A Day to Always Remember & Give Thanks

All the brave men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country and our freedom have inspired so many other brave soldiers to join the military and continue their legacy of commitment and dedication.

For Joe Hyde, publisher of San Angelo LIVE!, having the opportunity to serve his country and fly the same skies as his father, Captain Joe Hyde, Jr., was one of the many reasons he decided to join the U.S. Air Force.

Captain Hyde was a decorated officer who gave the ultimate sacrifice at the age of 33. As a pilot of the U-2 program, Hyde was tasked with flying over Cuba to ensure the Soviet Union would not deploy its nuclear missiles only 90 miles from the coast of Florida. He constantly risked his life in the line of duty.

Wanting to serve his country in the best way he could, Captain Hyde worked tirelessly to become part of the U-2 program, one of the most prestigious and respected programs in the Air Force.

It was during a flyover mission in a U-2C plane that Captain Hyde gave the ultimate sacrifice. Due to various technical difficulties and unknown circumstances, his aircraft plunged into sea, and his body was never recovered.

Captain Hyde's story is one of the many of patriotism and bravery by our men and women in uniform. The people who have sacrificed and continue to give their lives inspire others to follow in their steps and protect. For Joe Hyde, his father's story served as inspiration to serve in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years as a T-38C instructor pilot.

There are thousands of stories out there that narrate the moments where brave men and women laid down their lives for their country. Memorial Day is the time to thank all of those people like Captain Hyde who gave their lives for their country and their people, whether that's through celebration of family, or attending one of the events held in San Angelo today.

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid," President Harry S. Truman once said. "They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

In observation of Memorial Day, Fort Concho will be hosting a special ceremony at 9:00 am. Several prominent figures and groups from the Concho Valley will be present to honor all those who proudly served their country and have passed.

The ceremony will commence with the Posting of the Colors done by the Sons of the Confederate Veterans and the Fort Concho Living History Program. After the singing of the national anthem, Joyce Gray of the Pocahontas Chapter NSDAR, will lead the invocation. The director of the Fort, Bob Bluthardt, will introduce the program while patriotic music is performed by Stephanie Campbell.

Remarks and greetings will be presented in name of the City of San Angelo and Tom Green County by Mayor Dwain Morrison and Judge Steve Floyd respectively.

This year, the guest speaker will be Rev. John Pope, a retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. After the guest speaker, the retiring of the colors will ensue, followed by a reception provided by the Pocahontas Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  This event will be free to the public.

Bob Bluthardt, director of Fort Concho said, “10 buildings will be open: the Barracks One Visitors Center, Barracks Two Display Hall, Barracks Five & Mess Hall Buildings, Living History Stables, Headquarters, Hospital, Chapel,  and Officers Quarters 3 & 4.”

The Fort will also conduct normal business hours, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., with regular admissions cost.