Travis County Commissioners Court
Tuesday, May 25, 2010,
Item 6
6. Approve resolution urging all citizens to recognize memorial day. Should i read it?
>> please, judge, yes.
>> it reads whereas the travis county commissioners court would like to invite us, in remembrance of our departed comrade edward --
>>
>> [indiscernible]
>> kranick, i wanted to make sure that i had the right resolution, past state commander of the department of veterans of foreign wars, of the united states. Passed vfw department of texas district 28, commander, and past chair of the memorial day committee for a decade of tireless commitment to service, whereas it is also appropriate to recognize the many years of service of the travis county council of veterans of foreign wars, its honor guard and ladies auxiliary in conjunction with cook walden, capital parks, for sponsoring our community's annual memorial day ceremonies. Whereas there are in excess of one million veterans of all wars in which the united states have participated who have lost their lives in defense of our country, whereas all citizens of travis county understand and appreciate the sacrifices of their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, friends and neighbors have made by willingly answering the call to service, some even giving their lives so that we live free in this great democracy. Whereas today our servicemen and women continue to inspire and strengthen our nation, going above and beyond the call of duty as part of the greatest military the world has ever known. Whereas we join families, and friends, to mourn the loss of loved ones and fellow comrades, paying particular attention to the recent and tragic deaths of travis county residents, army specialists bobby pagan who died on february 13th, 2010 while serving in afghanistan and vernon hunter who died february 18th, 2010, who survived two tours in vietnam, and whereas the travis county veterans service office, vets helping vets, is committed to -- and dedicated to servicing one veteran at a time. Now therefore be it resolved that we the travis county commissioners court do hereby proclaim may 31st, 2010 as memorial day in travis county and call upon the citizens of travis county to observe memorial day beginning may 24th, through may 31st, 24 through 31, 2010 with appropriate programs and activities focusing on the achievements of those who have served this great nation and showing appreciation for their service with the understanding that no words can adequately express the gratitude and pride we hold for these brave young men and women who so galantly give us hope for the future and deep appreciation of the past. I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning, judge. Thank you, commissioners, i'm
>> [indiscernible] from the travis county veterans service office. To my right is red powers, the current district 28 commander. In the past, i have always shown at the court a clipping from the statesman that -- on the anniversary of march, 2010, this year, it appears that -- that the -- that the pictures are in small number that we would -- that we have normally. Normally the article would have all of the pictures of individuals who have passed in the past war. And in iraq and afghanistan. This year we are fortunate because we have only two individuals on this article, this anniversary article from austin. Even though there are almost 5,000 service members that were killed in the line of duty, through the oif, oef wars. On the behalf of the 60,000 veterans in travis county, the survivor spouses and their dependents and all service members killed in the line of duty from travis county, and the nation, i accept this resolution proclamation on behalf of them. Also, i would like to note that this year is the 60th anniversary of the conclusion of the korean war. This memorial -- this memorial day will be extremely special to those individuals, also. I would like to also tell you about activities that are ongoing during the week of memorial day. I have a printout and i will be glad to pass one out on each one of them. Some of the items that are here, wednesday the 26th, is -- is at the l.b.j. Library for love of liberty. That's a program that's going to -- to talk about -- about the soldiers, the stories of black soldiers and patriots. On the 27th, the city council will honor bobby pagan and vernon hunter at their council meeting.
>> austin city council.
>> yes, sir.
>> the 27th -- warriors reward dinner, as you know, dan arellano just mentioned the program at the johnston memorial east side. A lot of programs going on between that week time period, but particularly on memorial day itself, the american legion post -- correction, the american legion post, travis post 76 will have their program at 9:00. Williamson county will have a memorial out at sun city at 9:00. The -- the assumption cemetery will be also at 9:00. And the -- the state cemetery will have a program at 10:00. The program that we are involved with, as far as -- as far as commander
>> [indiscernible] is the cook walden program and that starts at 10:30, but the program for memorial service will begin at 11:00. So there are a lot of activities that are ongoing up to memorial day and i have that all printed out for the week of -- memorial activities for that weekend. Mr. Powell have anything to say? I will be glad to turn it over to him. But i accept that proclamation on behalf of all of the veterans and the survivors of travis county. And remember, pray for our veterans in uniform and remember our veterans. Thank you.
>> thank you.
>> [ applause ]
>> thank you so much.
>> i just simply thank you very much for the proclamation and it's an honor to be down here and accept it for the veterans of foreign wars, if you haven't been to the ceremony at cook walden, it's beautifully done. I think the boy scouts place over 6,000 flags out. We hope to see some of you there and thank you for the proclamation.
>> it is really beautiful and i -- i want to take this moment to recognize my uncle norman eckhardt who passed on sunday who was a proud veteran of the navy.
>> oh, yeah.
>> the only -- the only cook walden location in this area is just south of the 35-pflugerville parkway intersection?
>> that's correct.
>> that's where the main event will be that you will be at?
>> yes. Yes. But all -- all around, all of the cemeteries will have their own programs sponsored by divot -- by different veterans associations. Assumption, the travis county cemetery which will be the saturday before the tejanos in action. A couple of other programs that are ongoing all around.
>> mr. Reeferseed.
>> yes. Thank you, sir. I just wanted to express my complete and total support for this proclamation. With just maybe one little correction and that -- that the word democracy in honor of these veterans and y'all, y'all take an oath to protect not mob rule, but to protect our sacred constitution and it's our constitution that -- that makes us a constitutional republic. That's my suggestion as far as you identifying us as a democracy, a mere democracy, we're more than a mere democracy, we're a constitutional republic. That's why we have -- taught the world about values such as freedom and being able to protect minorities. That's where a republic means that minorities are never totally trounced as they can be in a mob rule where -- where 51% of the people can vote to kill the other 49%. But that's not us. We are a constitutional republic, i want to applaud the service of all of these guys and by the way my father was a decorated serviceman who won a silver star and purple heart in world war ii and also helped in korea. I really appreciate the service of all of these fine service people.
>> commissioner davis.
>> judge, i wanted to figure out if there's any possible way to get our local media, channel 17, to take these particular occurrences of where we are recognizing the veterans throughout travis county, is there any possible way that maybe could be put on display, channel 17, even though we realize that some of the activities start exactly like on the 26th. Is there any way they can expedite this particular list that mr. Polk has to ensure that as much notice to folks as possible are -- are given an opportunity to participate county-wide because some of these particular areas that he mentioned may be right around the corner from where persons live.
>> definitely.
>> if it's any kind of possible way for us to maybe get this on travis county television, channel 17, i really would appreciate it if that's at all possible. If media is listening to us right now, i would like to maybe do that, judge, if possible.
>> i think mr. Polk, whoever else wants to chat with media can do that. We are not posted to take that action.
>> i understand, judge, i understand. I just thought it was something that he maybe can do to -- to carry on. I understand.
>> i think you and mr. Pope ought to get with our media folks.
>> thank you, judge.
>> thank you.
>> we can work that out.
>> thank you, i will talk with you in maintain.
>> okay, sir.
>> thank you.
>> thanks so much.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you very much.
>>
>> [ applause ]
>>
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 2:35 PM
