Special to the NEWS
Joyce Stevens
The City of San Benito will sponsor a March of Veterans and Ceremony this Sunday, Nov. 11, featuring a high-profile general in the Texas National Guard.
The Veterans Day events begin with the March of Veterans at 8:45 a.m. in front of City Hall, 485 N. Sam Houston. All area veterans are encouraged to attend and dress to reflect their service in the U.S. Military. Expected to participate in the March of Veterans and subsequent ceremony is Major General Joyce L. Stevens, Assistant Adjutant General – Army, Texas National Guard. She also serves as Commander, Texas Army National Guard. The Texas Army National Guard is the largest Army Guard Force in the Nation. General Stevens serves as the principal advisor for all Army matters to The Adjutant General, Texas.
General Stevens began her military service in April 1979. Her assignments included various command and staff positions within the 49th Armored Division, 36th Infantry Division (Light) and the 71st Troop Command. She served as the Commander of the 536th Forward Support Battalion where she was also the full-time Battalion Administrative Officer; the Assistant Chief of Staff, G4 for the 49th Armored Division (Rear); the 71st Troop Command Assistant Chief of Staff, G3; and the Commander of the 111th Area Support Group. She deployed to combat as a brigade level Task Force Commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Her unit was responsible for Base Operations, which included the management and security of Bagram Air Field (the largest US Base in Afghanistan). Additionally, General Stevens was responsible for security and reconstruction projects in the adjacent Kapisa, Parwan and Panjshir Provinces of Afghanistan.
Participating marchers should be on-hand for staging at 8:30 for an 8:45 a.m. start. Veterans in wheel chairs or small motorized carts with escorts are also welcome to participate.
The parade will be followed by a Veterans Day ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Veterans War Memorial featuring a keynote address by General Stevens, and others who will speak at the event. Patriotic music selections will also be featured.
A highlight of the ceremony will be the initial presentation of a second bronze statue at the Memorial: The Military Man, a soldier in Korean War uniform and duffle bag at his side awaiting a train that will take him off to war. “The ceremony should be an emotional event for all present,” said Veterans War Memorial Chairman Victor Garza.
“We ask for the community’s support by participating in the March and Ceremony,” he said.
“The Veterans Advisory Board has scheduled this event on Veterans Day, which falls on a Sunday this year,” Garza said.
“Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls…not only to preserve the historical significance of the date, but to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good,” Garza said.
Read this story in the Nov. 11 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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