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91-year-old USAF Korean and Vietnam Veteran and Bandera American Legion Post 157 Seargent at Arms Luis A Estela stands the watch with Marine Corps Veteran Kelly J. Sandifer, member of the Bandera American Legion Riders Post 157, during hours 7 and 8. Luis also had a surprise visit by his granddaughter.
Photos courtesy Christopher Dion
May 14, 2026
91-year-old military veteran, among many others, stands post at memorial for the fallen
By Christopher Dion
Special to the Prophet
In the early morning hours of Saturday, May 9, as most of Bandera County slept, a memorial to our fallen and departed Law Enforcement Officers rose from the lawn of the Bandera County Courthouse.
The memorial consisted of a small round table emblematic of the eternal call to service that the officer answers. A plain white cloth covered the table displaying the purity of their call and service. Upon the table was lying a single red rose, representing the love they showed us in their service and the love we have for them. In front of that there stood a candle illuminating the darkness and standing as the eternal flame of remembrance promising we shall never forget. Behind that was the Holy Bible opened to John 15:13 No greater love hath any man than that he lay down his life for his friends. Beside the table was a kennel with a leash and empty collar next to a dry water bowl reminding us that some officers walked on 4 legs not on two. In between the table and the kennel stood the centerpiece of the memorial. It is a simple hard rustic chair left forever empty for the one who began the shift, but never made it home. It also reminds us of all who wore the badge who now lie in sacred soil awaiting the Savior’s trumpet call.
At 5 a.m., symbolic of the five-pointed star worn on the chest of many of our warriors in blue this memorial came to life. The life in this memorial was that of the citizens of Bandera County and of others who had come from outside Bandera to stand the watch for those who no longer can. There were Law Enforcement Veterans, such as Chaplain Mark Caronna, of Ask the Chaplain Radio on Artist 1st Radio, who served 28 years with Houston PD who came to stand. Through his time standing the watch Mark had the opportunity to meet and stand with fellow Houston PD Veteran Phillip Schaeffer who himself served 30 years and now serves the people of Bandera County as the future Precinct 4 County Commissioner. Other Law Enforcement Veterans, along with a few still serving rode on steel horses to serve the watch wearing vests bearing the patch of Blue Knights LE MC and Reguladores LE MC.
The Veteran bikers supporting this event were not limited to Law Enforcement only. Other patches seen on the vests of bikers were from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 23-32 from Kerrville and five members of the American Legion Riders of Post 157 Bandera.
Around 11 a.m., came a true hero dressed in the uniform of the Bandera American Legion Post 157 Sergeant-at-Arms. This man, at 91 years old, came to stand stalwartly for those who now lie in deep repose. He stood for more than three hours under the Texas sun without complaint. His name was Luis Estella, and he is a U.S. Air Force Combat Warrior who served over the skies of Korea and Vietnam and wore his Nation’s uniform for over 28 years.
Beside him, at 1 p.m., stood our County Sheriff Josh Teitge ,who has come out to support this event for the past three years. While he was there, a familiar car pulled up that anyone who lived in the 60s and 70s would recognize. The car was a black and white 1967 Plymouth Belvedere with the number 012 on its roof and the seal of Los Angeles, California on the door and it answered to the call sign 1 Adam 12. Driving this car was former LAPD officer Eddie Gonzalez, of White Rock Christian Fellowship.
The single dog of the day, Charlie, appeared at 3 p.m., along with his very talented handler Michelle Axmaker of Axmaker service dogs. She welcomed our former Bandera Marshal Will Deitrich and his wife Misty to the post. Will and Misty were no strangers to this event as they have both served faithfully for the past five years since this memorial began.
At 5 p.m., young men from the Christian scouting group Trail Life Troop TX-9112 joined with the Bandera Boy Scouts (AKA Scouting America) Troop 146 to conduct a flag retirement ceremony in honor of all fallen and departed Law Enforcement Officers. This ceremony began promptly at 5 pm to symbolize the 5-pointed star of Texas. As the sacred flame consumed the retiring flag notes of Amazing Grace could be heard coming from a set of bagpipes played by Mr. Robert Real of Bandera County.
With the fire still smoldering, Chris Pinder, a Veteran of service Law Enforcement from Colorado, came to stand the watch in honor of his fallen brother in blue Officer Donnie Young, who died May 8, 2025. He welcomed our current and beloved Bandera City Marshal Earl Heidelberg and his wife Jeanie to stand the watch.
Another volunteer of notable recognition is Kenny Obannon and his wife Jackie, who have served and stood the watch every year we have held it. Along with them are members of the events host organization, Bandera American Legion Post 157. These members include Bruce Duncan, Bob Williams, Kelly Sandifer, Eric Ortiz and his wife Michelle, Jim Rickel and his wife Pauline, Allen Zimmerman, Dennis Birchall, Gary Hetrick, and the Post Commander Rick Olivarez. Without these and all of our volunteers this event could not have happened. Although they do not do it for the recognition, they do deserve to be recognized nonetheless.
Finally, in the darkness of the morning hours our memorial came to an end. At 5 a.m., symbolic of the 50 stars of the Union in which the Star of Texas shines, the memorial disappeared, and the courthouse became silent again. It sleeps now but will return next year. If you are interested in participating and standing the watch, please feel free to contact the Bandera American Legion Post 157.
The memorial consisted of a small round table emblematic of the eternal call to service that the officer answers. A plain white cloth covered the table displaying the purity of their call and service. Upon the table was lying a single red rose, representing the love they showed us in their service and the love we have for them. In front of that there stood a candle illuminating the darkness and standing as the eternal flame of remembrance promising we shall never forget. Behind that was the Holy Bible opened to John 15:13 No greater love hath any man than that he lay down his life for his friends. Beside the table was a kennel with a leash and empty collar next to a dry water bowl reminding us that some officers walked on 4 legs not on two. In between the table and the kennel stood the centerpiece of the memorial. It is a simple hard rustic chair left forever empty for the one who began the shift, but never made it home. It also reminds us of all who wore the badge who now lie in sacred soil awaiting the Savior’s trumpet call.
At 5 a.m., symbolic of the five-pointed star worn on the chest of many of our warriors in blue this memorial came to life. The life in this memorial was that of the citizens of Bandera County and of others who had come from outside Bandera to stand the watch for those who no longer can. There were Law Enforcement Veterans, such as Chaplain Mark Caronna, of Ask the Chaplain Radio on Artist 1st Radio, who served 28 years with Houston PD who came to stand. Through his time standing the watch Mark had the opportunity to meet and stand with fellow Houston PD Veteran Phillip Schaeffer who himself served 30 years and now serves the people of Bandera County as the future Precinct 4 County Commissioner. Other Law Enforcement Veterans, along with a few still serving rode on steel horses to serve the watch wearing vests bearing the patch of Blue Knights LE MC and Reguladores LE MC.
The Veteran bikers supporting this event were not limited to Law Enforcement only. Other patches seen on the vests of bikers were from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 23-32 from Kerrville and five members of the American Legion Riders of Post 157 Bandera.
Around 11 a.m., came a true hero dressed in the uniform of the Bandera American Legion Post 157 Sergeant-at-Arms. This man, at 91 years old, came to stand stalwartly for those who now lie in deep repose. He stood for more than three hours under the Texas sun without complaint. His name was Luis Estella, and he is a U.S. Air Force Combat Warrior who served over the skies of Korea and Vietnam and wore his Nation’s uniform for over 28 years.
Beside him, at 1 p.m., stood our County Sheriff Josh Teitge ,who has come out to support this event for the past three years. While he was there, a familiar car pulled up that anyone who lived in the 60s and 70s would recognize. The car was a black and white 1967 Plymouth Belvedere with the number 012 on its roof and the seal of Los Angeles, California on the door and it answered to the call sign 1 Adam 12. Driving this car was former LAPD officer Eddie Gonzalez, of White Rock Christian Fellowship.
The single dog of the day, Charlie, appeared at 3 p.m., along with his very talented handler Michelle Axmaker of Axmaker service dogs. She welcomed our former Bandera Marshal Will Deitrich and his wife Misty to the post. Will and Misty were no strangers to this event as they have both served faithfully for the past five years since this memorial began.
At 5 p.m., young men from the Christian scouting group Trail Life Troop TX-9112 joined with the Bandera Boy Scouts (AKA Scouting America) Troop 146 to conduct a flag retirement ceremony in honor of all fallen and departed Law Enforcement Officers. This ceremony began promptly at 5 pm to symbolize the 5-pointed star of Texas. As the sacred flame consumed the retiring flag notes of Amazing Grace could be heard coming from a set of bagpipes played by Mr. Robert Real of Bandera County.
With the fire still smoldering, Chris Pinder, a Veteran of service Law Enforcement from Colorado, came to stand the watch in honor of his fallen brother in blue Officer Donnie Young, who died May 8, 2025. He welcomed our current and beloved Bandera City Marshal Earl Heidelberg and his wife Jeanie to stand the watch.
Another volunteer of notable recognition is Kenny Obannon and his wife Jackie, who have served and stood the watch every year we have held it. Along with them are members of the events host organization, Bandera American Legion Post 157. These members include Bruce Duncan, Bob Williams, Kelly Sandifer, Eric Ortiz and his wife Michelle, Jim Rickel and his wife Pauline, Allen Zimmerman, Dennis Birchall, Gary Hetrick, and the Post Commander Rick Olivarez. Without these and all of our volunteers this event could not have happened. Although they do not do it for the recognition, they do deserve to be recognized nonetheless.
Finally, in the darkness of the morning hours our memorial came to an end. At 5 a.m., symbolic of the 50 stars of the Union in which the Star of Texas shines, the memorial disappeared, and the courthouse became silent again. It sleeps now but will return next year. If you are interested in participating and standing the watch, please feel free to contact the Bandera American Legion Post 157.