By MARY CREIGHTON | Special to the Index

It has been announced that the State Commander for Department of Texas American Legion, the State Detachment Commander and Department of Texas President of American Legion will be honored guests at the 30th Veterans Day of Remembrance program to be held at Ram Stadium on Monday, starting at 10:30 a.m.

Following is information on each of the special guests:

Department of Texas State Commander Don Corbin

State Commander Dan Corbin lives in Killeen, where he is the current mayor. Commander Corbin has had a long history with the military, serving in several capacities after graduating from high school in Illinois. Throughout his career, he continued to build on his educational credentials. Starting as a Spanish Linguist in the Panama Canal Zone to Engineer Officer School, becoming a Military Intelligence Officer and did a tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne.   

Corbin returned to Fort Hood and took classes at Central Texas College until he was assigned to University of Illinois to gain his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Master’s degree in Accounting Science. He also passed the CPA exam and then attended Military Intelligence Officer’s Advanced Course. After serving at Fort Hood, he left active duty but continued in the U.S. Army Reserves. He commanded two different groups in Military Intelligence before retiring as lieutenant colonel.  

Corbin continued his quest for education during the time he was in the reserves. He attended UTA School of Law, receiving a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree and went into full time law practice in 1982. He would also do teaching and other jobs with Central Texas College before returning to full time law practice in 1992.

Corbin served as state judge advocate for the American Legion Department of Texas from 2007 to 2012 when he became Department of Texas Commander. Being active in his community, Corbin was also member of several other organizations including the Lions, AmVets and VFW.  The city of Killeen elected him mayor in May. 

American Legion Detachment Commander for Texas Jeff Alvis

Jeff Alvis is serving as detachment commander for the State of Texas this year. Alvis comes from Marshall. His membership is based on his father’s American Legion status. Alvis’ father served in the Navy.

Detachment Commander Alvis was not able to serve in the military due to injuries to his eyes as a child, however he is very active in the Sons of the Legion program and is proud that he honors veterans for their service. He has served in local, state and national position with the Sons of the Legion. There are more than 8,000 members in the Sons of the Legion squadrons in Texas.  

Alvis has been active in other organizations such as Rotary, Elks, Marshall Chamber of Commerce, Masonic Lodge and Military Affairs Committee of Marshall.

Department of Texas American Legion Auxiliary President Marty Peters

Marty Peters serves as Department of Texas President for the American Legion Auxiliary. She and her husband, Ken, live in Granbury. Her membership has been with the C.E. DeLario American Legion Auxiliary Unit 50 in Cleburne since 1993 and is an honorary lifetime member.  She qualifies for membership through her husband, who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps/U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.

President Peters has been very active in the American Legion Auxiliary programs of the Cleburne community. She has served as President of that Unit and served at state and national levels in various committees.

Marty has been honored for her work, such as being selected as Auxiliary Unit Member of the Year and as Sons of the American Legion Mother of the Year. She has also owned and operated a tax and accounting business in Cleburne since 1986.  Marty is also involved in Johnson County Zonta Club.

The Department of Texas American Legion Auxiliary has approximately 20,000 members. They are related to veterans that served in the U.S. military during time of war and their programs include service to veterans, military, community, education and youth.