Garden rededicated in honor of fallen officers

  By Crystal KobzaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- In southwest Houston new crosses and new plaques now honor the memory of two fallen Houston police officers. The memorial garden at the southwest substation was re-dedicated for those fallen officers Thursday morning.

The memorial garden is to honor and remember Officer James Charles Boswell and Officer Guy Patrick Gaddis. Both of the men were only in their 20s when they died in the line of duty in Houston.

Officer Boswell, at the age of 29, in 1989 was shot by a man who claimed to be a DEA informant. Officer Gaddis was 24 years old in 1994 when he was shot in his own patrol car while transporting two handcuffed prisoners.

HPD Captain Wyatt Martin says this memorial garden has new life, thanks to the community. He added that many of the men who are still on the force today remember these two fallen officers. Some of them actually attended the police academy together some 20 years ago.

"Just having them here, I think lets the officers know that what they are doing means something to someone, not only to their co-workers, but with what the community did for us here at the station, it lets them know people actually care," Captain Martin said.

The memorial garden, along with the rest of the grounds at the southwest division police substation, were cleaned up, thanks to a keep Houston beautiful community donation. Part of the effort was to clean up the gardens, and refurbish the plaques and two memorial crosses.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Runners raise funds for veterans, honor 9/11 victims

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Thousands of area runners raised money Saturday for veterans and honored victims of the September 11 attacks.

About 3,000 runners took part in the Travis Manion Foundation 9/11 Heroes Run at Ellington Airport. This year's theme was "Honor the Fallen by Challenging the Living."

In addition to Houston, the run was held in Iraq, Afghanistan and 21 states across the U.S.

The Travis Manion Foundation works with veterans and the families of fallen service members. The foundation was named for U.S. Marines First Lieutenant Travis Manion who was killed in Iraq in 2007.

"It's grown into this national organization that's able to honor help and serve our veterans first responders and military community," James Brobyn, executive director, said.

Organizers of the event say the primary goal is to pay tribute to the thousands who were killed that day and the millions of men and women who have helped keep America safe in the 11 years that have followed -- a group that includes military personnel, police officers and firefighters.

"We are proud to be involved with this terrific event," Ellington General Manager Brian Rinehart said. "Ellington Airport already has a strong working relationship with the U.S. military and the Houston Police and Fire departments, so it makes perfect sense for us to be involved."

Half the proceeds from the local run go to the Travis Manion Foundation. The other half will be split between Assist the Officer, which helps Houston officers injured in the line of duty, and Team Red, White and Blue, which supports wounded veterans.

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Two parades held in Houston to honor MLK

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston remembered the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday. Parades and projects were done to honor one of the pioneers of the nation's civil rights movement.

In Houston and all across the nation, this is the day to remember the life and the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For the 26th time since his death, Americans marked the legacy of Dr. King as a federal holiday. He is considered one of America's most inspirational leaders and became a national icon for his work to end racial segregation and discrimination through civil disobedience.

Thirty-three years ago, Houston was the first city to honor Dr. King with a parade and that tradition continued Monday with two parades. And his father, Dr. King Sr., was the very first grand marshal of that event. This was the 34th Annual Original MLK Birthday Parade and it included floats and bands and cars carrying elected officials. Eyewitness News spoke with some young spectators about what this day means to them.

"Today is the greatest day of my life. Because it's Martin Luther King's birthday, said Xavier Johnson, age 7.

"Because he made everything change," said 5-year-old Katelynn Cherry when we asked her why the day is important.

"Because we're all human and we're people and we should be respected the same way," said Alexis Ceasar, age 9.

The day's celebrations don't stop with the parades; there are several voter registration drives and service projects going on across the city as a nod to this national day of service in honor of Dr. King's contributions.

King's birthday, which is January 15, is observed every third Monday of the month of January.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Houstonians honor veterans on Memorial Day

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houstonians turned out to honor the nation's war dead in special ceremony at Houston's Veterans' Cemetery on this Memorial Day.

This is the day we pay tribute to the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Ceremonies are taking place throughout the Houston area and the nation.

Hundreds of people of all backgrounds gathered at this ceremony. They are drawn together with one goal -- to pay their respects to the brave men and women who died in the name of freedom.

A cannon salute kicked off the ceremony where Houstonians honored the fallen men and women of all US military branches -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. This holiday is an especially emotional one for the parents, children, and friends of those who have recently been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There are many elements of the ceremony that are performed every year, including the riderless horse procession, the presentation of the colors and the singing of the National Anthem.

While everyone at the ceremony looks forward to those traditions, many of them honor the sacrifices made by military members, not just on Memorial Day, but every day, by reaching out to the families who are left behind. Many of those organizations, like the Gold Star Moms, are represented, as are military members who've served alongside those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Retired Marine Matt Duffy said, "I spent 10 years active duty in the Marine Corp, and 10 years active duty in the Texas State Guard, and I have a lot of friends that sacrificed. It's just a great day to come out, and cry, and think about all of their sacrifices."

Following the service, visitors fanned out all over the cemetery to visit gravesites. Some visited grandparents and great-grandparents who served many years ago but whose service will never be forgotten.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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