At their 40th reunion, several members of Lubbock High School's class of 1965 decided to honor two fallen comrades.
The idea evolved, and now a plaque has been presented to recognize all veterans who have or will attend LHS. A dedication ceremony was held at 8:45 a.m. Saturday.
Nickie Gage, was one of 587 who graduated from Lubbock High School in '65.
Gage said those who graduated in that year, lived to see some of the most historic moments in American history, including the first U.S. troops sent to Vietnam.
"This is hard to do, this is the second time I've even talked about my experiences from Vietnam, but with my classmates being here and my family being here, its helped a whole lot," said Gage.
45 years after their graduation, several former Westerners are together again, honoring past, present and future LHS war veterans.
"We felt like we're forgetting the ones that have done the sacrificing, the heroes of all of us, that are not able to here," Gage said.
LHS's ROTC Unit Supervisor, Paul Hill said the plaque is something current students can learn from.
"I think it's very important especially for students to see a previous generation come forward and carry this and hand it off to them, and they understand," Hill said.
Principal Doug Young said the plaque will be hung in the halls of Lubbock High for all to see.
"I think it serves as a vivid reminder to students today that we do live in uncertain times, and that sometimes we are called to sacrifice themselves," Young said.
Uncertain times, something Gage said, his generation saw plenty of.
"Nothing is in comparison to this class of '65, we were here when President Kennedy was assassinated, we were here when we went into Vietnam, and a lot of the past is created by my generation," Gage said.
Most importantly, he said he wants those who are gone to be remembered.
"We've experienced stuff that 58,280 didn't experience and your thought goes back to what if they never died on that battle field and what if they had come home?" Gage said. "What contributions would they have made to this society, to their nation?"
