Blessed with beautiful fall weather of blue skies and pleasant temperatures, Stephenville’s Post 240 Legionnaires and Auxiliary Unit 240 members led by Adjutant Chris Grantham and President Martha Fredrickson, assembled at 9am at The Erath County Veterans Memorial located on the west side of Erath County Courthouse square to set-up and prepare for its annual Veterans Day ceremony Saturday November 11th, 2023. The Ceremony began at 10:30am, and ended at approximately 11:00am, to coincide with the signing of the World War One Armistice at the 11th Hour, of the 11th Day, of the 11th Month in 1918. Erath County United Way and InterBank personnel, Janette Goodman, Lisa Scroggins, and David Perez greeted early arrivals with coffee and donuts compliments of Cold Smoke Coffee Craft House. To our annual partners in presenting this event, Erath County United Way, InterBank, Cold Smoke Coffee Craft House we thank you and hope to see you again next year serving coffee and donuts to early arrivals; Tarleton State University Texan Corp of Cadets Color Guard for the masterful and precise posting of colors and rifle salute; Post 240 salutes Post 240 Adjutant, Chris Grantham for his diligence in planning and coordination of event activities which began in early October; Kudos to Legionnaires Matt Hallgarth and Cody Stephens for performing Master of Ceremony and Guest Speaker duties, and Post 240 bugler J.J. Conway for closing ceremony with TAPS. Guest speaker US Army Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Cody D. Stephens joined the United States Army in January 1997. While on active duty, he completed two tours in Korea and was stationed at Fort Hood TX. During his time at Fort Hood, he completed two combat deployments to Iraq, several National Training Center rotations and one deployment to Missoula Montana to support wildfire response. In January 2008 CSM Stephens transitioned to the Texas Army National guard where he currently serves as the Command Sergeant Major and Commandant for the 136 Regiment Regional training institute. His distinguished military career has resulted in numerous meritorious awards and commendations.

 

 

Guest speaker, US Army Command Sgt Major, Cody Stevens and Master of Ceremony, Post 240 Chaplain Matt Hallgarth closing ceremony by saluting Taps.

 

Tarleton State University ROTC Color Guard.

 

Legionnaires Kenneth Gifford (L) and Dick Carroll (R) greet Vietnam Vet.

 

Post 240 Legionnaire & Americanism chairman, J.J. Conrad closes ceremony by presenting Taps.

 

Erath County Citizens gather on Veterans Day to honor and pay tribute to all who have honorably served in the US Military.

 

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