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His grandfather served in the Corps of Cadets and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1915, so, Vince Gilliam said, when he started looking for colleges to attend, it wasn't a complicated search.
"There was only one school for me," he said.
Gilliam served in the Corps and graduated from A&M in 1977 with a degree in agricultural economics. He went on to serve seven years in the U.S. Army, three of those monitoring the Chechoslovakian border in Germany.
In typical Aggie fashion, the family tradition has continued -- Gilliam's son is a freshman mechanical engineering major and serves in the Corps of Cadets.
"He knew there was only one school, too," Gilliam said, laughing. "I'm just proud to be here, and proud of all our armed forces. I'm so proud of this school and the caliber of officers we send into the military."
On Saturday, Gilliam and thousands of other veterans were honored for their service during Military Appreciation Day at Kyle Field as the Aggies faced Iowa State.
About 72,530 people were in attendance for the 35-10 A&M victory.
Distinguished alumni who have served in the military were recognized throughout the game. One of those happened to be the winningest quarterback in Texas A&M history -- Corey Pullig, who served as honorary captain for the game.
Pullig played for the Aggies from 1992 until 1995 and is now a judge advocate general in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Alabama Air National Guard fighter pilots who did the flyover after the national anthem were also recognized at the game, and both have ties to A&M.
Col. Jeff Smiley is a 1980 graduate of A&M and a former yell leader. He's flown more than 5,300 hours in jet fighters, including 66 missions over Iraq and Afghanistan.
Col. John Currenti was the wingman, and his daughter is a member of the Texas A&M class of 2011.
At halftime, the more than 600 current A&M students who have served in the military were invited to take the field to be recognized for their service.
About 100 or so lined the field from end zone to end zone.
"These brave men and women have already served our country and embody what makes Texas A&M University, Aggieland and The 12th Man so special," the announcer boomed. "It is through their service and sacrifice that we are able to enjoy the many freedoms we do as Americans."
Also present on the field were Texas A&M Interim President R. Bowen Loftin; Bill Byrne, director of athletics; and Congressman Chet Edwards, who is chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee.
Leocadio Muniz, a senior studying engineering technology, serves as commander of Delta Company in the Corps of Cadets -- a unit that requires combat service for membership.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps not long after graduating from high school in 1997. Being brought up in a military home, he said, he'd always wanted to serve his country and he spent four years in Japan and North Carolina.
He finished his active duty in August 2001.
"Then, I watched 9/11 happen on the news," he said. "I immediately called the reserve unit in Texas, close to my home, and asked if they had a slot available."
He still serves as a reserve officer, one weekend a month, two weeks a year, but one thing still catches him off guard.
"It's difficult to have somebody thank you for just doing what you do," he said. "It's part of our lifestyle, it's almost ingrained in our soul -- this incredible desire to serve. It's almost surreal sometimes, when someone walks up to you and says, 'Thank you, thank you very much.' It's just what we do."
