Veterans to be honored during Homecoming

Published or Revised September 27, 2005

Paris Junior College Alumni and Friends Association has planned a busy three-day weekend of homecoming activities Nov. 10, 11, and 12. Military veterans will be the honorees throughout the weekend, with the highlight coming on Saturday when all World War II veterans who attended Paris Junior College are inducted into the Hall of Honor. Homecoming events will begin with a reception and oral history interviews of World War II veterans and include events for the William A. Owens Centennial Celebration. That's just on Thursday. On Friday, a Veteran's Day memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. in DeShong Chapel to honor the memory of PJC alumni who lost there lives in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Then at precisely 11 a.m., one of the largest Veteran's Day observances ever held in Northeast Texas will take place at Noyes Stadium on the PJC campus. Texas Gov. Rick Perry will be on hand to give the keynote address. A military flyover, a 21-gun salute, special music and other activities will recognize former and current military veterans from all branches of the service. On both Thursday and Friday at noon, the college cafeteria will be open to serve homecoming guests. A special menu at a cost of $5 per person will be available. PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin will host a reception at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the McLemore Student Center for all homecoming guests and honorees. Everyone will have the opportunity to attend the performance of "Tell Me A Story, Sing Me A Song," a play based on one of Dr. Williams Owens' books, at 7:30 p.m. in the theater. Tickets are $10. Saturday will begin with events scheduled at the Love Civic Center, located just south of the campus on Collegiate Drive. Beginning at 9 a.m., the Alumni Association will hold its business meeting. A continental breakfast will be served at the meeting. The class of 1955 is holding its 50th reunion during homecoming weekend, and the class will meet at Love Civic Center at 10 a.m. Saturday. Registration for the luncheon and fellowship for everyone attending homecoming will be on the agenda at the Civic Center throughout Saturday morning. The annual awards luncheon will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the Civic Center. This event, which highlights homecoming each year, will feature the induction into the PJC Hall of Honor of all PJC alumni who served in World War II. Activities will continue Saturday afternoon with the meeting of classmates and friends from the classes of 1964, 1965 and 1966. They will gather at 2 p.m. in room 205 of the McLemore Student Center. A matinee performance of "Tell Me A Story, Sing Me A Song" will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the theater. Basketball will wrap up the weekend of homecoming activities Saturday evening. The Lady Dragons will play Eastern Oklahoma at 6 p.m. in the Hunt Center, followed by the defending national champion Dragons playing Eastern at 8 p.m. During half-time of the men's game, the Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned.