Lometans laud soldiers during school Veterans Day celebration
Annual event features speaker, awards, music

PHOTOS BY CHERI JAY-WIENECKE Connell Barnett gives a member of Fort Hood's 1st Battalion a handshake and a thank you for the soldier's military service.

Lometa Independent School District held its annual salute to veterans and Veterans Day celebration, honoring military personnel, past and present.

Master of ceremonies was Colt Maldonado, first sergeant of the Lometa Alpha Rangers.

The Rangers posted the colors to open the ceremony, and the national anthem was sung by everyone.

A tribute to the armed forces was given by the Rangers Honor Guard and Color Guard.

Elementary and middle school choirs sang tributes to honor military personnel.

Keynote speaker was CSM Terry D. Gardner, a veteran U.S. Army soldier.

Gardner has served in numerous locations and in a vast number of positions, ranging from radio operator to command sergeant major in infantry and field artillery units.

Additionally, he has served as a pre-Ranger instructor and an observer and controller at the Joint Readiness Training Center.

Lometa fifth- and sixth-grade students, led by music teacher Eugene Barrett, perform during Friday's Veterans Day festivities.

Gardner's military and civilian education is extensive. He has completed both the Primary Leadership Course, both basic and advanced Noncommissioned Officers' Courses, First Sergeant and Ranger Courses, Air Assault Course, both basic and advanced Airborne Courses and Naval Gunfire Course.

He has an associate's degree in general studies from Central Texas College.

Gardner has many decorations and awards to include Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal and Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal.

Gardner is married to Teresa L. Melton of Bellingham, Wash.

After Gardner's talk, the elementary choir performed musical selections.

Retired CSM Wayne Belyeu presented special awards and recognized veterans.

The Women's Choir sang "God Bless America," and "Taps" was played.

Receiving special recognition and a Battalion Coin from CSM Terry D. Gardner was Lometa veteran Glendower McMahan as Lometa Alpha Ranger George Torres looks on.

Pastor Robert McClinton gave the benediction, and the colors were retired by the Rangers.

Lometa student Shane Stone accepts an award and Battalion Coin on behalf of his grandfather, Tommy Kendrick, during the Lometa ISD Veterans Day program. The presentation was made by the day's guest speaker, CSM Terry D. Gardner.