The Texas A&M University-Texarkana Student Veterans Association will host a spring gala on Tuesday, May 3, at 5:30 p.m. in Eagle Hall of the University Center on the A&M-Texarkana campus, 7101 University Ave., Texarkana, Texas.
Proceeds from the gala will benefit Patriot Paws, a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to wounded veterans.
“As student veterans, we are trying to raise awareness – in both our immediate and larger communities – about the veterans’ lives, both saved and changed for the better, by Patriot Paws service animals,” said Tyron Hinton, president of the Student Veterans Association at A&M-Texarkana.
Col. William Dwiggins of the Texas Veterans Commission will be the featured speaker at the event, which will include a gourmet sliced sirloin dinner, a demonstration and talk by Patriot Paws, and dessert auction.
Col. Dwiggins, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), was born in Tuskegee, Alabama. He moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he graduated from Randolph Air Force Base High School in 1972. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design from Wichita State University in 1977. In 1978, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He graduated with honors at the top of his recruit class and received a meritorious promotion upon graduation. He was subsequently selected for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commission Program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1980.
Col. Dwiggins’ numerous military assignments include several positions as deputy director, assistant chief of staff, chief of staff, logistics officer and others. His military career included worldwide combat tours, special-warfare assignments, capital reconstruction projects, international development/relations, public policy/administration, stabilization and conflict resolution to support the U. S. Government’s efforts.
Col. Dwiggins is highly decorated and received many awards including two Legion of Merit awards, four Naval Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals (one with Combat Valor), Army Achievement Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and many more. After completing 32 years of active and reserve service, Col. Dwiggins was honorably retired from active duty and returned to Texas. He and his family reside in Dallas.
Col. Dwiggins currently serves with the Texas Veterans Commission as the veterans education regional coordinator in Dallas/Fort Worth.
Tickets for the spring gala are $40. To reserve a seat and order tickets online, visit http://tinyurl.com/hchfk93.
