Dr. Dan Jones, President of TAMU-C, center, visits with Sgt. Robert O'Malley, a Congressional Medal of
Honor Recipient, left, and W.T. Allison, a marine veteran and member of the Hopkins County Veterans'
Memorial Committee, at Saturday afternoon's reception, hosted in the ROC.

 

TAMU-C Alumni Association Honors
Veterans at Saturday Afternoon Reception

 

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

Veterans of all branches of the armed forces were the guests of honor at a Saturday afternoon reception, hosted by TAMU-C Alumni, in the First Baptist Church the ROC Building. The event, that preceded the dedication of the Hopkins County Veterans' Memorial, on the downtown square, provided an opportunity for veterans and their families to visit with alumni members of TAMU-C, with many in attendance being both veterans and alumni. "Many of you took advantage of the G.I. Bill, provided by your branch of the service, and obtained a degree at East Texas College or East Texas State University, and changed your life and the life of your family," expressed Dr. Dan Jones, in welcoming the group. "My own life was changed when my father used his G.I. Bill and sought an education, that afforded my brother and I the opportunity for a higher education. Thus, I'm forever indebted to you veterans, who have preserved our freedom and made a difference in this world!"

Among those veterans in attendance were Sgt. Robert O'Malley, a Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, from the Vietnam War, who admitted that he "arrived in Texas just as soon as he could!" O'Malley is a resident of the Texas Hill Country, but a native of New York state. "I haven't been here long enough to really get down the 'yall' yet, but I'm working real hard on it!" quipped O'Malley.

Also present was Alma Braden Ellison, one of the few women, who served in WWII, who is included on the Veterans' Memorial. Mrs. Ellison, accompanied by her family, told us that she was in the Marines from 1944-46 and is a native of Pickton. Both she and her husband, Joseph W. Ellison, were from Pickton and she was the daugher of Paul and Bessie Braden, attending schools at Pickton High School. "I was stationed in Washington D.C., during the war, at the National Marine Headquarters," allowed Mrs. Ellison. "But, I was first a farm girl from Pickton and Hopkins County!"

 

 

Mrs. Alma Braden Ellison, a native of Pickton, and who served in the
Marines, during WWII.

 

 

 

 

 

"This is just a wonderful event," expressed Wayne Galyean, a member of the Host Committee, for Saturday's event. "It's an opportunity for everyone to visit, hear these personal stories about the men and women who are named on the Memorial Walls, and to 'put a face' with the names!"

Saturday's event was sponsored by Alliance Bank, City National Bank, Grocery Supply, US Foods, Mr. Pete Beswick, The ROC, the Downtown Business Alliance, and NET Data.

Enjoy the following photos from Saturday's event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Downtown Business Alliance Trolley transported the Veterans from The ROC to the square, following
the reception.

 

 

Thank You, Veterans!!!

 

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