Randall County Judge Ernie Houdashell capped off a weekend of local Veterans Day observations Monday night before a crowd of about 200 people in the Clarendon College Harned Sisters Fine Arts Auditorium.
Houdashell, a Hedley native, praised the number of college students who are veterans of the American armed forces and talked about the sacrifices that veterans have made.
Bringing the speech closer to home, Houdashell related the story of Adrian Youngblood, another native of Donley County, and his service during the Vietnam War.
Men and women like Youngblood are heroes, Houdashell said, despite the fact that many of them rarely or never talk about their time in combat.
Houdashell closed his remarks by apologizing to upcoming generations for leaving America in a mess with a massive national debt and declining morals but then challenged young people to consider the things that are important to them and ask themselves, “What would you die for?”
The college event, which also featured other local veterans and a performance by the community choir, was the fifth and final service honoring veterans this year.
The first service was held Friday morning at Rowe Cemetery by the Adamson-Lane Post 287 of the American Legion Desert Storm Army veteran Will Thompson of Clarendon delivered the keynote address.
Following the Rowe ceremony, Hedley ISD honored veterans with a meal and special program. The address at the school was given by Troy Wilson, who served three years on active duty in the Army as a medic.
The Donley County Memorial Post 7782 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars held a special service at noon on Saturday at the War Memorial on the Courthouse Square.
Students of Clarendon Elementary School sang a special musical performance and presented gifts to veterans on Monday afternoon.
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