Gatesville Intermediate School Students Honor Veterans

The city of Gatesville, with the aid of First Army Division West, honored veterans of the United States Armed Forces with a ceremony on the local football field Nov. 9.

"I want to extend a really warm welcome and thank you to our veterans," said Col. Tobin Green, Division West chief of staff and guest speaker for the event. "Words can't do justice to your contribution, your sacrifice and service to our nation."

Division West, whose partner community is Gatesville, provided a color guard and static displays of military vehicles, including a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, for the Veterans Day ceremony. But the event was presented and completely run by Gatesville students.

Gatesville Intermediate School students hold signs spelling out the word "veterans" in a presentation during the Veterans Day ceremony held at the football field in Gatesville, Texas, Nov. 9. First Army Division West, whose partner community is Gatesville, provided the guest speaker for the event, plus a color guard and static displays of military equipment, including a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Foster, Division West Public Affairs)

"Being the master of ceremonies was a little nerve-wracking at first, but it's a great program, and it was easy for me to talk in front of people," said Tanner Bruton, Gatesville High School senior class vice president. "It was amazing seeing all the veterans from the community."

The event started early in the morning with a complimentary breakfast in the high school cafeteria before the ceremony on the field. Veterans from all five branches of service were honored with poems and words of appreciation presented by Gatesville primary, elementary and intermediate school students and music provided by the Gatesville High School band and choir.

Col. Tobin Green, First Army Division West chief of staff, converses with United States Armed Forces veterans Nov. 9. at a Veterans Day ceremony held in their honor on the football field in Gatesville, Texas. The city of Gatesville, Gatesville school students and Division West all contributed to honoring veterans at the event. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Foster, Division West Public Affairs)

The local veterans were thankful for the ceremony and all the accolades. "It's an honor to have served our country and to have made it home safe," said Jim Scott, an Army veteran and American Legion member.

Veterans are a source of pride and inspiration to service members currently in uniform who carry on their legacy, Green said.

"It's a reminder of high standards and commitment to a cause larger than ourselves that those of us currently serving need to live up to everyday," Green said.