Veterans Affairs

Have you ever wondered what you would or could do in case of a disaster? Well here’s your chance to find out. Mr. Rick Dysart of the Corporation for National & Community Service spoke to the American Legion on just this subject and is offering free classes for Disaster Training. Classes will be held at an as yet undetermined location in Leon County. For more information on this training call Andy Stewart at 903-536- 3574.

After learning that a new flag was needed, Jessie Carrington of the Patriot Guard Riders and Leo Reynaud, President of the American Legion Post #335, made a special trip to Copper Creek Plaza Assisted Living to have a small flag raising ceremony while presenting them with a brand new flag.

The Veteran’s Appreciation Day held by the American Legion last year was a great success but this year’s looks to be much better. It will be held May 1, at Champions Ranch, where Gov. Perry, Gen. Cisco, the Patriot Guard and the U.S. 1st Calvary will be joining in the celebration. We are in need of donations of door prizes and desserts.

The American Legion #335 meets the first Saturday of each month at 6:00pm at the Municipal Building in Centerville with a pot luck dinner before the meeting. Please join us.

The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) presented John Rhinehart & Harold Servetnick with a check for $1000.00 for the Honor Flight of East Texas. This is an organization that is sending WWII veterans to Washington, DC to see the WWII Memorial. For more info on this trip call John at: 903-677- 8863 or Harold at: 903-292- 1380.

The Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA) have about 40 more boxes ready to send to their Adopt-a-Unit in Iraq. These soldiers have sent back emails saying how grateful they are for these packages from home showing them that we DO care about them. The AVVA is also gathering things for the “Family Entertainment Gift Basket” that will soon be ready to be raffled off.

Commander Gordon Brett of the DAV Chapter #63 is proud to announce that their new van will be delivered in late May or early June. This van allows the DAV to continue to provide transportation from the VA Clinic in Palestine to the VA hospitals in Waco and Temple at no cost to the veteran. The DAV Post #63, American Legion Post #85 and the AVVA & VVA Chapter #991 all meet at 927 Gardner Drive in Palestine, right behind Mattern Tire Co.