For the Second Year, 20th District Sponsors Ceremony to Honor Future Service Members
More than 240 high school students graduating this year from Bexar County and surrounding area high schools were honored during the annual “A Night in Your Honor” hosted by Our Community Salutes – San Antonio (OCS-SA) at Pedrotti’s Ranch.
American Legion and Community Partners Show Support
The “Mighty” 20th District served as a Bronze Sponsor and participated in the Community Resource Fair talking with future service members and their parents about The American Legion.
The students represented the range of military services to include the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Texas Army National Guard.
The presenting sponsor was USAA.
USAA and Military Leaders Celebrate New Enlistees
“To our newest enlistees, today, we celebrate you as well as the incredible families who stand beside you and support you,” said John Richardson, senior vice president and head of Miliary Affairs at USAA. “You are joining an elite group, and we, your community, are here to celebrate you and support you every step of the way.”
The keynote speaker was U.S. Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein, commander, Air Force Accessions Center and Air Force Recruiting Service.
“We come together not only to celebrate the incredible achievements of our graduates but to also to extend our heartfelt gratitude for their commitment to serving our nation,” said Amrhein. “It is a call of duty; less than one percent of our nation will ever answer. I thank you for joining our team and being part of that elite one percent.”
Special Recognition and Resource Fair Engagement
In addition to honoring high school graduates, the General Colin L. Powell Award for Supporting Military Service Opportunities was presented to Tiffany Embry, a college, career and military readiness advisor for East Central Independent School District.
Participating in this year’s Community Resource Fair were representatives from Alamo Post No. 2, Business and Professional Post No. 10, Robert F. McDermott Post No. 309, Fred Brock Post No. 828, and San Antonio Auxiliary Unit No. 828.
The fair provided the students and their families with access to educational resources and connections with military support groups.
Our Community Salutes Continues Nationwide Mission
OCS is a non-profit organization created in 2009 by Dr. Kenneth E. Hartman to recognize and honor local graduating high school seniors who plan to enlist in the military after high school graduation.
Our Community Salutes events occur across the nation and are planned and conducted by volunteers, including military veterans, high school and college educators, local businesses, community leaders, and active duty military personnel.
Story by: Post Commander Burrell Parmer/828
