With a Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Communication from Dallas Baptist  University, Jennifer has had years of experience as a Host,  Spokesperson, Commercial Actress, MC for live events and  Banquet/Fundraisers. While she pursues music, these opportunities  continue to grow as well! 

 Jennifer has grown up in a military family. Her father went to West  Point (Class of ’67); and he served in the Army during the Vietnam War.  She has always had a huge love for our Country, as well as our Military. 

For more about Jennifer check out her website @ http://jennifernickerson.com/

Lt. Col. West believes it will be principled constitutional conservative policies, not politics, which secures a sound economic future for Americans – with growth, opportunity and returning the promise of the American dream for this generation and those to come. 

He is the third of four generations of military servicemen in his family. During his 22- year career in the United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel West served in several combat zones and received many honors including a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, one with Valor device, and a Valorous Unit Award. In 1993 he was named the US Army ROTC Instructor of the Year.

In November of 2010, Allen was elected to the United States Congress, representing Florida's 22nd District. As a member of the 112th Congress, he sat on the Small Business and Armed Services Committees and was instrumental in passage of the 2011 and 2012 National Defense Authorization Acts.

He is a NewsmaxTV Contributor, Senior Fellow of the Media Research Center, and author of Guardian of the Republic: An American Ronin’s Journey to Family, Faith and Freedom, Hold Texas, Hold the Nation: Victory or Death, and We Can Overcome: An American Black Conservative Manifesto. 

He is the former Executive Director of the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas Texas, and a former Director of the Booker T. Washington Initiative (BTWI) for the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

In July of 2020, Mr. West was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas by an overwhelming majority of State delegates.

West is an avid distance runner, a Master SCUBA diver, a motorcyclist, and in his spare time he enjoys cheering his beloved Tennessee Volunteers. 

Lt. Col. West is a commissioned officer in the Texas State Guard. Lt. Col. West is a legacy life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, life member of the American Legion, life member of the Association of the United States Army, the Society of the First Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, and 101st Airborne Division. He is Patriot Life Member (Benefactor) and Board of Directors member of the National Rifle Association and Life Member (Benefactor) of the Texas State Rifle Association. Lieutenant Colonel West is an inductee into the University of Tennessee Army ROTC Hall of Fame. He is on the Board of Advisors of Amegy Bank, Dallas Region. In 2016, Lt. Col. West was appointed by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. 

He is married to Dr. Angela Graham-West, a financial adviser, and they have two daughters, Aubrey, a Board-certified Physician Assistant, and Austen, a software sales consultant.

Barrett Phillips

Barrett Phillips, a very talented local musician, graduated from Mary Hardin Baylor with a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership.   

Barrett not only loves singing, he loves musical theater. He has had the  leading role as "Shrek" in his high school play, and roles in "Beauty and the Beast", "Six Degrees of Separation", "The Crazy 80's Prom", "The Promise" and "Sweeney Todd". 

Barrett also spends time on the Wylie Opry Stage and at other opries.  

Barrett is the worship leader at Invincible Church in Wylie, where his dad, a retired Navy Seal is the pastor. We are extremely pleased to have Barrett Phillips entertain again this year at our 2nd Annual Murphy Veterans Tribute Gala.  

Barrett is available for public events. His booking email is BarrettPhillipsMusic@gmail.com 

Donations may be made in Tod's honor by clicking the Donate button above and choosing Tod Lyons from the drop down.

Tod Lyons is Called Home

As we go through life, if we are fortunate we come in contact with individuals whose impact on us leaves a lasting mark that will be carried within for the rest of our lives. We, the members of the Murphy Veterans Tribute Project, were privileged and blessed by our Lord to have walked, though only for a short period of time, on the same path as Tod. His love of family, love of country and power of his faith were witnessed by us every time we were in his presence. Tod’s dedication to our project was second to none and right up to the end he stood by our side planning and preparing for the next event and fundraiser to bring his and our goal to a reality. We will continue on as we follow his footsteps on the trail he has blazed for us knowing that at the end of the trace he will be waiting for us with a smile that seemed to always be there. Tod was our friend, our comrade and a mentor to our project and we thank his family for allowing us to share in their good fortune of having such a fine husband and father. It was truly a pleasure to have been in his presence. For all who knew him, be strong and cherish the moments of happiness that we shared together with Senior Chief Tod Lyons. May God bless and comfort you all.

  Poem Worth Reading

He was getting old and paunchy

And his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion,

Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in

And the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies;

They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors

His tales became a joke,

All his buddies listened quietly

For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,

For ol' Joe has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer

For a Veteran died today.

He won't be mourned by many,

Just his children and his wife.

For he lived an ordinary,

Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,

Going quietly on his way;

And the world won't note his passing,

'Tho a Veteran died today.

When politicians leave this earth,

Their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing,

And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories

From the time that they were young,

But the passing of a Veteran

Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution

To the welfare of our land,

Some jerk who breaks his promise

And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow

Who in times of war and strife,

Goes off to serve his country

And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend

And the style in which he lives,

Are often disproportionate,

To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Veteran,

Who offered up his all,

Is paid off with a medal

And perhaps a pension, small.

It is not the politicians

With their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom

That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,

With your enemies at hand,

Would you really want some cop-out,

With his ever-waffling stand?

Or would you want a Veteran

His home, his country, his kin,

Just a common Veteran,

Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Veteran,

And his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence should remind us

We may need his likes again.

For when countries are in conflict,

We find the Veteran's part,

Is to clean up all the troubles

That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor

While he's here to hear the praise,

Then at least let's give him homage

At the ending of his days.