White Sands Test Center Commander Col. Matthew Johnson honored veterans during a Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 13 at Mesilla Valley Christian School.

Test Center Commander honors veterans at ceremony

White Sands Test Center Commander Col. Matthew Johnson honored veterans during a Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 13 at Mesilla Valley Christian School.

The school held a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor community veterans and Johnson served as the guest speaker.

Johnson thanked the Las Cruces Police Department Color Guard, elementary school students and the school choir for their participation and presentations during the ceremony.

He then took a moment to recognize all the veterans in attendance.

“On this Veterans Day we remember the 18 million veterans and the values they have upheld.”

Johnson began his speech by telling an anecdote about his grandfather, a veteran, who fell asleep while leading a convoy during the war in 1945 somewhere in France.

“As I shared my grandfather’s story, I would ask each of you to get the veterans in your life to tell their story,” Johnson said. “Telling our stories is the only way our service and sacrifice, especially for those that have been lost, will be remembered.”

Then he went on to talk about how all service members adhere to the Army Corp Values.

“Those values reaffirm their commitment to each other, their units, the Army and the nation,” Johnson said.

Those values are Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

Interacting with students he asked to whom they should be loyal. Students responded: God, parents, teachers, country, and friends.

He then talked about the importance of duty and doing their job, to which students responded that their duty was to do their homework and their chores.

Talking about respect, Johnson told students that they should treat people the way they want to be treated.

“When it comes to respect it is important to follow the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” Johnson said. “Don’t forget about self-respect as you are created in God’s image.”

Speaking on selfless service Johnson told students they should put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and subordinates before their own.

In reference to honor Johnson said that Soldiers who develop a habit of being honorable solidify every value choice they make. “Start by honoring your parents.”

When talking about integrity Johnson told students to do what is right legally and morally.

“As your integrity grows so does the trust that others place in you.”

Highlighting personal courage Johnson said it means that at times you will risk personal safety.

“Continue doing the right thing. You can build personal courage in your daily life.”

Johnson then asked students about their values.

“Consider what is important to you. What type of person do you want to be? What type of character do you want to have? How do you want others to perceive you?”

Miriam Rodriguez

WSMR Public Affairs