MEDIA ADVISORY: Texas Agriculture Memorial Day Honors the Lives And Sacrifices Made By Farmers and Ranchers

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Texas Agriculture Memorial Day Honors the Lives And Sacrifices Made By Farmers and Ranchers (11/19/2019)

AUSTIN — On Thursday, November 21, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture will host the fourth Annual Texas Agriculture Memorial Day at the State Capitol in Austin. Texas Agriculture Memorial Day is a day to remember the lives and honor the sacrifices of Texas farmers and ranchers whose dedication to agriculture contributes so much to our heritage and our economy.

The event, in the Capitol Extension Auditorium, will recognize men and women who have lost their lives or have been severely injured while engaged in agricultural-related pursuits, and those who passed away due to other causes but had an significant role in the agricultural community.

A memorial wreath will be delivered to the steps of the Texas Capitol by state 4-H and FFA youth leaders. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will provide an honor guard to accompany the wreath as well as a lone bagpiper. Commissioner Sid Miller will accept the wreath on behalf of the families and deliver it to the event.

Texas Agriculture Memorial Day was organized by John Paul Dineen, III who lost his son to an agriculture-related accident. All listed events are open to the public.

Among the individuals being recognized, eight individuals who lost their lives in an agriculture-related accident will be remembered and seven will be posthumously honored for dedicating their life to agriculture.

Memorial:

William Ray Pankonien from College Station, Texas
Travis William Herring from Lometa, Texas
Marvin Schiel from Magnolia, Texas
James Loran from Seymour, Texas
Cole Easton Gordon Friendswood, Texas
Booker Franklin Foster from Kress, Texas
Clint Riddle from Italy, Texas
Sue Boyd from Whitney, Texas

Life of Service:

Walter Browning “Buddy” Banks from Waxahachie, Texas
Jessica Lynn Chance from Azle, Texas
Randy Justiss from Lancaster, Texas
Felipe G. Avila from Robstown, Texas
Marcus “Mark” Hardinburg Brown from Sherman, Texas
Meagan Hooker from Italy, Texas
William Raymond Gorman from Italy, Texas

WHEN:	Thursday Nov. 21, 2019 Memorial Wreath Delivery 1:30 p.m. *MEDIA OPPORTUNITY Ceremony: 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:	Texas State Capitol 1100 Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78701 Memorial Wreath Delivery: South Steps of the Capitol Memorial Ceremony: Capitol Extension Auditorium (E1.004)
WHO:	Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller John Paul Dineen, III – Organizer State FFA and 4-H Youth Leaders Department of Public Safety Honor Guard and Bagpiper
WHY:	It is important to recognize and honor those who have lost their lives or were severely injured in an agriculture-related accident. The Texas industry of agriculture appreciates the sacrifices required to produce the food and fiber we all need.
MEDIA VISUAL	The memorial wreath for this event will be transported via a lone rider on horseback, backed by a ceremonial DPS honor guard on horseback led by a lone bagpiper. The procession will travel up the eastbound capitol drive, with Congress Avenue and the Austin skyline behind it and the Capitol in front.

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For media interviews with Commissioner Sid Miller or other participants, please contact:

Maddison Jaureguito
(512) 463-7899

More TDA press releases are available at TexasAgriculture.gov/Newsroom