Wichita Falls ISD honors area veterans during annual Veterans Day ceremony

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - More than 40 veterans representing every branch of the military gathered at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday as Wichita Falls Independent School District brought the community together to recognize their service and sacrifice.

The annual Veterans Day ceremony featured a keynote address from Sheppard Air Force Base Col. Samuel R. Mink, who highlighted the sacrifices that come with serving in the military.

Members of the Legacy and Memorial High School JROTC programs also participated, showcasing military traditions and paying tribute to those who served.

The Sheppard Elementary School choir performed several songs for the veterans, including the national anthem. Choir Director Lauryn Taylor said students had been practicing for weeks and were excited to share their hard work.

One of the students’ favorite performances was “Letters from War,” a song that tells the story of a young man sending letters home from the front lines.

“Letters from War is their favorite. They love to make people cry because it’s so sentimental and wonderful, and they just love the storytelling nature of that song, and they love being able to share it with the veterans as well,” Taylor said.

For those in attendance, the music was more than just a performance. Navy veteran Carl Lilly said he hopes the message behind the song and the ceremony reminds people of the commitment that comes with military service.

“When you sign up as a veteran, you’re signing that line for your life. A lot of people don’t realize how serious that is, but it is a serious thing that you have to do when you sign up to be a service person,” Lilly said.

Vietnam veteran and former Navy serviceman Charles Barrett said the recognition was especially meaningful after the treatment he and other veterans experienced when returning home from the war.

“I can remember landing in New York. I got spit on. I called a baby killer and all that. I said, we don’t need that. We were under contract. We did what we were supposed to, not because we wanted to. We lost a lot of good men over there. The thank you to the veterans. That means a lot,” Barrett said.

Michael Mitchell, whose daughter currently serves in the Air Force, said events like Tuesday’s ceremony help ensure the sacrifices of veterans are passed down to younger generations.

“If the younger generation doesn’t do it, then it kind of gets forgotten about. And so this is our way of passing it on to generation to generation to generation. And so it’s an important, important event to come out and participate in,” Mitchell said.

The recognition extended beyond Wichita Falls. Catholic Charities also visited Sheridan Lodge in Burkburnett, delivering letters of support written by local elementary school students to veterans living at the facility.

Veterans Day was originally established as Armistice Day in 1919. More than a century later, communities across the country continue to recognize the men and women who have served in the U.S. military.