In partnership with the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce, Houston’s American Legion Post 41, the local Fleet Reserve Association and other veterans organizations will host and Armed Forces Appreciation Day event May 18 at the chamber fairgrounds on North U.S. 63.
Organizers said the event is designed to honor all active duty military and veterans, as well as gain community support for them, offer help and resources to them, encourage younger veterans and families of all veterans, and to educate the public. Planned activities and attractions include an opening with color guard, a car show, live music, guest speakers, recognition of specific veterans, two flag retirement ceremonies, appearances by area politicians and a free meal served to attending veterans.
“There aren’t many occasions when we can all celebrate veterans’ service,” said Post 41 commander Bob Joens. “That’s where the idea for this appreciation day comes from.”
Representatives of various agencies will be on hand to discuss issues with veterans and potentially provide them with direction and solutions.
A handful of individuals will receive special recognition at the event, including 94-year-old Barbara Curtis, a World War II era telegraph operator who is Texas County’s oldest living Coast Guard veteran (and one of the oldest in Missouri).
Using vans and buses provided by various organizations (including the City of Houston and Texas County Memorial Hospital), Legion representatives plan to round up aging veterans from several area nursing homes.
Celebrating the service of older veterans is crucial, Joens said, because they’re already being forgotten and are running out of time to be recognized. Several World War II vets in addition to Curtis are expected to be on hand.
American Legion Post 41 commander Bob Joens points toward an Armed Forces Appreciation Day schedule during a planning meeting last Thursday at the post’s headquarters in Houston.
“A lot of the veterans in the nursing homes are disabled in one way or another, and their recognition is just about zip,” said Post 41 chaplain Greg Berglund, who served in the Army in the late 1960s.“They’re dying off so quickly; many of them don’t have any fond memory of getting respect and honor and thanks for what they did, and it’s important that we recognize them that way while there’s still a chance.”
Younger veterans are encouraged to attend, too.
“There are a lot of younger vets who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places who just aren’t engaging into the public,” said Post 41 first vice-commander Sam Naumann. “We all went through it – I came out of Vietnam – and you just disengage from anything. We’re trying to get them back and basically engaged into life.”
Gold Star Family members are also encouraged to attend (widows and other family members who have lost a loved one to military service).
Joens said one of the primary goals of the event is to celebrate the service of veterans who haven’t received much, if any, thanks or acknowledgement.
Post 41 member Terry Bevell served in Vietnam on the USS Corpus Christi Bay, the Army’s first and only floating aircraft repair and maintenance facility. What kind of celebration does he recall when he got back?
“None,” Bevell said.
What about since then?
“I hardly remember any,” Bevell said.
“We need to thank these people,” Berglund said. “They gave up part of their lives to serve this country, and that’s a big sacrifice – not only for the veterans themselves, but for their spouses and families who also had to sacrifice.”
The Houston City Council has pledged a financial donation to the event, and other donations are sought. Anyone wishing to contribute can stop by the Post 41 building (on U.S. 63 next to Pizza Hut) during weekly meetings that start at 9 a.m. each Thursday.
Armed Forces Appreciation Day T-shirts are available through two sources in Houston: The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce and Opportunity Sheltered Industries.
Prior to the event, the public is welcome to turn in American flags for proper retirement at the Houston Visitors Center (at U.S. 63 and Walnut Street). Cabool VFW Post 473 will be in charge of the dual flag retirement ceremonies.
All veterans who attend the event will be presented with a commemorative T-shirt. The shirts are also available for anyone to purchase through the chamber or Opportunity Sheltered Industries in Houston.
The event isn’t limited to people living in Texas County; veterans and their relatives from anywhere are welcome to attend.
“We’re not doing this for kudos,” Berglund said, “we’re doing for these men, women and families.”
“This is all about the veterans,” Joens said. “It’s all for them.”
For more information, call 417-967-2220.
While not an official public holiday, Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 to replace separate days recognizing the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force and Marines. It now includes recognition of the Coast Guard and annually falls on the third Saturday in May.
President Harry Truman was instrumental in the multi-branch recognition day’s creation, and the announcement of its implementation was made by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson. The day was first celebrated in 1950.