U.S. Congressman John Carter Hosts 2024 Congressional Veteran Commendation Ceremony at Temple College
On Saturday morning, U.S. Congressman John Carter (TX-31) honored 11 U.S. veterans from his district for their active-duty military service and their “after service” commitment to their communities, during a ceremony at Temple College.
A large crowd of family, friends and community members gathered in the Temple College Pavilion to recognize the honorees during the ninth annual Congressional Veteran Commendation Ceremony.
Following a welcome by Dr. Christy Ponce, Temple College’s President, Carter welcomed the gathered guests and spoke about the honorees.
“They learned service in the military and they carry on service,” Carter said of the veterans, as he explained to the audience why he launched this recognition ceremony nearly a decade ago. “We ought to recognize that these people go off and fight wars for us, and then they come home and they settle down, and they make the peace of this country work, too.”
Those honored were:
- Master Sergeant Duane C. Bygum Jr., US Air Force
- Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Davison, US Air Force (Retired)
- CID Lieutenant Brian M. Frick, US Navy
- Captain Gary L. Gosney, US Army (Retired)
- Major General Patrick Hamilton, US Army (Retired)
- Commander Jon Lux, US Navy (Retired)
- Lieutenant Colonel Barbara MacMillan, US Army (Retired)
- Colonel Garry Patterson, US Army (Retired)
- Lieutenant Colonel Spencer Smith, US Marine Corps (Retired)
- CSM Angela Wilson, US Army (Retired)
- Colonel Terry Wilson, US Army (Retired)
The veterans’ community service activities following their time in uniform ranged from social to religious to political and many areas in between.
The event featured keynote speaker Lieutenant General J.T. Thomson, US Army (Retired), who shared that veterans – following their official military service – bring home a wealth of strengths to their workplaces and communities.
“Veterans bring loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, courage, commitment and excellence,” he said, taking time to recognize that family members work just as hard to support their soldiers.
Dr. Ponce took some time during her welcome to provide an update on the construction projects happening on the Temple College campus, the programs that have been added, and to share that the Temple College Main Building (scheduled to open later in 2025) will be a new home to the College’s Veterans Affairs office.
“We’re excited today to celebrate the incredible honorees before us,” Ponce told the crowd. “We were so honored that Congressman Carter asked us to host this special celebration here.”
ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE
Temple College is “Your Community’s College,” a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College, which has campuses in Temple, Hutto and Taylor, offers more than 75 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence for 97 years. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premiere institutions for healthcare providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.