Hundreds gather for veterans memorial dedication

FRIENDSWOOD — It is about legacy, the young second lieutenant said.

In his crisp U.S. Air Force blues, Philip McCombs, 22, of Friendswood, stood beneath the sprawling oaks and pines outside city hall, among veterans of World War II, Vietnam, Korea, the first Iraq war and the wars on terror.

The 600 or so residents gathered for the dedication of the city’s Veterans Memorial were the caretakers of a rich legacy Monday, judging from the outpouring of patriotism, the ribbons and uniform pieces worn in remembrance of servicemembers.

“It’s good to remember what came before us,” said McCombs, a Reserve Officer Training Corps graduate from the University of Houston who is waiting to go to Military Intelligence school at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo.

“I know I’m following in a legacy; it affirms my choice,” he said.

The crowd observing Memorial Day fanned themselves during the short program, which included a key note address by Michael Coats, former astronaut, Navy pilot and current director of the Johnson Space Center.

Former City Councilman Jay Horecky formally presented the newly finished memorial to Mayor David Smith and the city of Friendswood.

Horecky said when he was on the council, he was approached by veterans who asked him why Friendswood didn’t have a memorial to honor those who had fought for the country. So during the past four years, Horecky, his wife, and a few volunteers, along with the help of donations, designed, funded and built one.

Now, in an intimate grassy clearing stand two granite columns etched with military seals, one crowned with an eagle, the other with a globe, framing a flowing stainless steel American flag.

Horecky, himself a Vietnam Veteran, said the memorial will stand as a symbol to residents and children, as a reminder and a place to remember the soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who have sacrificed their lives.

But it wasn’t until the throaty rumble of a WWII-era B-17 bomber called “Red Raiders” grew near enough, and the majestic olive-colored warbird emerged from behind the tree tops, that the idea of those sacrifices thundered home for many. It was announced that after the bomber flew overhead, it was headed out to the Gulf to spread the ashes of a few WWII veterans.

The bomber was greeted with applause, scattered salutes and a few tears.

The flyover was followed shortly by a group of WWII fighter planes flying in the missing man formation.

For youngsters like Brandon and Blake Matthijetz, the planes, the memorial and the general awareness around Memorial Day inspired questions.

After the program, the Friendswood boys sat talking with their grandmother, Debbie Schkade, eating cupcakes that had American flags toothpicked on top.

They thought the airplanes were “pretty cool,” especially the bomber, they said.

Schkade explained that she and her grandsons wanted to come honor the members of the military.

In fact, her husband was in the U.S. Army for four years at the end of Vietnam.

A few days before, the boys had asked to see his dog tags. Those were “cool,” too, they said.

Neither of the boys want to be in the service, but both said they appreciate what the servicemen and women do.

“It’s cool to know they’re fighting for our country,” Brandon said.