We caravanned to Driscoll for the Ceremony on Saturday morning. These Veterans are ready for the day’s events.
Today we will honor our Driscoll Fallen Heroes. They are:
PFC Leonel Aleman – KIA September 11, 1950 in the Korean War
SFC Ricardo M. Garcia – MIA March 19, 1971 in the Vietnam War
We also honor and thank All Veterans for their service. This is my Dad, Jesus R. Aleman who served in WWII.
Anyone that wants to bring photos of Loved Ones may place them here on this table.
Jesse Aleman, Coordinator of this annual event, began with Welcome Remarks.
Invocation and closing prayer were given by Jerry Olivarez, Member of the Christian Motorcycle Club, Tribe of Juda.
Wes Schuster of St. Helena Island, South Carolina did the Guest Speaker’s part as the Guest Speaker who traveled from Arkansas, had to turn back from Austin, TX as there was an emergency illness in his family. Mr. Wes Schuster is a Vietnam Veteran having served with the 281st Assault Helicopter Company Group. SFC Richard M. Garcia also served with this group. He spoke about the type of work each of the 281st AHC members present did on their tour of Vietnam. He was an excellent speaker.
Mr. Schuster introduced all his comrades present that were in the 281st Assault Helicopter Company during their tour in Vietnam. They all had contact with Richard Garcia in Vietnam.
Daryl Evangelho
Ken Boling
Ross Gambino
Earl Roark
Chris Riley
We especially thank each of these Veterans for their service and also for making their long trip here.
State Representative, Abel Herrero, was present and he spoke of his appreciation to Veterans of all armed forces. He said his Father was a Vietnam Veteran and is in the process of learning of his Father’s mission.
Ram Chavez, The Director of the Veterans Band of Corpus Christi and South Texas. He is very instrumental in helping my brother through the process of this annual celebration.
Elissa Molina, President of The Women's Council for City Development, sat in for the Mayor of Driscoll who had an emergency to tend to.
The Color Guard, which is part of The Veterans Band.
The Table of Remembrance. Tribute to our POWs and MIAs.
Representatives of a Soldier Killed in Action and a Soldier Missing in Action. This was a very touching presentation and there were many tears shed during this presentation.
Next, they had the Laying of the Wreaths which were presented to the Gold Star Families. Berta Aleman made wreaths for each of the families. The families will place the wreaths on their loved ones resting place or memorial.
Leonel Aleman’s Family….Brother Homer Aleman & wife Tina, and Sister, Esperanza Aleman.
Richard Garcia’s Family….Brother Gilbert Garcia and wife, Debbie and in the center, Richard’s Daughter, JoAnn Serrano.
Wreath also presented to Butch and Claire Cone, who lost their Grandson in Iraq.
Each of the Armed Forces was represented here today. As they held each of the Flags, the Veterans were asked to go forward.
Army Veterans…
The Marine Veterans…
The Navy Veterans…
The Air Force Veterans…
The Coast Guard Veterans…
All of the Veterans present at this ceremony. There were many so I took this in sections.
We are all so thankful to all of these men.
A plaque was presented to the Garcia Family.
The 281st Assault Helicopter Company Group presented this coin medallion to my Brother, Jesse Aleman for his efforts.
Jesse is very proud of his gift. He feels so honored.
This has been an awesome event. We look forward to next year. There was a reception following.
More to come…..too many pictures!
No comments:
Post a Comment