SAN ANTONIO – (May 18, 2022) More than 230 high school students graduating this year from Bexar County and surrounding area high schools were honored during the 11th annual “A Night in Your Honor” hosted by Our Community Salutes San Antonio (OCS-SA) at Pedrotti’s Ranch.
The students represented a range of military services: the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force and Texas Army National Guard.
The keynote speaker was Maj. Gen. John. Wilcox, commander, Air Force Installations and Mission Support Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base.
“This is a great honor to be here to welcome our soon-to-be newest members in the armed forces,” said Wilcox. “There is no other organization in America today that can bring someone from Maine, Florida, Texas and Kansas together into a team to do the great things you do every day. And you will do it for your friends sitting in the truck, foxhole, and on the ship sitting next to you.”
Wilcox concluded his remarks with some advice for the future servicemembers: “Know your job, do your job and love your job.”
The American Legion Department of Texas' District 20 was one of several community support organizations providing information during the community resource fair.
Posts represented included St. Hedwig Post 539 (District Cmdr. John Hafner), Alamo Post 2 (Mr. and Mrs. Allen Iott), Business and Professional Post 10 (Legionnaire Humberto Quintanilla), and Fred Brock Post 828 (Legionnaires Burrell Parmer and Edward Jones).
In addition to honoring high school graduates, the General Colin L. Powell Award for Supporting Military Service Opportunities was presented to Rhonda Fryer of John Marshall High School College.
OCS is a nonprofit organization created in 2009 to recognize and honor local graduating high school seniors who plan to enlist in the military after graduation. OCS also provides future servicemembers and their families with access to educational resources and connects them with military support groups.
Beginning as one ceremony in southern New Jersey in 2009, OCS ceremonies have spread across the nation. The ceremonies are planned and executed by volunteers, including military veterans, high school and college educators, local businesses, community leaders and active-duty military personnel.
