Posted on 05/27/2005 3:53:23 PM PDT by Liberty Valance
Crowds turn out to honor vets
By Rayanne Schmid The Daily Times
Published May 27, 2005
Kerr County came out in full force Thursday, proudly displaying its patriotic spirit, to pay tribute to those who died in military service and honor those who have and are serving.
Hundreds gathered in front of Bank of the Hills for the institution’s “Heroes All” event that brought together music, prayer, remembrances and plenty of red white and blue.
Brig. Gen. F. Joseph “Joe” Prasek, deputy commander for the 5th U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, served as keynote speaker for the evening.
He told those gathered that for the men and women who have died in the line of duty, “It is too late to thank them personally, but we can honor them by supporting our veterans and those in active duty.”
Later, he said, “We are grateful for your demonstrated love and support. God bless you all and God bless America.”
Kerrville’s own Sgt. Ryan Crunk received special accolades for his service in Iraq. Crunk was injured during the Iraq elections and had part of right leg amputated. He now has a prosthesis and is working to go back to his unit with the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C.
Names of the local military service members who were not so lucky to return home from war were read one by one, beginning with those from World War I.
The evening kicked off with the attention-getting fly over by F-16s piloted by members of the 182nd Fighter Squadron.
Sentimental Journey Orchestra led the way with its musical performance of anthems for all five branches of the military, accompaniment for Staff Sgt. Toby Appleton’s rendition of the National Anthem, and later, swinging songs from the World War II era.
Vietnam Veterans of America Hill Country chapter posted and retrieved the Colors and presented a 21-gun salute.
Rev. Warren Horning, pastor for First United Methodist Church of Kerrville, offered an invocation for the evening.
Two state officials were represented through messages read during the ceremony. Maj. Gen. Leroy Sisco brought words of support from Gov. Rick Perry. Gerry Griffin, emcee for the event, read a resolution from state Rep. Harvey Hilderbran.
Appleton closed the ceremony by performing Toby Keith’s “American Soldier,” a song that is a modern-day look at the American fighting force.
Bank of the Hills, sponsor of the event, ended the evening with food and drinks while the Senitmental Journey Orchestra entertained those in attendance.
I'm mighty proud to hear of that honoring of vets in Kerrville. Thanks
BTTT
PING
I knew that sounded familiar! I recently wrote a check headed that way.
[sarc]
Gosh! Imagine finding patriots there!
[/sarc]
My favorite part of the world.
SandRat,Here's a bump.
Thanks for the ping!
That's putting it mildly. It sounded like it was going to end up in my house...then I remembered the same thing happened last year.
I could see the fireworks from my house last night-nice tribute.
Well, it kinda makes sense, since the median age in Kerrville is about 85 I think.... ;-)
Odd little town. Some really good things there, as well as some really not good things.
Move Ins.
Odd little town. Some really good things there, as well as some really not good things.
Move Ins.
Some folks on FR advocate building a fence at the International Border to keep out folks. I'd like to build one around Kerr County to keep out all the move ins.
Wish Rufus Johnson was mentioned in the article.
That issue with the move-ins is going to keep growing then. Kerrville doesn't have any reason for people under 80 to stick around. I'm probably a little bitter, just because of a lot of things I saw happen there during my time, but everyone I went to school with beat feet out of Kerrville as fast as they could.
You're right-I remember voting FOR paying more in sales taxes for the Economic Development Council, and I don't think any of that money has ever gone to lure manufacturing type businesses to Kerrville. It went to streets, and drainage. I think awhile back the Attorney General of the State said it couldn't be used for that.
There are a few of us who didn't beat feet out of Kerrville, but you're right in that most did.
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