution are working to raise funds for this important new project. To show your support, please send contributions to: Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Attn: Rosie the Riveter Project Fund PO Box 11055 College Station, TX 77842 ROSIE THE RIVETER 15 SAVE THE DATE * SEPT. 13, 2017 The Mexican-American War played a critical role in defining the border between the two nations that remains in place today. In 1847, knowing that the capture of the Palacio Nacional would greatly disrupt the Mexican army, soldiers of the United States Marines Corps stormed an enemy castle just west of Mexico City. On Sept. 13, 1847, after two days of battle, Marines gained control of Chapultepec Castle and raised the American flag over the palace to mark their victory. The opening lines of the Marine Hymn, “From the Halls of Montezuma...” memorialize the efforts of Marines in this battle and the subsequent occupation of Mexico City. This site will be dedicated on the 170th anniversary of the Battle of Chapultepec in honor of all Marines. We still need your support! Our statues help recognize a significant number of veterans and family members for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their ancestors on behalf of Texas and the United States. With your help, we can install additional benches, markers and plates at each of the 22 sites that make up the 12- acre Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial grounds. Learn more at bvvm.org. BVVM.ORG 979.696.6247 Mexican-American War Memorial The Battle of Chapultepec Now accepting 2017 applications We are now accepting applications for placement of military veteran names on our Wall of Honor in 2017. The Wall of Honor is the centerpiece of the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial and a reverent tribute to all veterans (living, deceased, or currently serving) of our United States Armed Forces. P.O. Box 11055 • College Station, Texas 77842 info@bvvm.org • 979.696.6247 bvvm.org Programs by Music by WALL OF HONOR DOWNLOAD OUR APPLICATION BVVM.ORG/CONTRIBUTE/WALL