Valor. Courage. Sacrifice. These three words describe efforts the men and women honored during the Channelview Independent School District’s Veterans Day program held recently at the Bill Neal Center.
More than 200 people attended the community-wide event that was sponsored by the district and the Channelview High School Army ROTC and the Alice Johnson Junior High and Aguirre Junior High LOTC groups.
The event began with local veterans entering the c arena with a Walk of Honor through crossed swords. CHS cadet Melissa Presa then read a poem about the meaning of Veterans Day, followed by the introduction of every military veteran in attendance at the ceremony.
Retired Army Lt. Col. Victor Herbin was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. In his career, he served in many capacities at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He also served in various positions in the education field, including being an adjunct professor at St. Phillips College and Houston Community College. He is a former ROTC instructor at Channelview High School and he developed a Leadership Officer Training Corps curriculum for middle school students in San Antonio ISD.
“Be proud of who you are and the job you’ve done,” Herbin told the veterans in attendance. “Our country enjoys the freedoms we experience today because of you and we are forever grateful.”
The bands and choirs from Aguirre, Alice Johnson and CHS all performed during the ceremony. The ceremony concluded with bagpipe player William Titus performing “Amazing Grace” and Autreiyas Watson from the CHS Band playing TAPS.
“This was a great event and we had a great turnout from the community,” said Col. Sgt. Major Steve Dunbar, Aguirre Junior High LOTC director. “We appreciate the support of everyone that made this ceremony possible.”