Never forget: McAllen honors veterans during annual ceremony

McALLEN — The city’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony brought dozens from throughout the community to the Veterans War Memorial of Texas Monday morning to honor those who have bravely served in the United States military.

Veterans and supporters sat in bleachers, some carrying umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun as they watched performances from Hendricks Elementary Choir, the McAllen High School Band, the Vanguard Student Choir and the Tiaras Dance Team.

The ceremony was centered around the 105-foot black granite spire, called the “American Spire of Honor.” The perimeter of the memorial features granite panels and statues honoring each of the wars and conflicts that the U.S. military have participated in.

An attendee look over a wall of local soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Out of sight, in the shade by one of those granite panels, stood 31-year-old Esai Reyna from Pharr. He said that he is not a veteran, but he chose to attend the ceremony as a way to honor his late father — an Air Force veteran who died as a result of COVID-19 in 2020 at the age of 54.

“He served our country,” Reyna said. “I just wanted to come here out of respect for my father. It’s emotional to come here, but it’s what my dad would want.”

For Antonio Zapata, Monday’s ceremony was the first he’d attended since moving to McAllen from Memphis, Tennessee. He said that he plans to attend the ceremony every year going forward.

“It’s always an honor, and it’s an emotional moment for me to come and just salute my veterans because I served for a long time,” Zapata, who served in the Army from 1976 to 1997, said. “Pride comes to mind. There’s just a lot of things that come to mind. But I just think that it’s an honor and a duty to come and attend these events.”

Halfway through the ceremony, McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos introduced State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, as the keynote speaker. Hinojosa, who served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, delivered a message calling for his constituents to never forget those who have served.

“We have all these veterans that have fought throughout history against people who want to destroy our country,” Hinojosa said to the crowd. “It is evil people that want to destroy our way of life. You look at World War One, World War Two, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East, now all over the world, there are American soldiers standing watch day and night for our freedom.

“Many times we forget while we’re out there watching the football game, barbecuing, going to church, enjoying our families — someone had to pay the price.”

As Hinojosa addressed the crowd, Rogelio Martinez, of San Juan, a fellow Vietnam veteran, stood listening. He was sent to South Vietnam when he was 22 years old, serving there with the Army from June 1969 to June 1970.

He said that he feels the need to offer support to his fellow veterans, and especially those who served in Vietnam.

“I know it didn’t go too well for us when we returned from the war, but I guess that’s the way people were at those days,” Martinez said. “They were naive. I guess we all were también, verdad? I feel fine. I feel satisfactory. I’m glad to have these events.”

Korean War veteran Spurgeon “Spud” Brown raises to his feet after being called to be recognized for his service to his country during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

As the ceremony neared its end, 94-year-old Spurgeon “Spud” Brown navigated his way back to his seat with a walker after taking a momentary break from the heat. The McAllen native wore a Korean War veteran hat, commemorating his service there with the Army Tank Corps.

“Plummer beat me with 99 (years),” Brown joked, referencing retired U.S. Army Col. Frank Plummer, who led efforts to construct the Veterans War Memorial of Texas and recently celebrated his 99th birthday.

“I believe that it’s a great honor that we have such a place here in McAllen to educate the children that freedom is not free,” Brown said. “You got to step up and take it when you’re called. My father didn’t want me to go. I was his only son and he could have gotten me loose, but I said, ‘No, I want to serve.’ And the good Lord protected me.”

“​​I’m happy to be here,” he continued. “I’ve been here every year.”

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