Eclipse Magazine - Produced by NABVETS Winter 2014 | Page 29

NABVETS TEXAS STATE COMMAND
Officer
Installation
Ceremony
On October 25, 2014, the NABVETS Texas
State Command held its Officer Installation
Ceremony, which was led by NABVETS Region
III Commander Col. James H. Scott (Ret.). As
part of the ceremony and celebration, we
were honored to have Dr. Granville Coggs,
an Original Tuskegee Airman and one of the
newest members of NABVETS Alamo Chapter
#0085, as our guest of honor and speaker.
Following the installation of officers, Dr. Coggs entertained the
members and guests with a selection played in accompaniment
with a B.B. King Blues favorite. Dr. Coggs played his “gut bucket”;
a vintage folk music instrument composed of a wash tub, pole
and string. In addition, he performed an exceptional recital of
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address from memory.

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NABVETS Region III Commander James Scott presents the NABVETS
Texas State Command Charter to NABVETS State Commander Alvin Fagan.

Recently featured as the cover story in the NABVETS Eclipse
Magazine, at 89 years of age Dr. Coggs serves as a grand and
glowing example of what a life of service and healthy lifestyle
can mean for us at any age. During the ceremony he was
presented with a framed copy of the Eclipse cover on which he
was featured and he later signed photos and his book, Soaring
Inspiration, The Journey of an Original Tuskegee Airman.

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NABVETS Kentucky State Commander SGM Irvin Lyons, Jr., (Ret.)
and his wife, as well as Ms. Tonya Crew of New York, and Mrs.
Coggs were among the special guests in attendance, as well
as many friends, family members and supporters. We thank
everyone for your attendance. Your support is both noted and
appreciated!
When Texas State Commander Alvin C. Fagan was asked about
the significance of the Texas State Command he replied, “Texas
is hom