Courtesy Photo | Col. Daniel Hurlbut gives his Veteran's Day speech to veterans and students at the...... read more read more
By Capt. Ryan Fritz
120th Infantry Brigade, Division West Public Affairs
GATESVILLE, Texas – Gatesville Independent School District hosted a special Veterans Day recognition ceremony for its community veterans both active duty and past serving here, Nov. 11.
The 120th Infantry Brigade commander, Col. Daniel S. Hurlbut was the guest speaker. Hurlbut thanked the city of Gatesville for their continued support and recognition of military veterans.
He also thanked the veterans present and across the world who continue to sacrifice for the continued needs of our nation. “It is your selfless service and commitment to the nation and your community that is an inspiration to us all,” said Hurlbut.
The main message Hurlbut gave was to the students directly. Hurlbut said Veterans Day “was about President George Washington insisting the citizens of our country take on the ‘debt of honor’ to replay and pay homage to the Continental Army Soldiers’ service by dedicating themselves to making their communities better.”
To pay back this debt of honor, not just for the Continental Army Soldiers but for all veterans, Hurlbut urged each student, “you must serve a cause greater than yourself” through “education, service to others, and to never forget.”
“For you to serve our Nation in the future and to pay your debt to these veterans you will need a quality education and skills beyond what you can earn through completing high school,” said Hurlbut.
Hurlbut encouraged the students to serve in civic activities at any level and to never forget those who are serving in 150 countries around the world. Not everyone will serve in the military but we can serve our country by serving “our church, community, veterans organizations, retirement community, or nation; just get after it,” said Hurlbut.
Gatesville students recognized the visiting veterans and the active duty members with a thunderous standing ovation at the school’s McKamie Stadium.
Gatesville High School culinary arts students partnered with the Gatesville Exchange Club to start off the morning with a Veteran’s Day breakfast free for all veterans and their families.
The breakfast was well received and had a large showing of veterans from around the Gatesville community. Many reminisced with old friends and others shared their story with the younger generation of veterans; the active duty Soldiers who attended.
The food was prepared by the high school’s culinary arts students and member of the Gatesville Exchange Club. Members of the high school football team served the food. The students were honored to do this for the veterans. Mariah Stidham, 10th-grader at Gatesville High School said, “I loved making the muffins. My grandfather was a vet. He was in Vietnam.”
Although it was a cold brisk day elementary to high school students packed McKamie Stadium for the ceremony. The Gatesville High School Band performed the Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force songs exceptionally well despite the cold winds.
The City of Gatesville is very supportive of its troops and has a long tradition of welcoming them into their community. Capt. (retired) William Rosser of Gatesville said, “In this town it is an awesome thing. The City of Gatesville has an affinity and love for their vets.” Rosser served twice in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, and Bosnia as a helicopter pilot.
The Gatesville Exchange Club is a national organization to support American values, prevent child abuse, support youth activities, and promote community service. Larry Kennedy, of Gatesville, the club’s president said the club has been hosting the Veteran’s Day breakfast and ceremony for seven years.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2014 20:01 |
| Story ID: | 148090 |
| Location: | GATESVILLE, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | GATESVILLE, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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