WASHINGTON CO. COMMUNITY REMEMBERS VETERANS AT MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE

  

Citizens came together today (Monday) to honor the sacrifices of military and service members at the Washington County Veterans Association’s annual Memorial Day service at the Brenham American Legion Hall.

The featured speaker for the program was Tyson Voelkel of Brenham, who served as company commander for the 82^nd Airborne Division in Iraq and as an instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point.  He is a two-time recipient of the Bronze Star, has been honored with the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award, and has received accolades as the top academy instructor in leadership and behavioral sciences.  He is now the president and CEO of the Texas A&M Foundation.

Voelkel spoke about the reasons to fight for freedom and what is owed to those who have laid down their lives for it: gratitude, remembrance, and commitment.

Others who spoke at the observance were Washington County Judge John Durrenberger, Brenham City Councilmember Steve Soman and Burton Mayor Karen Buck.  Letters were read on behalf of State Senator Lois Kolkhorst and State Representative Trey Wharton.

Voelkel’s full Memorial Day address can be heard below.