IBC Bank-McAllen hosted a flag-raising ceremony and Independence Day celebration July 3 at the main bank in downtown McAllen.

The Master of Ceremonies for the event, Julian Alvarez, president & CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, welcomed the crowd of more than 150 people as Jasmine Rico, a local personality, sang the National Anthem and a large American flag was raised in the stair lift by the McAllen Fire Department.

The pledge of allegiance was led by Major Harlan Garrett, ret., of the United States Army, and a thoughtful invocation was led by Christopher Ott, United States Border Patrol supervisory agent.

Guest speakers included Col. Frank Plummer, ret., of United States Army and representative for the Veteran’s War Memorial in McAllen, who gave a touching story of the importance of the American Flag which earned a standing ovation. Also, military veterans, state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Mayor Jim Darling of the City of McAllen spoke about what the flag means to each of them in their daily lives. State Rep. Terry Canales encouraged the audience to consider the many soldiers who give of their lives and comfort so that freedom can be free for the citizens of the United States while Sgt. David Facundo, United States Army allowed listeners to understand the thoughts and lives that current soldiers lead.

President of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce Steve Ahlenius spoke on the decisions of his own family as their son joined the military and the sacrifices and emotions of the families involved.

The ceremony ended with Rico leading the crowd in singing “God Bless America” as the flag waved proudly high above them.

IBC Bank–McAllen is a division of International Bancshares Corporation (NASDAQ: IBOC), a $12.1 billion multi-bank financial holding company headquartered in Laredo, with more than 210 facilities and more than 320 ATMs serving 88 communities in Texas and Oklahoma.

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