By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Hundreds of local veterans and their family members attended a barbecue lunch and giveaway at the civic center on Nov. 8.
The event was hosted by the Val Verde County Veterans Service
their family members during a veterans appreciation luncheon organized by the Val
Verde County Veterans Office. The event was held at the Del Rio Civic Center and drew
hundreds. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Office and organized as part of the area’s Veterans Day celebrations.
Master of ceremonies Alfonso Trevino opened the event by thanking the volunteers who prepared and served the luncheon.
Volunteers from the Del Rio Host Lions Club, the Amistad Lions Club, the Lady Educators Lions Club and the San Felipe Lions Club stood at long tables and loaded plates with a variety of good eats: barbecue brisket sandwiches, sausages wrapped in tortillas, potato salad, beans and chips.
Drinks, including soda and water, were also provided, as was a huge array of desserts, including pies, cakes, cookies, doughnuts and Mexican sweet bread – pan dulce.
Trevino began the ceremony by asking everyone to stand for the posting of the colors by members of Scout Troop 255 of Del Rio, led by Randy Davis, and a stirring rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by veteran Robert Wade.
The singing of the national anthem was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by the Scouts of Troop 255, and an invocation by Pastor David Nielsen.
County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. spoke to those attending,
a barbecue lunch of savory brisket sandwiches and sausage wraps with beans, potato
salad, chips, desserts and drinks in the Red Oak Ballroom at the Del Rio Civic Center on
Nov. 8, one of several Veterans Day observances throughout the city. (Photo by Karen
Gleason)
thanking the veterans for their service and thanking County Veterans Service Officer Enrique Trevino for his hard work and leadership in providing services for the county’s veterans and for planning and organizing the appreciation luncheon.
Owens also thanked members of county commissioners court for all they have done to support the veterans of Val Verde County. He recognized three of the commissioners present at the luncheon, including Commissioner Pct. 1 Kerr Wardlaw, Commissioner Pct. 2 Juan Carlos Vazquez and Commissioner Pct. 3 Fernando Garcia, and Commissioner Pct. 4 Gustavo “Gus” Flores, who Owens said was on his way.
Trevino, the master of ceremonies, next introduced Mayor Al Arreola, who was joined at the luncheon by members of the Del Rio City Council, including Air Force veteran and Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus, Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. and Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez.
Arreola, too, thanked the veterans for their service on behalf of the country.
Trevino, the veterans service officer, also spoke to those attending. He asked veterans to stand and be recognized by branch of service.
Trevino said, “The decision to join the military is not a career choice, it is a sacred oath, a decision that requires a level of selfless courage.”
Trevino also thanked the community for coming together to support its veterans.
The highlight of the event came after veterans had enjoyed their lunch: Hundreds of items had been donated to give away at the event.
As veterans entered the civic center, volunteers had handed each one of them several tickets for the giveaway, and after lunch, Gloria Klasen, of the Del Rio Host Lions Club, began calling out numbers and, with the help of Scout Troop 255 members and several young queens and kings present, handed out the donated items to winners.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
