Post TX115 continued strong through 2020

Christmas Dinner Partnership

December 2020 – On December 19^th and 20^th AMVETS Post TX115 teamed up with the Buda Chamber of Commerce and the Central Texas VSO Alliance to distribute 50 Christmas dinners to needy veterans in the Buda/Kyle area.  We were very fortunate that members of the Buda Chamber of Commerce donated a ham and over 30 pounds of groceries. 

Veterans Day Commemoration

November 18, 2020 – AMVETS Post TX115 joined with Buda VFW Post 20161 and Buda American Legion 213 to honor all Veterans at a ceremony at Buda’s Veterans Memorial at Bradfield Park.

Post TX115 Commander Kerman Hammond served as the Master of Ceremonies and Buda Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director JR Gonzales provided introductions, while Virginia Serrots performed the National Anthem, Chaplain Ken Bell delivered the invocation, and Stu Hoyt delivered a moving message.

Many thanks to all who participated to make this year’s ceremony a success.

Grant Bogue Memorial Service

August 28, 2020 – AMVETS Post TX115 teamed up with American Legion Riders TX213 and Patriot Guard Riders to honor Air Force Korean War veteran Grant Bogue.

From Post Commander Kerman Hammond – On Friday August 28^th AMVETS conducted a Memorial Service at Harold’s Funeral Home.  We provided the Master of Ceremonies and Chaplain as well as our Honor Guard to make sure that Grant was properly recognized for his military service.

After the Memorial service we went to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, escorted by law enforcement and the Buda American Legion Riders.  When we arrived at the cemetery, we were greeted by the San Antonio Patriot Guard.  The grave site ceremony consisted of a bag pipe player, releasing of the doves as well as the Air Force personnel.

I personally want to thank each and every one that was a part of this Memorial Service; it could not have happened the way it did without your dedication and love for your fellow brothers and sisters in arms.  Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Commander Kerman Hammond with Mrs. Hilda Bogue

AMVETS officers and Legion Riders salute Grant

AMVETS Chaplain Ken Bell, Commander
Kerman Hammond, Honor Guard Officer
Rachel Patrick, and member Mike Garceau

Patriot Guard Riders stand in Grant's honor

Patriot Guard Riders and AMVETS members
Terry Murray and Max Vasquez

AMVETS Honor Guard Officer Rachel Patrick
leads members Alba Melgar-Ce’De Baca,
Cassaundra Melgar-Ce’De Baca, Stu Hoyt,
Mike Garceau, and Steve Pulis

Grant's procession departs for Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with the Riders in escort

Honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

Riders at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

Covid-19 Relief Efforts

June 30, 2020 – AMVETS Post 115 has teamed up with the Buda VFW and Buda American Legion to work together to make sure that our veterans and the community are not forgotten and are taken care of during the pandemic crisis.  These relief efforts started mid-March and as of June 30^th over 7,500 volunteer hours have been donated by veterans and family members.

Face masks

• 11,524 hand made
• Delivered to people in our local community, 22 states, plus our troops in Afghanistan

Surgical Mask Ear Relief Straps

• 5,800 produced, delivered to over 50 medical facilities
• New Braunfels, San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Austin, Leander, Round Rock, Georgetown, Bastrop, Smithville, Brownwood and Abilene

Food/Supply Bank

• 38 families directly provided food and supplies; $800 in food vouchers to 16 families
• Transportation provided to 8 elderly individuals

From Post Commander Kerman Hammond – I am awestruck and deeply thankful for all the members and community volunteers who pitched in to help in this unprecedented crisis.  These people worked 12 hour days for over three months, simply to help others.

We would also like to thank again all of the individuals, businesses and other veterans' posts that donated to us material and money to accomplish this mission.  Without everyone stepping up, we could not have made this relief operation a success.

2020-2021 Officer Installation

June 18, 2020 – From Former Commander Steve Pulis:

I once again had the special privilege of inducting our new cabinet of officers at our June Executive Committee (ExComm) meeting.  While the Coronavirus pandemic has placed unprecedented challenges on our activities, I know our Commander and the cabinet will continue to address the business of the Post.

Commander

1st Vice

2nd Vice

3rd Vice

Adjutant

Finance Officer

Provost Marshall

Kerman D. Hammond, Sr.

Cassaundra Melgar-Ce'De Baca

Gilbert Arismendez

Rachel Patrick

William P. Banks, Sr.

Hector Garcia

Ben Arismendez

Military Care Packages

January - February 2020 – This is the 8^th year Post Commander Kerman Hammond has orchestrated this important program to support those serving all of us downrange.

Throughout the first six weeks of 2020 veterans, family members, friends, and community members donated items for our annual “Veterans Valentine” Care Package program. 

On February 8^th the Post family gathered together to fill the boxes, create mailing labels, and complete the customs documents.  This year’s effort yielded a record 54 boxes, filled to the brim with goodies for deployed troops.  

A special thanks to DLC Financial for their generous support and to all who donated goods, funds, and helped with the package filling!

The Post received some warm thanks from downrange folks – “to the American Veterans AMVETS Central Texas Post TX115, the entire Det here appreciate their generous support” (check out the snapshot below of that deployed team proudly displaying Old Glory).  And a second team sent their regards from Qatar – their note and memento are also below.

Our deployed military care package program is another mark of an honorable Post – veterans joining together in continued service to our country.

Mid-Winter Fundraiser

January 25, 2019 – Our Mid-Winter Fundraiser – a raffle of a CPX-1 handgun, concluded with ticket sales and the winner drawing Cowboy Harley-Davidson of Austin.  Cowboy Harley supported the raffle with music and beverages and the Post provided chili, chili dogs and all the condiments to go with it.

A successful fundraiser requires much help and this year members (and their families) really stepped up to support the Post.

First, a very, very special thank you to 3^rd Vice Commander Rachel Patrick and her family for donating the prize!  Rachel also managed the ticket sales, so a second big thanks for that.

Second, a gigantic shout out to our Chile Dog Crew – Ben Arismendez, Gilbert Arizmendez, and Mario Drumgoole.  They did it all – setup, food prep, serving, and cleanup; thanks guys!

Lastly, thanks to all who came out to help on Saturday and to all who bought tickets!

AMVETS at Cowboy Harley-Davidson

Raffle Ticket Crew

Chili Dog Crew