Monday, May 6, 2024
Community members and soldiers stationed at North Fort Hood gathered for the 15th annual Military Appreciation Fish Fry on Feb. 10 at the Gatesville Civic Center, which included a pinning ceremony to recognize Vietnam veterans.
The ceremony was hosted by the Central Texas Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and recognized the following honorees, each of whom served in the Army during the Vietnam War: Stan Esparza, Bill Don Gifford, Amador Guajardo, John P. Kieltyka, Eloy Mainez, John Pitts, Thomas E. Preston, Ronnie Lee Snively, Norman Wibbenmeyer.
Mayor Gary Chumley thanked those attending for participating in the event.
"For those of you in the military, we appreciate you being here and allowing us to honor you," he said. "Time is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone, and we thank you for your time."
Chumley also recognized Army veteran and Gatesville City Manager Bill Parry at the event. Parry, who has served as city manager since 2015, was previously director of the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance and before that, the garrison commander at Fort Hood.
Regarding the AUSA pinning ceremony, Chumley said it was important to recognize the Vietnam veterans "and give them the recognition they deserve and didn't get when they came home."
Sponsors of the event were the city of Gatesville, Gatesville Chamber of Commerce and the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Gatesville Fire Department.
Carla Manning, the military affairs representative for the Chamber, introduced the speaker, Major Gen. Joseph A. Edwards, commander of First Army Division West.
"Thank you to the leaders of the community with Gatesville at the center of all that, on behalf of all units stationed at Fort Hood," Edwards said. "Thank you for what you do for us. What you do matters and we're eternally grateful. That's what I say to the soldiers — what you do matters, no matter how small or how big.
"That American flag we fly and you wear on your shoulder means something. It stands for freedom and is a beacon of hope to people around the world. It is a sign of hope that we are here to defend you. You are the 1% of Americans allowed to stand up and defend our nation so that others may live freely. You're not alone. First responders, I salute you as well. What you do matters as well. We are one big team. God bless each and every one of you."
Ken Cox with the Central Texas AUSA chapter commended Division West for its work.
"There's some unsung heroes that work at Fort Hood and that's Division West," he said. "They get overlooked sometimes but what they do to get us ready (to mobilize) is really crucial to what we do."
Cox also paid tribute to those Vietnam veterans who were recognized.
"It is a distinct honor for us to participate in the pinning ceremony," he said. "It is important for us to make sure these veterans receive the appreciation and recognition they should have received years ago. As authorized by Congress and on behalf of our nation we are doing now what we should have done 50 years ago. We are honoring Vietnam vets and their families."
There are 7.2 million Vietnam veterans and nine million families connected with them, Cox said, adding, "Too many fought in Vietnam and didn't return home. There are 58,307 names on the Vietnam Veterans Wall (the list of those who died in service) at an average age of 23 years. We recognize all Vietnam veterans who served between Nov. 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975."
Cox said the pins given to the Vietnam veterans "are intended to be a lasting memento of our nation's gratitude."
A full banquet room at the civic center gave a standing ovation to the Vietnam veterans who were honored.
