Brass band and ‘Taps’ honors veterans

Navya Desai, a freshman at Parish Episcopal School, sings the national anthem.

Kate Bergeron

Retired Lt. Col. Allen B. West addresses the audience.

Kate Bergeron

Creekview High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps present the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kate Bergeron

Mayor Terry Lynne presents Brother Tim Ketchersid with the Charlie Bird Spirit of Service award for his work in the community.

Kate Bergeron

‘Taps’ closes the ceremony.

Kate Bergeron

Alada Brass performs American patriotic music for community members. Led by composer-arranger John Wasson, Alada Brass is made up of five brass performers and one percussionist.

Kate Bergeron

Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam clown around.

Kate Bergeron

Posted Saturday, November 23, 2024 2:19 pm

Kate Bergeron

A live brass band and keynote by Lt. Col. Allen B. West honored those who served in the military on Nov. 11.

Organized by The Branch Connection, the Farmers Branch Rotary Club and the city’s Senior Advisory Board, the annual community ceremony filled the Farmers Branch Recreation Center with patriotism.

Creekview High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps posted the colors. Fourteen-year-old Navya Desai, a freshman at Parish Episcopal School who occasionally sings with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, sang the national anthem.

West, a combat veteran who served 22 years in the U.S. Army as well as in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011-2013, gave the keynote speech. He is the third of four generations in his family to serve in the military,

Mayor Terry Lynne presented the Charlie Bird Spirit of Service Award to Brother Tim Ketchersid, who is the city’s chaplain.

Charlie Bird was a Farmers Branch City Councilmember from 1996-2007, who was instrumental to starting the annual Veterans Day Celebration.

The Farmers Branch Rotary prepared hot dogs at the activities following the celebration.