Coming home for a V-Day salute

Related Photos

Lt. General Tex Brown III Courtesy

The Index welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments outside our standards will be removed.

November 4, 2012

Coming home for a V-Day salute

Distinguished military officer, Mineral Wells native will be guest speaker for 30th annual Veterans Day of Recognition program

Anonymous Mineral Wells Index The Mineral Wells Index Sun Nov 04, 2012, 09:43 AM CST

By MARY CREIGHTON | Special to the Index

A former graduate of Mineral Wells High School is slated to be the guest speaker for the annual Veterans Day of Recognition program at Ram Stadium on Nov. 12.

Lt. General Richard E. “Tex” Brown III will once again serve as guest speaker for the salute to America’s veterans who died honorably serving America. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. with music by the Mineral Wells High School Band and a military flyover. The program will begin at 11 a.m.

This year’s event, sponsored by American Legion Post 75 and Mineral Wells ISD, marks its 30th year.

Brown was guest speaker for the Veterans Day of Recognition program at Miller Stadium in 2003. He graduated from MWHS then went to TCU, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and history in 1970. He was also in the ROTC and received his Commission for the Air Force. He became an Air Force pilot.

During his time as Air Force pilot, he served in the Vietnam War, gaining the rating of Command Pilot with more than 3,500 hours of flight time.

Brown earned the Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross with two bronze oak leaf clusters; Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Medal with two silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

Brown went on to receive his Master of Arts degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Oklahoma in 1977. He also attended three different military colleges and excelled at each.

At the time of his retirement, Brown served as assistant vice chief of staff at Headquarters for the U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C. He retired in 2004 after 34 years of service.

After his retirement, Tex moved into the civilian world of work around the District of Columbia. Presently he is a senior vice president of San Antonio-based Alion.

He and his wife, Ann, say they are glad to be back in Texas and look forward to returning to Mineral Wells on Nov. 12 to be part of the Veterans Day of Recognition program.