This past week many parks celebrated the Veterans in their parks. Tropic Winds and Sunshine RV were just two of the many parks that held events to honor Veterans for their service and sacrifice.

The Veterans Day Celebration at Tropic Winds was held to honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of the veterans in the community. To start the ceremony, the Harlingen High School Color Guard presented the colors. Then each branch was called forward, and their respective armed forces medley was played as everyone sang along. As a token of appreciation, a coin was presented to each Veteran in attendance, as well as a complimentary meal following the ceremony. There were around 75 people in attendance, with around 26 Veterans honored. During the event, the spouses of the military members were also acknowledged.

Joiel Quick, emcee and a resident at Sunshine RV said their event was beautiful and many US and Canadians, their family and friends, were present to be honored. They were grateful to have the cadets from the Marine Military Academy on hand to post the colors. Among the cadets was the guest speaker, Grady O’Rourke, a third-year cadet.

Special recognition went to John Ramsier. Ramsier turned 100 years young this year and served in WWII, Normandy with the US Army, 1943-1945, 12/53rd Combat Engineers. Special Veteran Recognition was also given to Luther Dappen. Dappen served as a CPL in the US Army, 1949-1953, 25th Infantry Div.

Tom Auger was on hand to give some brief Texas military history and also spoke of Sunshine RV’s Veterans Wall of Honor. Music was provided by Ray Barreras, with some Glenn Miller songs, and the military medleys for the US and Canada.

The US National Anthem was sung beautifully by Wanda Morrison Barreras and everyone joined in. Guy Boudreault sang the Canadian Anthem, O’ Canada, in both French and English. Pastor Larry Q Allen gave the opening and closing prayers. Event Chair Vickie Heggan was honored for pulling the whole event together to ensure all our US and Canadian Veterans felt appreciated.

Thanks also goes out to the volunteers working behind the scenes including Vickie and Sunshine RV management. Approximately 100 people were in attendance.