Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans hosted our 11th annual Independence Day Celebration we paused to observe, feed, entertain and honor those who have taken an oath to defend our country, and for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
THANK YOU SGVHV MEMBERS
Before providing Event Details a Special Thanks goes out to all SGVHV Members whose diligence, hard work and dedication made this Picnic possible. Without the members Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans we could not serve our Community.
THE EVENT
The program put together by Mr. Haywood was very sentimental and special. A standing room-only crowd filled the Copperas Cove Civic Center as Mr Haywood asked everyone to remain quiet and stay still to pay homage and respect to the veterans present and those who died in the service of their country.
After the posting of the colors and the singing of the National Anthem and “God Bless America,” wreaths were presented in honor of fallen services members in front of the Texas Purple Heart Traveling Memorial wall. The wall featured the pictures of over 600 Texas veterans killed during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
“We’ve been bringing it all over the state of Texas, showing it to every different area,” said John Footman, the Region V chief of staff for the Military Order of the Purple Heart. “The reason I bring it here every year for the Veterans Helping Veterans is because there’s a lot of people who still haven’t been able to see this wall.”
Footman said one of the fallen pictured on the wall was originally from Copperas Cove.
“I really enjoy coming out here every year to display this (wall) for this group,” Footman said.
Mr Haywood paid tribute to fallen veterans from the area as well as all SGVHV Memorial Tribute which honors all SGVHV Members who have passed away.
In the SGVHV tradition an inscribed clock was presented to the family of Ms Carol Golding, SGVHV Life Member who recently died on June 12. After the names were read, Mr Bryant played taps was played in honor of the deceased.
Mr Haywood then invited Copperas Cove newly elected Mayor Bradi Diaz to the podium to read a proclamation naming June 22 as “Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans Day.” Diaz said the presentation to the Golding family had left her “a little choked up,” noting that she knew Carol Golding and that they had raised children together in Copperas Cove.
Killeen Mayor Jose Segarra followed Diaz to the podium to read a similar proclamation and admitted that he too had been moved by the tribute to Golding and other fallen veterans.
“I think that’s one thing we all share in common is a love for our veterans,” Segarra said before the event. “We want to remember (them) for as long as we can because they remain in our hearts.”
Haywood called all the dignitaries attending the event to the front of the room in order to give special recognition to Rita Seffrood, the wife of former Copperas Cove Mayor Frank Seffrood. Bringing Mrs. Seffrood to the front, Haywood asked for a moment of silence in honor of her husband, who died Dec. 28, just a few weeks after learning he’d been diagnosed with cancer. Seffrood was 79.
SGVHV VETERAN OF THE YEAR
Before letting everyone start filling their plates with food, Haywood honored the group’s Veteran of the Year. Haywood read a list of the honoree’s accomplishments, trying to keep the audience in suspense about who the award was going to. Those accomplishments included graduation from West Point, completing Airborne and Ranger school and rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring from the Army in 1976. The honoree also served as a member of the Copperas Cove City Council and as mayor from 1985 to 1990.
After pictures of the honoree were displayed on large screen in front of the stage, Mr Haywood called Jim French to podium to accept his award as Veteran of the Year.
“This is truly a great honor,” Mr French said, “and it’s a great honor because of the SGVHV organization. These people are doing what Christ told us to do. They’re taking care of other folks. They’re loving each other. They’re helping the sick. “We love ’em all.”
SGVHV honored Mr Jim French for both Military and his years of charitable work.
SGVHV presented Mr French with a Eagle trophy with the title of Star Group – Veterans Helping Veterans 2019 Veteran of the Year.
The celebration included activities and entertainment for all ages including a variety of live performances, raffle prizes, face painting, a game truck, bounce house, the mobile Vet Center, and more.
Timmons said that this year’s picnic was their largest ever. The attendance was overwhelming and counting stopped at 1,500 people. “We were happy we had an abundance of food, but for the first time we ran out of certain side items on the buffet lines; but thanks to Mr. Barker, Mr. Brown, and the grill team we had plenty of meat,” said Timmons. At times, there were no seats available, but people simply ate outside and enjoyed the outdoor activities. The golf carts used to shuttle attendees to and from their vehicles were provided by Fairway Sports and Vehicles from Salado. It was just ironic that this year Fairway Sports provided two larger capacity carts, God knew the attendance would surpass the prior years.
Even well after the event had begun, carloads of people, eager to enjoy the food and fun, were still arriving. Timmons said that this year’s picnic was their largest ever. She said that attendance was overwhelming and that they stopped counting at 1,500 people. “We were happy we had an abundance of food, but for the first time we ran out of certain side items on the buffet lines; but thanks to Mr. Barker, Mr. Brown, and the grill team we had plenty of meat,” said Timmons. At times, there were no seats available, but people simply ate outside and enjoyed the outdoor activities.
SGVHV PREMIER CORPORATE SPONSORS (These companies sponsor ALL SG-VHV events)
Visit their links on our website (www.sg-vhv.org)
* PCSI
* Century 21 & JR Herring Rentals
* The National United Bank (CC)
* Ted Smith Law Group
* Linnenman Realty
* Scotts Funeral Home
* AFGE Local 1920 & District 10
EVENT PLATINUM SPONSORS
* Walmart - Copperas Cove
* Walmart - Killeen
* Walmart - Harker Heights
* Sams Club
* PEPSICO
* Central Texas College
* All American Chevorlet
* Bill French Jewelers
EVENT GOLD SPONSORS
* Ohana Ink Company
* Blue Bell Ice Cream
* Operation Phantom Support
* Fairway Sports Vehicles of Salado
EVENT SILVER SPONSORS
* Lil Tex Restaurant
* A Cut Above (Lawn Service)
* Oliver Transmission
* Cali Signs & Graphics
* Venus Beauty Mart
OTHER SPONSORS
Noelia Rivera - Balloon Decorations
Buddy’s Home Furnishing- Freezers