Cpl. Tevan Lee Nguyen , United States Marine Corps, of Hutto was remembered on Saturday afternoon in a moving tribute at Veteran’s Hill Elementary School. Cpl. Nguyen was born and grew up in the Hutto area of Williamson County, graduating from Hutto High School in 2007. He joined the Marines right after high school and served honorably for several years, winning the Purple Heart and other medals. He died on Dec. 28, 2010 in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan while engaged in combat operations.
The Patriot Riders, a group of military veterans who provide motorcycle escorts for fallen soldiers and their families, escorted the family to the school. In a beautiful, patriotic display, when the family arrived a large number of Boy Scouts and other Patriot Riders were holding large American flags and lining the long driveway up the hill to the school. Cpl. Nguyen’s parents, Tam and Amy Nguyen, as well as his girlfriend, Monique Sterns, and his three month old son, Tevan Nguyen, Jr. ,plus many other family members friends attended the ceremony. A large number of military veterans from across the county also were in attendance, many in uniform.
Several moving speeches were given by folks that knew Cpl. Nguyen well. His English teacher and football coach at Hutto High School, Coach Mickey Bushong, spoke about how Tevan was a great student and leader. He told of how one day a recruiter was at school in the cafeteria and how the twenty-something young man, who was already in the military, was challenging everyone to a chin-up contest. Coach Bushong said that Tevan loved to win, and so he beat the recruiter and was so proud to have done so. He also told of how much it meant for Tevan to return to the school to visit after basic training to visit him. Next, Cpl. Nguyen’s friend from the Marines, Cpl. Ken Foehl gave an emotional talk about their time together in training for two years in Bangor, Maine and then at Camp Pendleton, California. His voice broke with emotion when he spoke of the last meal he had with Cpl. Nguyen at an IHOP near Camp Pendleton. Cpl. Foehl said that of all the Marines he knew, Cpl. Nguyen was the last one he expected to not come home. Cpl. Foehl reminded us that our freedom was won “by the blood of others and that freedom isn’t free.”
US Congressman John R. Carter (R-Round Rock) thanked the family for their sacrifice and presented them with a US flag that flew over the US Capitol in his memory. State Representative Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock) along with me and members of Military Moms of Texas, who hosted the event, presented the family with homemade quilts made by the Sun City Quilters. Mr. and Mrs. Nguyen received a patriotic quilt as did Cpl. Nguyen’s girlfriend, Monique Sterns and his infant son, Tevan, Jr. Capt. Christopher Buttry, USMC, a nephew of Sen. Steve Ogden, spoke on behalf of the senator and presented a Texas flag to the family. Round Rock City Councilmember Rufus Honeycutt, a former member of the United States Marine Corps, also spoke about the sacrifice made by this Marine and all members of the military. Hutto Mayor David Begier, a former member of the Air Force, saluted Cpl. Nguyen. And, Heather Chody, the teenage daughter of Constable Robert Chody, sang the national anthem.
Cindy Blankenship, a retired Army officer and an member of Military Moms of Texas, presented the Gold Star Banner to the family. She and Tracy LaPorte, founder of Military Moms, organized the event with the help of many in the community, including Donna Harrell, Veterans Service Officer for Williamson County.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held and attendees had the opportunity to view mementoes from Cpl. Nguyen’s life, such as his service medals, photos from his childhood, trophies from various sports he played and more. All in all, it was a moving tribute to an American hero.
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