TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 1
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2024
FOCUS ON
BUSINESS Honoring Service and Sacrifice, the Temple Chamber Celebrates 40 Years of Salute to Service Temple Chamber of Commerce Staff
NOVEMBER 2024 BUSINESS NETWORKING BREAKFAST Tuesday, November 5, 2024 7:30 - 8:30 am Sponsored by: Hilton Garden Inn - Temple Registration Required
HOLIDAY AROUND TOWN BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Thursday, November 7, 2024 5:00 - 7:30 pm Sponsored by: Cadence Bank Center
Colonel (Ret.) Thomas "Jerry" Curtis at Temple Chamber 40th Annual Military & First Responder Salute to Service The Temple Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrated the 40th annual Military & First Responder Salute to Service on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, presented by H-E-B’s Operation Appreciation and the American Legion Post 133 at the Mayborn Convention Center. Through this event, the Chamber united Central Texas in a heartfelt tribute to honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of our Armed Forces and first responders. Since the 1930s, the Temple Chamber has championed military support, with its Defense Projects Committee, led by Frank W. Mayborn, playing a crucial role in establishing Camp Hood (now Fort Cavazos) and the Olin E. Teague Veterans Center in Temple. This legacy of support remains at the heart of the Chamber’s mission today, honoring active-duty personnel, veterans, and their families.
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Fort Cavazos, the Texas Army National Guard, local veterans, and first responders. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to protect and serve, and the Chamber highlighted their invaluable contributions and dedication to the community and country. A particularly moving keynote was delivered by Colonel (Ret.) Thomas "Jerry" Curtis, the second-longest-held Prisoner of War (POW) of the Vietnam War. Curtis’s story of resilience, faith, and endurance captivated the audience. He recounted the 2,702 days he spent as a prisoner, his harrowing experiences, and the powerful resolve that sustained him. Curtis's words served as a reminder of the strength and sacrifices embodied by all who serve.
During the pandemic, the Salute to Service luncheon adapted into a virtual format with drive-thru pickups, ensuring that Central Texas military, veterans, and first responders still felt our gratitude. By 2022, the Chamber returned to an in-person luncheon, allowing the community to gather in unity once more.
This year’s event also included touching stories of service amid natural disasters. In response to the May tornadoes, 1st Sergeant Robert Weicht of III Armored Corps, his wife Britnia, and fellow soldiers mobilized to aid nearly 200 impacted families, clearing debris and distributing essential supplies. Britnia Weicht was later awarded the Commission of the Yellow Rose of Texas, by the Governor’s Office, recognizing her selfless contributions.
The 2024 luncheon welcomed active-duty soldiers from
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