A&M-Commerce to Host 27th Annual Veteran’s Vigil “Honoring All Who Have Served”
“Honoring All Who Have Served” and continue to serve is the theme for the 27th Annual Veterans Vigil at A&M-Commerce scheduled for November 8.
The Vigil will begin with a reception at 9 a.m. in the foyer outside of the RSC Conference Rooms. The opening ceremony will follow at 9:30 a.m. in the conference rooms. After the opening, a vigil flame will be lit in the walking mall area outside the RSC and burn continuously until it is extinguished at the closing ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m.
“It is important to host this year's 27th Annual Veterans Vigil event because, like many organizations, this gives us a chance to honor the service of the hundreds of veterans we have at Texas A&M University-Commerce as well as the thousands of veterans in our surrounding area,” said Dustin Pearson, veterans and military coordinator for the university.
Retired Chief Master Sergeant Vance Clarke is this year's guest speaker for the opening ceremony. Clarke enlisted in the Air Force on July 16, 1980, and retired on August 1, 2010. His service career included superintendent of four supply lines in the supply field, command chief master sergeant in six different commands and a position in the Air Force Recruiting Service. His tours of duty included serving in the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing in Ali Al Salem, Kuwait.
Clarke received a number of major awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal with one star.
The Student Veterans Association will sell raffle tickets from October 1 to November 11. Prizes to be given away include a tailgating package, a pellet grill and an outside fire pit. Funds from the raffle will be used to help support student veteran activities on and off campus, increase accommodations for student veterans and endorse student-focused veteran programs.
From November 8 to November 11, veterans will receive a 10% discount in the RSC Bookstore on clothing, supplies or gifts with their military ID or veteran status proof. Veterans will also receive a free lunch courtesy of Sodexo November 9 with their military ID or veteran status proof.
For more information on the Veteran's Vigil and the associated activities, see the Vigil website at:
or contact Dustin Pearson at [email protected] or 903-886-5123.