HARLINGEN — A traveling display of the Texas Fallen Heroes Memorial Wall is scheduled for this year’s Memorial Day at the Harlingen Veterans Memorial at Pendleton Park beginning at 10 a.m.
Traveling from Houston, the wall memorial has been traveling throughout the state since 2007 in honor and tribute to Fallen Heroes by a Gold Star Father Carson George, whose son was killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 18, 2005.
The wall is made up of ceramic tiles with the names and pictures of all of the Texas military men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice since 9-11.
In addition, the only Texas Fallen Hero Tribute bike will also accompany the wall display at the memorial in Harlingen.
The Marine Tribute Bike once belonged to Lance Cpl. Louis W. Qualls, who was killed in Iraq on Nov. 16, 2004.
The 1979 Harley Davidson was customized in tribute to Louis by the well-known Custom Bike shop Stroker’s located in Dallas.
The bike has been featured in industry bike magazines and Gary and Ellen Qualls of Avery have been displaying the bike for years in the northern and central parts of Texas since 2005.
Most recently, due to circumstances, Gary and Ellen presented the bike to the Texas Fallen Heroes Memorial to become a permanent addition to the traveling display.
The bike will make its first trip to the Valley for the first time during the ceremony and all day display at the memorial in Harlingen.
The wall was on display in 2015 at the local Wal-Mart as part of a week tour of the Valley in November which included McAllen, Mission and Weslaco before its display in Harlingen.
The Honor and Remember of Texas organization, which co-sponsors the traveling wall, will also make a presentation to the memorial with a new national symbol and official symbol for the state of Texas with the Honor and Remember flag, which represents the national and state sacrifices made by our military and that of their families.
Then-Gov. Rick Perry signed a bill into law making this new flag the official symbol for Texas which honors the sacrifices made by Texans in all wars and conflicts in our nation’s history.
This new national symbol has been adopted by 24 states to date with another 19 in the process with their respective state legislators.
The public display of the Wall and Tribute Bike will be available for viewing on Monday until 5 p.m.
The public is cordially invited to attend the ceremony and flag-raising, and are encouraged to pay tribute and honor to our state’s Fallen Heroes and our Gold Star families on this national day of remembrance.
Cameras are permitted during the ceremony and all day display of the Wall and the tribute Bike.
Children are invited to this patriotic opportunity to teach them what Freedom is and that theirs has already been paid for by our brave military men and women.
VFW
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2410 Harlingen-San Benito will host a special tribute to the Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans from the local area killed in action or missing.
Organizers are stating, “You are not forgotten.”
All veterans, especially those from Iraq and Afghanistan, are invited and are being asked to wear the colors from units and branch of service.
The presentation will begin at the Post, 2006, Whalen Road, at 3 p.m. to honor all veterans killed in action, missing in action and prisoners of war in all of the wars and conflicts.
Raising and lowering the flag to half staff will be carried out by the Harlingen High School national Champion ROTC Honor Guard and Silent Arm Female Squad. A wreath will be placed in front of the flag and combat cross.
The final presentation will later take place inside the Post. There will be food and a dance later.
SAN BENITO
Events on Memorial Day begin with a solemn, silent March of Veterans at 8:50 a.m. in front of City Hall, 485 N. Sam Houston.
The marchers will receive a police escort down Sam Houston Boulevard to the Veterans War Memorial at 151 E. Rowson, according to event organizer Victor Garza, chairman of the San Benito Veterans Advisory Board.
Upon arrival at the Veterans War Memorial at 9 a.m., a tribute commemorating the sacrifices of U.S. veterans will be conducted. Patriotic songs will be performed during the ceremony.
LAGUNA VISTA
The town of Laguna Vista — known as “Gateway to the Bay” — will once again host its annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony Monday.
The event will serve to honor and recognize military veterans and personnel who have contributed and sacrificed in the defense of America.
The Memorial Day festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with a colorful parade from the Laguna Vista Library located off of FM 510.
The parade will conclude at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Laguna Vista and will feature decorated golf carts and vehicles, as well as other participants.
MERCEDES and LA FERIA
Both cities will each have two events Monday.
American Legion Post 172’s Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 7 a.m. at Mercedes City Hall, 400 S. Ohio.
Mercedes Veterans Memorial will be held at 7 p.m. located on Business 83 and Texas Avenue.
There also will be a groundbreaking ceremony for a future veteran’s memorial at 10 a.m. at La Feria City Hall, 115 E. Commercial Ave.
A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the American Legion Post 493 at 11 a.m.
The post is located at 219 Commercial Ave.
