TSC commemorates Veterans Day with ceremony

Faculty, staff and students honored the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during Texas Southmost College’s third annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Gorgas Hall Flagpole area.

“Veterans Day is a day not only reflecting on the service of men and women, but it also means remembering that service continuously and not forgetting the values and principles these veterans fought for and some have even given their lives for,” said TSC Criminal Justice Institute Instructor and Veterans Day ceremony keynote speaker Maz Martínez. “A lot of veterans attend TSC and this type of ceremony really shows them that the college is interested in not only their service, but helping them complete their education and transforming their lives.”

Martínez served in the Marine Corps for six years and was honorably discharged.

Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day and commemorated the end of World War I (Nov. 11, 1919). President Eisenhower changed the name of the holiday to Veterans Day in 1954.
Not to be confused with Memorial Day that honors U.S. service men and women who have died in service to their country, Veterans Day pays tribute to all U.S. veterans, living or deceased, who have served their nation.

“We’re here today and have our freedom because of our veterans,” said TSC student and retired Army Staff Sgt. Carlos Rodriguez. “This is the second ceremony I’ve attended and it’s a great thing that TSC does by recognizing the veterans. I hope this tradition continues throughout the years.”

Rodríguez first served with the Marine Corps from 1981-85 and with the Army from 2005-13.

About Texas Southmost College
Originally established in 1926, Texas Southmost College currently offers the first two years toward a bachelor’s degree, along with career and technical education leading to certificates and associate degrees, college preparatory studies to prepare students for college-level work, workforce training, and continuing education. Recently selected as a Bright Spot by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, TSC offers 53 programs of study leading to an associate degree or certificate. TSC became independently operational in the fall of 2013, after engaging in a 20-year contractual arrangement with a public university.