HomeMy WebLinkAboutVeterans Day Ceremony 2002 THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 23, 2002
Dear General Jones:
The President asked me to thank you for your letter inviting him to attend the dedication of the
Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial in College Station, Texas, on November 11, 2002. Although
the President is appreciative of the support your invitation represents, it is with sincere regret that
we must decline the invitation.
Unfortunately, as the schedule for the next few months has developed, we have had to make
some difficult decisions. I do not foresee an opportunity to add this event to the calendar. I
know this response comes as a disappointment. However, I want to assure you that your letter
received every consideration.
The President asked that I take this opportunity to thank you for your letter. Please know that
your comments and suggestions are always welcomed.
Si r ely,
a• ditlitimitai.
Bradley A. Blakeman
Deputy Assistant to the President
and Director of Appointments and Scheduling
Major General Al Jones, USA (Ret.)
Brazos County Judge
Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial
2501 Texas Avenue South
Suite 105 -C
College Station, Texas 77840 -5081
STATE OF TEXAS
O F F I C E O F T H E G O V E R N O R
RICK PERRY
GOVERNOR
November 6, 2002
Major General Al Jones
Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial
2501 Texas Ave. South, Suite 105 -C
College Station, TX 77840
Dear Major General Jones:
On behalf of Governor Rick Perry, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for
extending your invitation to attend the dedication of the Brazos Valley Veterans
Memorial. Unfortunately, the Governor's schedule will not allow him to accept your
kind request.
The Governor places great importance and pride in staying connected and involved with
the people of Texas and would like to offer as much support as he possibly can.
However, because of the large volume of requests he routinely receives, it is not possible
to accommodate every invitation.
Please accept our best wishes to you and let us know if we can be of further assistance in
the future.
Sincerely,
' .1
•
Liza Valenzuela
Director of Scheduling
LV /ar
GEORGE BUSH
November 11, 2002
Dear Friends,
I am honored to join the Brazos Valley Community in saluting our
nation's veterans. Their heroism and patriotism helped maintain our
cherished freedoms and laid the foundation for a better and safer world.
Their selfless dedication to duty serves as an inspiration for us all.
The memorial that you dedicate today stands as a dramatic reminder of
these men and women. I want to congratulate the sculptor, Captain
Robert Ecclecton (USA — Retired) for his magnificent artwork. The
work truly captures the essence of our veterans: self - sacrifice and
dedication to duty. I also want to congratulate Dr. P. David Romei,
Executive Director of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley, whose
enthusiasm and direction have made this memorial a reality.
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.
I congratulate you for preserving this important part of our national
legacy. We will be forever grateful to these men and women.
P. 0. Box 79798 • HOUSTON, TEXAS 77279 -9798
PHONE (713) 686 -1188 • FAX (713) 683 -0801
4f, .,
a�
BRAZOS COUNTY
BRYAN. TEXAS
November 11, 2002
My fellow Brazos Valley citizens,
With pleasure and gratitude, I welcome each of you to this signal event in the Brazos
Valley!
The dedication of this memorial recognizes the commitment and sacrifices that young
men and women have in the past, and will in the future, demonstrate to insure freedom.
Those who wore, and are wearing, the uniform of our military services fully understand
that the supreme sacrifice has been, and may be, necessary in order to preserve this
nation's ideals. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for a friend." Those serving in our nation's military, past and present, live by
this teaching. They are prepared to lay down their lives for their friends and this nation.
The combatants displayed by this statue wear the U.S. Army uniforms of World War II
and the Korean conflict. The underlying theme, however, is that all services — Army,
Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard — work as a team. They stood and stand
ready to assist their fellow service men and women.
As we dedicate this grand and glorious memorial, let it be a testimony to all adversaries
that the resolve of this nation is, and always will be, to preserve, protect and defend
freedoms and the Constitution of the United States of America, So Help Us God!
Alvi . nes
Major General, U.S. Army (Ret)
Brazos County Judge
TONY JONES RANDY SIMS
Precinct Brazos County Commissioners Court 361c4 05
WM. S. THORNTON ALVIN y JONES CAREY CAULEY, JR.
2
Precinct County Judge
Precinct (979) 361 -4102 Precinct 4
361-4115 361 -4111
November 11, 2002
My fellow Brazos Valley citizens,
With pleasure and gratitude, I welcome each of you to this signal event in the Brazos
Valley!
The dedication of this memorial recognizes the commitment and sacrifices that young
men and women have in the past, and will in the future, demonstrate to insure freedom.
Those who wore, and are wearing, the uniform of our military services fully understand
that the supreme sacrifice has been, and may be, necessary in order to preserve this
nation's ideals. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for a friend." Those serving in our nation's military, past and present, live by
this teaching. They are prepared to lay down their lives for their friends and this nation.
The combatants displayed by this statue wear the U.S. Army uniforms of World War II
and the Korean conflict. The underlying theme, however, is that all services — Army,
Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard — work as a team. They stood and stand
ready to assist their fellow service men and women.
As we dedicate this grand and glorious memorial, let it be a testimony to all adversaries
that the resolve of this nation is, and always will be, to preserve, protect and defend
freedoms and the Constitution of the United States of America, So Help Us God!
AI ones
Major General, U.S. Army (Ret)
Brazos County Judge
Brazos County Courthouse • 300 East 26th St. • Suite 114 • Bryan, Texas 77803 -5327 • Fax: (979) 823 -6993
T H E C 1 T Y O F
AN TEXAS
P.O. BOX 1000 • BRYAN. TEXAS 77805 • (979) 209 -5000
November 11, 2002
To the citizens of Bryan and the Brazos Valley:
It is with great joy and pride that I congratulate the citizens of the Brazos
Valley and our veterans on the successful completion of the Brazos Valley
Veterans Memorial at the Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.
Robert Eccleston's bronze sculpture embodies the spirit and determination
of every American who has served our nation in war and peace.
This memorial serves to honor especially those brave Americans whose
lives were given for our nation. It is a great tribute to the citizens of the
Brazos Valley because it permits us to honor our veterans in a very special
way. The sculpture and site provides a wide range of educational
opportunities for future generations.
The City of Bryan is humble to be among those who have made this
memorial possible. On behalf of all Bryan citizens, I thank you for
making Veterans Day 2002 the most memorable in our history.
With warmest regards,
Ja n Watson
May
rts
lyy� } .
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
UNITED STATES SENATOR
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510 -4304
November 11, 2002
Dear Friends:
Veterans Day provides an annual opportunity to thank America's veterans
for preserving our precious legacy of liberty, and to acknowledge the importance
of their service. I join you in saluting the great men and women in uniform from
Texas, and those who live, work and raise families at military bases in Texas, for
their selfless service to America.
Thank you for the invitation to attend your event. I wish I could attend all
the events to which I have been invited.
Regardless which branch of service they join, the men and women who serve
today follow a long, unbroken line of brave Americans who answered the call to
defend freedom. Not all who served experienced combat, but most remember how
their service defined their lives. Each swore an oath to live by a common code and
cherished set of values. That bond links every veteran of every generation and
every branch of service. The veterans who served inspire a new generation to
defend freedom.
This Veterans Day is particularly solemn. The members of our Armed
Forces who have been protecting our homeland and fighting the war on terrorism
may be called to disarm Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein of his weapons of mass
destruction. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families this
Veterans Day.
Congratulations to all who have worked so hard to plan, organize and
conduct a variety of ceremonies to commemorate our veterans.
Sincerely,
e .:44 At/L:4.n
Kay Bailey Hutchison
KBH/had
C The Ci of
Colfege Station Texas
Embracing the Past, Exploring the Future.
Office of the Mayor
P.O. Box 9960 • 1101 Texas Avenue • College Station, TX 77842 • (979) 764 -3541 • FAX: (979) 764 -6377
www.ci.college-station.tx.us
November 11, 2002
Respected Citizens of College Station and Brazos Valley Veterans:
On this day that we honor America's veterans, it is my special privilege to express the
heartfelt sentiments of all our citizens. The Congress of the United States established this
day to honor all the men and women who have served honorably in the armed forces. Let
there be no doubt that our veterans' sacrifices have advanced the cause of freedom and
democracy in our world. Our gratitude is infinite.
This is an historic Veterans Day for the Brazos Valley. College Station, Bryan and
Brazos County, along with Robertson County, Grimes County and numerous Brazos
Valley cities, have worked in unity with businesses and private citizens for the purpose of
building a majestic memorial for our veterans. The Veterans Park and Athletic Complex
Memorial Plaza is now a sacred place for reflection and respect. It is beautiful in its
strength and simplicity and expresses fully the respect we have for our veterans.
The citizens of Brazos Valley, the artist, the landscape and graphic designers, the
Veterans Memorial Committee and the visionary leadership of the Arts Council of Brazos
Valley all deserve our deepest appreciation for all their dedication and energy. Without
their devotion to this most worthy of worthy causes, this beautiful statement of our love
for country would never have been conceived.
May the veterans of the past know how much we value their sacrifice, may the veterans
of today know how we love them, and may the veterans of tomorrow trust our pledge to
always honor their sacrifice and their patriotism.
Sincerely,
Ron Silvia
Mayor of College Station
Home of Texas A &M University
Home of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
BRAZOS VALLEY
VETERANS MEMORIAL
November 11, 2002
Benefactors of the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial:
There are so many generous folks to whom I, on behalf of
the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Fundraising Committee, owe
gratitude. It is not easy to find words powerful enough in their symbolism
and profundity to express completely how important your contributions
have been to this most sacred mission we have undertaken and this day
brought forth.
The overwhelming support given to the Veterans Memorial
by businesses, governments, non - profit organizations, individuals,
veterans and non - veterans is symbolic of the strength and unity of our
families, communities and nation. From the Revolutionary War to the
present, Americans have never avoided the call to duty when our freedoms
were at risk. On this day, we show the world that we have not forgotten,
we give our respect to those who served, and we remind ourselves of the
many blessings their sacrifices guaranteed and preserved.
The service that the Fundraising Committee rendered to
this mission would not have been possible without your loyalty and
generosity. Thank you.
L tuar
Brigadier General
United States Army (Ret)
7
Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial
2501 Texas Ave. South • Suite 105 -C
College Station, TX 77840
979.696.2787
www.veterans - memorial.org
donations@veterans-memorial.org
• ARTS COUNCIL of BRAZOS VALLEY
Robert T. Bisor, I11
PRESIDENT
Catherine P. Meyer
VICE PRESIDENT
11 November 2002
Jerry E. Fox
TREASURER
Penelope Kosztolnyik
SECRETARY
Jimmy Loup Friends, Citizens and Veterans:
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
The board, staff and members of the Arts Council of
Costa A. Dallis Brazos Valley are honored that we have been privileged to participate in
Pamela S. Green every phase of the development of the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial.
Amy S. Klinkovsky From vision to reality, the Arts Council has treated its responsibility as a
Jan Krammer solemn and sacred trust.
Susan Lancaster
Geroge Lea Whose heart does not explode like a million stars when
Lynn Mcllhaney looking upon this beautiful symbol of our love and respect for America's
Thyra Plass fighting men and women? Witness the bullet hole in the soldier's helmet
Becky Russell and shutter, share the suffering of the wounded soldier and bleed, and
Netta Simek esteem the valor of the soldier who never leaves his friend behind and
Robert Wareing pray you would do the same. Then, touch the name of a veteran, any
veteran whose name is engraved in this Texas granite, and know that you
are united with an American hero.
P. David Romei, Ph.D.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR This memorial ensures that it can never be said that we
Americans have forgotten those who have given the supreme sacrifice for
our blessed freedom.
P. David Romei, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Design Chairman, Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial
Tel: 979.696.2787
Fax: 979.680.1072
2501 Texas Avenue S. I05 -C
College Station
Texas . 77840
www.acbv.org
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