First I want to wish everyone a good spring.
Members of American Legion Post 41 are still working on our Armed Forces Day event to be held at the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce fairgrounds on May 20.
It’s important to remember that Memorial Day is also in May, on the 29 th this year.
I also understand that Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is having a Vietnam veterans presentation later this month, although I was not given details, I think it may be taking place in Cabool. Maybe someone could contact the Houston Herald with more information about it. You can send an email to news@houstonherald.com.
Yesterday I became aware of another local veteran passing: Carl Casebeer, who I understand was a World War II and Korean War era veteran of the Navy. I would see Mr. Casebeer around town while running errands. He will certainly be missed.
The March issue of the American Legion magazine has a excellent article about gardening and PTSD, and I intend to post the link so anyone can check it online. Meanwhile, I will leave my copy at the Texas County Library branch in Houston, where interested people can read it.
From the FRA newsletter: The FRA is selling birdhouses and flower boxes built by their members and painted by residents of the St. James Veterans Home. The minimum donation is $10 and the contact number is 417-967-9044. They will be at the Cabool VFW bingo hall on Fridays. I understand that proceeds go back to the Veterans Home.
Something I also want to mention is the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline Number: 800-273-8255. In the event anyone knows of a vet or a vet’s spouse or dependent who is having troubles, please pass along this information to them. The current suicide rate is at 22 service members a day, with the majority of them being National Guard and Reserve service members.
I read a few days ago where the number of training days for Guardsmen will be increased this year, putting even more duress on our state soldiers.
The American Legion in Houston is open Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m., for our coffee bar and to meet the officers of the post. Everyone is invited to stop in for a visit.
The Legion is located next to Pizza Hut on U.S. 63. The monthly meeting is the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. and is open to everyone. We would like to meet all the service members in the area, so please if you have the time stop in.
Houston resident Keith Ford is a retired infantryman and an amateur writer whose work has appeared in publications around the world. Email kf4tap@yahoo.com.