Veterans Memorial Project & C-47 Flyover

Posted by John Hamilton 
on Nov 05, 2015
 
Next Saturday, November 14, is the Veterans Day ceremony at the Civic Center.  David Hudgins visited the Rotary Club to talk about honoring veterans.  Several years ago while he was fire chief he was setting up a memorial to the last fire fighter to die in the line of duty here.  While working on this he met Perry Giles and they began to discuss veterans memorials. There was no memorial to World War II veterans in Ellis County so they set to work to correct the situation.
 
They broadened the design and concept to include other veterans and set about financing the project through the sale of engraved bricks.  When the city began construction the new Civic Center it gave a plot of land to the committee to build the memorial.  The beautiful area was entirely privately built and maintained.
 
After the memorial was built they wanted to present a ceremony on Veterans Day at the Civic Center.  That has evolved to a 90 minute presentation in which veterans of each conflict are honored then veterans of each branch of service are honored.  Most of time is spent with music from a 1940’s era band and a trio playing and singing songs from that era. There are three giant screens so everyone can see.  No politicians are allowed as this is an event for the vets.  After the ceremony everyone goes outside and, weather permitting, there is a placing of a wreath and 21-gun salute followed by a flyover by World War II aircraft.  There are usually five or six planes and they fly over several times, the last in the missing pilot formation.  Music starts at 9:30 and the ceremony begins at 10:00.  Starbucks and HEB provide coffee and pastries.
 
Afterward there is a convoy of military vehicles to the courthouse square where they are on display.  There is a blackmarket and many are dressed in 1940’s attire.  At 3 pm there is a reinactment of a World War II battle down by the depots on the south side of downtown.  General Patton leads the way to a glorious victory over the Axis and yet again and peace is restored.
 
All of this is paid for by contributions from the public.  For more information or to make a contribution contact the Ellis County Veterans, PO Box 834, Waxahachie, TX 75168 or call David Hudgins at 972-679-3510.
 
Schedule: for November 14.
    9:30 Music, coffee and pastries
   10:00 Veterans Appreciation Ceremony
   11:30 Laying of the wreath, 21-gun salute and WW II plane flyover
   12:00 Convoy of military vehicles to courthouse square, vehicle display and black market
    3:00 WW II reinactment led by General Patton
 
For more information about the Rotary Club of Waxahachie where we believe in Service Above Self and doing things as a club we cannot do alone, visit the club web site at www.waxahachierotary.org .  You can find American flag subscription applications on the web site. 
 
Sponsors