Photo By Burrell Parmer | AUSTIN – (March 21, 2017) To honor Vietnam veterans during Navy Week Austin, the...... read more read more
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AUSTIN – (March 21, 2017) To honor Vietnam veterans during Navy Week Austin, Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, director, Defense Health Agency joined by Navy Vice Chief of Information Rear Adm. Robert Durand, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team, local area Sailors, Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans, and Texas state representatives, assembled at the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Memorial Monument to lay wreaths.
The monument honors the men and women of Texas who served with courage and dignity in the Armed Forces of the United States of America during the Vietnam War.
Entombed within the monument are the names of 3,417 Texans who gave their lives so that others might be free.
“We are honored to have the Navy represented here today and appreciate the contributions that the Navy has given to the state and our country,” said Robert Floyd, chairman of the Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee.
According to Floyd, the idea of having a monument began in 2003 and it was dedicated on March 29, 2014.
“On the monument are representations of the five branches of service. There are no insignias. This was done purposely to represent inclusiveness and diversity of Texas,” said Floyd.
One of the keynote speakers was Texas State Representative Rick Miller.
“It’s really an honor to be here today amongst my Navy and Marine Corps friends to include the other services,” said Miller, who served as a naval aviator. “It took too long for the monument to be erected and I thank the memorial committee for their work.”
Miller spoke about his time in service.
“I had a wonderful career in the Navy and I was blessed with the opportunities to make a difference,” said Miller, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. “It was fantastic, it was challenging, most rewarding, and completely unforgettable. I am proud American, a proud Texan, but I am most proud to have served in the United States Navy.”
Prior to the wreath-laying, Bono, a native of San Antonio delivered remarks.
“It’s only fitting that I be able to come back to Austin to host a Navy Week,” said Bono, a graduate of the University of Texas. “Being a college student from here and immediately joining the Navy, I would have never thought that after more than 30 years that I would be able to come back for Navy Week to celebrate the two most influential organizations is my life, the University of Texas Education System and the U.S. Navy. It is truly my honor to be here.”
Bono continued.
“I couldn’t think of any of manner to honor the military legacy and support that came from the great state of Texas, not just from the Vietnam Conflict but also in today’s conflicts,” said Bono. “The significance of this monument for me is that it is part of a legacy…and I know that it would not be possible for all of us in uniform to be standing here today, serving our country so proudly, if it were not for those who went before us.”
After the laying of the wreaths, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team from Washington, D.C., performed close order drill for the attendees.
Ending March 24, Navy Week Austin is the second of 15 Navy Weeks in 2017 which focus a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.
| Date Taken: | 03.21.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.23.2017 18:07 |
| Story ID: | 227897 |
| Location: | AUSTIN, TX, US |
| Hometown: | LAKEWOOD, CO, US |
| Hometown: | SAN ANTONIO, TX, US |
| Hometown: | SUGAR LAND, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 218 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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