Armed Forces Appreciation Day event serves 125 Veterans

By Editor | May 21, 2025 |

Photo by Shari Harris
Veterans gathered at tables to socialize with other veterans at the Armed Forces Appreciation Day event. From left are: John Whelan (Army), Hal Dandridge (Army), Kevin Kehn (Army), Glen McKinney (Army) (standing), Tony Abernathy, Sr. (Army) and CJ Smith (Navy).

By Shari Harris, Publisher

The fifth annual Armed Forces Appreciation Day event was hosted by local Veteran organizations at Intercounty Electric Auditorium on Saturday, in Licking. Registering for the event were 125 veterans, with 350 people attending overall, many of whom were family and/or caregivers of Veterans.

American Legion Post #41 Commander Bob Joens explained the importance of giving Veterans a place where they could speak with people who provide services for them, as well as offering a venue where Veterans could socialize with others who have been through many of the same experiences. Joens did note that there were fewer Vietnam Veterans in attendance this year, and more Veterans post-Vietnam than in previous years. One Texas County World War II Veteran was in attendance – Glen Fraley, who is 97-years-old.

In addition to Veteran Service organizations, booths with representatives from many organizations were available to those attending. The Texas County Health Department offered medication disposal packets, Narcan spray and Fentanyl test strips, among other items. Texas County Memorial Hospital provided free blood pressure checks and answered any medical questions. In addition, they gave stroke and STEMI (heart attack) information, had colorectal screening kits, and offered bags with journals inside where Veterans could track medical information, appointments or other things.

The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations hosting the event offered a free lunch for all who attended, with hamburgers, hot dogs and all the sides. In addition, a door prize was given every half hour – a silver dollar – to a lucky Veteran whose name was drawn. A quilt raffle was also held, featuring a beautiful patriotic quilt made by Charlsey Walberg, of Raymondville.

For those interested in learning more about local Veteran organizations:

• VFW Post 473 meets at 1800 the last Thursday of each month at their Post Meeting Hall on Highway 63 north of Cabool.

• VFW Post 6337 meets at 1730 the third Monday of the month at their Meeting Hall on Main Street just south of Highway 32 in Licking.

• VFW Post 7222 meets at 1800 on the first Thursday of each month at their meeting hall just east of Summersville.

• AL Post 41 meets at 1800 on the second Thursday of each month at their meeting hall on the west end of Chilton Oil Company in Houston (just north of Pizza Hut).

• AL Post 559, meets at 1800 on the second Tuesday of each month at the VFW Post 6337 Meeting Hall in Licking.

• Fleet Reserve Association Branch 364 meets at 1430 every fourth Sunday of each month at the American Legion Post 41 meeting hall in Houston.