SAN BENITO — Around the United States, several communities dedicated time yesterday to honor and celebrate those who protected this country’s freedom by their selfless service.
One of those communities was San Benito.
For the third year in a row, San Benito CISD’s Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps participated in Fun-N-Sun RV Resort’s annual Veterans Day ceremony held yesterday.
Following a performance of the Star Spangled Banner and a prayer, the cadets presented service flags that represented each branch of the armed forces and conducted a reading with a performance called “Old Glory.”
“On behalf of the staff, the students, San Benito CISD and the community we are honored to be in your presence today,” NJROTC Naval Science Instructor Chief Timothy Wilson said during the ceremony. “This is a day to honor those who have served, those that are now serving in uniform and those who died in service for their country.”
Fun-N-Sun RV Resort Regional Activity Director Tiffany Wallon has been organizing the Veterans Day ceremony for the past five years.
She said these ceremonies mean everything to her.
“I was the MC at my first ceremony and I couldn’t stop crying,” Wallon said. “I was so emotional when I saw all of the veterans.”
To her, each ceremony is very heartfelt and sweet.
“These are moments that we get to celebrate and honor our veterans,” she said. “They’re also very unique experiences for the cadets because they are able to meet veterans, both men and women that served in different wars and branches.”
In total, the high school’s NJROTC cadets participated in five Veterans Day ceremonies held throughout San Benito yesterday.
“It’s an honor for our cadets to pay tribute to veterans of not only the San Benito community, but also the veterans at Fun-N-Sun Resort,” Wilson said. “We really appreciate the support of the community and we’re glad that we can represent San Benito.”
