The legacy of a Taylor band student who served his country is honored each year at Taylor Independent School District.
The Pfc. Anthony Gonzales Service Award is annually given to a deserving member of the Taylor High School band. Earlier in May, Abigail Johnson was given the 2021-22 award.
Gonzales, 19, passed away on Sept. 14, 2008 in New Bern, N.C. He was a member of the Taylor High School band, the varsity choir and Jazz Band for all four years of high school. According to his obituary that ran in the Taylor Press, he loved playing his music and most of all he loved being a United States Marine.
Pfc. Gonzales was an 1161 refrigeration mechanic with the Motor Transport/ Utilities section within the Headquarters Detachment of Marine Air Control Squadron 2 (MACS-2). His duties included the installation, operation and repair of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and systems in support of MACS-2 mission essential weapon systems. The MACS-2’s missions are to provide the equipment and personnel for the operation of a Tactical Air Operations Center and Sector Air Defense Facility in order to detect, identify and control the intercept of hostile aircraft and missiles, and to provide navigational assistance to friendly aircraft and to provide the equipment and personnel for the operation of an ATC Detachment in order to provide continuous, all weather, radar/ non-radar approach, departure, en route and tower air traffic control services.
