Texas Southmost College Honors Veterans in Annual Ceremony

Texas Southmost College honored the service and sacrifices of the nation’s veterans during its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11, 2025, at the TSC Performing Arts Center, bringing together students, faculty, staff, and community members for a morning of reflection and gratitude.

The ceremony opened with warm remarks from TSC Board of Trustees Chairwoman Adela G. Garza, followed by a welcome from TSC President Dr. Jesus Roberto Rodriguez. Their messages highlighted the deep respect and appreciation the college community holds for all servicemen and women, as well as TSC’s continued commitment to supporting veterans and their educational pursuits.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran and TSC student Roberto Vela led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, setting a reverent tone for the morning. The Veterans Memorial High School Junior Marine Corps ROTC were present to perform the Posting of Colors, followed by a stirring violin rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by Daniel Perez.

This year’s keynote address was delivered by Oralia Fernandez, a distinguished U.S. Army and Navy veteran who also served as Superintendent of the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park for 28 years. Fernandez shared her personal story of service, detailing her time in the National Reserves, her overseas assignments, and the challenges faced by military personnel serving far from their loved ones. Her remarks touched upon both the hardship and the profound pride that come with a life of service, as well as the unique combination of strength, courage, and resilience which have long defined America’s veterans.

The ceremony concluded with a moving performance of Taps, played by TSC Music Instructor Victor Martinez, accompanied by music program students Anthony Hudgins and Andrew Joseph Angeles, as attendees stood in solemn remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to the nation.

The event was coordinated by Francisco Quezada, a United States Air Force veteran and Coordinator of TSC’s Veterans Success Center, which provides critical resources and guidance for student veterans transitioning to civilian and academic life.

“At the Veterans Success Center, we provide resources for veterans and their dependents to be able to use their state and federal benefits so that they can pay for their tuition and any living expenses they may have,” said Quezada. “We provide them with access to a computer lab, printing resources and tutoring resources. We also work with different organizations in the community like United Way and Veterans Upward Bound, so we’re able to refer them to those resources as well.”

Through ceremonies like this, Texas Southmost College reaffirms its lasting commitment to honoring the legacy of veterans and supporting those who continue to serve our country through education, leadership, and community engagement.