Post TX115 had an extraordinary
2019!
Holiday
Homecoming
December
15, 2019
–
Post TX115 hosted its 8th annual
winter holiday gathering on Sunday, December 15th at
1600.
As is our custom, we followed
our Christmas music program with a large traditional family feast, bringing
together members, their families, and friends of the Post in a joyous celebration
of the season.
There was
a delicious collection of holiday food and a great time was had by
all.
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Christmas
Caroling
December
15, 2019
–
For our eighth year, the Post orchestrated
a Christmas music program at a local senior living
facility. Our program this year,
on December 15th, featured solo performances and group songs with
piano accompaniment. Special
thanks to Post member Alan Cameron for leading us in the carols and for adding
the
“Twas' The Night Before Christmas In Texas,
Ya'll” tale and a lovely rendition of the
holiday classic “The Christmas Song” to the
program. And we were grateful
to have Friend of the Post Sam Pulis enrich the day with his piano playing
before and during the
event.
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Veterans Day
Program
November 11, 2019
–
On Monday, November 11th our
Post partnered with Orchard Park Senior Living to honor the 19 veterans who
are residents at their Kyle home.
It’s a struggle for them to get to out, so our Post went there
to honor them!
Post Commander Kerman Hammond, Honor Guard
Officer Rachel Patrick, Master of Ceremonies Alan Cameron, and guest speaker
Adria Garcia collaborated to organize and present an outstanding
event. They were supported by
1st Vice Commander
Stan
Lipinski and members
Alba
Melgar-Ce’De Baca, Cassaundra
Melgar-Ce’De Baca, Stu
Hoyt,
Mike Garceau, and Steve
Pulis.
Highlights of the program included Adria’s
reflections on military service and Veterans Day, presentation of certificates
to the resident veterans, the Orchard Park Choir’s renditions of the
military service songs, and Alan’s heartfelt performance of “Proud
to be an
American.” |
Veterans and residents of Orchard
Park
Veterans and residents of Orchard
Park
Veterans and residents of Orchard
Park
Members Stu Hoyt, Mike Garceau, Adria Garcia,
Kerman Hammond,and Stan Lipinski visit prior
to the
program |
Alan Cameron guiding
the
program
Commander Kerman
Hammond
Combat Veteran Adria
Garcia addressing the
group
Combat Veteran Ed
Campbell reflecting on
fellow resident Milton
Behrens
Color Guard Cassaundra
Melgar-Ce’De Baca,
Alba Melgar-Ce’De Baca, and Rachel
Patrick
Color Guard Cassaundra
Melgar-Ce’De Baca,
Alba Melgar-Ce’De Baca, and Rachel
Patrick |
Buda Veterans
Parade
November 9, 2019
–
Post TX115 was on point for the 2019 Buda Veterans Day Parade on Saturday,
November 9th, with Honor
Guard Officer Rachel Patrick leading members Adria Garcia, Steve Pulis,
Cassaundra
Melgar-Ce’De Baca, and Alba
Melgar-Ce’De
Baca.
Post Commander Kerman Hammond followed driving
the Post float with veterans, family members, and friends
aboard.
It was a beautiful day to commemorate Veterans
Day with members of the Buda
community. |
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Honor Flight
Donation
October 26, 2019
–
AMVETS Post TX115 donated $1,000 to Austin Honor Flight, the nonprofit
organization that has taken over 2,000
WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to our Nation’s Capital to
visit and experience the Memorials built in their honor.
Our Post donation was made in honor of Post
member John Corzan, a decorated Korean War combat
veteran. John’s wife Beverly
presented the check to former City of Austin Mayor Lee
Leffingwell,
Austin
Honor Flight
Vice Chair. Former Mayor
Leffingwell is a former United States Navy Pilot
and Vietnam War veteran. After
leaving active duty, he served in the Navy Reserve and retired at the rank
of Commander.
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Veterans Challenge Cup Chili
Cook-Off
October 26, 2019
–
Teams brought their competitive spirit to this year’s Veterans Challenge
Chili Cook-Off.
Rachael Patrick earned the judge’s
2nd runner-up
Chili
Ace trophy plus the coveted “Chili
of the People” award. The
Ben and Gilbert Arismendez combined their culinary efforts to net the
1st runner-up Chili Master
title. Team SAR (Sons of the
American Revolution) walked away with the highest bragging rights –
Chili Grand Master.
Special thanks to our judges – AMVETS
Texas State Commander Jesse Bean, Justice of the Peace Beth Smith, and Constable
John
Ellen. |
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State Commander Jesse
Bean
1st
Place - Chili Grand Masters - Team
SAR |
Community
Yard
Sale
October
19, 2019
– Post TX115 hosted its third yard sale of 2019
Saturday, October
19th.
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Hispanic American Veterans Achievement & Appreciation
Celebration
September
28, 2019
– Post 115 celebrated
the service and sacrifice of Latino Americans in military service with an
outstanding schedule of activities.
We started
with a special breakfast at 0800 and then had a special commemoration at
1000 featuring Vietnam Marine Corps
Combat Veteran Maximo “Max”
Vasquez. Max delivered a most
moving address and individually recognized Hays County Hispanic-Americans
who lost their lives in Vietnam.
Lehman High School Mariachi Los Lobos entertained
attendees at 1100 – these superb young adults put on a magnificent
performance – Maravilloso!
We closed
out the day with a delicious meal from Donn’s BBQ.
Post TX115
can be most proud of this commemoration and celebration – it was a fitting
recognition. Special thanks to
Max Vasquez and Mariachi Los Lobos for making the program so
special. And an extra-large salute
to Ben
Arismendez, Gilbert Arizmendez, Rachel Patrick,
Adria Garcia, and Gerry Mullen for all their hard efforts in planning, staging,
and executing – a lot of hard work goes in to prepare and run an event
this grand – well done to
all! |
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Patriot Day
September
11, 2019
–
Members set flags on the fence to mark Patriot
Day at 401 Rebel Drive.
 
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First Responders Appreciation
Breakfast
September
7, 2019
– For our fifth year, Post
TX115 hosted an appreciation breakfast for area law enforcement, fire fighters,
and emergency medical personnel on Saturday, September
7th. It was our special
way to say thank you all those who keep us safe and save lives every
day.
By most
accounts, this was our most successful FR breakfast to
date. Over 36 police officers,
sheriff’s deputies, fire fighters, EMTs, and judicial personnel enjoyed
some great food and left the Post knowing they are greatly appreciated by
the community they serve.
Once again Ben
Arismendez, Gilbert Arizmendez, and Rachel Patrick
were at the Post extra early to ensure all was ready by
0600. These three members were
the first to arrive and the last to leave, working steady all morning to
keep both our guests and fellow Post members fed and
happy. Many members jumped in
to assist, with Max Vasquez taking the lead on the all-important trash control
duties.
Our annual
FR breakfast is named in honor of Post member Lyle Bollinger, who was a strong
supporter of public service and especially first
responders.
He was a board member for Hays County Emergency
Services District Five (ESD-5) for 16 years, advocating for the Fire Department
that serves Kyle and the surrounding
area. Lyle instilled that sense
of service in his daughter Susan, who continues the family legacy by serving
on the ESD-5 board today. We
were happy Lyle’s wife Mary and his daughter Susan could join us for
the breakfast. |
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Chief Master Sergeant Charles R.
Schlund (Retired)
Remembrance
August 31, 2019
–
Post TX115 hosted a
Memorial and Celebration of
Life Car
Display to honor the life of retired Chief Master
Sergeant Charlie
"Chaz"
Schlund at our Post – 401 Rebel Drive in
Kyle.
Charlie
Schlund was proud of his 29 years of service
in the Air Force, of his assignments around the world, and especially of
his tours in Vietnam and Thailand during the
war. Here at home in Texas he
was a fixture and a valued friend in the Mustang
community.
Post
members rallied to provide two meals and deliver final military
honors. Most members didn’t
know Charlie Schlund, but that didn’t stop
them from enduring the heat to honor the Chief.
Ben Arismendez, Gilbert
Arizmendez, and Rachel Patrick started early
and worked hard so all could enjoy a wonderful breakfast and later a tasty
lunch.
Rachel Patrick served as our Honor Guard Officer,
leading Alba Melgar-Ce’De Baca, Cassaundra
Melgar-Ce’De Baca, Mike
Garceau, Jim Clements, Stan Lipinski, Stu Hoyt,
and Larry Keiser. Under
Rachel’s expert leadership the team delivered a beautifully executed
three-volley rifle salute. Everyone
in attendance was impressed!
Alan Cameron delivered a beautiful National
Anthem and served as chaplain, providing thoughtful and touching words of
contemplation.
Many members jumped in to assist – Max
Vasquez, Rex Drake, and others – when most needed to pull it all
off.
This remembrance
was another example of our Post at its finest – veterans closing ranks
to honor a fellow veteran’s service to our
country. This is the foundation
of an honorable veteran's post.
Those close to Charlie
were extremely touched by and very much appreciated the efforts of Post
115. They expressed much gratitude
to all the Post veterans and family members who stood in the heat, shoulder
to shoulder with them, in a final salute to a life of service and purpose,
a life that touched so many, a life well lived.
 
Master of Ceremonies Bob
White
Alan Cameron offers
contemplation
Brian Pulis remembering his friend
Post Honor Guard delivering the Three-Volley Rifle
Salute
Jackie Gibson rendering Taps
 
Flag Detail –
Air Force veterans Neal Armstrong, Ron Butler, Mike
Jenniges, and Steve
Pulis
The Final Salute
Two early model Ford
Mustang Fastbacks, a 1965 HiPo and 1967 GTA,
lovingly restored by Charlie
Schlund
Members of the Central
Texas Mustang community who cherished Charlie
Schlund |
Post Family
Picnic
August
10, 2019
– We had a wonderful
turnout at our annual summer social.
It was a relaxed gathering to spend time together with some traditional
American backyard cuisine and some old fashion camaraderie – yes, it
was all about friendship and food!
The Post grilled up the hamburgers and hotdogs and members brought
scrumptious summer side dishes and delicious desserts to
share.
Special thanks to Gilbert
Arizmendez and Ben
Arizmendez for the setup, teardown, and all the
cooking, and to Stan Lipinski for the music and the running the door prize/raffle
operation.
Our special
guests this year were AMVETS Department of Texas Commander Jesse Bean and
his lovely wife Dannie. We were
most honored to have them visit our Post.
They enjoyed a wonderful meal while visiting with our members and
families. From the State
Commander:
“…we made to Kyle Texas and pulled
into the parking lot of AMVETS Post 115.
Very nice bldg, huge parking lot and very
clean surroundings. Very positive
image for AMVETS.
The Post Commander, Staff and all the Members
as well as wives and children were so welcoming and
friendly. The event they were
having was their Family Picnic.
Heavy on the Family.
This is one of our best Post and they are very
active in the Community and serve Veterans in so many different and beneficial
ways.
They prepared a feast and the folks I met were
so kind I was touched by the atmosphere and the nature of their support for
each other, the Veterans they serve year round and their ongoing efforts.
The pictures on the walls is a directory of
their never ending projects, fund raisers, and so many community activities
I was very impressed the quality and quantity of
their service.
To each one of you I say thanks so much for
what you have done, are doing and will continue to do in the
future.
Great Effort. Great
Results.”
Commander Bean continued:
“This is a beautiful plaque sent to AMVETS
Post 115 from SPECIAL OPERATIONS JOINT TASK FORCE. The reason this bunch
of warriors sent this to the AMVETS is in appreciation for the package the
Post sent them. I was amazed to begin with by the show of
appreciation. In our society
now days, not much of that going on. I guess their nobility goes far past
just fighting their ass off for this Country and its people. There are several
other plaques like this around the walls of Post 115, but the impact statement
is; they have sent almost forty (40) of these packages to our warriors in
the last year. That's what I be talking about people. Doing it, they are
flat doing it. Just know they
are is enough, but knowing they are doing it without fame, fortune or glory
makes it even better.” |
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Women Veterans
Breakfast
June 15, 2019
–
Post TX115 held its second annual Women Veterans Recognition Breakfast on
June 15, commemorating the Texas Women Veterans day, the 71th
anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, and 102 years
of women in uniformed military service. Dr. Alba M. Melgar-C’De Baca,
United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), provided a moving narrative
of nearly 30 years of military service.
From the Post Commander:
Today
was a special day because we had our program to show appreciation to women
veterans. If you were not at
the Post, you missed a great speaker that was really enthusiastic about what
she had to say. We had a great
breakfast, program, and afterwards cake and coffee and a great time just
meeting everyone and enjoying the
conversation. I personally want
to thank everyone that made the program a
success. Team work is what makes
things happen – thanks to Steve Pulis, Stan Lipinski, Ben Arismendez,
Gilbert Arismendez, Rachel Patrick, Mike Cook, Alan Cameron, Terry Murray
and our picture taker Tina Murray.
Wow, what a team.
Kerman
D. Hammond, Sr.
Commander
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Flag
Day
June 14, 2019
–
Post TX115 partnered with the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) to mark
Flag Day at 401 Rebel Drive.
 
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Community
Yard
Sale
June 8, 2019
–
Post TX115 hosted its second yard sale of 2019 on June
8th.
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Officer
Installation
May 25, 2019
–
From Former Commander Steve Pulis:
I had the special privilege of inducting our new cabinet of officers
for 2019-2020 at our Saturday morning breakfast.
Please come out to our Post meetings,
both the General Membership Meetings and the Executive Committee Meetings,
to provide your input and support your officers! |
Commander
1st Vice
2nd Vice
3rd Vice
Adjutant
Finance Officer
Judge Advocate
Provost Marshall |
Kerman D. Hammond, Sr.
Terry Murray
Gilbert Arismendez
Rachel Patrick
William P. Banks,
Sr
Stan Lipinski
Mike
Garceau
Ben
Arismendez |
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World War
II & Korean War Veterans Appreciation
Breakfast
May 18, 2019
–
On May 18th, Post TX115 honored local WWII and Korean War
veterans. The morning included
a special breakfast followed by a program with period music, leader’s
perspectives, and individual narratives highlighting the service and lives
of the 11 veterans
recognized.
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Memorial
Day
Program
May 23, 2019
– Post TX115 partnered with Orchard
Park Senior Living to present a Memorial Day program on May
23rd. Post Honor Guard
members presented the colors and
the Orchard
Park choir sang four beautiful songs and performed the five military service
songs.
The program closed with Post Member Alan Cameron singing a moving
rendition of
Taps.
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Lions Club Wiener Dog
Races
April 27 & 28, 2019
– Post TX115 once again supported the
Buda Lions Club at their annual Wiener Dog Races, providing AMVETS veteran
members to direct parking. This
event is the Lions major fundraiser for the year, one hundred percent of
which is used to support local youth that are disabled and/or
disadvantaged.
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JROTC
Awards
April & May 2019
– Post TX115 supported a record 20
high school programs requesting AMVETS JROTC award packages for end of school
year awards ceremonies.
Additionally, post members presented the awards at a record 16 schools
in April and May.
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Community
Yard
Sale
March 30, 2019
–
Post TX115 hosted its first yard sale on March
30th.
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Military Care
Packages
January & February 2019
– Throughout January, veterans, family members, and friends
contributed hundreds of items for our annual “Veterans Valentine”
Care Packages program. On February
2nd the Post family helped fill the boxes that we sent to military
members deployed overseas. This
year’s effort yielded 37 boxes,
filled to the brim with goodies
for the troops.
2019 is the 7th year Post Commander Kerman Hammond has
orchestrated this important program to support those serving all of us
downrange. While we often receive
thanks, this year we were sent a particularly touching letter from Afghanistan;
it is great to know Post TX115 is having such a positive effect on those
serving in harm’s way.
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Mid-Winter
Raffle
January 2019
–
During January Post members sold tickets for our annual Mid-Winter Raffle,
once again featuring the popular Ruger
LC9s. Due to the outstanding
efforts of many, this fundraiser was very successful.
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