On Monday, May 29, 2023, residents are invited to pay tribute to fallen military personnel from Hays County at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony. The event will take place at the Hays County Veterans Memorial, Hopkins Street and Riverside Drive, at 10 a.m.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the dedication of Hays County Veterans Memorial. The event will feature San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson, the San Marcos High School Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), the Aquarena Springs Symphonic Band, and the ceremonial reading of the names by local veterans.
The Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to get involved by sharing accounts of local veterans. Photos and stories can be submitted for addition to the Veterans Story Map on the City’s website at sanmarcostx.gov/veterans. The page also highlights other initiatives and programs offered to honor local veterans throughout the year.
Mayor Hughson will give a brief history of the Hays County Veterans Memorial and introduce the event’s keynote speaker, retired Navy Lieutenant Commander Jim Howard. Howard enlisted in the Navy in February 1975 and was assigned to the USS Constellation as the ship locksmith and carpenter. He was also a member of the ship’s emergency response team. He retired from the Navy after more than 22 years of service and spent an additional 17 years as an engineering officer in the Merchant Marine before completely retiring in 2018.
This event is free and open to the public. In the event of inclement weather, the Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins St.
For media inquiries, contact communicationsinfo@sanmarcostx.gov.
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