Honoring those who have and continue to serve

TAMUK celebrated Veterans Day

A round table covered with a white table cloth sits alone on the stage. A bible, a single red rose, a red ribbon, a candle, a slice of lemon, a pinch of salt and an inverted glass adorns the table. The table set for one represents the everlasting concern, purity of intentions, strength, remembrance, spirit, bitter faith and tears of a family. The single empty chair at the table symbolizes the Prisoner of War, the military brother or sister unable to join in on the toast for Veterans Day.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville celebrated Veterans Day in the Memorial Student Union Ballroom to honor graduating veterans and to unveil a new piece of artwork by Navy Veteran Homer Ramirez III that will rest in the Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) office.

The art piece by Ramirez was purchased by former TAMUK President Dr. Mark Hussey. Hussey then donated the art to the MVRC office.

Ramirez’s piece is titled “Divided We Stand” that he was inspired to make during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the country faced adversities in race and prejudice during the Black Lives Matter movement.

“Nobody was working together; it was difficult to see that it was just breaking apart,” he said. “Even though we are divided and breaking apart we’re still held together by one and that’s where I had that one back piece that I call the back bone and that’s how we’re supposed to be.”

The art piece is made from ceramics and is textured with curves, ridges and spikes that break apart in the middle and then connected by steel and metal glued to a piece of mesquite wood as a backbone, connecting the pieces.

During the unveiling and ceremony, veteran graduates were recognized.

Graduates were presented with a service stole by TAMUK President Dr. Robert Vela in recognition of their service, an honor cord by Assistant Vice President of Student Access Dr. Maria Martinez to recognize their dedication and a TAMUK challenge coin as a reminder that the university is always with them was presented by Dr. Rito Silva, vice president of Enrollment Services and Student Affairs.

“It’s important for us to recognize our veterans because they are a part of Javelina Nation,” Vela said. “Not only are they veterans, they are also a part of a family of Javelinas that really care about its own and its students. So for us it’s a way to honor our Javelinas especially those that are veterans and ensure that they know that we are part of their family and will continue to honor them for the days and months and years to come.”

Veteran graduates included David Pete Rubio who served in the United States (U.S.) Army from November 2008 to August 2016, Jonathan William Earwood a Marine Corps veteran who served from October 2012 to October 2017, U.S. Air Force Veteran Fernando Macias who served from June 2001 to December 2004, and Jorge Luis Rivera Jr. an Air Force veteran who served from May 2014 to May 2018.

Veterans Day, a federal holiday, is an avenue to honor the men and women who have and continue to serve the country. The holiday takes on a different meaning for each veteran and family member.

For Silva, the day is special. His father was killed in action during the Vietnam War, weeks before his father was set to meet him for the first time. 

“To me it is very personal and then I also remember that the freedoms that we have is… because of these veterans who are brave – the women, the men who put on a uniform and stand on the front lines so that we can do what we’re doing today. I’ll never forget that and that means quite a bit to me,” Silva said.

Veterans on campus in need of assistance can contact the Military and Veterans Resource Center at veterans@tamuk.edu or (361) 593-4421.