Wylie Elementary School students performed a moving Veteran’s Day program in November to honor veterans for their service to our country.
Each year, the students present the program in which they honor one specific veteran and sing the songs of each branch of the military. They also sing God Bless America, while recognizing all the veterans in attendance.
Veterans from all branches of the military were in attendance, but as is usual, the Air Force was especially represented.
Air Force Veteran Norman Dominguez was the chosen honoree for this year’s presentation. Dominquez was a 24-year veteran of the Air Force before retiring in July and taking a job at Wylie Elementary in School Operations. His wife, Tina, is the attendance clerk at Wylie Elementary.
Dominguez joined the Air Force in 1992. He thought boot camp was pretty easy until he reached Lackland Air Force Base and found out first-hand how tough the training was. Then he wondered, “What did I get into?”
His first assignment was at Dyess, where he met and married Tina James in 1993. Their family was stationed overseas for 17 years, including stints in Iceland, Britain, Croatia, Italy, Spain and Japan.
When they returned to the states, they were again stationed at Dyess, which was the only stateside base that he served at during his 24 years in the Air Force.
During his years in the service, Dominguez was also deployed to Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Iraq, UAE, and Cyprus, Greece.
Dominguez had many jobs in the Air Force but his favorite was a Flight Chief where he got to work in leadership helping guide around 80 men and women.
The Wylie Elementary students told Dominguez’ story during the program and then presented him a gift for his service. Wylie student Kimberly Chandler told the crowd that they call him Mr. Dom.
“He is on our campus to help ensure our safety by practicing procedures and drills, checking safety equipment, directing traffic, teaching bullying preventive classes, and helping the office staff,” Student Kimberly Chandler said during the ceremony. “You can even find Mr. Dom playing football at recess from time to time.”