Dayton honors veterans
75th District Court Judge Mark Morefield gives the keynote address at the Dayton Veterans Day Appreciation Luncheon. The Vindicator | Geovanni De Hoyos
DAYTON — Tables were filled both by veterans and active service members at the annual City of Dayton Veterans Day Appreciation Luncheon.
Speakers presented were Dayton Mayor Martin Mudd and 75th District Court Judge Mark Morefield, an Army Vietnam from 1969-1971.
The Dayton ROTC performed the Presentation of Colors, the national anthem was sung by Susan Giberson, President of the Dayton Noon Lions Club, and the Pledge of Allegiance was voiced by Pastor Aaron DeLaughter from New Life United Pentecostal Church, who served in the Marine Corps from 1982-1993.
Journey Fellowship Church’s Pastor Howie Howeth delivered the invocation, and TAPS was performed by Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Captain Ken Defoor.
Each table had framed photos of fallen servicemen and women from Texas.
“ To you, the men and woman of our armed forces, I salute you, and I say thank you,” said Mudd.
Morefield acknowledged his history in the service along with his uncle and other veterans he had come to know.
“ Today is the day we gather, and we reflect, and we remember, and we honor those selfless men and woman who have sacrificed so much to maintain our American way of life as our military veterans,” said Morefield.
Morefield also acknowledged the hard work of the team behind the county’s Veterans Treatment Court.
Hon. Judge Marvin Powell serves as the Court Liaison Program Coordinator and Andrias Lowe is a VA representative who serves as the Veteran Justice Outreach Coordinator. Morefield serves as the judge.
The VTC is a voluntary intervention program for veterans charged with a felony or misdemeanor due to unmanaged substance use or mental health disorders.
Completing the program allows veterans to have their charges dismissed through diversion or conditional discharge through probation.
“ The Veterans Treatment Court presents a wonderful opportunity to veterans that find themselves accused of committing a criminal offense to have those accusations diverted to the Veterans court where they can receive a treatment,” said Morefield.
Check out photos of local veterans that joined the city at the annual event on Page 10.