On a cool morning at the highest point of the EmilyAnn Gardens and Theatre overlooking the Wimberley valley, a 9/11 memorial service was held to honor the victims and first responders of the nation’s worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
Organized by Mike Lukowiak of Oldham-Cummings VFW Post #6441, the ceremony opened with a recording of the hymn sung by children, “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
Following prayers and a moving address by Lukowiak in which he recounted the details of the attack and named the two men who were named as 2025 Wimberley Patriots of the Year, Lukowiak introduced Alan Marburger, who spoke on behalf of one of the honorees, Michael Thibodeaux.
Marburger, who has long been associated with the Wimberley Institute of Cultures, told onlookers about Thibodeaux’s character and service to the historic organization. Both Thibodeaux and his wife Barbara, he said, have served as presidents of the group dedicated to preserve the area’s culture. Marburger ended his remarks by saying, in the person of Michael Thibodeaux, “Wimberley has a guardian angel.”
Following his remarks, Wimberley Fire and Rescue Interim Chief Chris Robbins, took the microphone to speak of the late Travis L. Maher, the second Patriot of the Year honoree, who was an important mentor to him.
“What made Maher stand out was his humility and purpose,” Robbins told the crowd. Maher’s widow Lois received the commemoration for Maher who died in 2022 from a cancer possibly related to his work following the 9/11 attack.
In attendance were Hays County Commissioner Morgan Hammer who spoke briefly about the events of 9/11 and Hays County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Judge Andrew Cable.
After the presentation, attendees heard a poem set to music by Dripping Springs Navy veteran Gary Boykin. One of 250 poems written by Boykin, the selection heard was a moving portrait of that event.
In his closing remarks, Lukowiak thanked Eagle Mountain Flags for keeping the flags and flagpoles of the Veterans Memorial maintained. He also thanked the Rolling family for keeping the memorial area, year after year, an important sanctuary for Wimberley to honor loved ones. The EmilyAnn Gardens was created to remember EmilyAnn Rolling, the 16-year-old daughter and sister the family lost in 1996. Emily-Ann’s father Norm and mother Ann continue to serve on the garden’s board, Norm as chaplain and gardener, Ann as executive director. Sister Rebecca Stoian is the organization’s development director.
Onlookers watched as veterans of the various branches of the U.S. military service and first responders lowered the flags, bringing the service to a close. Lukowiak invited citizens to come forward and thank the assembled veterans and first responders for their service.
A POEM SET TO MUSIC, BY DRIPPING SPRINGS NAVY VETERAN GARY BOYKIN, ABOUT THE 9/11 TERRORIST ATTACK ADDS ANOTHER POIGNANT LAYER DURING THE CEREMONY AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL AT EMILYANN GARDENS IN WIMBERLEY. PHOTO BY TERESA KENDRICK
MICHAEL THIBODEAUX WAS ONE OF TWO MEN HONORED AS PATRIOT OF THE YEAR DURING THE 9/11 SERVICE. THE OTHER RECIPIENT WAS THE LATE TRAVIS L. MAHER. HIS WIDOW LOIS ACCEPTED THE HONOR ON HIS BEHALF. PHOTO BY TERESA KENDRICK
