To honor our nation’s veterans, Leander ISD asked for photo submissions in the week leading up to Veterans Day. Individuals were asked to provide a photo of or with a veteran they wished to recognize.
Thank you for submitting your photos, and most importantly, thank you to these individuals and to all of our nation’s veterans.We salute you for your sacrifice and commitment to serving our country.
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- Lawrence Ciccarelli, U.S. Army major, father to Joe Ciccarelli, who says: “Drawing from a picture taken in England in November of 1945 while awaiting a ship home after having just returned from Germany.”
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- Faber Spires, U.S. Air Force master sergeant, grandfather to Morgan LaGrappe. Spires served in World War II.
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- Murray James, U.S. Air Force, father to Jenny Orthy, who says: “Thanks for being my hero, Dad!”
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- (Left) Charles Billiter, U.S. Navy, grandfather to Amy Bray; (Top Right) Ross Billiter, U.S. Navy, father to Amy Bray; and (Bottom Right) Kevin Bray, U.S. Air Force, spouse to Amy Bray
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- Vincent Mcgrath, U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer IV, grandfather to Christine Mauer and great grandfather to Neil Mauers, a 5th-grader at Reagan Elementary.
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- Verlon McGee Jr., U.S. Army E8, husband to Melissa McGee, who says: “Special thanks to my husband, who served 28 years in the U.S. military, serving in Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and two tours in Iraq, one in Afghanistan.”
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- George Schock, U.S. Army master sergeant, father to George Schock. Schock served as an Airborne Ranger during the Korean Conflict and retired from the U.S. Army after 28 years of service.
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- Carson Neal, U.S. Army Airborne Infantry specialist, son to Amy Neal. Carson is 2013 graduate of Rouse High School and is currently stationed at Ft. Polk, LA.
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- Bill Schauer, U.S. Army Air Corps staff sergeant, grandfather to Chris Simpson. Schauer enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the age of 17, immediately after finishing high school. He was the head mechanic for his unit and was on Guam during most of his 3 years of service from 1946-1949.
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- Bryan Mitchell, U.S. Marine Corps lance corporal, husband to Ana Mitchell, who says: “Thanks for serving our country and extending your dedication to your family, friends and community. We love you!”
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- Tara Dicken, U.S. Air Force, friend to Jenn Atkinson, who says: “Tara is a devoted friend, spouse, dog lover, and Texas Rangers fan! She was committed to serving her country as a member of the Air Force and is not committed to serving her community as a city of Austin police officer. Thank you for your service Tara! We love you!”
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- Nicholas Ford, U.S. Navy seaman E3, son to Tarica Ford, who says: “I am so proud of my son for choosing to follow in both of his Great Grandfathers career in both the Navy and Coast Guard.”
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- Jason Mauldin, U.S. Army sergeant, son-in-law to Linda Paris. Mauldin, Leander High School Class of 1999, is also the father of Riley Mauldin, Leander MS, and Reece Mauldin, Jim Plain Elementary. Mauldin served in Iraq.
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- Joseph Travis, U.S. Army captain, son-in-law to Deborah Eubank. Joseph is a 2004 graduate of Leander High School.
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- Bryce Rendall, U.S. Navy E5 2nd class petty officer, father to Jami Allen and grandfather to Brycen (pictured) and Rhys.
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- Kaitlyn Koski, U.S. Air Force captain, daughter of Amy Koski. Kaitlyn is an Air Battle Manager on the AWACS and has had two deployments to the Persian Gulf. She is a 2009 CPHS graduate.
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- Bart Hopkins, retired U.S. Air Force major, spouse of Perla Hopkins., who says: “Thank you for leading our family! – With Love”
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- Mike Gazella, Army, World War II Veteran, father of Teresa Gazella. Teresa says, “My dad was drafted immediately after high school into the army where he served as an administrative NCO in Germany.”
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- Phil Kraus, father to Shannon Darby, Submarine Sonar Tech 2nd Class, U.S. Navy.
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- Bill Hill, Airman First Class, U.S. Air Force, father-in-law of Kristen Hill. Kristen says, “He served from 1963-1967. Bill is a proud grandfather of four LISD students: two VHS graduates, one VHS sophomore and one FPMS 8th-grader.”
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- Miguel Angel Baez III, U.S. Army. Spouse of Elena Baez. Elena says, “He is my hero, and I am so honored and proud ot be a part of the military as a spouse supporting her husband.”
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- Alfonso N. Paniagua, U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant, husband to Sylvia Paniagua. Sylvia says, “He serves with honor on the marine corp for 12 years, and I feel that he was one of the best. He is my hero.”
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- Paul Cushman, retired Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, brother of Camie Cushman, who says: “Couldn’t be prouder for his service to our country!”
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- Milton F. Morales, grandfather of Meredith Connely, World War II U.S. Navy Veteran.
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- Michael Romberger and earl Romberger, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, grandfather and father of Barbara Parsons. Barbara says, “I have the honor and privilege to have a father who served in the United States Navy, and grandfather(s) who served in the U.S. Air Force and Army. In addition to the two in the photo was my other grandfather, Earl Kelley. All three men are exemplary veterans who served our great country with pride. They also served their families with commitment and love.”
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- Col. Ronald F. Kiber, U.S. Air Force, grandfather of Shannon Lombardo.
