Kerr County plans Memorial Day Program on May 25 in Kerrville

Anyone who would like to give thanks for the freedoms they enjoy and pay their respect to all local and any other U.S. Armed Forces veterans who gave their lives in service to our great nation is invited to gather on Monday morning, May 25, at the Kerr County Memorial Day Program.  The 10 a.m. event, which will last about an hour, will be at the granite war memorial on the Kerr County Courthouse grounds, located at 700 Main Street in Kerrville.

“Each year, one of the most moving parts of this program is seeing all the various groups in the community come together to pay tribute to our fallen heroes by laying wreaths – decorated in patriotic reds, whites and blues – at the base of our county’s war memorial,” Kerr County Veterans Officer Jenna Sanchez said.  The only requirements are to bring an appropriately decorated wreath and a metal stand for it to sit on in front of the memorial.  On-site registration is mandatory in the hour prior to the start of the 10 a.m. program.

Giving the keynote address this year will be Gary Noller, a Vietnam War veteran, current president of the Kerr County Veterans Services Advisory Council and a member of the Hill Country Veterans Council.

This year’s program will follow a similar pattern to those hosted by the county in previous years.  There will be welcoming remarks, a reading of the names of Kerr County’s fallen military service members, gunshot volleys, a reverent playing of “Taps” and more.  Limited seating will be available during the program.  Attendees are invited to bring their own chairs.  There will be a few tents for shade and a limited supply of bottled water provided free of charge.

A new parking plan was introduced a couple of years ago and has worked out well.  The complete program and a map of the traffic flow and event parking will be available for viewing once published on the Kerr County Veterans Service Office page on the county’s website: www.kerrcountytx.gov.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the success of future programs may do so by making checks to:

Kerr County Veterans Service Office, 550 Earl Garrett Street, Suite 107, Kerrville, TX 78028

For more information on how to contribute financially or by providing supplies for programs, contact VSO Jenna Sanchez or Chase Allsup at 830-792-2203 or Gary Noller at 830-377-8115.

In the event of inclement weather on event day, the observance will be moved indoors into the Happy State Bank Expo Hall at the Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 TX27 in Kerrville.

Memorial Day is a Federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May each year.  In existence since 1868, the day is a designated time to honor all those members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have given their lives while in service to this country.