Dear President Nelsen,

This letter is to commend you for your program of student participation in community work. We thank you for your recent help of almost 100 of your students who worked at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas, McAllen, Texas. Your staff, led by a remarkable lady, Erica Lopez, brought students to the Memorial on a hot Saturday in May....and they sure worked! These young men and women including teachers, did all kinds of work on the Memorial in preparation for Memorial Day Ceremonies 31 May 2010. The ceremony honored the 1.3 million American men and women who have lost their lives in all the wars and conflicts of this Nation.

Three U.S. Military Chaplains, who were awarded Congressional Medals of Honor during the Vietnam War, were also honored and remembered in this ceremony. As you know, this medal is the highest award one can receive for valorous acts and courage against a hostile enemy. Their pictures and citations were inscribed on a black granite wall.

We have received numerous comments from the public who observed your students and teachers working in the hot sun. We were all most impressed with the caliber of these young people. Through their work, the Memorial looked better than ever for the service on Memorial Day 2010.

Please extend our sincere thanks to Ms Erica Lopez, students and the other teachers for their hard work. They are all a credit to your University. Ms Lopez, U.T.P.A. and these students have earned the right to be designated Guardians of the men and women, who were killed in the defense of the principals of freedom in all the wars and conflicts of this Nation.

Thanks again for everything. If I can ever assist you in any manner please call.

Col. Frank S. Plummer USA (Ret.)