Photo By David Poe | Soldiers from the 1st Armored Division salute the colors at the 2021 Flags Across...... read more read more
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With his family by his side, Junior Armendariz’s haircut was sharp on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2021, in El Paso, Texas.
When the Soldiers and First Responders filed past him from his parade vantage point, he held his half of the American flag high and snapped off what seemed like a couple of dozen prideful hand salutes with quiet reverence and respect.
Junior isn't a veteran–he’s not even 12.
“He’s always looking at police officers and military people, he’s always thanking them,” said dad Rafael Armendariz as he held the other half of the flag at Todd Ware Park during the 2021 Flags Across America Northeast El Paso Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony. “He’s an example to me. We’re grateful to everybody.”
As part of the annual tradition, Soldiers from the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss were invited to help honor El Paso area veterans and all who have donned America’s military uniforms in service to their country.
With traffic help from the El Paso Police Department, Soldiers from the 1st AD Artillery Brigade (DIVARTY) and 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st AD, carried a flag measuring 5,000 square feet along Stahala Drive, passing the park where Junior and Rafael Armendaiz looked on from, and ending at the Old Glory Memorial in northeast El Paso.
As per tradition, the holiday flag usually flies at Old Glory on Veterans Day, but due to high winds during the ceremony, celebrants cautiously stored the flag once it arrived and instead, ceremoniously, lowered and raised the current colors to mark the event.
In the procession, Bliss Soldiers were joined by state and local politicians, youth groups like the Young Marines, the Girl Scouts, as well as junior ROTC groups, and cheerleading squads, as well as civic groups.
Following the 3rd ABCT, 1st AD color guard along the route, Soldiers from the 1st AD Band performed marches and songs for parade goers.
Flags Across America, represented locally by its El Paso chapter, is a non-profit organization that “is dedicated to enriching public respect and appreciation for the United States Flag and its customs as well as fostering and promoting respect and courtesy owed to the United States Flag.” EPTFAA manages the Old Glory Memorial, which is located on land on loan from the El Paso Community College system.
Command Sgt. Maj. Gerardo Gonzalez, the U.S Army Garrison Fort Bliss command sergeant major, spoke on behalf of the Fort Bliss commanding general, relaying the Army’s appreciation for the chance to take part in the annual event.
“As I sit around and talk with Korean War veterans, the Vietnam veterans, I see that we have big shoes to fill,” said Gonzalez, who was born in El Paso and raised in nearby Anthony, N.M. “I’m humbled every time I have conversations with these veterans and I think ‘we have to keep it going, we have to uphold the tradition they’ve worked so hard to set for us.’”
“I'd also like to thank the family members today,” the Bliss garrison command sergeant major said. “We know you've lived through hard times; taking the reins to keep your households going. You may not have raised your right hand and sworn an oath, but being part of a family struggling through those nights alone, not knowing and not hearing from a loved one, we know what that's like. Thank you for that.”
In his remarks, retired Col. Mike Hester, who served as Bliss garrison commander from February 2015 to July 2017 and stayed on as the 1st AD chief of staff until 2018, said Veterans Day is a time to celebrate those who define America’s fighting spirit and who set the example of putting others before self.
“Veterans Day is a celebration of those who raised their right hand and said ‘I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,’” he said. “Whether they did that honorably for one year or 40 years, it makes no difference. They also lived by a code, the first article of the code of conduct states ‘I’m a Soldier, fighting for forces that guard my country and protect our way of life and I’m prepared to give my life in their defense.’ That is what separates the veteran from the society that they protected.”
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2021 14:38 |
| Story ID: | 409421 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 297 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Bliss Soldiers, NE El Paso pairs for annual Veterans Day celebration, by David Poe, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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