Public Invited to Kerr County Memorial Day Program on Monday
Featuring a new parking plan and an improved way of displaying memorial wreaths, the Kerr County Memorial Day Program is scheduled for Monday, May 27.
All residents and visitors in the area are invited by Kerr County elected officials to join them in paying respects to this nation’s fallen heroes during a 10 a.m. ceremony at the Kerr County War Memorial on the courthouse grounds in Kerrville, 700 Main Street.
Limited seating will be available on the benches in front of the memorial. Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. New this year, two, small tented areas will provide additional shade. And, Discount Tire has donated bottled waters, so those will be made available free of charge.
Parking
In the interest of safety, quick egress after the ceremony and efficiency of traffic flow, a new parking plan has been adopted by the Kerr County Veterans Service Office for the Memorial Day event.
In a change from previous years, there will be no parking in the courthouse lane nearest the war memorial.
The public should enter the courthouse square from the second entrance off Earl Garrett Street. (The first entrance will be blocked off and used after the ceremony for an exit.)
Entry to the courthouse square off Jefferson Street will be reserved only for handicapped attendees (until that limited lot is full.)
A designated motorcycle only parking area will be featured in the first bend of the courthouse lane nearest the war memorial.
In a change from previous years, the Kerr County Memorial Day Program will feature a different parking plan. The public should enter the courthouse area from the second access point off Earl Garrett Street. The new plan also features a designated handicapped parking lot and a special parking area for motorcycles only. – Graphic by Lisa Walter/Kerr County Public Relations
Join in the Parade of Wreaths
A highlight of this year’s tribute will be the annual presentation of memorial wreaths by the dozens of participating local clubs and organizations.
Anyone who would like to show their patriotism and gratitude on this day of remembrance is invited to bring an occasion-appropriate wreath plus wire stand and register just prior to the start of the program. Those who visit the sign-in table will be given a number so that the wreaths will be laid in a more orderly fashion at the foot of the gray granite Kerr County War Memorial.
On the Program
Retired U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant Roy A. Boudreaux will deliver the keynote address.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, a veteran of the U.S. Army, will welcome attendees, while U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jeff Harris will provide both opening and closing remarks.
To view the complete program for Monday, click HERE.
Another highlight of the event will be U.S. Marine Corps veteran Ryan Halley’s reading of the names of Kerr County service men who died in service to this country (listed in the chronological order of combat.)
Also participating in the observance (in order of their appearance) will be: members of the Kerrville Composite Squadron TX-442 of the Civil Air Patrol, who will post the colors; Vicky Brand, who will sing the national anthem; Ryan Pendegraft, who will lead the invocation and the closing benediction; members of the Hill Country Honor Guard, who will fire the three volleys, Texas Highway Patrol Sgt. Eric Morgan, who will play TAPS, and Kerrville Fire Department retiree Kirk Scheel, who will play the bagpipe.
Keynote Speaker
Boudreaux, this year’s featured speaker, is a native of Louisiana, who graduated from South Park High School in Beaumont. He holds an associate’s degree in instructor technology from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tampa and a master’s degree in business management from Central Michigan University.
As the youngest of four brothers (three of whom each served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force), Boudreaux entered the service in July 1962. He completed more than 30 years on active duty, with tours of duty that led him to overseas bases in in Taiwan, Vietnam, Germany and in the Azores. He also served at bases stateside in Florida, Texas and Alabama, before he retired in 1992.
Boudreaux moved to Kerrville in 2010. He currently owns and operates Kerrville Clock Company.
He and his wife, Jessica, have five children and two grandchildren.
“We welcome back our regular Memorial Day program visitors, and encourage everyone to take just a few minutes out of your holiday to pay your respects at this year’s observance,” said Kerr County Veterans Service Officer Jennifer Sanchez.
“It is a solemn occasion, indeed, but we owe it to the memory of our fallen heroes to pay our respects. It is worth it to hear the music, the message, the names,” Sanchez said. “Plus, when this community turns out in full force to show its patriotism, the resulting parade of wreaths’ creates a show of brilliant reds, whites and blues in front of our county’s impressive war memorial. It is truly a sight to behold.”