Veterans Memorial Commission Honors Veterans on Their Day

CONROE, TX -- It was a beautiful day at the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park this past Saturday, November 8th, as The Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission held their annual Veterans Day Celebration. The ceremony was held on the weekend in lieu of the actual Veterans Day, to give the public a chance to attend and honor Our Nation’s Veterans, rather than on the actual day, which is a work and school day for most. The Veterans Memorial Park is ever changing, and a lot of progress has been made over the past year. The new building on-site, the Honored Mission Veterans Museum, will open in December; and Judge Jimmie Edwards III, Chairman of the Veterans Commission, will formally present Montgomery County’s ‘Gift to The Nation,’ in honor of Veterans, in the on-going effort to educate the public and illustrate the sacrifices that Veterans and The Fallen have contributed to making Our Country a Free Republic.

MCVMC Executive Director Elizabeth Woods, emotionally introduced Judge Edwards, the man whose vision to turn a retention pond into Sacred Ground honoring Veterans (Past and Present), First Responders, as well as America’s Fallen; in a space that can easily be called the premier spot in Our Nation dedicated to the task. Woods praised Edwards leadership in politely convincing influential politicians, business leaders, and citizens who have donated to make the park a legacy to Our Nation’s heroes, as well as to future generations who will understand what it takes to maintain freedom across the land.

“As we gather on this Veterans Day to pay tribute to America's heroes,” said Woods as she invited Judge Edwards to the podium. “It is only fitting that we welcome a man, a visionary leader, a devoted servant to our veterans and my personal inspiration, who has dedicated his life to preserving their memory and their mission.”

The Judge, always informal in his talks, fumbled with the microphone to get started off.

“You know it's the real deal when this happens,” said Woods in the snafu with the mic. Then Edwards, wittily remarked, “Boy, you can tell this is a military operation, can't you?”

And that’s the way the Judge is, living by the seat of his pants, able to take situations that would roll many eyes, and bring humor to the occasion. He introduced the members of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Committee, calling out, “Stand up” multiple times, for them to be recognized. He recognized the MCVMC Staff, lauding them for their work throughout the year, stating their work is the backbone of the operation. Edwards then brought Commission member, Sylvia Olszowy, forward for a special recognition to her dedicated service to the Veterans Commission and the Veterans Memorial Park.

“Every once in a while, we recognize somebody, a member of the commission who has gone above the call of duty,” said The Judge as he looked for the award. “It’s called a ‘Duty Award’ presented to Sylvia Olszowy, for recognition of her exceptional performance and commitment to the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission.”

The Judge went on to say that Ms. Olszowy was instrumental in one the completion of the First Responders Memorial, and he appreciated her diligent work and coordination efforts in making sure the project came to fruition. The Marine Corps League was recognized for their work in putting on the day's program. Judge Edwards then thanked the Montgomery County Commissioner’s Court, County Judge Mark Keough; Precinct 1 Commissioner, Robert Walker; and Precinct 2 Commissioner, Charlie Riley; for their continued service to the Veterans Memorial Park. Riley’s crew just recently placed the Travis Letter monument in the First Responders Plaza on the north side of the park. Edwards then asked Conroe mayor and his staff to stand and be recognized for the city's help with the VMP over the years.

Active duty members and Blue Star and Gold Star families were recognized, the gold representing warfighters who have fallen in duty to Our Nation. WWII, Korean and Vietnam War veterans were asked to stand, followed by all other Veterans.

United States Army Captain Matthew Whitmire, Commander of the U.S. Army’s Huntsville Recruiting Company, then officially swore in new Army, Marine, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force recruits into the United States military.

“I want to say thank you to all of our active duty service members and Veterans in attendance today for their service to our great nation and to the American people,” said Captain Whitmire. “Because of your sacrifices, we continue to be a free nation, one that upholds our inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

This was Whitmire’s second class of recruits to be inducted on the Sacred Ground, from a group of fifteen last year, to a growing number of twenty-one newly christened warfighters this year.

“To my soon to be brothers and sisters in arms, I'm humbled by your commitment to service and to the Constitution,” said Whitmire. “Thank you for joining the greatest team in the world, the United States Armed Forces.”

The Captain explained that at any one time, less than 1% of the volunteer armed services of Our Nation, serve a population of 342 million Americans. One recruit was asked to lead the class as they prepared to receive their oaths. Valarie Ortega, 19, a 2024 Conroe High School graduate, confidently issued the commands to move the group into proper placement for Captain Whitmire to issue the oath. Once they were inducted, she led the new warfighters to the rear of the audience. Ortega is off to Naval Station Great Lakes for Basic Training, then is slated to be an aircraft electrician.

The Armed Forces Medley, now including the Space Force hymn, was then played with Veterans of their designated service standing during its playing. The Montgomery County Choral Society and The White Oak Wind Orchestra Ensemble, played and sang each theme from the service songs, in a wonderful and moving rendition. Several students from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Conroe, and one Scout read their original essays and poems dedicated to Veterans Day. Ashley Erickson, an 8th grader from Sacred Heart, read her short essay ‘What Veterans Day Means To Me,’ from the perspective of being the granddaughter of a Veteran.

“Veterans Day is showing respect for these people who have put their life on the line,” said Erickson. “And now that I understand how important Veterans Day is, I am safe and protected because of you veterans.”

Another 8th grader, Zoey Field, penned an essay ‘Veterans, the Braver Evermore,’ which captured the spirit of the modern day Veteran and embraced their warrior spirit. She included the Bible verse John 15:13, the one that states that, "Greater one has no love but this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."

“With this in mind, please find that these men and women show great love for me, you, and their country,” said Field. “They knew what could happen, and they faced it straight on.”

US Navy Veteran and Veterans Commission Board Member Patrick Lopez was next to speak, mentioning to the 10 to 21 year olds in the audience, noting that he joined the Navy at 21 years old. At his age, he was still undecided at his aim in life, so he joined up.

“You have the opportunity to make a difference,” said Lopez in encouraging a military career for those unsure about later life. “Don't ever let anybody tell you differently.”

Patrick informed the audience of the new Gold Star Memorial that will be constructed, which will be the largest monument dedicated to Mothers whose service member children have perished in action.

“I've had the privilege and the honor along with others to help design this beautiful structure that Montgomery County is going to give to The Nation,” said Lopez. “The Gold Star Memorial represents those that have fallen and given their life. They were veterans, too. And they're not here today to celebrate with us.”

There was a mock-up of what the Gold Star monument will look like once construction is completed on the terrace at the park. Lopez also spoke of ‘The Line,’ the row of panels near the flags, in which honorably discharged Veterans have their names inscribed. And on each panel is a QR code that leads to an individual located on that panel in which Veterans, or their families, can tell their stories of their individual experiences.

“Every veteran has a unique experience worth preserving, and if you have documents, medals, or photos of a loved one who served, you can help tell their story, even if they've passed away,” said Lopez. “Sharing those memories provides guidance and inspiration to younger generations. This ensures your family's history is never lost or forgotten. We capture and preserve veteran stories from across the nation so our legacy endures for future generations.”

Elizabeth Woods then introduced The Judge and his wife Debbie’s daughter, Rachel Edwards Threadgill to the podium. Rachel is Conroe born, and offered a real deal perspective on her father, such as how he met her mother Debbie at Anderson Elementary when they were kids, and they did not like each other, in fact they hated one another.

“After graduating Conroe High in 1966, he enlisted in the Marine Corps when others were being drafted,” said Threadgill. “He fought in Vietnam, of course, where he was severely wounded. He almost died, and lost both legs.”

She went on to the story of her father’s determination to walk, and his refusal to return home until he could walk off the plane under his own power coming home.

“But that's how he lives,” said Threadgill. “He lives life with no limits.”

Other anecdotes were told of The Judge’s love of story-telling, cook-offs, dancing, hunting and skiing? “He would scream the whole way down the hill, you know, go barreling down the hill,” she relayed.

Rachel introduced her father, with The Judge adamant that the park is not done, nor is he retiring.

“We've still got a lot of work to do. We're joining partners with the county and the county library. Soon we're going to be putting in a garden area over here with the help of the county,” said Judge Edwards. “We're going to be building a new sign for the Montgomery County Memorial Library and the Veterans Memorial Park.”

The Judge apologized for the delay in the opening of the Honored Mission National Museum, having promised the task last Memorial Day, but the latest information is that the building will be open in December, just in time for Christmas. For Edwards, getting this far has been a long time coming, seeing all the turmoil he experienced when he first proposed the idea of turning a swamp into Sacred Ground.

“A lot of people said Edward is nuts. He's crazy. He can't do this. He's lost more than his legs in Vietnam. He’s lost his head,” said The Judge to mounds of laughter from the crowd.

Following his speech there was a musket salute from the Freedom Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and a Flyover by the Commemorative Air Force Gulf Coast Wing.