Eagle Pass V.F.W. Post 8562 Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Vietnam War

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2018

Over 40 Maverick County Vietnam War Veterans and their families, friends, and public dignitaries commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War in a solemn ceremony on Monday, September 24, 2018 at the historic Fort Duncan Museum in Eagle Pass, Texas hosted by Eagle Pass Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8562, the Laredo Veterans Center, and the City of Eagle Pass.

City of Eagle Pass Main Street Program Director Joe Cruz welcomed all the Veterans and their families, guests, and public dignitaries to the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration Ceremony.  Cruz recognized Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu, City Councilman Luis E. Sifuentes, Maverick County Hospital District Board of Director Ronald Hixson, a U.S. Army Veteran, and Mexican Consulate Officer Alejandro Alvarez Venegas as public dignitaries present at the ceremony.

The Eagle Pass C. C. Winn High School Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard presented and posted the Colors at the ceremony.

V.F.W. Post 8562 Commander Diana Cruz Montoya also welcomed all the Veterans and their families, guests, and public dignitaries to the ceremony and noted the Eagle Pass V.F.W. Post 8562 supports all United States Armed Forces’ Veterans, including the Vietnam War Veterans.  Commander Montoya stated that it is important to honor the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the Vietnam War through this 50th Anniversary Commemoration. Montoya noted that a special table was formally set at the ceremony to honor those Vietnam War Veterans who are stilling missing in action (MIA).

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu stated he was honored to recognize the important contributions made by the Vietnam War Veterans in Eagle Pass, State of Texas, and the United States of America.  Mayor Cantu added that many of Eagle Pass’s own young men and women valiantly and heroically fought and participated in the Vietnam War, including several who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives to keep democracy and freedom for all Americans to enjoy. Mayor Cantu thanked all Eagle Pass and Maverick County Veterans, particularly Vietnam War Veterans, for their distinguished service to the United States .

Eagle Pass V.F.W. Post 8562 member and V.F. W. District Board of Trustee Gary Sapoff, a Vietnam War Veteran, shared with his fellow Veterans and guests some personal experiences during his service in the Vietnam War. Sapoff stated that the V.F.W. plays an important role in supporting all Veterans of all foreign wars and thanked the Laredo Veterans Center for donating the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Lapel Pins presented to each Veteran present at the ceremony.

A member of the Winn High School Air Force Junior ROTC presented a brief history of the Vietnam War and an eloquent statement on the importance of the Vietnam War in the history of the United States.

Eagle Pass Mayor Cantu, accompanied by Winn High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadets, presented a commemorative Vietnam War Lapel Pin to each of the over 40 Vietnam Veterans present at the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration Ceremony and participated in a group photo with all the Vietnam War Veterans that attended the ceremony.

Refreshments and cookies were provided to all guests inside the comfort of the Fort Duncan Museum to afford everyone an opportunity to reminisce and share their service in the Vietnam War. 

The 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration Ceremony was a great success.