Congressman Pete P. Gallego presents U.S. Capitol Flag to Eagle Pass Veterans

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

United States House of Representative Pete P. Gallego, District 23-Texas, presented a United States flag flown at the United States Capitol to veterans residing at El Centenario Building of the Eagle Pass Housing Authority on Monday, September 22, 2014, in a solemn ceremony held at the flagpole of the public housing development. Gallego stated that it is important to honor and respect the men and women who have served in the United States military and fought to defend all Americans” freedom and liberty.

Eagle Pass Housing Authority Executive Director Mary Velasquez welcomed Congressman Gallego and the public attending the flag presentation ceremony. Velasquez introduced Congressman Gallego to the audience.

“Our Congressman offered us something so special and we greatly appreciate it and the first thing that I thought of was our veterans that currently reside at the El Centenario and all veterans from Eagle Pass,” said Velasquez.

“It is a great pleasure and privilege to be here in Eagle Pass as we celebrate each and every one of the veterans here today who deserve all the honors from our country. We appreciate all that you have done for each and every one of us to assure our freedom. To me, one of the greatest privileges is to give a special gift. That gift is a United States Flag that has been flown at the U.S Capitol in Washington. Our country and the U.S. Capitol has seen so much but we know that better days are in the future for our children and our grandchildren,” said Congressman Gallego.

Gallego presented the U.S. Capitol flown American flag to four American veterans residing at the Eagle Pass Housing Authority’s El Centenario public housing development, including Edmundo Garcia, Armando Valdez, Jorge Rodriguez, and Rodolfo Gonzalez. “With all my respect and the respect of the United States Congress, we thank you and present you with this very important flag for all of us,” said Gallego.

Gallego also presented EPHA’s Chairperson Ana Gonzalez with the certificate of authenticity of the U.S. Capitol flown flag and its dedication to the service of the veterans of Eagle Pass.

The four Eagle Pass veterans turned the American flag over to members of the VFW Post No. 8562 Flag Guard who then placed the American flag on the flag pole and proceeded to raise it among the beautiful blue, sunny skies of Eagle Pass. The American flag will now be proudly displayed and flown at El Centenario’s flagpole in honor of all Eagle Pass and Maverick County veterans.

Present at the ceremony was Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu, Eagle Pass Housing Authority Board of Directors Ana Gonzalez,Rolando Salinas, Delfina Morales Garza, VFW Post No. 8562 Commander Facundo Ibarra, American Legion Group Commander Refugio Soto, residents of El Centenario public housing development, and local veterans.

“Congressman Gallego is a strong supporter and advocate of all American veterans and we are extremely appreciative of his dedicated and genuine services to U.S. veterans,” said VFW Post No. 8562 Commander Facundo Ibarra. “District 23, including Maverick County, is very fortunate to have a Congressman such as Pete P. Gallego who truly cares and works for all American veterans,” said American Legion Commander Refugio Soto.

Congressman Gallego is the son of a World War II veteran and committed to improving the lives and services of all American veterans and service men and women.

“We must make sure that we are supporting local military families and veterans. We need to make sure they receive prompt and high-quality care at VA clinics, increase funding to programs that provide aid for wounded veterans and support programs that help these men and women to find jobs once they get home and assure that they are taken care of and honored as they truly deserve to be honored,” said Gallego.