The 20th annual veterans vigil at Texas A&M University – Commerce has come to a close after events had been going from 11 a.m. on Nov. 3 to 2 p.m. on Nov. 5.
There were also additional events such as the Veterans Benefit and Job Fair held in the Conference Rooms of Sam Rayburn Student Center on Wednesday, Nov. 2, a T-shirt sale, and a military working dogs demonstration on Friday, Nov. 4.
Dr. Dan Jones, president of A&M-Commerce, was unable to attend the closing ceremony. Dr. Mary Hendrix, Vice President of Student Access and Success, gave the closing speech in Jones’ absence.
“President Jones regrets that he is unable to attend but asks that I convey to you what a pleasure it has been that you have joined us to participate in honoring our Armed Forces,” Hendrix said.
Hendrix took time in her speech to thank some of the people involved in the ceremony.
“Although there were many people involved in organizing and coordinating the activities with the veterans’ vigil, there are several individuals that deserve special recognition,” Hendrix said. “First I would like to thank the Greenville High School Navy Junior ROTC for their role in this vigil.”
The Greenville High School Navy Junior ROTC helped in guarding the vigil, and posted and retired the colors at opening and closing ceremony.
“A special thank you also goes to those veterans who stood guard sometimes two, three, and often five different times over the last 48 hours for this very special tradition. Dr. Weber, this event would not be possible without your participation.”
The vigil flame was lit by Dr. Joseph Webber, Chief Warrant Officer-5, retired U.S. Marine Corps. Webber, who was also the invocation speaker at the opening ceremony, retired from A&M – Commerce in 2006 and was named Dean of Students Emeritus in March of 2007.
The Vigil Flame was lit to honor POW/MIAs as well as veterans and fallen soldiers of all war and conflicts.
“And finally, I would like to thank Fred Fuentes for serving as master of ceremonies for the events that occurred over the last 48 hours,” Hendrix said.
Fred Fuentes served not only as master of ceremonies, but also as the student chair on the veterans’ vigil committee. He was also the recipient of the ASTP Memorial Scholarship.
The closing ceremony opened with the performance of the song “A Soldier’s Wife,” written and sung by Lou Ann Petty, with Grammy award winning guitarist Brad Davis and daughter Briley Davis, who is a sophomore at Texas A&M – Commerce, assisting her in the performance.
The closing ceremony ended with a 21 gun salute by the Hunt County Honor Guard, the playing of Taps by Mick Stauffer and Kraig Reeves, members of the A&M – Commerce Marching Band, a moment of silence, and the retiring of the colors by the Greenville High School Navy JROTC Color Guard.