The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The public is invited to join in the seventh annual tribute to Orange County veterans at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 30 at the Heritage Veterans Memorial Plaza, 3810 M.L. King Drive in Orange.

The patriotic tribute to all veterans and those currently serving in the military will include special speaker James Nier, executive director of the Texas Veterans Commission.

A 22 year veteran of the U.S. Army, Nier served in Vietnam (1962-1963) and Korea (1967-1968). A life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he served as National Commander of its 2.1 million members from August 1996 to August 1997. He and his wife, Kimmy, have four children and nine grandchildren. Their youngest son William is currently serving in the U.S. Navy.

In addition to the keynote address, the Southeast Texas Color Guard, Harmony Exporters of S.E. Texas Barbershop Chorus, Orange Community Band and the Patriot Riders Motorcycle Group will participate in the program to honor Orange County veterans.

The plaza, on the campus of Orange First Church of the Nazarene, features the life size sculpture “Tears from a Grateful Heart” by Colorado-based artist Scott Stearman and the names of scores of veterans from Orange County. Represented on plaques incorporated into the plaza are the names of airmen, sailors, soldiers and marines as well as veterans of the U.S. Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

For more information on the program, call the church office at 883-4674.