By Karen Gleason
Del Rio and Val Verde County residents gathered in the twilight Sunday on the county courthouse grounds to remember those who lost their lives while serving the country.
County Veterans Service Officer Adrian Bitela said, “This is the first time we do something like this, and I want to thank everyone for coming out today for this vigil in honor of Memorial Day.”
Bitela and the non-profit veterans group FOB Del Rio organized the event, which drew about 50 people.
Local queens, including Miss Val Verde Audrey Marshall, Mini Me Miss Val Verde Khloe Ponce, Junior Miss Val Verde Melodee Chacon and Miss Queen City Viviane Salinas, handed out battery-operated candles to those who attended.
Bitela encouraged everyone holding a candle to write the name of a loved one lost in an overseas war on the candle.
The Jesus M. Limones Jr. American Legion Post 595 performed a 21-gun salute before “Taps” was played.
Bitela then invited two members of the honor guard to come forward and perform the flag-folding ceremony. The folded flag was placed on a pedestal in front of the courthouse.
“We want to thank all of you for being here and helping us; not celebrate but remember, remember what Memorial Day is,” Bitela said.
He reminded those present a total of 716,271 Americans have lost their lives in foreign wars, including World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“These brave men and women gave their lives for this country. They believed in something. They believed in fighting for their loved ones. They believed in fighting for you and for me, and it’s a beautiful thing to know there is someone out there willing to give their life for you and for me. That’s what Memorial Day is,” Bitela said.
“It’s a day for us to remember, to honor and to live a life worth dying for, that’s worth fighting for. Remember these brave men and women who gave their lives for us. Honor them always,” he added.
Bitela then invited those holding candles to come forward and place them in the holders on the courthouse steps.
