Umphrey Family Pavilion, Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas

A speaker at the dedication ceremony a monument at the park depicting a pair of boots, a rifle and a helmet
a enscribed stone set near the manument dedicating the park a woman seated near the enscribed stone, reading it

Embrace the Gentle Heroes
-A Veterans Day Salute-
By Ed Snyder/Outdoors

November 11, 2006 - Umphrey Family Pavilion, Lake Sam Rayburn, TX

Opening prayers quieted the throng who arrived to take part in this November 11th 2006 - Veterans Day Memorial service as LSRPA Chairman, Nelson Burton, began the program thanking all who were involved in the planning, financial support, and construction of this memorial site at the Umphrey Family Pavilion.

A special memorial plaque strategically positioned on the lake view side of the Pavilion flag podium gives further credence:

In Memory of
Col. Billy Marshall US Army RET
May 8 1926 - May 28 2006
Without Whose Commitment the Lake
Sam Rayburn Pavilion Would Not
Have Been Possible
Given By Paralyzed Veterans of America
Texas Chapter of Houston and Lone Star
Chapter of Dallas/Ft. Worth

As local celebrities and dignitaries such as Judge Joe Folk, Mark W. Allen, Tom McClurg, Col. Bill Marshall Jr., Charles Shofner and Don Collins addressed the crowd with heartfelt words of praise, dedication, and memoriam, a glint of service medals, national pride, and great personal sacrifice could be seen and felt throughout an audience who came to applaud and remember those who served, are serving, and to honor those heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

A special dedication was given by the Paralyzed Veterans of America officers, Lone Star Chapter, Steven Ray, of Dallas/FT Worth district, and Texas Chapter Treasurer, John G. Haynes, of the Houston District. "We, of the PVA, honor the memory of Col. Bill E. Marshall, stated PVA President, Steven Ray, and are very proud to have been a part of this great facility built from the driving force of his vision and determination.

With memorial wreaths placed and honored, Mrs. Bill E. Marshall proudly undraped the Veterans Day Monument of a fallen soldier to the applauds of a cheering crowd.

And then they were gone; leaving behind the muffled sounds of whistling winds ruffling autumn leaves and fluttering flags furling and unfurling around a lone monument of a fallen comrade that seemed to be whispering the solemn words of a soldier's poem.

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