By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
The spirit of patriotism and gratitude filled the Laguna Madre area this Veterans Day, as Laguna Vista and Port Isabel hosted ceremonies honoring those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
At 9 a.m. on November 11, the Town of Laguna Vista held its Veterans Day ceremony was hosted by the mayor and started with Pastor Hamilton giving an invocation. Community members then heard heartfelt remarks from Amy Robinson, co-founder of Laguna Madre Veterans United (LMVU), a new nonprofit dedicated to connecting local veterans with resources and fellowship.
“I did this because my husband served 26 years in the United States Air Force,” she shared, honoring Master Sergeant Terry Wayne Higginbotham , now retired. She also paid tribute to her late father, who served aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Atlantic during World War II and later participated in minesweeping operations in the Pacific.
Robinson explained that LMVU was created to continue the mission of Laguna Madre VetFest, which began in 2023, by offering year-round access to information and support for veterans and their families. “We wanted to bring resources here to our community,” she said. “Laguna Vista is small but mighty—and deeply patriotic.”
Every veteran was honored and the event closed with the pastor giving a benefiction.
Port Isabel: A Ceremony of Reflection and Respect
Later that morning, at 11 a.m., American Legion Post 498 hosted Port Isabel’s Veterans Day program at Veterans Memorial Park, led by veteran Phillip Rosenlund. The gathering began with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem before turning to poetry, history, and solemn reflection.
Local poet Rudy Garcia shared an original poem dedicated to his father, Roberto Hayes Garcia, a Mexican national who volunteered to fight for the U.S. during World War II and later became a proud citizen. His vivid piece paid tribute to Navy landing-barge pilots who delivered Marines to the beaches of the South Pacific.
The ceremony also featured Connie Thomas, District President of the American Legion Auxiliary, who presented the POW/MIA Table Ceremony—a symbolic tribute to prisoners of war and those missing in action. The event concluded with Taps, a benediction by Chaplain James Foster, and a community lunch at the Legion Hall.
Afterward, Rosenlund reflected on the day’s events, including the Veterans Day assembly earlier that morning at Port Isabel Early College High School.
“I was really impressed by the high schoolers and Superintendent Capistran’s speech this morning,” he said. “It has been a great day of remembrance for all.”
Although each ceremony reflected its own character—Laguna Vista’s close-knit spirit and Port Isabel’s longstanding tradition through Post 498 both shared a single message: gratitude. Together, they reminded residents that honoring veterans is not limited to one day but is a daily act of remembrance and appreciation.
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