The First Lady, Anita Perry, came to Van Horn for our Main Street Dedication Ceremony. It was like a gigantic Texas whirlwind, here one second, gone the next. But what transpired from the moment she landed at the airport, and the time she left will not soon be forgotten. Her tight schedule was followed with no impediments. Other commitments demanded she spend but little time in Van Horn, but in that short stay she commended our community and encouraged its citizens to stay the course in preserving historical sites and making Van Horn an extraordinary model community.
After her photo session with several groups, she attended the Main Street Program. The welcome was presented by Jeff McCoy and the invocation was done by Reverend Joe Barthlow. The American Legion presented the colors, followed by the National Anthem played by the High School Band under the direction of Mr. Forrest Perry. The Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts delivered the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge. The Eagle Elementary 4th and 5th Graders led the singing of a Texas medley. Jeff McCoy, Main Street Manager, then introduced the special guests. Mr. John Liston Nau,III, Chairman of the Texas Historical Commision delivered his address. Mayor Okey D. Lucas then presented the First Lady, Anita Perry, who extended her greetings and did the unveiling of the Architectural Rendering of the new Quinto Sol Building.
The Quinto Sol Ballet Folklórico dancers were outstanding in their performance. This group was under the direction of Julie Calderón and Denise Franco. The children of the school and public libraries then did the book presentation to the First Lady. The Benediction was delivered by Father Alfred Villanueva. The First Lady was taken on a walking tour of Historic Downtown Van Horn, and the reception at the Van Horn Museum followed.
And the ecstatic, intoxicating whirlwind was over. All that remained were the smiling faces, the endless, social chatting amongst the people who attended the event.
