Celebration and Gratitude as Bandera Honors Veterans

Bandera Honors Veterans is celebrating 19 years of the contribution of Bandera County veterans and their families to preserving our way of life. Since the early day of Texas Rangers to recent high school recruits, thousands of Bandera’s finest have volunteered, been drafted, or even told to join the Armed Forces.

November 13 will be a Saturday to celebrate our heritage of military service, the sacrifice, the success and the contribution of so many. Family displays lead the way at 9:30 a.m. on the Courthouse lawn and tell the story of local citizens and their military service in pictures and memorabilia. Military equipment will also be displayed along with information on how it was used. The Honors Program at 10:30 a.m. will pay tribute with patriotic music and an amazing former Marine and NASA astronaut as the keynote speaker. Special seating will be provided for all the World War II and Korean War veterans in attendance.

Noon is the kick-off of this special salute to our veterans and their families as the parade begins down Main Street. Veterans have a special float to ride which will be stationed on Pecan Street next to the County Courthouse immediately following the Honors Program. There is still time to join this one-of-a-kind opportunity to show the patriotism of your business, organization or family. Call Gary at 717-679-4434 to complete an application.

All veterans and their spouses are invited back to the Courthouse lawn for a barbeque lunch and cake. This special lunch is another way to thank our veterans and their families, shake their hand and hear their experiences in military service.

The willingness to serve their nation distinguishes a citizen from a veteran. Bandera County citizens can show their gratitude by “being there” for our veterans – on Saturday and every day. For more information on how you can say “thank you” throughout the year, contact American Legion Post 157 Commander, Susan Junker at 210-788-9160.