East Texas A&M University students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the local community, gathered at the Rayburn Student Center to honor our nation's heroes at the 36^th annual Veterans Vigil event on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Hundreds of guests gathered for the longstanding university tradition, which also held special weight during America's semiquincentennial.

The event included performances from members of the East Texas A&M Vocal Division and Percussion and Trumpet studios. The Princeton High School Navy JROTC served on color guard duty during the ceremony.

The keynote of the morning session was delivered by retired U.S. Air Force Major Richard Holsinger. A 25-year veteran of the Air Force, Holsinger led more than 300 active-duty personnel and 60 civilians in support of worldwide RC-135 aircraft maintenance operations.

Following his military service, he worked as a contract flight test navigator and flight engineer for what is now L3Harris in Greenville, Texas, supporting flight testing and modifications for RC-135 aircraft. Following his second retirement, he boasted more than 50 years of service to the Department of Defense.

Holsinger, who has attended Veterans Vigils at East Texas A&M for decades, said that it was a true honor to be chosen to speak at such an impactful event.

“The vigil means a lot,” Holsinger said. “It means so much to me to see the university come together to honor veterans.”

The ceremony concluded with the lighting of the Vigil flame at the campus crossroads, serving as a visual reminder of the sacrifices veterans make every day.

For more information on Veteran and Military Services, visit the office's website.