City Honors One of its Own

Navy Veteran Amazed at Show of Love

It was an emotional, never-to-be-forgotten moment last week when scores of local citizens, city officials and hard-working volunteers joined together to honor a deserving local veteran. His name is William Gray, who served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy from 1964 until 1988.

William Gray was discharged with the rank of Navy Petty Officer. Gray served in two wars, mostly on board the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG 995) where he was in charge of propulsion maintenance. While he was on board the ship, he saw plenty of action. After his honorable discharge, he came home to La Feria to enjoy life. But circumstances would change for him.

Gray recently inherited a house from a close family member, but was in no shape to maintain the structure which was in desperate need of repairs and restoration. That is where the story begins:

The Navy veteran was recommended as candidate for help to a company located in Dallas. That is how Steri-Clean Company of Dallas got wind of his plight, and found that he fit the requirements for their company to award him a free restoration job.

This company’s mission is to organize and supply materials for deserving citizens like seaman Gray in the state.

Things moved quickly according to City Commissioner Eric Hoff. The City Commission got involved with the restoration company and promised to provide Police security and trash removal for the project. Next, over 100 volunteers from South Texas College and additional people from local churches, schools, and civic groups pitched in to join the work.

Hoff said, “Over 60 different companies and individuals donated cash, furniture, fast foods for the workers and many other services during the restoration of this local veteran‘s house.” He told the attending crowd “It was really surprising and gratifying to see this support from the people in my home town.”

At the official ceremony which recognized the work of the volunteers and the service of veteran Gray, La Feria Mayor Olga Maldonado said “We were truly amazed at the enthusiastic support of our people to this man’s need. This has been a true community response that all La Feria should be proud of. This would not have been possible without the amazing love shown by all our people. We all came together as a community. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.”

At the ceremony, Mayor Maldonado attached his numerous Navy service ribbons to the jacket of his U.S. Navy Petty Officer uniform. During the Korean and VietNam wars he had been highly decorated as a serviceman. Those actions were remembered during the ceremony.

Judge Mike Trejo spoke and said the key word for this project is unity. “Unity describes this special event,” he said, “along with the outpouring of love on this special day. La Feria can be proud of this expression of unity in our city.”

After all the honors and kind words during the ceremony, Navy veteran Bill Gray said simply and emotionally, “It’s amazing, and I am very thankful.”