Sun City honors service and sacrifice

Photos by Andy Sharp

  • Army veteran Jonathan Giles, 38, attended the Veterans Day observance in Sun City.
    Army veteran Jonathan Giles, 38, attended the Veterans Day observance in Sun City.
  • Marine Corps veteran Jon Herrera, 34, was in attendance November 11.
    Marine Corps veteran Jon Herrera, 34, was in attendance November 11.
  • Juan Amaya Jr., director of the Williamson County Veterans Services Department, was guest speaker.
    Juan Amaya Jr., director of the Williamson County Veterans Services Department, was guest speaker.
  • Georgetown Field of Honor volunteer Larry Deal braves the elements to secure tags on American flags during a blustery and rainy Veterans Day, Friday, November 11.
    Georgetown Field of Honor volunteer Larry Deal braves the elements to secure tags on American flags during a blustery and rainy Veterans Day, Friday, November 11.
  • Navy veteran Linda Fisher, 68, left, and Army veteran Diane Klutz, 74, were among the attendees.
    Navy veteran Linda Fisher, 68, left, and Army veteran Diane Klutz, 74, were among the attendees.
  • The Georgetown High School Symphony Orchestra performed November 11.
    The Georgetown High School Symphony Orchestra performed November 11.
  • Korean War veteran Will Holton, 92, who served in the Navy, salutes during the playing of “The National Anthem.”
    Korean War veteran Will Holton, 92, who served in the Navy, salutes during the playing of “The National Anthem.”
  • On a rainy and chilly Veterans Day, 62-year-old Navy veteran Calvin Sears of La Vernia, pays a visit to the Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza. The observance was held indoors this year, but since this was his first time to attend this observance, he wanted to see the Memorial Plaza.
    On a rainy and chilly Veterans Day, 62-year-old Navy veteran Calvin Sears of La Vernia, pays a visit to the Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza. The observance was held indoors this year, but since this was his first time to attend this observance, he wanted to see the Memorial Plaza.

    Sun City turned out on Veterans Day to honor the U.S. military personnel.

    Rain moved the annual program from Veteran’s Memorial Plaza to the Sun City ballroom, but weather couldn’t dampen the patriotic fervor and gratitude for the veterans’ decades of service and sacrifice.

    Special tribute was paid to “All Who Served,” vets in attendance — from World War II warriors through recent service personnel in Mideast conflicts.

    Patriotic music — including a medley of U.S. military service anthems — was performed by the Georgetown High School Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony and Show Choir.

    The keynote speaker was Juan Amaya Jr., director of the Williamson County Veteran Services Department.

    “I really appreciate all our veterans in attendance here, and not only our veterans, but also families and our surviving spouses,” he said. “If y'all need any kind of assistance from us, don't be shy. Please come to our offices. We're here for you.”

    Mr. Amaya is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in Iraq and continued service as an instructor at Lackland Air Force Base.

    Most recently, he was an assistant veterans service officer in Cameron County. He assumed veterans service responsibilities in Williamson County this past May.

    Williamson County Veteran Services has offices in Georgetown and Taylor. Information is available at www.wilco.org/vetservices