Korean War Veterans - Lone Star Chapter

TEXAS WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

For 62 years after World War II ended the State of Texas did not have a World War II Memorial to honor “The Greatest Generation”. After noticing this Jim Duncan of the Korean War Veterans, Texas Lone Star Chapter joined with Larry Soward of Austin to conduct a fund raising effort to get it done. With the generous support of numerous Texas Corporations, Foundations, Associations and individual Texans, the funds were finally raised. We are proud that the Texas Lone Star Chapter made the very first donation.

With the help of the State, a location was chosen on the northwest quadrant of the State Capitol grounds, just outside the east entrance to the Texas Supreme Court building. The memorial is an exact duplicate of the Texas pillar from the World War II Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D.C. in which each State and Territory has a pillar with their name on it.

The Texas World War II Memorial was dedicated on August 15th, 2007 and officially turned over to the State of Texas, with 700 attendees, including a number of Texas World War II veterans. Governor Rick Perry, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and Speaker of the Texas House Tom Craddick delivered messages of thanks to the veterans and their families. The keynote speaker, Dr. Robert Ivany, Major General USA (Retired), and President of the University of Saint Thomas in Houston gave the World War II veterans an assignment: “Tell the story of your service to your children, grand children and great grand children . Do not let it be lost. You have much to be proud of and our nation will always be grateful. You truly saved the world.”

Jim Duncan served as MC for the event. Charles Laird , TLSC Chaplain, gave the both the Invocation and the Benediction and TLSC member Bob Hanks was specifically recognized for his all his fine work on the Committee. It was a proud moment for the State of Texas and for The Texas Lone Star Chapter who helped to make it a reality.