Military Enlistment Recognition

A small, special group of high school seniors with uncommon courage and commitment, earned a heartfelt thank you from a grateful community for choosing a pathway of military service.

A total of 34 soon-to-graduate seniors representing all of Killeen ISD’s high schools stood at one end of a packed-out Special Events Room at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.

One by one, they stepped down a line to receive gifts from school district leaders and representatives of the state, nation and military.

One of those gifts, a red, white, and blue braided honor cord represented the purpose of the Military Enlistment Recognition Ceremony, to honor high school seniors committed to military service.

They will wear the cords during commencement this week with their graduation regalia.

Killeen ISD Managing Director of Schools Nancy Patterson called the students heroes.

“They have already qualified,” she said. “They are ready to go. We are so thankful you are here to help us honor them and their commitment to serve our country and protect our freedom.”

School Board Trustee Oliver Mintz, a retired U.S. Army colonel, praised the students for their courageous choice to serve their country.

He shared stories ranging from serving on ice-covered mountain passages in Afghanistan to leading Army Reserve relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey.

Those kinds of moments, he said, gave him pause to consider the privilege of serving.

“I’m just a little bit envious of all of you as you start that journey,” said Mintz, retired from 26 years of service.

“You are signing up to do what many of your classmates wanted to do, they just didn’t have the courage to do it,” he said. “You did and for that you should absolutely be commended.”

The service the seniors are embarking on is difficult. “You will get through it,” he said, pointing to the courage in their hearts to do what very few choose to do.

Shoemaker High School senior Christian Aybar, committed to the U.S. Navy said he was following his grandfather into service and plans to become an engineer.

“I want to serve at least for a little bit to get that discipline,” he said. “I was trying to figure out what I was going to do, and the Navy approached me.”

He said he looked forward to seeing his grandfather this weekend during graduation and the emotions and excitement that would come.

Ellison High School Junior ROTC cadet Joanelys Resto shared an award-winning essay about service drawing from her experiences as a military dependent.?

Sacrifice, adaptation and a connection to something bigger than oneself embody the act of service, she said in her essay.

See the following photo gallery from the military cording ceremony by clicking the link below.