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Rep. Bill Flores honors local veterans for community contributions

The Eagle - 4/6/2018

U.S. Rep. Bill Flores presented 13 Bryan-College Station veterans with commendations Thursday in recognition for their outstanding service not just in uniform, but also in the community.

For the past six years, Flores, R-Bryan, has presented the award to veterans in his district who have gone above and beyond in their humanitarian acts.

"The tradition of awarding deserving veterans with this commendation is something that I look forward to each year," Flores is quoted in a November press release in which he first announced this year's award recipients. "It is important that we recognize the sacrifices our military men and women have made for our freedom and liberties, as well as for our local communities."

The commendation is presented to veterans nominated by friends and community members to recognize the work they have done in the community. The list of recipients has grown each year, and Thursday at the American Legion Earl Graham Post 159, the following veterans were honored:

Gary Blair of Bryan

Jonathan Cassens of Bryan

Charles "Chuck" Clark of College Station

Luther G. Crum Jr. of College Station

Robert B. Ellis of Bryan

Larry E. Fikes of Bryan

Royce H. Hickman Jr. of College Station

John Carl Hince of Bryan

Frank J. Kocman Jr. of Bryan

Thomas Andrew Marty of College Station

Caton O. Milstead of Bryan

Charles J. Opersteny of Bryan

Miguel Orozco of College Station

Legion member and past commendation recipient Gerry Hince said Post 159's facility was filled with more than 100 people for the ceremony.

"Vets served our country -- and guess what?" she said. "They're still serving today."

Gerry Hince listed several of the 13 being celebrated whom she knows personally, pointing out their contributions to society. Kocman, she said, was a command sergeant major who served during World War II and founded Post 159's honor guard. Marty served in Air Force special operations, worked for many years as a police officer in California and now volunteers as an active member of the American Legion. Opersteny, a Korean War vet, gives a significant amount of his free time serving his church, St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bryan.

Blair, the Texas A&M women's basketball coach, also was honored for his organization Coach Blair Charities, which raises money for the Special Olympics and other nonprofits.

"Gary Blair does the actual work, too," Gerry Hince said. "He's involved with the kids -- he doesn't just talk."

Blair, who served in the a Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, said he was honored to be recognized.

"I'm honored and very appreciative," he said. ",,, This town has been so good to me. As a veteran, I don't want to be honored for what I did while in the Marine Corps, but used for what I can do right now."

Gerry Hince added that she was excited to know that her husband, Vietnam War vet and Legion commander John Hince, was among the 13 selected this year.

"I've been married for John for 45 years, and I just love that somebody else agrees with me that he is a very good man," she said.

Two additional veterans in Waco also were presented with commendations. All 15 recipients received a challenge coin, a flag flown in Washington D.C., and a certificate of recognition.