FIRST ANNUAL SALUTE TO VETERANS

May 2009

 Last Updated 03-21-2010

In 2009, Chapter 1919 combined our normal "Installation of Officers" normally held in May, with our annual picnic normally held in June into this patriotic salute to veterans. This year's event was such a success that we named it "First Annual Salute to Veterans". The event was held at the home of our gracious hosts Harold and Rose Weedon in Driftwood. The event was fun and very moving. We had over 200 Patriots and family members in attendance.  It was wonderful to meet many of our Patriots for the first time.  Everyone in attendance had a great time.  We are already planning to have the next “Salute To Veterans” a little earlier in the year, probably April 2010.  Our event started with the swearing in ceremony of our new slate of officers for 2009 —2010, by one of our Patriots, Ernie Banasau.

Following are some of the activities on this day.

Officiating at the swearing in, is past chapter and past Region V Commander, Ernie Banasau, as officers present take the oath, John Burkhardt, Fred Hudgeons, James L. Brown, Joe Hartness, Jon Medina, Rufus Dye and Milt Carr, and enter chapter office for the coming year. In the chapter change of command ceremony, the outgoing commander Raymond Diaz, passes the chapter flag to incoming commander John Burkhardt.

LAMOPH Region V President, Elaine Rey administers the oath to unit 1919 officers, Betty Cepeda, Mary Contreras, Ginny Bankston, Lucille Bennett, Elaine Burkhardt, and Laurie Hudgeons.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR OUR WORLD WAR II VETERANS

INFORMATION REGARDING HONOR FLIGHTS

During our recognition of the WW II Patriots, the family of Patriot James W. Farmer Sr., was presented with a framed copy of the story and picture of their father that is shown on the website for the National WWII Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.  I have now completed a story, with picture if available, on all of our Chapter 1919 WWII Patriots.  Our WWII Patriots will forever be remembered for their service in making the United States of America the Greatest Nation on Earth.

In giving back to all WW II heroes, an organization named “Honor Flight” is providing trips to visit the National WW II Memorial at no cost to the veteran. Honor Flight is a privately funded non-profit organization.  They cover ALL trip related expenses, including air fare, food, medical aids if needed (wheel chairs), transportation and hotel lodging expenses.  If you or someone you know that is a WW II Veteran is interested in receiving additional information and an application, please contact any of your newly elected officers and we will be happy to send them the information and an application.

AMERICAN FALLEN SOLDIERS PROJECT

HONORING THE FAMILY OF

SERGEANT FIRST CLASS NATHAN ROSS CHAPMAN

THE FIRST AMERICAN CASUALTY OF THE WAR IN AFGANISTAN

During Chapter 1919's “Salute to Veterans” we were honored to host America Supports You Texas, President, Jack Barnes and the President / Artist of the American Fallen Soldiers Project, Mr. Phil Taylor. Mr. Taylor has taken upon himself a difficult, but very rewarding task. He presents paintings to family members of our Afghanistan and Iraq fallen soldiers. At our “Salute To Veterans” we were honored to be part of the presentation to Wilbur and Lynn Chapman, our guests at the meeting on May 23rd as they were presented a painting of their son, SFC Nathan Ross Chapman. His parents live in this local area and a monument honoring SFC Chapman  has been dedicated outside the Williamson County Justice Center in Georgetown. SFC Chapman was assigned to ODA 194, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) serving in Afghanistan. On Friday, January 4, 2002, he was KIA by small arms fire in the Gardez area west of Khost, Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border. SFC Chapman was the FIRST American Soldier KIA in Afghanistan during the War on Terror. May we never forget SFC Chapman as a fellow Patriot who gave everything for our great country, the United States of America. 

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