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Veterans pay tribute to those who served their country

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  • LESLIE WILBER - Victoria Advocate
  • Originally published May 26, 2008 at 10:58 p.m., updated May 26, 2008 at 10:58 p.m.

After the blessings and the speeches, the placing of the wreaths and the reading of names, a single trumpet warbled a tribute to dead veterans at De Leon Plaza on Monday.

Mike Martinak, 75, began playing taps during World War II. When Martinak was a high school student in El Campo, the American Legion there asked him to play taps at soldiers’ funerals.

Martinak, who served in the Air Force, still plays at WWII veteran’s funerals, with increasing frequency — typically about twice a week.

The list of veterans who died this year was long, said Marvin L. Lockhart II, who rang a bell of remembrance for 141 dead during the ceremony.

Each year, the Victoria County Veteran’s Council works with local funeral homes to find all the veterans who have died. As WWII, Korean War and Vietnam veterans age, this list grows, Lockhart said.

It’s important for younger people to be patriotic and recognize soldiers, said Victoria County Commissioner Gary Burns during his Memorial Day address.

Burns fears members of his generation have been lax in teaching their children to respect the flag and honor veterans. He asked older members of the audience to help fill these omissions.

“Teach our generations the painful lessons your generation has learned from wars,” Burns said.

Ernest Harper, 84, agreed with Burns’ message.

“I’m a little concerned about our culture,” said Harper, who started his military career with the ROTC at the University of Illinois as part of the horse cavalry in 1940.

Rene Reyes, chairman of the council, looked over the crowded plaza after Burns’ address.

“I’ve got proof right here we’re going to be all right,” Reyes said. “At least for the next few years.”

Leslie Wilber is a reporter for the Victoria Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6521 or e-mail her at lwilber@vicad.com.



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Comments

  • TexasHuckleberry TexasHuckleberry Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    You know he is so right about todays youth and or cultures they are clueless about alot of things. You know, they use the phone everyday but ask them who discovered it ..and you'll get............... a blank look. They probably don't even know where the war is being fought, or if there is a war going on....Well some of them do know , not all of them lets give credit where credit is due.

    May 30, 2008 at 6:33 a.m.
  • sandwichh sandwichh Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Gary Burns gave one of the best speeches I have heard in years. It would be good if the Advocate could put the entire video or audio of it on the website. Or at least get the text of it from him and put it here and in the hard copy.

    May 27, 2008 at 5:36 a.m.