Turnbow-Higgs Post 240 the American Legion Department of Texas Legionnaires attending the commissioning ceremony today were: Richard Petronis, Burton Smith, Fred Cross, Don Parker, & Leroy Griffin,roger Easter,Tami Barker & Candace Hughes. Fred Cross, designated as the oldest prior to event, had the honor of performing the traditional slicing of the cake with the youngest Cadet. Leroy Griffin was the oldest veteran present but, for health reasons, it was not known he would attend. Fred’s introductory bio had been submitted earlier. There will be another event in the Spring of 2016, and if Leroy is the oldest he will wield the saber. Empire-Tribune Story Follows: by Staff Writer - J. Michael Ross Two Tarleton ROTC Cadets were sworn in as 2nd Lieutenants in the U.S. Army before an audience that included family, friends, professors, military personnel and Dr. F. Dominic Dottavio, president of TSU, on Friday at the Thompson Student Center Ballrooms on campus. Those commissioned were Blake Bill, a kinesiology major from Comanche, who will serve on active duty as an infantry officer and Michael Roell, a kinesiology major from Copperas Cove, who will serve in the United States Army Reserves as an engineer officer. A third, cadet Christopher Brownstead, a computer science major from Frisco, was to be commissioned as well, but a SNAFU regarding his expired physical meant his commissioning will take place next week. He will serve in the United States Army Reserves as a signal officer. The ceremony included the oath of office administered by Professor of Military Studies, Army Lt. Col. Marty Deckard, and the traditional cutting of the commissioning cake by the youngest cadet Patrick Hammesfar and the oldest veteran Colonel [Ret] J. Fred Cross. The ceremony also included the First Salute − known as the Silver Dollar Salute. According to the Army Officer's Guide, 45th Edition by Lt. Col. Lawrence P. Crocker, U.S. Army [Ret], "The "Silver Dollar" Salute is a tradition in our Army that newly commissioned second lieutenants present a silver dollar to the first enlisted Soldier who salutes them. The coin symbolically acknowledges the receipt of respect due the new rank and position." Keynote speaker was Stephenville Mayor and retired Air Force Colonel Kenny Weldon, who is also Commandant of Tarleton's Corps of Cadets and head of the Department of Leadership and Strategic Studies. Among his comments Weldon said: “Two cadets will take an oath to the people of our nation, to a Constitution and system of government that is defined as of the people, by the people and for the people."

 

 

LTC Marty Decard, Professor of Military Science administers the oath.

 

Post 240 legionnaires with Key Note speaker Mayor Kenny Weldon, also a Leggionnaire.

 

Post 240 Commander, MOAA president & Erath County Veterans Service Officer * Legionnaire Tami Barker

 

Professor of Military Science LTC Marty Deckard, Post Commander Burton Smith & MOAA President

 

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