AUSTIN, Texas — The names of 27 veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice were read off at a ceremony at Travis Early College High School on Saturday.
Many of those honored also attended what was then known as "Travis High School" prior to the school's name change.
"It’s very important that we want to appreciate and respect those that gave their lives for their country," Randy Galbreath, president of the Travis High School Monument Committee, said.
It has been a tradition for alumni and families of fallen veterans to come out to the monument on Memorial Day weekend since 2015.
Veronica Vargas remembered her father, Daniel Vargas, at Saturday's ceremony.
“I was honored when his fellow schoolmates at Travis [High], kind of came out, and said, 'Hey, we want to put your dad's name on this monument. We recognize him as a hero.' He is our hero,” Vargas said.
Daniel Vargas served in Vietnam and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for his service.
“[He] fought for our freedom," Veronica Vargas said. "He made sacrifices and he is honored ... I mean he got the No. 1 metal you can receive. I will always cherish that."
Veronica Vargas said her dad died in 2014 from complications from Agent Orange.