Ozona honors fallen heroes on Memorial Day

Ozona—Memorial Day morning, Crockett County gathered to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. 

Community members, veterans, and families joined in a heartfelt ceremony to remember those whose names are etched on the county’s memorial wall and who live on in the hearts of their neighbors.

The ceremony at the Crockett County Cemetery began with a prayer led by County Judge Frank Tambunga.

Addressing the crowd, Tambunga emphasized the connection the community feels to its fallen heroes. 

“Here in Crockett County, this day holds a special kind of weight because these names etched on our memorial wall or the flags we placed on veterans’ graves in our cemeteries, they are not just names,” he said. “They are our sons and daughters, our classmates, our neighbors, our friends.

“They attended our schools, fished in our rivers, prayed in our churches, and then when called upon, they put on the uniform of the United States of America and answered a call greater than themselves.”

The judge shared stories of local heroes, including Charles Coates, born in Ozona in 1893, who served in World War I and passed away in 1966, and Sergeant Lionel Aguirre, a 20-year-old Ozona native killed in action in France during World War II. 

“Can you imagine, at 20 years old, going to serve, never coming back?” Tambunga said. 

He urged attendees to research the names on the memorial wall. 

“Every single one of them has a story of what they experienced,” Tambunga said. 

Veterans joined the judge at the front. 

“It does not matter what branch of service you served,” Tambunga said. “Once you’re in the military, we all become brothers and sisters.” 

The ceremony included the National Anthem and Taps, with the flag lowered to half-mast until noon. 

Tambunga shared the emotional weight of losing comrades during Desert Storm. 

“I have some friends that I lost. One of them didn’t come back. He had three kids. It’s tough,” he said. 

The judge called on the community to carry the memory of the fallen. 

“Let us teach our children their names,” he said.

“Let us fly our flags, not only as a symbol of pride but as a solemn vow to never forget. To our veterans, thank you for your service. To our active-duty service members, know that Crockett County stands with you, proud and grateful.”