This includes some excerpts from my message back in December 2020; it applies to this year as well.
Let’s end this wild year on a high note. Christmas has always been about being kind to our neighbors; Jesus counselled us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and by neighbors He means everybody we meet. So, let’s take the last bit of 2025 and make it shine with kindness.
Also, please remember our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers serving with our military overseas. Some of them are in danger every day, and most others are enduring the long separation from homes and loved ones. Consider the news they hear from home, the turmoil and troubles in our cities, the spread of crime and terrorist activity, increasing war and hostility around the world, and even confusion about loose rocks from other places zipping through our solar system.
If you can, send them messages of hope and reassure them that their service is greatly appreciated. Let them know that we are working to make sure that they have a free Republic to return to.
For those of us who pray, offer prayers for the peoples of Ukraine and Russia, Cambodia and Thailand, and those who suffer in China. The world needs a giant injection of common sense and Love!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a bright and cheerful New Year!
Texas County area veterans organizations:
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 473 meets on the last Thursday of each month at 1800 at their Post Meeting Hall on Highway 63 north of Cabool.
- American Legion Post 559 meets at 1800 on the second Tuesday of each month at the VFW Post 6337 meeting hall in Licking.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6337 meets each third Monday of the month at 1730 in Licking at their Meeting Hall on Main Street just south of Highway 32.
- Fleet Reserve Association Branch 364 meets at 1430 every fourth Sunday of each month at the American Legion Post 41 meeting hall in Houston. The FRA exists to serve all veterans and active-duty members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard.
- American Legion 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). Changes to membership eligibility now allow U.S. veterans of all branches and periods of service to join the American Legion.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7222 meets at 1800 on the first Thursday of each month at their meeting hall just east of Summersville.
- Houston resident Robert E. Simpson is a retired U.S. Navy chief electronics technician who served from 1969 to 1990. His columns are posted online at www.houstonherald.com. Email gfjjkaa@gmail.com.