SAN ANTONIO – (May 17, 2023) – More than 200 high school students graduating this year from Bexar County and surrounding area high schools were honored during the 12th Annual “A Night in Your Honor” hosted by Our Community Salutes - San Antonio (OCS-SA) at Pedrotti’s Ranch in Helotes, Texas.

OCS is a nonprofit organization created in 2009 by Dr. Kenneth E. Hartman to recognize and honor local graduating high school seniors who plan to enlist in the military after graduation.

The students represented the range of military services, including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard and Texas Army National Guard.

The keynote speaker was 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio Command Chief Master Sgt. Casy Boomershine.

“I want to thank OCS San Antonio for volunteering their time and resources to put on events like this and to recognize and honor these high school students who have committed to serving this great nation,” said Boomershine, who will retire in the summer. “Thank you to the sponsors, thank you to the families, and thank you to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms who have come out to celebrate our enlistees.”

Post Commanders Sharlene McCuan (Business and Professional Post 10), Randall Remaley (Sesquicentennial Post 592), Burrell Parmer (Fred Brock Post 828) and other Legionnaires within the “Mighty” 20th District attended and provided information on The American Legion during the community resource fair held prior to the start of the program. The fair provided the students and their families with access to educational resources and connections with military support groups.

In addition to honoring high school graduates, the General Colin L. Powell Award for Supporting Military Service Opportunities was presented to Army veteran Josue Castro, a social worker at Medina Valley High School.

Attending this year’s event was OCS founder Hartman, who expressed his vision of having The American Legion more involved with the honor nights being executed throughout the country.

This year’s presenting sponsor was USAA with title sponsor H-E-B Operation Appreciation.