By Amber Pompa
Journal Staff
This Monday will begin the 18th Annual Veterans Vigil hosted by Texas A&M; University-Commerce.
This two-day event, which will run Nov. 9-11, is dedicated each year to a particular branch or section of the military who have served their country during times of military action. This year’s ceremonies are dedicated to the Reservists.
The vigil will begin in the Sam Rayburn Student Center, with Dr. James Nicholson — who served in the United States Marine Corps through five major campaigns in North Korea before being wounded — serving as keynote speaker.
“I am greatly honored to be asked by a prominent university to help honor the most noble among our men; the warrior,” said Nicholson.
After the conclusion of the opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m., a vigil flame will be lit on the East Lawn and will burn continuously until Wednesday, when the ceremony comes to a close.
Guards will be posted by the flames at all times, an important part of the Veterans Vigil, and will take one-hour shifts from the moment the flame is lit until it is extinguished Wednesday.
This year, as a special treat, the Greenville High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) will be posting the colors.
“We’ll post the colors on the ninth and pick them up on the 11th,” said Commander Reed, NJROTC instructor at GHS. “We’re really looking forward to showing the public what these kids have accomplished so far.”
This program, which is in its first year at GHS, has been well received in the public.
“This program teaches a lot of the Navy core values; honor, courage and commitment,” said Cadet Commander Korey Lincoln. “It also teaches leadership, responsibility and respect.”
These students will be showing their respect at the vigil, along with other special guests, the United States Navy Band, Freedom, which consists of professional Navy musicians who perform popular songs from multiple genres.
Freedom, presented by the director of Navy Band Mid-South, will be performing in the Ferguson Social Sciences building at 6 p.m., Nov. 9. The concert is free and is open to the public.
Events will conclude Wednesday with the extinguishing of the Vigil Flame and a military flyover, if weather permits.
For more information contact Connie Mears at 903-886-5819 or by e-mail at Connie_ Mears@tamu-commerce.edu.
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