Thank you to everyone who stood out in the cold, rain & wind to be with Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans as they dedicated their Memorial Bench to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
After a year of coordination and donations from all the SGVHV members and friends, Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans held our dedication ceremony Saturday, April 7, 2018 for the group’s Memorial Bench at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.
Scott Funeral Home’s co-owner & SGVHV Premier Corporate Sponsor, Mr. Ronnie Viss was instrumental in the Bench design and he ordered the memorial bench. Pat Bernhard donated the 8-foot by 4-foot concrete slab where the Bench is located.
The dedication ceremony began with the singing of the National Anthem and "God Bless America" by Vonda Crump and Sheila Porter.
Arthur Bryant played "Taps" on the trumpet during the saluting of the SG-VHV wreath.
State Representative (District 54) Scott Cosper shared a few remarks about the history of the cemetery and said how proud he was to have the cemetery in the district that he represents. He stated he felt honored when asked to speak at such a memorable occasion and was proud of Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans and this Dedication as well as the many other things they are doing in the Community. As we gather here today, I can’t help but look back and remember that this was once ranch land on the Fort Hood reservation and it has changed tremendously," Cosper said. "It reminds me of when I was serving on the city council and great visionaries and community leaders saw an increasing veterans population here in Central Texas and recognized the need for this honorable resting place in this veterans cemetery."
Other speakers included Copperas Cove mayor Frank Seffrood and Killeen City Council members Debbie Nash-King and Gregory Johnson.
Copperas Cove Mayor Seffrood, who served three tours in Vietnam and two tours in Korea, said that this memorial bench is special because it acts as a recognition that the country has not forgotten those who have served. He added that it recognizes the men and women who "dedicated so much with so little recognition" and that the "seemingly small monument has a great value."
Killeen City Council Member Debbie Nash-King, who is a lifetime member of Star Group- Veterans Helping Veterans, shared how her late husband, Elijah King, first met Mr Haywood years ago, when he was outside the dollar store collecting turkeys to give Thanksgiving baskets to needy families. “He started with a dream and that dream became a vision and now you see the reality of it.”
Killeen City Council Member Gregory Johnson said it warmed his heart to see dedicated Veterans committed to supporting one another.
After the ceremony was over, Mr Haywood and Col. Henry Perry, Fort Hood Garrison commander, led the way on the walk to the bench. To get to the SG-VHV bench, one must pass by all of the other memorial benches and markers, which Mr. Haywood said was a way to pay tribute and give thanks to those organizations, which includes the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Women Army Corp and the different units from Fort Hood.
Attendees walked to a covered bench next to a memorial honoring Fort Hood soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The bench is located next to memorials dedicated to those who lost their lives during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Iraq & Afghanistan)
“It’s amazing to finally have something here; it turned out to be a Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans legacy because it’ll be here even after we’re gone," Mr. Haywood said.
Ms. Sheila Timmons, SGVHV Executive Director also said “The site of the bench is significant to SGVHV members. As there are several SGVHV family members and friends who have Loved Ones whose names are on those walls. Also several of SGVHV members had soldiers from their military units on those walls”
On the count of three, Fort Hood Garrison Commander Col. Henry Perry and Jonathan Haywood, president of Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans, unveiled the new bench.
Attendees at the ceremony said the bench is in a great spot for people sit and to spend time with their loved ones.