Rockwall residents gathered on the morning of Nov. 11, 2026 at the J.E.R. Chilton YMCA for the city’s annual Veterans Day ceremony, a tradition that brings together veterans, families, and neighbors to honor military service and sacrifice.
According to Blue Ribbon News, the program opened with a rendition of “The Star‑Spangled Banner” by the Rockwall High School Sting A Cappella. Clarence Jorif then led the flag‑folding ceremony, explaining the meaning of each of the flag’s 13 folds while recognizing veterans from every branch and the families who support them.
Keynote speaker David Peek – an Army veteran, Rockwall County Treasurer and founding member of the Rockwall County Veterans Memorial Foundation – shared a personal narrative woven around a collection of military patches. He highlighted a World War II patch from his grandfather, an Army medic stationed in Austria, and a 1989 Fort Sill training patch presented to him by a drill sergeant. Peek, a West Point graduate commissioned in 1991, served on active duty until 1998 with assignments at Fort Sill, Camp Casey in South Korea, and Fort Stewart, Georgia, and continued in the Army Reserve until 2004.
During his remarks, Peek emphasized the impact of military mentors and the challenges faced by service‑member families, recalling an unaccompanied deployment to Korea that began just one month after his wedding. He also honored his late mother, an Air Force civilian who assisted families with survivor benefits, underscoring the broader scope of service beyond the battlefield.
Peek provided an update on the Veterans Memorial Foundation’s brick garden at the Rockwall County courthouse, which now contains 272 engraved bricks honoring veterans and those killed in action. Additional brick installations are planned for future years, expanding the community’s lasting tribute.
Following the keynote, YMCA Board Chair Mitch Ownby delivered closing remarks, thanking volunteers and emphasizing the importance of preserving the YMCA’s tradition of honoring veterans. Rockwall County Judge Frank New offered the closing prayer, expressing gratitude and asking for continued blessings for veterans and their families. The ceremony concluded with a group photograph of veterans in front of the American flags.
What’s next: The Rockwall County Veterans Memorial Foundation intends to add more engraved bricks to the courthouse garden in the coming years, continuing the community’s effort to recognize and remember local service members.
Sources: blueribbonnews.com
