McAllen ceremony exhibits gratitude, reverence on Veterans Day

McALLEN — The sound of patriotic music carried through the air as dozens of veterans and supporters filled the bleachers here at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas.

The city of McAllen hosted a Veterans Day ceremony Friday morning at the foot of the American Spire of Honor, the centerpiece of the war memorial located at 3129 Galveston Ave.

The ceremony brought veterans from all branches together to be recognized for their service, and to honor those who did not make it home.

Attendees listen to speeches as they pay tribute to local veterans during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

“We put this one on every year,” Jesse Rodriguez, Veterans War Memorial of Texas board member, said Friday. “This is just another way for people to come together and honor the sacrifices that our veterans have made for us to be able to enjoy the freedoms that we have today.”

Friday’s ceremony featured music from the McAllen High School Wind Ensemble and the McHi Jazz Band, who played patriotic music at the beginning and at the end of the ceremony. The ceremony also featured members of Nikki Rowe High School’s Mariachi Azteca, who sang the national anthem.

Members of local law enforcement agencies were also well-represented at the ceremony, including the McAllen Fire Department Honor Guard who presented the colors, and the McAllen Police Honor Guard who performed a three-volley salute near the end of the ceremony.

“I come over here to be with my fellow veterans and just think about the ones who didn’t come back,” Juan Leija, a Vietnam Veteran from Edinburg, said after the ceremony. “It’s important, especially for the youth. (The ceremony) was nice. It was real nice.”

Also in attendance at the ceremony were a pair of veterans who were instrumental in the establishment of the Veterans War Memorial of Texas — Col. Frank Plummer, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War; and Beto Rodriguez, a World War II veteran.

Aaron Magana plays “Amazing Grace” during a Veterans Day ceremony as they pay tribute to local veterans at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

“The Rio Grande Valley is one of the biggest supporters of the armed forces,” Plummer, an Oklahoma native, said one day after celebrating his 97th birthday. “Almost every single house in the Valley has a veteran. They have real patriots here.”

Rodriguez was one of five brothers who served during the second war. The Mission native was a tank driver with the 349th Infantry Division.

“It was a great ceremony,” Rodriguez, 94, said. “I hope we have it every year because it’s honoring the veterans. It’s good for the young people to know most of the old veterans are going to be gone pretty soon. Maybe the young people will carry on this memorable day.”


To see more, view Monitor photojournalist Joel Martinez’s full photo gallery here:

Photo Gallery: McAllen ceremony exhibits gratitude, reverence on Veterans Day