Local veterans honored at various events around Rockwall County

ROCKWALL COUNTY, TX (November 12, 2014) Red, white and blue star-spangled banners waved freely throughout the community in what turned out to be a day full of patriotic events to honor our country’s veterans on Veterans Day 2014.

On a very cold Tuesday Veterans Day morning, Rest Haven Funeral Homes and The Flower Box set up an old fashioned USO Canteen at Ted Cain’s Used Car Lot in downtown Rockwall for local veterans and their families to enjoy, a way of saying thank you for their service to our nation. The event ran from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and saw several veterans drop by to warm up on coffee, donuts and hot chocolate.

For local veteran Don Watson, who served in the army for seven years, the meaning of Veterans Day can be summed up in one word: sacrifice.

“When we think of veterans, we think of war,” Watson said. “We think of sacrifice, of the blood that our forefathers bled so that we can have the liberties and the joy that comes with the American way of life. That’s what Veterans Day means to me, when you think of how many that have sacrificed since the beginning of our country.”

“This is quite an honor,” said Elmer Stone, who throughout his 22 years of military service lost several close friends who died fighting for their country and our freedom. “They’re honoring our veterans today more so than ever before, and that makes me feel good knowing I didn’t waste my time.”

Several Rest Haven and The Flower Box staff members took the opportunity to serve donuts to a group of veterans decorating the downtown square with American flags, a testament to the kindness and generosity each and every veteran experienced during the event.

“We’re so thankful for all of our veterans and very happy to have the opportunity to provide donuts and coffee on this cool Veterans Day,” said Dewayne Cain, Rest Haven president. “I’m sure there were a lot of cool, damp days when they were in the service to protect all of our freedoms that we enjoy the in the United States. We hope that our young people will recognize how important it is on Memorial Day and Veterans Day to remember those who provided so much for so many of us in this great country that we have, and the freedoms we enjoy because of the sacrifices that were made by our veterans.”

The day was capped off by several other events to honor veterans, including a Veterans Day tribute inside the new Rockwall County Courthouse. The event featured special guest speaker and local resident Command Sergeant Major General (Ret) Christopher J. Lynch and a photos, memorabilia, art and decorations display.

Lynch said the idea of selfless service runs in the family, as his dad was a decorated Vietnam War veteran and he has two younger brothers currently serving. But one thing he wanted to make sure those in attendance knew was that joining the army isn’t the only option when it comes to serving your country.

“It’s not always about picking up a rifle,” Lynch said. “There are many ways to serve your country. As long as we have a society of great Americans to support our war fighters as they come home from service, we’re going to be just fine.”

Following the event, folks could also attend an art show and silent auction held by the eighth grade students of Utley Middle School to show appreciation for veterans wounded in combat. The event took place at the Artists Gallery on the Square and included many different patriotic artwork made by the students. Proceeds from the silent auction benefitted the Wounded Warriors Project, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and enlisting the aid of the public for the needs of injured service members.