West Texas A&M University veterans ceremony in Canyon honors those who have served

CANYON - West Texas A&M University held its Veterans Day celebration for veterans of its university and the Canyon community on Friday at its campus Veterans Memorial in Canyon.

The event featured Canyon Mayor Gary Hinders, WT President Walter Wendler and Rodney Gonzalez, the Amarillo VA Healthcare System director.

Ubaldo Campa, a U.S. Army Reservist and student at WT, gave the invocation. The Tascosa High School Navy JROTC Color Guard presented the color as the Sound of West Texas Buffalo Marching Band played an armed forces tribute.

Campa has served in the reserves since 2019 and is a sophomore political science major at the university. In the military, he is a shower and laundry specialist.

“This day means a lot to me, that there is a day set aside for us,” Campa said. “Today was great because I got to speak with other veterans about their experiences.”

He said that he had wanted to be a soldier since he was 4 years old and was truly moved by an elementary school teacher who was a veteran. Campa said he fondly remembered seeing him in his uniform and saluting him as a student. With the passing of his former teacher, he was inspired to take his military oath.

Campa hopes that the honored veterans today inspire future generations of service.

“Seeing all these men today that served the country and being able to speak before them was such an honor,” Campa added.

Hinders spoke briefly at the event honoring veterans.

“The importance of honoring Canyon and WT’s veterans cannot be understated, knowing that they served our country and are now serving our city as our neighbors and our students,” Hinders said. “This ceremony calls for the community and WT campus to come together and recognize the veterans who call Canyon home.”

John Anderson Jr., a Navy veteran who served from 1957 to 1962 as a radarman, said that the ceremony touched him, and he appreciates the respect given to veterans at such ceremonies.

“Being called a veteran means a whole lot to me; I am proud to have served my country,” Anderson said. “When I see these guys that fought for our country, sometimes, I do not feel like I deserve to be called a veteran because so many did so much more than I did. But I am honored to be among these men.”

Gonzalez was the keynote speaker and spoke about what Veterans Day means to him. He and Wendler placed the wreath at the base of the WT Veterans Memorial to honor those who served.

Gonzalez said that after learning about West Point during a project in middle school, he was inspired to want to become an officer, attending the prestigious military academy.

He said that he had recently read about the number of Americans who do not understand Veterans Day and why we celebrate it and was a little taken aback.

“So, it’s a great honor to be able to recognize our veterans and show my appreciation,” Gonzalez said. “We need to recognize them and thank them for their service, whether they served in combat or peacetime. They were ready to answer the call and sometimes gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country."

Gonzalez, who served for more than 20 years and retired as a colonel, said that working at the VA, Veterans Day is every day to him, being able to continue serving those who served.

“Talking to those veterans and hearing what their service was makes me so humbled and honored to work with them on their healthcare needs,” Gonzalez said. “The benefits and opportunities that I have had in life were given to me because of veterans who served before and with me. I would not be where I am now without them. I thank them all any chance that I get.”

His experiences in the military with those who gave the ultimate sacrifice give him a daily reminder of why we celebrate those who serve.

"I remember those people that I served with, and those that continued to serve after the loss of those soldiers and how tough it was,” Gonzalez said. “When you see a veteran, thank them for their service. Listen to them and honor them with your time.”

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: WT veterans ceremony honors those who served, sacrificed