Brazos County Veteran Service Officers Honored

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website calls Veterans Day, "a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good."

In that spirit, some in Brazos County will mark this Veterans Day with a roll call of new names added to the Wall of Honor at the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial in College Station's Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. The Wall currently has more than 6,600 names inscribed in its 250 tons of red granite, and officials say about 120 new names will join them this year.

Two of those names are significant, not only for their service but for the impact they continue to have on Brazos County veterans. Pamela Robertson and Benjamin Holmes work every day on behalf of local veterans in the Brazos County Veteran Service Office. They advocate for veterans, their families, and their survivors to ensure that Brazos County veterans and their families receive all the rights and entitlements they earned which are provided by federal and state law.

Steve Beachy, Special Assistant to the President of the Board of Directors of the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial, nominated and sponsored Robertson and Holmes to have their names placed on the Wall of Honor.

"It's a real honor to nominate Pamela and Ben because they do so much for everybody else. They're professional and compassionate and truly care about Veterans," Beachy said.

"Being sponsored to have my name on the Veteran Memorial Wall is one of the greatest honors I could ever receive," said Robertson. "To be personally recognized by Stephen Beachy - a veteran who has given so much of himself to our community - fills me with gratitude and a deep sense of pride. Serving as the Brazos County Veteran Service Officer has been a privilege beyond words, and having my name etched among those who have served is truly humbling. I am profoundly grateful to Judge Peters, the Commissioners, and especially to our veteran community, who have welcomed and supported me so openly. This honor is not just a recognition of my service; it's a testament to the strength and unity of this community, and I am immensely proud to be a part of it."

When Holmes learned of the honor, he decided he wanted to share the day with his son, also a veteran, so he nominated and sponsored the addition of his name as well.

Holmes said, "Being sponsored to have my name on the Brazos County Veteran Memorial Wall is an incredible honor that I hold deeply in my heart. Having my name alongside my son's on this wall, with our family gathered around, means more than words can truly express. We are both proud native Texans who have served and traveled far, but being here again and seeing our names set in stone, forever a part of this community's history, feels profoundly meaningful. It's a lasting tribute to our service and a testament to the bond we share, and I'm grateful beyond measure to be part of something so enduring and special."

Specialist Pamela Robertson served in the Army from 1992-1996, and in the Army Reserve from 1996-2000. She was awarded the Army Accommodation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Gunnery Sergeant (Retired) Benjamin Holmes served in the Marine Corps from 1985-2001 and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

The Wall of Honor contains the names of veterans from all U.S.-involved conflicts who are friends and family members of Brazos Valley residents. While it's too late to add more names for this year's celebration, anyone who would like to add a name for the Veterans Day 2025 ceremony can start the process here: https://www.bvvm.org/wall-of-honor/.

This year's Veterans Day Ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 under the American Pavilion at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex (3101 Harvey Road, College Station). All are invited to attend.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.