Allan West remembers the first time he saw his father cry.

The tears flowed not be­cause of sadness or loss. His father’s tears came from a place of pride he expressed for his son, who received his sec­ond lieutenant designation in the ROTC on that day in 1982.

West, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, recalled that event happened when he was 21. He served as the keynote speaker for the second annu­al Murphy Veterans Tribute Fundraising Dinner and Gala March 5 at Cross Creek in Parker. The event, with live and silent auctions, raised money for the Veterans Tribute Project, a memorial to hon­or all veterans to be built at Murphy Central Park. The city donated land for the project, which seeks to honor veterans and educate the public.

“Thank y’all so much for the donation of the land,” said Mary Pat Elledge, president of the board of directors for the nonprofit Murphy Tribute As­sociation, recognizing Murphy Mayor Scott Bradley in the audience. “Because of this, we have been off and running ever since.”

For the full story, see the Mar. 11 issue or subscribe online.

By Don Munsch • [email protected]