(ROCKWALL, TX – September 18, 2018) The Rockwall County Commissioners Court and the American Legion Terry Fisher Post 117 in Rockwall recognized the 17th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The court welcomed veterans of Rockwall County to pack the Historic Courthouse on Tuesday, Sept. 11 to honor the victims of the Al Qaeda attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers. The attacks claimed 2,996 lives, including 343 firefighters and 71 police officers. Among the 2,996 casualties were 343 firefighters and 71 police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to the scene.
Terry Fisher Post 117 Commander Mark Kipphut paid tribute to the lives lost and the efforts made by first responders that day, as well as to the 3.3 million veterans who have served the nation since.
“In this community we have a number of post-9/11 veterans – young men and women who bring energy and effort to what they do in their community. They are now active in government, active in business and active in their communities. They are stepping forward and doing great things for our community and our nation, and we always want to recognize them for that,” Kipphut said.
Kipphut and Post 117 gave thanks to the Commissioners and members of the county government for their efforts in assisting veterans of the county by presenting the court with a handmade wooden Texas flag. The flag, the back of which includes the signatures of post-9/11 veterans from Rockwall County, was crafted by Post 117’s own Aaron Withrow.
Rockwall County Judge David Sweet read a proclamation recognizing the sacrifices of those veterans who served and continue to serve the nation during the ongoing war on terrorism.
“Whereas the post-9/11 veterans, many of whom are here today, represent the one percent of our fellow Americans who serve in the Armed Forces and carry a disproportional burden of this conflict,” read Sweet. “This group is the most diverse of any in the history in representing a cross section of Americans, including some 20 percent who are women, of those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, and some 35 percent have returned home disabled. To them we owe the debt of a grateful nation to assist them as they restore their lives.
“Be it resolved that the Rockwall County Commissioners Court commemorates this anniversary and prays for a swift and peaceful resolution and commits to make certain we never forget the sacrifices made by this generation of Americans to preserve liberty and freedom. Be it further resolved that the Rockwall County Commissioners Court honors those veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq present today, and extends to them and their families the deepest appreciation and gratitude for their service to our nation and its people.”
The Commissioners also recognized Officer Eduardo Marroquin for one year of deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in the Horn of Africa with the U.S. Army National Guard. Marroquin has been a Rockwall County Detention Center officer since July 2016. He holds a rank as Specialist for the U.S. Army National Guard. He was deployed from May 2017 to August 2018, during which he received multiple awards including the Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserves Component Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; and Armed Forces Reserves Medal of Merit.
“The Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Eduardo for his dedication and service to this country and to Rockwall County,” said Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office Major Todd Calkins.
In other items on the agenda, the Commissioners unanimously approved:
– A proclamation at the request of Emergency Management Specialist Melanie Jensen declaring the month of September as National Preparedness Month in Rockwall County
– A request from the Downtown Rockwall Association to use the steps of the Historic Courthouse (stage area) for a movie night on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The public is welcomed to attend and catch the feature movie, “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
– A request from the Downtown Rockwall Association to extend the Scarecrow displays from the 2nd Annual Scarecrow Contest along the sidewalk of the Historic Courthouse for the entire month of October
– An agreement with Integrity Steel Works to repair detention doors at the Rockwall County Jail
– A one-year NovelistSelect database subscription upgrade renewal for Rockwall County Library patrons with EBSCO Publishing at a cost of $2,200, effective August 1, 2018
– Renewing a one-year agreement with Innovative Transportation Solutions, Inc. for professional consulting services relating to roads and road bonds for Rockwall County effective October 1, 2018 at $240,000
– An estimate from Foamworks to provide concrete repair services at the Rockwall County Library at a cost of $4,272.98
About Rockwall County
Rockwall County is the smallest county in Texas, covering only 147 square miles, but it is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. The county comprises the cities of Fate, Heath, Mobile City, McLendon-Chisholm, Rockwall, Rowlett, and Royse City. Bounded on the west by Lake Ray Hubbard, it is a desirable residential community for the continuously growing Dallas Metropolitan area, offering spectacular sunset views of the Dallas skyline only 23 miles away.
Rockwall County | 101 E. Rusk Street, Rockwall, TX 75087 | 972-204-7000 | www.rockwallcountytexas.com
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