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American Legion Memorial Highway Post 352 hosted the first Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 8, 2008. The Post provided the Color Guard leading the parade of over 60 entries. Following the Blanco High School’s outstanding, award-winning Marching Band was the Post’s Sergeant-at-Arms Oscar Segura and the Riderless Horse. After the parade and Veterans’ Memorial, the Post and Auxiliary hosted their 2nd Annual Spaghetti Dinner, serving over 100 meals to veterans and the public.

On Sunday, November 9, 2008, the Post and Auxiliary members met at Miller’s Creek Cemetery at Hwy 290 and Hwy 281 to place flags on the graves of veterans. Afterwards, the members split up and placed flags on various graves throughout Blanco, including: St. Mary’s Cemetery, Trinity Cemetery, Mt. Horeb Cemetery, and cemeteries on Rocky Road and FM 1888.

The Blanco Independent School District also held annual Veterans Appreciation celebrations on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at all three campuses under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Buck Ford.

Veterans from all over Blanco County met at the middle school for the flag raising ceremony and Veterans Day Proclamation by Principal Jose Salazar. This was followed by an Armed Forces medley by the Blanco High School Band under the direction of David Shirk. The veterans then met at the high school where Principal Dustin Barton and the FCCLA hosted a slide show presentation and refreshments.

The members of the Post and Auxiliary were asked by Lesley Griffin, of the Old Blanco County Courthouse, to raise the American flag. She donated the flag that had draped over her grandfather’s coffin. Her Grandfather Leslie Hodgson was a veteran WWI.

Following the flag raising, the veterans met at the elementary school for a Veterans Day Presentation of songs by Ms. Burgess’ 1st grade music class.

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Principal Scott Kvapil said, “This was the best turn out that the elementary school has ever received for the Veterans’ luncheon.” The school served a turkey dinner including dressing, gravy, green beans, cranberry relish, and strawberry shortcake.

All the veterans in attendance commented that it was a wonderful experience and all the activities were greatly appreciated. One veteran commented Saturday before the parade, “It’s hard to know if anyone out there still remembers us or even cares.” It was especially wonderful to see the town’s turnout for the parade and knowing that the school’s appreciation for our veteran’s is alive and well in Blanco!