FOR THOSE WHO SERVED

Published 5:01 am Sunday, November 4, 2018

RED, WHITE AND BLUE FESTIVAL I SALUTE TO VETERANS

BULLARD — Passengers of planes that passed over Bullard Saturday may have looked down to see a portion of the town covered in a sea of red, white and blue.

Hundreds gathered along several American flag-lined streets to pay tribute to the service of veterans and active military personnel during the annual Red, White and Blue Festival.

The event featured a parade, a ceremony to honor veterans, live music, a car show and a chili contest. The service and sacrifices made by veterans were highlighted throughout the festival.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Richard Hardin, of Tyler, shared a few stories about some of the heroic acts of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez, recipient of the Air Force Cross, and U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry, recipient of the Medal of Honor.

In his retirement, Hardin has gotten to meet both men.

“If you meet either of these guys at a Whataburger, they will likely stop and hold the door open for you and ask you how your day is going — just like any other typical, gentle person,” said Hardin, who was also recognized by both the crowd and organizers of the event for his military service. “They’re very normal, or dinary people who have been thrust into extraordinary circumstances and simply did what any of the other American soldiers of fighters would have done there — that’s what they would tell you.

“My point here is that my hero friends will never tell you that they are heroes and they’d actually get a little embarrassed about all the attention,” Hardin added.

He soon told members of the crowd to take a look around at the veterans in attendance and to understand that, like the two men he’d described earlier, they were also heroes.

Hardin also encouraged employers to understand the ways military service can be as valuable, if not moreso in some instances, as a college degree and to always give veterans a fair chance. He also implored those who would like to support veterans in need to donate to local organizations that help servicemen and women.

Like Hardin, retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. LouAnna Campbell, of Lindale, who was also honored for her military service, shared a message of the importance of gratitude.

Campbell spoke about the veterans who paved the way for future servicemen and women to have it a little easier. She also highlighted the growing number of women who are joining the military and serving in a variety of pivotal roles.

“We’ve got women who are going through Ranger school. We’ve got women leading the highest, most elite groups out there,” Campbell said. “They’re doing very, very well, so please support them and have some gratitude for what they’re doing and the ceilings that they are breaking.”

Campbell concluded her speech by telling the crowd what she learned from her service.

“I’ve had to learn that what I did was enough. It was my best,” she said. “I did what I could and when everybody is doing that that’s what makes the military so great.

“That’s the gratitude that creates our vision for tomorrow,” she added. “It’s what keeps us going — the fact that you know that no matter how long someone has served, or what branch they were in, they did their part, and that’s enough to earn them their title as a veteran.”

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