San Marcos honors Veterans on Memorial Day Weekend

Staff Reports

San Marcos will pay tribute to local veterans throughout Memorial Day weekend with special events at the San Marcos City Cemetery and the Hays County Veterans Memorial.

American Legion Post 144 and Scout Troop 112 will host a ceremony commemorating U.S. military veterans who died during wartime at the San Marcos City Cemetery, 1001 Old Ranch Road 12, Saturday, May 29. Scout Troop 112 will raise the flag during the ceremony and place flags on the graves of all soldiers.

The public is also invited to honor men and women from Hays County who lost their lives in combat during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Hays County Veterans Memorial, located at the corner of Hopkins Street and Riverside Drive, on Monday, May 31, beginning at 10 a.m.

Veterans from the different war eras will participate in the ceremonial reading of the names of the war dead, dating back to World War I. San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson will preside over the Memorial Day ceremony.   

Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Nicholas Mongillo will be the keynote speaker at the event.  Capt. Mongillo served in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Throughout his service, Capt. Mongillo accumulated over 6,000 flight hours, 750 arrested landings, and is the recipient of numerous awards and honors.   

During the Memorial Day weekend events, participants will also be able to learn more about the veterans’ organizations active in the San Marcos community, as well as the Hays County Veterans Service Office, located in the Hays County Courthouse.  

In addition to the Veterans Memorial, local veterans are honored online through a collaboration by the City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation and Geographic Information Systems Departments. The teams created an online story map, highlighting initiatives and programs offered for veterans year-round. The site allows visitors to share photos, stories, and information about local veterans and sponsor a wreath for the annual Wreaths Across America event. The interactive feature may be viewed online at www.sanmarcostx.gov/veteransmemorial. 

As a reminder, plaques installed at the Hays County Veterans Memorial may be purchased any time throughout the year. Order forms are available online at www.sanmarcostx.gov/veteransmemorial.   

For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 512.393.8400