VETERANS DAY CEREMONYWednesday, Nov. 11, 2015 • 4:30 p.m.

Louis L. Adam Memorial Plaza, Veterans Park & Athletic Complex3101 Harvey Road • College Station, Texas

2015 Board of Directors and OfficersMemorial for all Veterans of the Brazos Valley, Inc.

John Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audit CommitteeSteve Beachy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Special Assistant to the PresidentAnne Boykin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief Information Officer CommitteeGlenn Burnside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ChaplainIrma Cauley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brazos County RepresentativeChip Dawson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . History Committee (Chair)Chris Dyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACBV Ex-Officio RepresentativeJerry Fox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TreasurerMike Guidry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event CommitteeJohn Happ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice President, Development Committee (Chair)Brian Hilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SecretaryRandy House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PresidentFain McDougal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Development CommitteeMike Neu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief Information Officer Committee (Chair)Louis Newman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Development CommitteeDavid Sahm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Design Committee (Vice Chair)David Schmitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City of College Station RepresentativeJim Singleton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Design Committee (Chair)Travis Small. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Special Assistant to the PresidentMike Southerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City of Bryan RepresentativePerry Stephney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event CommitteeJohn Velasquez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flag CoordinatorBill Youngkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event Committee (Chair)

Veteran AffiliationsAmerican Legion . Veterans of Foreign Wars . Disabled American VeteransOrder of Daedalians . Air Force Association . Vietnam Veterans of AmericaBrazos Valley Marine Corps League . Military Officers Association of AmericaVietnam Helicopter Pilots Association

Veterans Day Program

Honor Wall Roll Call Bill Youngkin, Esq. BVVM Board of Directors

Welcome Remarks LTG Randolph House, USA (Ret.) President, BVVM Board of Directors

Invocation MAJ Glenn Burnside, USMC (Ret.) Chaplain, BVVM Board of Directors

National Anthem, Texas Our Texas The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band

History of Veterans Day MAJ Glenn Burnside, USMC (Ret.)

Special Recognition of Bill Youngkin, Esq.Brazos Valley Heroes

Service Medley The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band

Keynote Address Michael Beggs

Special Presentation of the LTG Randolph House, USA (Ret.)Advocate Award, Patriot Award

Rifle Salute Ross Volunteers Texas A&M University

Taps Texas Aggie Band Bugler

11 November 20154:30 p.m.

Brazos Valley Veterans MemorialVeterans Park & Athletic Complex

College Station, Texas

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation.” -UNKNOWN

Michael Beggs

Michael Beggs was born in Tyler, Texas, and attended schools all around the southeastern portion of the United States due to his father’s employment. He attended 7 high schools, graduating from the one at Athens, Texas, in 1964.

He enrolled at Texas A&M thereafter, and spent his college years as a member of Squadron One in the Corps of Cadets, a Ross Volunteer, and a Yell Leader. He married the former Darragh Fertitta of Beaumont, Texas, received his commission as a Marine Corps officer after college, and embarked upon what he intended to be a career in the Marine Corps.

However, he sustained wounds in Vietnam that resulted in his being medically retired from the Marines, and

he subsequently went to work in the defense industry as a systems engineer, project manager, and program manager for various weapons systems which were primarily related to the US Navy and Marine Corps. He spent over 30 years in that role while working in various divisions of the Northrop Grumman Corporation, where his duties required travel throughout the world. Mike and his wife raised their 5 children on a farm outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia. As years went by, the desire to “go home” to Texas became stronger, so in 2011, Mike and his wife sold the farm, retired from their jobs, and moved to College Station, Texas. Mike is now retired, spends his time with grandchildren, and serves in the Association of Former Yell Leaders and the Ross Volunteer Association.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Bryan Rotary Field of Valor | Nov. 8-15During the week of Veterans Day, Bryan Rotary displays 1,000 American flags at Veterans Park. Rotary members also lead tours of the American Mile and Lynn Stuart Pathway history trails for more than 1,470 fifth-grade students.

Want to dedicate a flag or become a Veterans Week docent? Go to http://bryan-rotary.org/SitePage/field-of-valor-2015.

2015 Advocate AwardThis award recognizes businesses which have shown a commitment to the support of veterans by donating goods or services to the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial, thus honoring veterans who have served in the uniformed services of the United States.

2015 Patriot AwardEstablished in 2010, the Patriot Award is presented to individuals, groups or businesses that show outstanding support to the Memorial for all Veterans of the Brazos Valley, Inc. and its mission.

Previous winners:The B-CS Eagle, Texas A&M Univ. Corps of Cadets, The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, Pete Huddleston, Bryan Rotary, JaCody Inc.

Special Veterans Day Presentations

2015 Wall of Honor

David F. Ahlers USAJohn Albers USMCDr. Carl G. Anderson USADonald B. Austin USAElmer Berryhill, Jr. USAM.J. Blackman USNThomas David Borski USNJoshua Joseph Borski USNJanayle Margaret Borski USNMerle Seth Brower USAFDoyle Eugene Brower USAOscar James “Jim” Bruffett USNDavid Linton Burch USMCAuvye Spear Burch USAGary Lee Byrd USAThomas L. Calvin USMCFrank Calvin USMCHubert Calvin USAWarren D. “Sarge” Cameron USAFSandra J. Cameron-McMillan USAPaul Tyler Carroll USMCJack Collins USAFJames R. Collins, Sr. USAJames R. Collins, Jr. USAMatthew J. Collins USACharles James Collins USAFWillie Edward Colvin USAJoseph H. Cross USNPatrick D. “Danny” Everitt USALarry O. Fisher USNJack R. Foster USARobert Darwin Garrett USNWilliam Perry Garrett USALelve G. Gayle USAFRoland Travis Golden USA

Lonnie James Green USASalvador N. Guerrero USNStephen Halbert USAFStephen Colvin Hand USMCBob Louis Hand USNRichard A. Hannah, Jr. USAFMilton N. “Bubba” Harris USMCEddie Lawrence Hester USAFHenry C. Hill USAFHenry C. Hill II USNJames R. Hinderman USADonald B. Hodges USAFDonnie L. Hodges USAFJohn L. Kapsen USNMurray Luther Kinman USNLewis E. LaGesse USNEdmond E. Lagrone USN

2015 Wall of Honor

Lynn Laird USAFRobert D. Lancaster USAJoe Lara USA USNArnold Lara USAEdward D. Lawrence USNRichard Lawrence USMCCharles Leon Leonard USAHenry L. Lesley USACharlie H. Liles USA Bobby J. Loehr USMCHarold A. Lukefahr USNKenneth E. Matthews USAFCharles E. McCandless USAFDavid E. McLeod USARichard H. Metz USARichard H. Mueller USMCMichael E. Nugent USA USAF

J.C. “Buddy” Oelkers USMCSergio G. Ortuno USNPhillip J. Paschal USAFDonald Garner Patton USAJeffrey Scott Patton USAFChester F. Payton USACharles Samuel Perrone USAEmory “Al” Ragsdale USNRoss Rayburn USMCJames M. Richards USAFStephan H. Richardson USMCRobert M. Roseman, Jr. USADaniel Ruiz USADaniel Ruiz, Jr. USADaniel Ruiz III USADaniel A. Ruiz USADavid H. Saxby USATommy D. Smith USAAustin Hunter Smith USARoger E. Smith USAWillum Harry Spillers, Jr. USAFMark Roberston Spillers USNRobert William “Bob” Spoede USAHerman Henry Spoede, Jr. USMCStuart Lee Spoede USNJames T. Stinnett III USAFBilly J. Thames USA USAFAlice Tigerina USMCJohn F. Udan USAFDavid Richard Usher USAFThomas “Jerry” Wade USAFErwin H. “Joe” Winkelmann USAGerald K. “Red” Withrow USNWilliam P. Workman USA

Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial History

The mission of the Memorial for all Veterans of the Brazos Valley, Inc., is two fold:

(1) To take a proactive role in honoring veterans who have served in the uniformed services of the United States, and

(2) To serve as an educational venue for future generations to learn that freedom is purchased with a heavy price and sacrifice.

Chartered in 2000 as a non-profit corporation by the State of Texas,

BVVM is generously supported by numerous community residents, organizations and partners including the municipalities of Bryan, College Station and Brazos County.

In May 2002, Don Adam, chairman of The Adam Corporation and veteran of the U.S. Army, provided the first major gift to the memorial. In gratitude, BVVM named its main plaza “Louis L. Adam Memorial Plaza” in honor of his father, who also was a U.S. Army veteran.

BVVM was dedicated Nov. 10, 2002. President George H.W. Bush attended the dedication, saying:

“The Brazos Valley community can stand proud. The names that mark the memorial showcase the sons and daughters who gave dedicated service to our nation so that future generations can share the freedoms we enjoy. Their task was great and their sacrifice even greater, but their legacy stands firm and their memories burn bright.”

The red granite Wall of Honor serves as the memorial’s primary feature, highlighting the etched names of 4,846 military service members from all periods of U.S. history who are family and friends to those residing in the Brazos Valley.

Notable names on the wall include 24 U.S. Presidents with military service and seven former students of Texas A&M University who received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award given to military personnel.

The bronze sculpture mounted atop the wall’s 250-ton granite base is the work of artist Robert Eccleston from Schuyler Falls, New York. Eccleston served as a U.S. Army Ranger in the 10th Mountain Division before his beginning his career as an artist.

BVVM Sites & StatuesThe first of many memorial sites to highlight U.S. military engagements was the War on Terror Memorial, dedicated May 30, 2005. This site features a steel relic from one of the World Trade Center Towers in New York City struck by U.S. enemies on Sept. 11, 2001.

The Lynn Stuart Pathway, a half-mile trail connecting all of the BVVM war memorials, was dedicated Sept. 22, 2006. This trail honors Brigadier General Louis Lynn Stuart (U.S. Army), whose support and leadership were critical to the initial development of BVVM.

The American Revolution site, titled Liberty or Death, was dedicated July 1, 2010. A bronze Continental soldier is shown standing in dramatic pose.

The War for Texas Independence site, titled Come and Take It, was dedicated Oct. 2, 2010, the 175th anniversary of the Battle of Gonzales. The bronze statue depicts a rugged frontiersman.

The Korean War site, titled Katchi Kapshida or “We Go Together,” was dedicated Nov. 11, 2010, around the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. The site features two bronze statues, one Korean soldier and one American soldier, standing together against a common enemy.

The first World War II site statue, titled Day of Infamy, was dedicated Dec. 7, 2011, the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The site features a bronze statue in the likeness of President George H.W. Bush as a young U.S. Navy airman.

The War of 1812 Memorial site, titled Don’t Give Up the Ship, was dedicated June 1, 2012, the 200th anniversary of the start of the war.

The second World War II site statue, titled Letters from Home, was dedicated Nov. 11, 2013. Sculpted in the likeness of C.J. Allen of Bryan, Texas, the statue features a U.S. Army infantryman resting on a stone wall while reading a letter from home. The memorial pays tribute to those who served in Europe as well as those who supported the war effort back home.

The Vietnam War Memorial site, titled HOT LZ, was dedicated May 31, 2014. The site monument features a bronze UH-1D Huey helicopter with soldiers preparing to drop onto a dangerous (or “hot”) landing zone.

The Civil War Memorial site, titled Going Home, was dedicated April 9, 2015. The site monument features two bronze statues in the likeness of soldiers from opposing sides, each looking back at his former enemy.

Each site statue was designed by local artist and scupltor J. Payne Lara. His work serves as the focal point of each war memorial site and provides a vivid portrayal of the look and character of many military veterans throughout our history.

Photos of the two Civil War Memorial statues at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex, dedicated April 9, 2015.

Left: Confederate States Army soldierRight: Union Army soldier

THE ROSS VOLUNTEERS

Sincerest thanks to these partnersfor their generous support

CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS COUNTY, CITY OF BRYAN***

SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS, BOOKMAN PETERS, MERVIN PETERS, ADELHEID TRANT, GEORGE NELSON

***MARY ALICE & STEVE BEACHY, DR. & MRS. JAMES B. WOODLEY, NORMA & JOHNNIE HOLLEY, BILL YOUNGKIN, TRAVIS SMALL

***RANDOLPH W. HOUSE, FAIN MCDOUGAL, JIM SINGLETON,JERRY FOX, JACODY INC., A&M TWIN CITY PAINT & BODY

Many thanks to all of our contributors!

The Ross Volunteer Company, the oldest special unit of the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets, serves as Honor Guard for the Governor of Texas. Ross Volunteers attend all Texas governor inauguration ceremonies and perform the three-volley salute at Texas A&M’s Silver Taps and Muster events each year.

The group first organized as the Scott Volunteers on Texas A&M campus in 1887 (then known as Texas A.M.C.) for drill precision. It was named for Thomas Scott, agent of the board of regents and business manager from 1883 to 1891. When Gov. Lawrence Sullivan Ross was appointed college president in 1891, the company was renamed the Ross Volunteers. Lawrence Sullivan “Sul” Ross was the 19th Governor of Texas and a Confederate States Army general during the American Civil War.

Ross came to be known as a “Soldier, Statesman and Knightly Gentleman,” and all Ross Volunteers are expected to reflect his traits and values. The company is composed of junior and senior Corps of Cadets members chosen from among their peers on the basis of honor, humility, and character.

Reference: Heathman, C. (2013, July 2). Special units within the Corps of Cadets.The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved from http://myaggienation.com.

SAVE THE DATE * JULY 28, 2016

Our site will feature the “Buffalo Soldier,” a term coined by Native Americans in reference to the African-American soldiers of the U.S. military they fought during the Indian Wars. The statue (not pictured) will show a soldier with a hat hanging from his throat as he holds his rifle, McClelland saddle and bridal. He is standing beside a Tonkawa scout who is pointing the way back to the fort. The Tonkawa are a Native American tribe indigenous to present-day Oklahoma and Texas.

On July 28, 1866, Congress passed a measure establishing the 9th and 10th cavalries and four infantry regiments (38th-41st) to be comprised of African-American enlisted men. According to the National Park Service, these new regiments were immediately transferred to the Western states and territories for service on the American frontier. The black men were former slaves, freedmen and Civil War soldiers.

These statues will allow our community to honor a significant portion of our citizens for the sacrifice their ancestors made for our country and state.

We still need your support!With your help, we can install additional benches, markers and plates around each of the 22 sites that make up the entire 12-acre Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial grounds.

BVVM.ORG979.696.6247

Indian Wars MemorialStatues of a Buffalo Soldier & Tonkawa Scout

P.O. Box 11055 • College Station, Texas 77842info@bvvm.org • 979.696.6247

bvvm.org

Programs by Music by

WALL OF HONOR

DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION AT BVVM.ORG/CONTRIBUTE/WALL

Now accepting 2016 applicationsWe are now accepting applications for placement of military veteran names on our Wall of Honor in 2016. The Wall of Honor is the centerpiece of the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial and a patriotic and reverent tribute to all veterans (living, deceased, or currently serving) of our United States Armed Forces.