"from my eyes"

Mercedes Veterans War MemorialMemorial Services "from my eyes" As I looked at my committee members and Rosemarie Ellis from Weslaco who will sing the National Anthem and they a

 

Mercedes Veterans War Memorial

Memorial Services

 "from my eyes"

            As I looked at my committee members and Rosemarie Ellis from Weslaco who will sing the National Anthem and they all give me the "thumbs up" to proceed.  I look to the North of me and see a column of Patriot Honor Riders all holding United States flags all the way to the street, and I look to my South I see American's Last Patrol along with the Spartans with another column all in formation with the United States flags all waving and flying proudly in the air.  It was a breath taking moment knowing that all these people came unconditionally and all wanting one thing, to take part in honoring and show their respect for our Fallen Heroes.  I looked behind me and saw a row of motorcycles all in formation from the beginning of the street to the other end of the street.  An awesome view of highly polished show case machinery and next to them, Donna ROTC waiting for the word from their instructor SGT Castro to prepare their rifles for the 21 gun salute.  I looked at the audience and I saw many familiar faces and many faces I have not seen before, I was pleased.  The services began.  Colors were posted by Mercedes JROTC.  Mr. Ellis sang the National Anthem flawlessly and it even seemed like all the flags were following to her voice and singing set the tone for the evening.  Her tone was not that her voice and singing was perfect, but the tone of Patriotism, of both the Veterans and the citizens of not only Mercedes but of the Valley and the family members to humbly honor our Fallen Heroes.  Our preacher, Pastor Jim Edge as always gives an inspiring invocation.  Unlike me, he always knows what to say.  I looked at the audience and in front all dressed in white uniform was Congressional Medal of Honor William George Harrell's son and daughter.  To me it was an honor just to be able to talk to him on the phone and now he is going to get up and shake my hand and speak to the citizens of Mercedes at this Memorial.  What an honor and I look at my committee and they knew I am silently letting them know they did one hell of job.  We all know I am not the easiest person to work with.  They all know we have to set the example and keep high standards to let the citizens know that we must honor our Fallen Heroes and their names must never be forgotten. Veterans deserve the finest.  Their names are what it cost for Freedom. I look at the audience and as he speaks, I look at the small flags on the homemade crosses all turning to which way the wind blows, and all the flags waving, what a site.  I realize that moment that I did not hear Gary Harrell's speech because I was over whelmed by the crosses, the flags, the Veterans and the citizens that were present that it had surrounded my thoughts.  I don't think that his speech would have had any where the impact of what I was feeling for those minutes.  1SGT Jimenez gave a powerful, down to the point speech about what Memorial Day was all about.  As they read the names on the wall, people were putting roses in front of their Memorial to show their respect.  And then the names were read and roses were put on the crosses with the names of the 32 Valley Fallen Heroes.  Words cannot explain other than there is an unexplained lump in your throat that won't go away.  And just when you think that unexplained lump is gone you here the 21 gun salute from the Donna JROTC and the trumpet playing TAPS.  And, that unexplained lump in your throat appears and won't go away.  I see the Patriot Honor Riders, some put on their shades, some just bow their heads but I am sure their all have goose bumps like I do.  And their flags never stopped flying proudly.  I am thinking to myself, one of these days I will have change closing remarks before they play TAPS.  It's hard to say anything after that trumpet plays.  I look at the audience, I see that they are all in some silent trance and some in tears waiting for me to start my closing remarks.  I looked at my woman, and I gave my closing remarks hoping that people will hear and comprehended my message and I hope that they understand why we must continue to honor and remember our Fallen Heroes.  I hope that the younger generation could feel and see what I have; if they could just see life "from my eyes" they would look at Veterans differently.  As we conclude with Amazing Grace from a bag pipe, people were picking up the roses and most of the homemade crosses and some came to express a job well done.  One of the ladies I remember came up to me and said she was sister of Wally Prado who died in Viet nam, I went to school with her brother David.  She was very pleased with the committee and what we are doing.  It was a night for the books.  Especially since Channel 4 stayed through all the service just to interview the committee.  I figure she must have also been moved by our service to have stayed.  I hope next Memorial Service people put their parties and other social functions and petty differences about politics and attend, it doesn't matter if you have or don't know of any body that has lost a family member in war.  But to attend because if it weren't for sacrifices done by Veterans we wouldn't have our FREEDOM.

 

Respectfully,

David Garza

Project Coordinator

Mercedes Veterans War Memorial

2190 W. US Hwy 83

Mercedes, TX  78570

956-565-3711

http://www.mercedesveteranswarmemorial.com/        

 

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/video.aspx?id=304263

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