Memorial Day Remembrance
The names of each Galveston County serviceman who died during combat while defending the United States was read aloud during a Memorial Day Remembrance ceremony at College of the Mainland on Thursday, May 24. A total of 306 names were called out.
Joel Camacho, a Veteran Academic Advisor at the college who also is a retired from the U.S. Army, read the names of those who died serving our country during World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the war of terror in Iraq and Afghanistan and represented the Army, Marines, Air Force and Navy. Each name called out was followed by the ringing of a bell.
A red, white and blue wreath was on display as were a pair of combat boots and helmet and a flag representing each branch of the military.
The touching tribute concluded with trumpeter Sparky Koerner, a COM faculty member, playing Taps.
The College of the Mainland has a Center for Veteran Success to help veterans and their families utilize educational benefits from the Veterans Administration as well as the state Hazlewood Act which allow educational benefits to be passed down to veteran’s children.