Photo By Edward Jones | 220518-N-XY052-1332: HELOTES – (May 18, 2019) NTAG San Antonio Commanding Officer,...... read more read more
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Our Community Salutes-San Antonio hosts “A Night in Your Honor”
Story by: Edward S. Jones, Navy Talent Acquisition Group San Antonio Public Affairs
HELOTES – (May 18, 2022) More than two hundred future service members, joined by their families, educators, business leaders, and the military gathered at the beautiful Pedrotti’s Ranch to participate in “A Night in Your Honor” hosted by Our Community Salutes-San Antonio (OCS).
Founded in 2009 by educator Dr. Kenneth Hartmand, U.S. Army (Ret.), OCS is a non-profit organization created to honor high school seniors who plan to join the military after they graduate. In addition to honoring the future service members, OCS provides the honorees access to current service members, educational resources, and military support groups.
The program began with a welcome by the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. David Fish, CMSgt USAF (Ret.) followed by the Presentation of Colors was conducted by Marine Corps Recruiting Station San Antonio Color Guard, Steven Camacho, USN (Ret.) performed the national anthem, and the Invocation by Maj. Keith A. Manry, Chaplain, USAF Branch Chief, AF Basic Military Training 502 ABW/HC.
Retired Marine Maj. Gen. Juan Ayala, director of the city’s Office of Military Affairs, delivered a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
After dinner, which was provided by Pedrotti’s Ranch, the keynote speaker, Maj. Gen. Tom Wilcox, U.S. Air Force, began his speech by asking all Vietnam veterans and all active/reserve duty and former service members to stand to be recognized, then thanked all future service members for making the decision to join the military and challenged them to make their mark. At the conclusion of his speech, Wilcox was with a Challenge Coin as a token of appreciation.
With the guest speaker’s remarks completed, the 2022 Colin Powell Award was presented to Ms. Rhonda Fryer, a College and Career Readiness Technician at John Marshall High School. After the presentation, a history of the challenge coin was presented then representatives from each military service presented OCS certificates to over two hundred honorees.
Additionally, each future service member was presented with their first challenge coin, sponsored by USAA.
Prior to the start of the program, OCS hosted a community fair where the honorees and their families could receive valuable resource information and the opportunity to register to vote in Bexar County.
Since the initial ceremony was held in southern New Jersey in 2009, OCS ceremonies have spread nationwide. The ceremonies are planned and executed by volunteers, including military veterans, high school and college educators, local businesses, community leaders, and active-duty military personnel.
Guests left the evening full of pride and joy felt for the future service members. One parent, PSC Stuart Thomas, USN, took a moment to reflect on the evening. “I felt so proud to see my daughter be honored tonight. Witnessing your child make their own decision for the next step in their life is a parent’s dream. As I’ve often been deployed, I am glad I could be here to witness this momentous occasion. Not only will she carry on my legacy, but she will also be creating her own,” said Thomas.
NTAG San Antonio’s area of responsibility includes more than 30 Navy Recruiting Stations and Navy Officer Recruiting Stations spread throughout 144,000 square miles of Central and South Texas territory.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.1969 19:00 |
| Story ID: | 421347 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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