Sabine High Honors Local Vets
The program was delayed a couple of days, but well worth the wait.
Gladewater - About 30 local veterans lined up tonight behind the flags of their service branches and took the field at Sabine High to be honored for their service. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard vets were all represented.
Veterans and a few active duty soldiers from all five branches of the service were hand tonight for the program that included a performance by the Sabine Cardinal Marching Band, and closing fireworks show that rattled a few nearby windows.
The program was postponed Tuesday due to rains, but that didn't affect tonight's attendance. The home bleachers, as well as the fence lining the field were crowded with onlookers and flag wavers.
The Cardinal Band, along with their dance line, the Strutters, were in top form. They played a peppy version of "Hit the Road, Jack" that featured the dancers, as well as a stirring version of taps that brought tears to more than a few eyes.
As the veterans and active duty personnel were called and assembled, they were joined by family members and children bearing pictures of other soldiers and sailors who could not attend. It was heartbreaking and humbling to realize that some of the men and women in those pictures might never come home.
With the Cardinal cheerleaders performing color guard duties, The vets formed up on the field behind their service flags, and received well deserved applause and accolades.The band played "I'm Proud To Be An American" for them, before they returned to their seats.
With the chief business of the night concluded, the fireworks show began. The Cardinals band unfurled a huge American flag on the field, and the night air boomed and sizzled with a dazzling ten minute display of pyrotechnics.
Sabine organized a great show, and The Advocate congratulates them, and joins with them in saying thanks to our active and retired veterans everywhere.