The keynote speaker for this year's program was Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Terry Thomas, a community leader and 24-year Air Force veteran who attained the highest enlisted rank possible.

Thomas retired from the Air Force in 1991, and he went on to a long and successful career in the hotel industry. He retired in 2017 as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Ascend Growth Partners, owners and operators of 11 hotels located in Texas, Arkansas and Wisconsin. He also served as vice chairman for the Greenville Board of Development, Chairman of the Greenville Tourism & Convention Advisory Board, and he was selected as the Greenville Worthy Citizen of 2016.

GISD Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins saluted veterans and special guests. The Honorable 196th District Court Judge Andy Bench gave a special tribute to Hunt County Judge John L. Horn, who passed away in September.

Other participants included:

• Hunt County Veterans Honor Guard
• GHS Student Council President Yeonsoo Jung
• GHS Student Council Vice President Joel Redmond
• GHS NJROTC
• GISD combined bands and choir
• GISD Elementary Honor Choir
• GISD Suzuki String Ensemble

"This is always a special occasion, and veterans from all over the region come to be reunited and to stop and reflect on what it means to serve our country," Gish said.

Veterans and their family members were honored at a lunch prepared by our culinary arts students immediately following in the GHS library. 

This program was made possible by the generous sponsorships from Alliance Bank, Galyean Insurance Group, & the AFA Northeast Chapter 416.