Maverick County honors Military Heroes during Memorial Day Ceremony
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016
Maverick County honored and remembered its fallen military heroes during an emotional and solemn Memorial Day Ceremony celebrated on Monday, May 30, 2016, at the Maverick County Lake Veterans Memorial sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Eagle Pass Post No. 8562, announced Anthony Ramirez, Commander of VFW Post 8562. Over 500 persons attended the ceremony.
Master of Ceremonies Benjamin Estrada welcomed all the Maverick County Veterans, families of fallen Maverick County Veterans, and guests to the solemn Memorial Day ceremony.
Surviving Veterans and relatives of fallen Veterans were the special guests of honor at the 2016 Memorial Day Ceremony. Among the honored guests were World War II Veterans Marcos Trevino and Ronald Hixson, Juan Ruiz, and Alma Alvarez.
The C.C. Winn High School 92nd Air Force Junior ROTC cadets raised the American flag as the Memorial Junior High School Band played the National Anthem.
Estrada presented local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts local troop members who recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
VFW Post No. 8562 Chaplain Rogelio Reyna gave the invocation, asking everyone to pray for both our fallen heroes and current military personnel.
Estrada introduced and thanked representatives of local and regional Veterans organizations, local dignitaries, Eagle Pass Police and Fire Departments for their participation.
World War II Veterans Marcos Trevino and Ronald Hixson were the guests of honor.
The keynote speaker was Enrique Reyes (U.S. Army) who served our country in the Iraqi Freedom War during 2002 to 2005.
Reyes spoke of the sacrifices made by fallen United States veterans in foreign wars while defending the liberty and democracy enjoyed by all Americans.
Reyes recalled the moment when he decided to join the military to protect and serve his country during 2002. “A few months after my basic training , I was landing in Kuwait. I will never regret that decision at all. I served our country , well.” said Reyes.
“Today, we’re here to remember those men and women who lost their lives while fighting for this nation. We have to be grateful and understand that everything that we enjoy has been at a cost. Its been at the cost of hundreds and thousands of lives who gave their life for our freedom.” added Reyes.
Reyes recalled moments of his service where he saw the casualties of war including the suffering of Iraqi families and children due to extreme hardship. “I got to see, how lucky we are to live in a country like the United States.” added Reyes.
Reyes addressed the important issues and problems facing Veterans such as debilitating physical injuries and ailments, Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder (PTSD), and Veteran suicides.
Reyes thanked the entire community for the honor of speaking and honoring our local fallen Veterans and urged each one to always remember and honor all the fallen United States Veterans as well as all the men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The reading of the names of Maverick County Veterans who fell in all foreign wars were read as two wreaths and many floral offerings were placed at the head of the fallen Maverick County Veterans monument.
Estrada then asked for a moment of silence to honor the departed and beloved military heroes.
The local VFW Color Guard and Firing Squad shot a 21 gun salute in honor of all Veterans. VFW Post No. 8562 Bugler Sammy Lerma played taps in honor and remembrance of the fallen heroes.
Vietnam War veteran Julio Solis of Spofford, Texas discussed the many sacrifices that military men and women and their families make to serve our country, including the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.
Estrada presented the Memorial Junior High Band who played a medley of patriotic and military marches. Local singer Jessica Cavazos sang patriotic songs in honor of the fallen veterans.
Estrada presented the closing remarks as hundreds of people paid tribute and honored our fallen war heroes for the sacrifices that they gave for our country.
Local dignitaries present at the 2016 Memorial Day Ceremony included Maverick County Hospital District Board of Directors Ricardo E. Calderon and Ronald Hixson, were Dr. Ronald Hixson, Eagle Pass City Council member Luis E. Sifuentes, Eagle Pass Independent School District Board of Trustee Humberto Torralba, Jr., and Maverick County Attorney Ricardo Ramos.
