Dedication Day!

Steve and his wife. His father and I are friends from way back.
Day is done, the friends do not want to go. Staying as long as they can.
Friends....accounting department.
Friends..
Lots of friends taking pictures of other friends...some they will not see for a while.
Rudolf...read the 1997, 8/1 WT.
Hard to get people to leave...addresses/phone numbers being exchanged.
End of the session ... English program
Craig/Aimee.... Aimee fell off a horse a few weeks ago, cracked some ribs, concussion..but, SHE IS BACK!
Dale/Theo...from Austin area...Great working with you!
People got sunburn from so many flash pictures being taken. :)
Originally from Zimbawe...now, in San Antonio
Russell, Lenny...friends
Niece and sis in law...
Ellis's and Judy
Jack, Randy...wife :)
Maurice/Jim
More friends!
Our brother from New Mexico....
Carrizo Springs....and Lee (left)
Noe/Olga
Kingsville
Tony/Elena
April/Heather/Courtney
Darrel and wife....he was one of my instructors at Patterson
Another one of my instructors from Patterson.
Jason/friend/Gary
Elizabeth/Mom
ATTACKED! (Amber)
Friends
Laredo
Friends
Hmmmm
Audio Visual Dept
A/V department
Hmmmm
Friends
Singing a song
They could not find a seat.....so.... :)
No one in the lobby .. all inside listening to the program.
Program in session
Another view
still another
Arriving at the assembly hall
Walking from the parking lot
Attendant greeting the guests...
Prior to the program...
Waiting for the program to begin....chatting
The couple in the middle....faithful for many years.
More friends
Former CO...from our area.
Carlos and friends
atrium....friends chatting
Guests taking pictures
First vehicles drive in
Waiting for the guest to arrive
Empty auditorium
Attendants in waiting
Keith looking at how the parking is going
Program in session...Dan and Jacob
Joe, Jeff, Keith, Nick and Randy Randy went from our project to Walkill...working with...heavy machinery
Carlos
Parking taking a break
Give a program....and they will come!
Whey will they come?
Horacio/Ysenia..and friend..boy is she happy!

Saturday was an.....hmmm, emotional?, yes....happy? YES! day!! It was kind of a reunion day. Many of the volunteers who worked together came back for one last time to help dedicate the assembly hall. They did not give parts...but were there in support.

They came from New Mexico, S Carolina, Utah, N Dakota and many other states. It was a chance to see each other again one more time, look to see what had been accomplished. Imagine, a 53,000 sq ft building constructed in one year!! From breaking ground to finish!

There were close to 5,000 people that attended the dedication programs. Our speaker, Bro. Losch spoke the words at the end of his talk; "this assembly hall is now dedicated!". There were tears, clapping.....and with that...the project came to an end.

Enjoy the pictures!