Italy High School took a brief moment and honored our Veterans from World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Iraq.

After an informal reception in the library at IHS, the Veterans moved to the dome where the students and members of the community were assembled. The Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge was led by Blanca Figueroa. Brianna Burkhalter sang “Star Spangled Banner”. A formal thank you came from Trevor Davis as he talked of appreciation for “answering the call bravely”. Songs of each division of the service were also played by the I H S Regiment Band and each member of that service stood during the song.

During the celebration, an honor was bestowed upon Staff Sgt. Pablo Jacinto. He was unable to receive certain medals of honor during his term in the Army due to illness. So, his family contacted officials and Veterans Day was his day of honor. Colonel Sandy Westbrook gave Jacinto appropriate recognition due him.

As Staff Sgt. Pablo Jacinto stood at attention, he received:

• National Defense Service Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal With 2 bronze service stars
• Combat Infantryman badge 1st Award
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with device 1960
• Expert Badge with Rifle Bar
• Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit citation

Jacinto’s family was in the audience and a standing ovation came from the crowd.

The celebration continued with several different speakers. Air Force Veteran Karen Maida Mathiowetz came forward and spoke to the audience. She recalled several people in her life that gave her good memories to pass on during Veterans Day celebration.

“I remember the day my dad was sitting at the kitchen table eating supper when a piece of shrapnel worked its way out of his gums. My dad was a Marine that served in World War II and was shot 5 times in the head with a machine gun. He had over 40 operations on his head over several years. He was a very proud veteran. Then I thought about David Henderson, my friend that was killed over 40 years ago in Vietnam and remembered not how he died but how he lived. He not only gave his life for American freedom, he made a big difference here in Italy.

David was the reason that integration went so smoothly here when it did not in other places. I was away at college when he was killed and I remember driving back for the funeral and finding no one on Main Street and most of the businesses closed out of respect for him. Then I remembered hearing my Uncle Ernest talk about his time during World War II in the Army Rangers-an elite fighting force. He choked up every time he talked about liberating a German concentration camp and what conditions the Jewish people were in.

Then my thoughts turned to my time in the service and one very memorable night while I was on duty working the switchboard at Charleston Air Force Base. The general rang in. The General asked to ‘pull your recall list for the flight squadrons. I need you to stay on the line while I speak to each man.’ I did not question because we performed readiness alerts at least once each month so I assumed this was a practice drill. As each soldier answered from colonels to sergeants, the general told each man to get his gear and be at the base within 10 minutes. In the pit of my stomach, I knew this was not like other nights when alerts were called. In the depth of my being I knew this was for real and it was serious. I spoke with the general about a month later and he told me our pilots and crews had flown the C-5’s to Cambodia and we had suffered heavy casualties. Out of all the things I did while I served in the Air Force, that is the memory that is most vivid. Yes, I do remember.

I hope that one day you will take the time to remember what our veterans have given for you-the sacrifices they have made to keep you free to attend school, go to church, hang out with your friends and make your own decisions I hope you too will remember-just like me.”

Also, honored on Veterans Day was PFC David Henderson, Jr. He graduated from I H S in 1967. In attendance were members of his class, friends and family. Senior, Clay Major, gave the history of Henderson’s service. David served in Vietnam in the Marines for only 30 days. He was killed in the Quang Nam Province in Vietnam in the line of duty on November 4, 1968 at the age of 20. His nephew David Henderson, remembered his uncle as a fair man. “He remembered his fellow brother regardless of race or gender. He wanted us all to move forward.”

Patricia Price (Anderson) grew up with David and knew him all of his life. They attended school together from Kindergarten to High School. “He was the nicest person I have ever known. He was sweet and kind and always had a smile. He went into the service because he wanted to make a difference. David was a determined young man that did a heroic thing. He is my hero,” Price said.

After the speakers, Tess Clark sang “America The Beautiful,” while I H S Band Director, Jesus Perez, played the piano.

The perfect ending to the Veteran’s celebration was “Taps” played by Collier Jacinto on trumpet.

One of the memories stated during the assembly was, “A man is never really gone as long as his memory lives on.” Participating in the celebration kept our mind clear for the ones who gave all for us to be free.