POW/MIA Recognition Day at Texas State Veterans Homes
Friday, September 21, was National POW/MIA Recognition Day and some of the Texas State Veterans Homes held special ceremonies to honor those who were captured in battle and remember those who are never forgotten.
Ussery Roan Texas State Veterans Home
A large number of residents and guests attended the POW/MIA Remembrance and Recognition Day at the Texas State Veterans Home in Amarillo. There were two former POW’s in attendance.
Mr. Sherman Jones, an Army Veteran who served in the Korean War, is currently the only former POW in residence at the Veterans Home in Amarillo.
Richard Trask, a 99 year old World War II Army Veteran from the nearby VA Community Living Center, was also invited to this special event at the Veterans Home. Mr. Trask was captured by the Japanese during World War II and sent forth on the Bataan Death March; he was a prisoner of war for three and half years.
Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home
The Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham remembered prisoners of war and those missing in action with a ceremony that included the Missing Man Table and Rodney Seigler, Senior Vice Commander with DAV Chapter 81.
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Frank M. Tejeda Texas State Veterans Home
The Texas State Veterans Home in Floresville co-hosted their POW/MIA Recognition ceremony with staff from Kindred Hospice who are members of the We Honor Veterans Program, which is designed to empower hospice professionals to meet the unique needs of terminally ill Veterans.
VFW Post 8555 presented and retired the colors, while the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem were sung by Phil Vick. Rev. Edward Tello provided a prayer and presented the Missing Man Table. Afterwards the guests stayed and visited with the residents and Veteran pins were passed out. A big thank you to Rev. Tullo, Kindred Hospice and VFW Post 8555.
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Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home
The Texas State Veterans Home in McAllen commemorated this special day with a ceremony and refreshments for our residents. The guest speakers included Lupita Perez, a combat Veteran and the VFW District Commander for Hidalgo County; Loren Pogue, VFW District Commander from Pharr County; and Rojelio Aleman, with the VFW in McAllen.
We were also happy to welcome Jennifer Garcia with Tropical Texas Behavioral. Ms. Pogue recited the POW prayer followed by Mrs. Perez who gave an emotional speech about the meaning of POW/MIA. The Veterans requested nachos with chili and cheese, and fresh popcorn, and we were happy to oblige.
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William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home
The Texas State Veterans Home in Temple currently has one former POW in residence and his name is David Glover. Mr. Glover is a Vietnam Veteran who was held captive on two separate occasions. The first time was in 1965 for three days until he escaped after a bomb attack, and again in 1969 as a Green Beret for two and half weeks until he was rescued by another A-Team.
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For additional information on VLB Texas State Veterans Homes and Cemeteries, and land, home and home improvement loans, call 1–800–252-VETS (8387), or visit TexasVeterans.com. Follow the Texas Veterans Land Board on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Read more blogs at TexasVeteransBlog.com and listen to The Dog Tag at TexasVeteransPodcast.com.
