Whitney’s Veterans Day event is slated this year for 11 a.m. Friday, November 10, at the Family Life Center (Lake Whitney Senior Center) of the King Memorial Methodist Church.
The Fort Graham Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution is proud to once again be sponsoring this important celebration, with Reverend Denise Rogers hosting.
Co-chairs Madeleine Lively and Debbie Gregory have announced that Gunnery Sergeant (Ret.) Jason Sneed has accepted the invitation to appear as keynote speaker for the much-anticipated event.
During his time in the Marines, Sneed was trained as and served in many different military occupational specialties, to include infantry rifleman, machine gunner, amphibious assault, civil affairs and personal security detail.
While continuing to be promoted through the ranks, he served in leadership roles from the team and squad level up to battalion and regimental roles with immense responsibilities.
Sneed’s 21 years in the Marines saw duty on nearly every continent, save Antarctica. He was deployed for three combat tours in Iraq, three combat tours in Afghanistan, in addition to numerous expeditionary force deployments around the world for months at a time.
After the Marines, Sneed transitioned to civilian life, becoming a licensed insurance agent and working at Sneed Insurance Agency in McGregor, where he and his brother are carrying on in the family business as their father nears retirement.
Sneed and his family reside in Whitney. His wife, Kara Auten Sneed, is a registered dental assistant. They are the parents of five children, and Sneed is an elected member of the Whitney ISD Board of Trustees.
Sneed and his family are active in their church, Whitney Fellowship, where he serves as a youth pastor. He is also a member of the VFW and Marine Corps League and several other benevolent organizations locally and nationally.
He has a Bachelors of Science degree in Christian Ministry, a Masters of Divinity, a Masters in Christian Apologetics, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Theology.
Highlights of the 2023 Veterans Day celebration will include patriotic music of the World War II era to be played by the Whitney Jazz Band under the direction of Michael Wilson; a slide show with lyrics to the anthems of major branches of the U.S. Military to guide the audience in singing, and special relevant displays to be arranged around the venue, including the Missing Man exhibit by Debbie Gregory of the West VFW Post 4819 Auxiliary.
Light refreshments will be served.
Principals organizing the event to honor veterans of the Whitney community include Fort Graham Chapter NSDAR Regent Susan Cook and DAR members Madeleine Lively and Debbie Gregory, co-chairs of the event.
Reverend Denise Rogers, pastor of the King Memorial Methodist Church, is hosting the event.
The Lakelander 