Nov. 11, 2009, Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery held their 10th annual Veterans Day ceremonies. The festivities began on Nov. 7, 2009 with the flag raising ceremony. This required approximately 40 volunteers to spend a cloudy Saturday morning raising 163 American flags and then lowering them to half staff, as ordered by President Obama, in honor of the Ft. Hood massacre victims.

This changed the landscape from lush fall colors in north Texas, into flag lined streets of red, white and blue.

The day of the event approximately 400-500 guests and dignitaries came together in the main gathering area. Musical prelude was provided by Mt. View Community College band. At 15:00 hours the ceremonies began with CDR Julius Graw, USN, retired, as the MC. Dr. Weldon Estes, USA, Chaplain led the invocation. Afterward, the color guard presented the color and Linda Renfro sang the National Anthem. On queue a team from USAF Reserve 457th Fighter Squadron, 301st Fighter Wing of four jets flew over and performed a missing man formation. To honor the victims of the Ft. Hood massacre, 100 white doves provided by Birds of Paradise of Ft. Worth, were released and circled around the cemetery before flying off into the distance.

After the distinguished guests were introduced Reflections Home School Choir, led by Craig Armstrong, entertained the attendees with several patriotic medleys to honor all branches of the military. Speeches by the Mayor Tom Leppert, City of Dallas, and Eddie Bernice Johnson Congresswoman, 30th Dist., TX led up to the keynote speaker, Captain T.D. Smyers, Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base, Ft. Worth, TX.

There was a presentation of Metals of Remembrance to honor the children of the fallen. 14th Marines, 2nd Battalion conducted a 21-volley cannon salute followed by a duet of Taps performed by Kirk Vinson and Fred Shelton of the DFW Honor Guard. The ceremonies concluded with the Mt. View Community College Band led by Randy Garman, performing postlude music as the crowds visited grave sites, while others exited the cemetery.

On behalf of the Texas National Cemetery Foundation:
Special Thank You to:
D/FW Cemetery Flag Ceremony Volunteers
J.P. Elder Middle School Cadet Corp
Cedar Hill Air Force Junior ROTC

Music:
Mt. View Community College Band – Randy Garman, Director
Reflections Home School Choir – Craig Armstrong, Director

Video:
Jerry Castillo
Film/Edit/Producer
TAGS: DFW Cemetery Army Navy Marines Air Force Coast Guard Military Veterans 21-gun salute patriotic music Ft Hood memorial