In Brief: Gen. Dan Locker to keynote Texas State Veterans Day Commemoration

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
Office of Media Relations
November 10, 2016

Retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Dan Locker will serve as the keynote speaker for Texas State University’s annual Veterans Day Commemoration at 10:30 a.m. November 11 in the quad area of campus.

Texas State University President Denise M. Trauth and Student Foundation leaders will also deliver remarks at the event, which is planned and executed by students. The ceremony to honor area veterans is free and open to the public. It is co-sponsored by the Texas State Student Foundation and the Dean of Students Office.

“Veterans Day provides an opportunity for the Texas State family to recognize the commitment and sacrifices made by our student, faculty, staff, alumni and community veterans,” said Student Foundation President Mariana Martinez, a senior accounting major from Houston.

Gen. Locker, a 1967 graduate with a bachelor of science in biology, is also a Texas State Distinguished Alumnus, having received that honor in 2001. A medical doctor, Gen Locker was commander of Keesler Medical Center in Mississippi and has held many other high-ranking positions in the U.S. Air Force.

"Veterans Day is our chance as a community to honor and recognize those who have served, and continue to serve, our great nation," said Student Foundation Veterans Day Committee Director Chelsea Thompson, a psychology and biology double major from Houston.

The Bobcat Marching Band, under the direction of Assistant Director of Bands Matt Holzner, will perform the Armed Forces Medley, with the U.S. Army and Air Force ROTC programs jointly posting and retiring the colors. The Veterans Alliance of Texas State will make a special presentation and a military flyover will be provided by the Commemorative Air Force, based out of the San Marcos Municipal Airport.

The event will also feature a reception immediately following the ceremony in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom featuring a display of veteran commemorative items and light refreshments.

The Student Foundation was founded in 1978 at Texas State for the purpose of encouraging student leaders to be involved in campus, community and alumni activities and to promote the general welfare of the university. For more information, contact Chelsea Thompson at (512) 832-7778 or via email at cct23@txstate.edu.