Bandera Honors Veterans next month

Celebrating “ALL” veterans has been the meaning of Veterans Day since the end of World War II, expanding beyond its origin on November 11, 1919, focused on fallen soldiers of World War I. Bandera will be celebrating “ALL” veterans and their families on November 12th beginning at 9:30 a.m. on the Courthouse lawn with family and military displays. Posting of the colors, soloists, guest speakers and the San Antonio Pipes and Drums follow at 10:30 a.m. with special seating for our Vietnam veterans.

“ALL” veterans are welcome to ride on “THEIR” float parked next to the Courthouse on Pecan Street to lead the parade down Main Street. The parade will start at noon from the Bandera City Park. Veterans and spouses are invited to continue celebrating with a free barbecue and special military service cake of their choice at 1:00 p.m.

We are honored to welcome Major General Robert “Bob” LaBrutta, U.S. Air Force (Retired), to be our guest speaker. General LaBrutta enlisted in the Air Force in 1981 and later earned a commission as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at Southwest Texas State University in May 1989. He served in a wide variety of assignments to include base level, the Air Force Personnel Center, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a major command and combatant command staff. His command tours include squadron, group, two wings and a numbered air force.

He has made significant contributions to the Air Force’s most important asset: personnel. General LaBrutta’s final assignment set the policies for over 500,000 total force personnel. The breadth of this responsibility is staggering: accession, assignments, evaluation, skills analysis and management, promotion, readiness, retraining, retention, separation and retirement of the Air Force’s human capital. We look forward to hearing his message on November 12th.

There are many ways to participate. You or your group can volunteer, sponsor, or apply to set up a display on the Courthouse lawn or enter the parade, and bring your family and friends to the events to pay tribute to those who served our community and nation. Bandera County has contributed her young men and women to serve our nation since its inception. It’s time to “GO PATRIOTIC” and show our pride in the service and sacrifice of “ALL” our veterans.

For more information and applications, contact Gary Hetrick, 717-6794434, or Theresa Schulz, 724-554-4110, as well as the website: www.al157tx. org. Display and parade applications are also available at the front door of the Bandera American Legion Post 157 at 205 12th Street anytime.

Susan Junker is the Commander of American Legion Post 157.