Program Funded by: University We are Grateful of Arkansas to The Alumni Participants Association Dallas Chapter Our Production Partners Include: Program Printing by: Lone Star Chapter Paralyzed Veterans America Dallas Police Department & Dallas PoliceofMounted Lone Star Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America We are additionally grateful to: The Dallas - Fort Worth National Cemetery Staff Cemetery PublicInformation Information Center Volunteers Cemetery Public Center (PIC) Volunteers ♦ The Many Volunteers Worked Worth Today Citi Veterans NetworkWho of Dallas/Fort Sound by Concert Production Services MickieDepartment Prendergast,of Dignitary Reception Texas Transportation ♦ Texas Department Transportation Kimberly Molder: of Wreath Design American Legion Riders of Texas Department of Veterans Affairs, Dallas Office of Public Affairs Nestlé Waters North America AvenueAT&T of Flags Volunteers Veterans ♦ Admiral Walsh’s Staff 10th Air Force Staff Reddy Ice of Dallas FAA, Dallas Flight District Office (FSDO) CareStandards Flite of Dallas Joe O’Neal
TEXAS NATIONAL CEMETERY FOUNDATION VETERANS DAY PROGRAM
Big ‘D’ Chapter Marine Corps League Kimberly Molder, Wreath Designs
Funding Assistance
Avenue Flags Volunteers Mark and ofAnnette Hudson Sammy Maddox The Many Volunteers Who Worked to Make this Program Possible
Produced and Directed And…... Allby Who Attended Gary Poplin ♦ Kimberly J. Molder Produced and Directed By KimberlyExecutive J. Molder Officer ♦ Gary Poplin ♦ Tommy Sorrell Operations
Tommy Sorrell
Jacob Reece, TNCF Videographer
Event Sponsored by Event Sponsored by Texas TexasNational NationalCemetery CemeteryFoundation, Foundation,Inc. Inc. Operations OperationsP.O. P.O.Box Box210606 210606 Dallas, Dallas,TX TX 75211-0606 75211-0606 1-877-872-0005 ♦ www.tncf.org www.tncf.org
DALLAS - FORT WORTH NATIONAL CEMETERY Friday, 3:00 PM November 11, 2011
Colonel Keith Knudson Former Commander 419th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, UT Colonel Keith Knudson is commander of the 419th Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. As commander, he oversees a dynamic training program providing gaining commands with a ready-fighting force capable of worldwide deployment. The wing is made up of nearly 1,200 personnel in a variety of specialty areas to include F-16 operations, maintenance, and support. Colonel Knudson graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1985. He earned his wings as a distinguished graduate in 1986 at Williams AFB, Ariz. He served on active duty for seven years and joined the Air Force Reserve in 1992. He has served in various assignments and leadership positions, including duty as an instructor pilot, flight examiner and test project officer and pilot. Prior to his current position he was the Vice Commander, 301st Fighter Wing. He is a command pilot with more than 3,600 total hours, including 3,400 hours in the F-16.
About the Foundation Texas National Cemetery Foundation, Inc. (TNCF), is a 501(C ) (3) corporation whose sole purpose is to provide direct support to the Dallas—Fort Worth National Cemetery. We serve in a liaison capacity providing immediate point to point access to military, civilian as well as various government organizations and agencies. We are able to bridge funding for non government provided amenities enhancing operations at the cemetery thru private contributions, we receive no government funding. Our special events sponsorships include but are not limited to Memorial Day and Veterans Day events. The broad based resources and vast knowledge of our supporters are available to the cemetery staff with little or no notice.
Please visit our website WWW.TNCF.ORG for information about special events and volunteer opportunities at the cemetery. Federal law prohibits fundraising on cemetery property, please help us comply with this law by contacting us off property if you are interested in assisting with event sponsorships, flag pole or brick sponsorships.
The team that makes the flyover timing possible are: Commander Julius Graw ♦ Dr. Weldon Estes ♦ 2nd Battalion 14th Marines Eagle Scout Ryan Roop ♦ Sound by Concert Production Services Linda Renfro ♦ DFW Terminal Radar Controllers ♦ Members of 457th Fighter Squadron ♦ Members of 917th Fighter Group
Our Production Partners Include Dallas Police Department, Southwest Patrol ♦ Dallas Police Mounted Reddy Ice of Dallas ♦ Care Flite of Dallas ♦ Dallas Police Choir Mountain View College Community Band ♦ DFW National Cemetery Staff 14th Marine Regiment ♦ Knights of Columbus Kirk Vinson ♦ Fred Shelton ♦ US Air Force Aerial Events
Message from the Director and Staff
Our Flyover Today
The Director and staff thank you for joining us in honoring our Nation’s Veterans, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice. The Dallas-Fort Worth community has given selflessly towards the success of this cemetery and for that we thank all of our volunteers, for their dedication and continued service. It is with your hard work and the efforts of Texas National Cemetery Foundation that we can provide the services we do, not only on a daily basis but for memorial events such as these.
The 47th Fighter Squadron scored the first aerial victories of World War II. On Dec 7, 1941 Lieutenants George Welch and Kenneth Taylor scrambled their P-40 Warhawks in response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. They shot down 7 Japanese aircraft that morning, with both pilots having to land their aircraft while under enemy fire to have the weapons crews reload their fifty caliber machine guns. Today the legend lives on with the proud 47 FS banner operating under Air Force Reserve Command’s 917th Fighter Group, flying the mighty A-10 Thunderbolt II at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. The A-10 is the world’s best close air support aircraft, with a 30 MM gatling gun capable of firing 65 bullets per second. Additional weapons carried by the Warthog include conventional bombs, laser guided bombs, rockets, air to air and air to ground missiles. The 47 FS recently returned in April from a deployment to Afghanistan, where they executed round-the-clock flying operations to provide close air support to coalition troops on the ground. Other missions flown in support of Operation Enduring Freedom included convoy escort, armed overwatch, surveillance, reconnaissance and shows of force. The A-10 still flies in Afghanistan today keeping troops on the ground safe.
These are hallowed grounds that you visit today; every headstone representing an individual who believed that we and our freedoms were worth the sacrifice. We expect that these men and women be honored and respected for their sacrifices and ask that you continue to care for and support our efforts in maintaining these grounds as a National Shrine; a humble reminder of their dedication to our country.
Cemetery Facts The Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery opened in May 2000 with 638 acres in total. The cemetery completed Phase II expansion project in 2011; adding an additional 52 acres to the already 112 developed acres. Since inception, the cemetery has conducted more than 35,825 interments of Veterans and immediate dependents including 131 service men and women that died on active duty. Fully developed, Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery will provide burial space for over 280,000 eligible Veterans and dependents.
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PROGRAM Prelude Music ....... Mountain View College Community Band Mr. Randy Garmon, Director Call to Order ...................Commander Julius Graw, USN, Ret. Master of Ceremonies Invocation ....................................................... Dr. Weldon Estes Chaplain (Captain) USA, RET Presentation of Colors ............ Second Battalion, 14th Marines Pledge of Allegiance .............................. Eagle Scout Ryan Roop Troop 121 National Anthem .................................................... Linda Renfro
VETERAN TRIBUTE Honorary Branch Wreath Placement ...Knights of Columbus Armed Forces Medley .................................................................. Mountain View College Community Band Mr. Randy Garmon, Director Cannon Salute ........................ Second Battalion, 14th Marines Taps ........................................... Kirk Vinson and Fred Shelton Dallas—Fort Worth Honor Guard Benediction ..................................................... Dr. Weldon Estes Chaplain (Captain) USA, RET Postlude Music ..... Mountain View College Community Band Mr. Randy Garmon, Director
Fly Over ............................USAF Reserve 917th Fighter Group 47th Fighter Squadron, Barksdale AFB, LA Introduction of Distinguished Guests...................... CDR Graw Greeting .............................................................. Ron Pemberton Director, DFW National Cemetery The Red, The White and Blue………..……Dallas Police Choir America the Beautiful .................................. Dallas Police Choir Address.............................................. Colonel Keith A. Knudson United States Air Force Presentation ............................................................. Gary Poplin CTRCS, USN (Ret) Chairman, Texas National Cemetery Foundation
Thank You!