Saturday, January 15, 2011

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Ceremony

This rainy, cold, Saturday morning, we woke at 5 am to make a trip to Driscoll, Texas (our hometown) to attend the 1st Annual Remembrance Ceremony for two fallen Driscoll Soldiers that was long overdue.  My Brother, Jesse Aleman's goal for many years had been to someday be able to honor our first cousin, PFC Leonel Aleman who was killed in action in the Korean War in 1950 and his schoolmate, SFC Richard Garcia who went missing in action in the Vietnam War in 1971.  After a lot of hard work and encountering many dead ends because of government officials not wanting to help in his process, TODAY, he accomplished his long time dream.   Yes, TODAY, PFC Leonel Aleman was honored, 60 years after he gave his life for our Country and SFC Richard Garcia was also honored, 40 years after he went missing in action and remains missing.   This was a very emotional and touching ceremony.   Our hearts went out to these two Gold Star Families.....it was a beautiful ceremony.  I will share some pictures of this very Special Event in Driscoll, even though some of my pictures are not real clear.....Enjoy!

PFC Leonel Aleman was not even 20 years old when he was killed in Korea.  He was the oldest of 5 children.  He was our First Cousin.  He proudly served!

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 014      Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 012  

SFC Richard Garcia was also under 20 years when he went MIA.  He was the fourth of 5 children.  His metals speak a million words.   He also served proudly.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 015     Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 016

Leonel died the year I was born, so I did not know him but my Mom & Dad spoke very highly of him.  He wanted to serve Our Country so he joined the Army. 

Richard went through elementary, junior high and some high school with my brother and I.   He wanted to serve Our Country so he joined the Army.

Today, these two Soldiers were honored as Heroes!  What a wonderful event this was. 

The Gold Star Families:

Gilbert & Debbie Garcia, Richard's older brother.   Tina, Esperanza, and Homer Aleman.  Esperanza & Homer are Leonel's younger siblings. 

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 020

Sad memories but at the same time, so proud!

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 029      Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 030

Special Guests and speakers at this event.

 Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 038

The Veterans Band, lead by Ram Chavez.  All Veterans so honored to play military music at events like this.

This Band has been together for 25 years, play at Veterans' events everywhere, even The White House.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 068 

Part of the Color Guard....

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 037

Jesse Aleman, Organizer of the Event.                  Deacon Rey Jasso, Invocation.  He is my brother in law.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 034      Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 040

John Aguilar, Driscoll Mayor.                                  Loyd Neal, Nueces County Judge.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 049      Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 051

Jim Kaelin, Nueces County Judge.                       Dr. Enrique Aleman, Associate Professor/Univ. of Utah.  He is my nephew.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 053      Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 067

Ram Chavez, Keynote Speaker and Leader of the Band.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 080       Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 070

Mr. Chavez announces that a Wall Of Heroes will be constructed in Corpus Christi and The Coastal Bend.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 103

The Gold Star Families and the Color Guard.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 059

Folding of the U. S. Flag.  It is folded 13 times....with a description of each fold.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 043 

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 044 

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 048

A dedication to the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force....Table of Remembrance.

 Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 074 

Flag is set by the memorabilia of the Fallen Soldiers.

 Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 082      Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 083    

They introduced the Driscoll Korean War Veterans present.... 

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 085

They also introduced the Vietnam War Veterans present.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 087

They added the non-war veterans and present soldiers.   We are so thankful to ALL Veterans.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 090

A better picture since some faces were blocked above.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 091

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 096

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 099 

The music played throughout the ceremony was just beautiful.   Thank you to all the Band Members!

A reception was held after the ceremony....

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 002

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 003

My Cousin, Homer Aleman.....a moment of reflection.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 009

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 007

David Tijerina (I went to school with him, too) and my brother in law, Henry Aleman.

 

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 005

Manuel and Ramiro Garcia, my brother in law.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 006

My niece, Bea, a friend, and my sister, Josie.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 011

A look back at the audience.  The room was pretty packed...good turn out even when the weather is so bad.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 060

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 061 

This was an awesome event.   I knew it would be nice but it was better than I imagined!

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 101

It was so nice to see so many friends here.   

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 105

My sister, Dolores & My Cousin, Esperanza & my sister, Alma and myself.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 110

Mr. Chavez and Victor Gutierrez, Jr.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 111

Gilbert Garcia and Robert Esparza.   They are two good; they both played HS Football for the Bishop Badgers.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 112

My Brother and Alonzo Garza.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 115

Robert Rodriguez and My Brother.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 117

My Nephew, Dr. Enrique Aleman.  We are all ready to go eat!!

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 118  

Drove to Robstown, TX.  Joe Cotten's BBQ is the Best in South Texas!

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 119

A huge PIG!

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 120

Ed, is there such thing as an Oreo Pig??!!

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 121

We were a group of 16 so we had a little wait but it was nice to visit as we waited.

Henry Aleman, Jesse Aleman, and Manuel.

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 122

I am so proud of what my brother has accomplished today.  Just awesome!

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 124

They got their food quick!!

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 125

mmmmmm..

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 126

While we wait and we wait....must be Manuel holding up the food delivery since he ordered NO MEAT!!!!

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 127

My Brother, Jesse and his wife, Berta!   Great Job!!!   Love you!

Driscoll Fallen Heroes Memorial 114

My brother continues with one more project....to honor Our 2 Driscoll Heroes.   More later when that happens.  Hope we don't keep you waiting too long on that one.

1 comment:

Jesse Aleman said...

Thank you mama , Anything for the veterans . All veterans