East Texas A&M University's yearly tradition of honoring our nation's veterans continues, as the 36^th annual Veterans Vigil is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Rayburn Student Center.

The event brings together students, alumni, faculty, staff and the community to show appreciation for the sacrifices of U.S. Military veterans and is one of the university's most cherished traditions. This event is free and open to the public.

The event

The Veterans Vigil will begin at 10 a.m. on Nov. 11 with a light breakfast reception on the second floor of the student center. The main program commences at 10:30 in the RSC Conference Rooms. Special guests include the Princeton High School Navy JROTC and the East Texas A&M University Chorale, as well as members of the ETAMU Percussion Studio and Trumpet Studio.

Brenna Turner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and current East Texas A&M student, will receive the Army Specialist Training Program Unit 4813 memorial scholarship during the program, an annual $ 7,500 scholarship awarded to a veteran Lion student.

The morning session's featured presentation is a talk by Maj. Richard Holsinger (ret.)

The guest speaker

Maj. Holsinger retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1996 after 25 years of service. He enlisted first in aircraft maintenance, serving as a crew chief on C-141 and KC-135 aircraft. He also earned the Senior Maintenance Badge and later became a Master Maintenance Instructor.

In 1980, he was commissioned through Officer Training School and earned his navigator wings in 1981. From that point, he served as a navigator, instructor navigator, evaluator and staff officer on RC-135 aircraft. Holsinger held leadership roles in training, contingency planning, mission monitoring, crew operations, safety and maintenance.

In 1993, Holsinger became squadron maintenance officer for Air Combat Command's largest flying squadron. He led more than 300 active-duty personnel and 60 civilians in support of worldwide RC-135 maintenance operations.

Following his military service, he worked as a contract flight test navigator and flight engineer for what is now L-3 Harris in Greenville, Texas, supporting flight testing and modifications for RC-135 aircraft. Holsinger is a Master Navigator with more than 8,000 flying hours, including 170 combat and combat-support hours.

He holds degrees from National College (now National American University) and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Upon his retirement in 2023, he boasted more than 50 years of service to the Department of Defense.

The Vigil flame

Following the program in the student center, guests are invited to proceed to the crossroads in front of the RSC for the annual lighting of the Vigil flame, which serves as a public display of honor for our nation's veterans.

Tyrone Williams, a U.S. Army veteran and president of the Student Veterans Association at East Texas A&M, will light the flame this year.

The Vigil flame will burn continuously throughout the day. Guests are invited to the closing ceremony at the Vigil flame site at 4:30 p.m.

Honoring our veterans

Veterans can enjoy several perks on campus this Veterans Day in thanks for their service. Veterans will receive a free meal in the Lions Mane Cafeteria and a 10% discount on purchases at the university bookstore, both located in the Rayburn Student Center.

Guests must present their Military ID, DD214, veteran’s card, or VFW or American Legion card to confirm their veteran status.

For more information about this year’s Veterans Vigil, contact the Office of Veteran and Military Services.