Bonham -- For almost two decades, Bonham has been fortunate to host one of the four Regional Veterans Day Observance programs in Texas.  Only 41 of these celebrations are held across the U.S. 

On Friday, Warriors Stadium was a sea of waving flags, proud veterans and enthusiastic young patriots for the 19th Annual Regional Veterans Day Observance in Bonham.

This event got off to a great start when a U.S. Army helicopter came banking in a hard left turn over the stadium and touched down on the football field.

"Thank you all for your service," Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd told the veterans in the center of the bleachers after the Lone Star Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America presented the colors.  "We are fortunate to have a great VA Center in Bonham and it's fortunate we get to serve as the gathering place for veterans on Veterans Day."

State Senator Bob Deuell also addressed the crowd briefly.  Senator Deuell's father was a U.S. Marine at Guadalcanal and his mother was a 30-year nurse at a veterans facility.

Even as the nation struggled to understand why a U.S. Army major would kill 12 soldiers at Fort Hood on November 5, Deuell pointed out that the family and friends of 2003 Terrell High School graduate Army medic Shawn McNabb were gathering Friday to pay their last respects to the fallen soldier.  McNabb died when the helicopter he was riding in crashed in Afghanistan.

"We'll go on," Deuell said solemnly. 

To the people that filled Warrior Stadium, he added, "Thank you for being here to honor our veterans."

Keynote speaker retired USAF Brigadier General Karen S. Rankin said that while America's armed forces have stood ready to defend our freedom for 233 years, but she asked the crowd to remember it took not only veterans, but patriots as well, to preserve our freedom.