Veterans

Grover Trytten, left, blows out his birthday candles with his daughter, Lynn Trytten Owens looking on. The 105th birthday party for Mr. Trytten took place on July 22 at Touchmark at Georgetown. (Photos by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

Grover Trytten, left, blows out his birthday candles with his daughter, Lynn Trytten Owens looking on. The 105th birthday party for Mr. Trytten took place on July 22 at Touchmark at Georgetown. (Photos by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

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Georgetown WWII Veteran celebrates 105 years with friends, family

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Thursday, July 23, 2026
For his 105th birthday Wednesday, July 22, Georgetown’s Grover Trytten surrounded himself with friends, family and a cardboard cutout of himself for a new Tito’s Vodka campaign, where he’s one of the stars in the commercial. Before his TV debut, Mr. Trytten served in the U.S.
Mark Chester, left, and Keith Pearce, from the Sons of the American Revolution Alexander Hamilton Georgetown Chapter, were dressed in 18th century period clothing on July 8. They presented the colors before a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Square. (Photos by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

Mark Chester, left, and Keith Pearce, from the Sons of the American Revolution Alexander Hamilton Georgetown Chapter, were dressed in 18th century period clothing on July 8. They presented the colors before a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Square. (Photos by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

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Veterans and patriots join to celebrate American independence

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
As a part of the 250th celebration of American Independence, a reading of the Declaration of Independence took place in Georgetown, across the U.S. and the world on July 8 – exactly 250 years after the declaration was read in Philadelphia.
Grover Trytten, a 104-year-old WWII veteran who flew nighttime missions including Battle of the Bulge, smiles before takeoff during Dream Flights on May 6.

Grover Trytten, a 104-year-old WWII veteran who flew nighttime missions including Battle of the Bulge, smiles before takeoff during Dream Flights on May 6.

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Dream Flights honor vets with a ride in 1940s two-seater

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Clouds and light rain didn’t ruin the day for veterans from Touchmark at Georgetown Wednesday, who were honored for their service through a Dream Flight in a refurbished 1943 open-air two-seater plane called the Spirit of Texas.
Frank Espinosa Jr. received an encased Congressional Record in recognition for Congressional Veteran Commendation award, an American flag, and a John Carter challenge coin for his community service efforts. (Photo courtesy Frank Espinosa)

Frank Espinosa Jr. received an encased Congressional Record in recognition for Congressional Veteran Commendation award, an American flag, and a John Carter challenge coin for his community service efforts. (Photo courtesy Frank Espinosa)

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Georgetown veteran gets congressional award from John Carter

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Navy veteran Frank Espinosa Jr. might be well-known in town for his participation in Georgetown’s veteran groups and The Caring Place, but his community contributions were put in a spotlight in December through Representative John Carter’s Congressional Veteran Commendation Program.
Grover Trytten and other World War II veterans arrived December 6 in Washington, D.C., courtesy of Honor Flight Austin. The two-day journey marked the second Honor Flight for Mr. Trytten, who is 104 and lives in Georgetown.

Grover Trytten and other World War II veterans arrived December 6 in Washington, D.C., courtesy of Honor Flight Austin. The two-day journey marked the second Honor Flight for Mr. Trytten, who is 104 and lives in Georgetown.

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Going strong at 104, Grover Trytten reflects on Honor Flight, military service

Brad Stutzman
Friday, January 2, 2026
The first thing you notice about Grover Trytten is his handshake. It’s a good one. Plenty of men have firm grips. But how many are around to be shaking hands at age 104? Let alone with a friendly confidence that makes a visitor forget the gentleman in question was born before movies had sound.
Colonel Paul F. Howe, U.S. Army Chaplain, Retired, was the Keynote Speaker during the Veterans Day observance held at the Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza in Sun City on Tuesday, November 11. (Photo by Andy Sharp)

Colonel Paul F. Howe, U.S. Army Chaplain, Retired, was the Keynote Speaker during the Veterans Day observance held at the Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza in Sun City on Tuesday, November 11. (Photo by Andy Sharp)

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Retired Army Chaplain speaks about service at Sun City Veterans Day event

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Thursday, November 13, 2025
The bright Texas sun warmed up an otherwise chilly Veterans Day morning at the Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza. Those from Sun City, Georgetown and the surrounding areas came to honor those who had served and reflected on the words of keynote speaker Ret. U.S. Army Chaplain Col.
A $44.5 million VA Clinic is coming to Round Rock in the winter of 2027. Illustration courtesy of Canaan Brumley.

A $44.5 million VA Clinic is coming to Round Rock in the winter of 2027. Illustration courtesy of Canaan Brumley.

VA to set up shop in Round Rock

Nalani Nuylan
Monday, November 10, 2025
The Department of Veterans Affairs is bringing a new, state-of-the-art medical clinic to Round Rock by winter 2027.   The new $44.
Jim Watters, a Vietnam Air Force veteran, is joined by his wife Dianne as they post a flag honoring Jim’s father, Jim Watters Sr., a World War II Navy veteran, on November 9, 2024.

Jim Watters, a Vietnam Air Force veteran, is joined by his wife Dianne as they post a flag honoring Jim’s father, Jim Watters Sr., a World War II Navy veteran, on November 9, 2024.

Field of Honor, veterans events happening this week

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Monday, November 10, 2025
The annual Sun City Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, November 11, at the Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza, at 2 Texas Drive at 11 a.m. The East View High School band and orchestra will provide music beginning at 10:45 a.m.This year’s guest speaker is Colonel Paul F.
A rendering of what the Veterans Memorial will look like is held up by Tom McCabe against its current state in the background. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

A rendering of what the Veterans Memorial will look like is held up by Tom McCabe against its current state in the background. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

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‘Renovating, rejuvenating, reconfiguring’

Nalani Nuylan
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Sun City residents hope that, by next Memorial Day, the Veterans Memorial Plaza will have a fresh look.
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