A turkey dinner with all the trimmings was prepared by Auxiliary Unit 352 at the American Legion Memorial Highway Post 352 hall on Thursday, November 20 for twenty four attendees. Local area clergy were invited to dine and were thanked for their service to the community. Pastor and Mrs. Boatwright represented Johnson City’s Liberty Lighthouse Christian Church, Bobby Leggett and granddaughter represented Blanco’s Trinity Lutheran Church and Wilta Bottles and Aline Wright represented Kendalia Community Church.

Major Art M. Anthony (Army Retired) who is the San Antonio - Bexar County United Way Senior Military Outreach Coordinator spoke about the Texas Military Family Access Project Call 2-1-1. This project, reached by dialing 211 on the telephone, is designed to connect veteran’s families with vital community services before, during and after deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. Among free and confidential referrals that can be made concern financial assistance, marital problems, anger management, depression, child care, legal services, medical care, drug or alcohol abuse and employment.

Post Commander Bruce Huguelet gave a short introductory presentation on the following American Legion veterans and veterans families programs that clergy might find useful for referring congregation members to.

The Family Support Network centralizes requests for physical assistance from a national toll free number which is then referred to the state and finally the Post level. The Post then tries to provide actual help; be it child care or help cutting the grass. The Post hopes to call upon the community (or youth power) should needs arise.

If the need is financial, Temporary Financial Assistance grants may be provided by our national organization through the American Legion Endowment Fund.

The Heroes to Hometowns program aims to support severely wounded warriors when the finally arrive home. A minor example is when our Post assisted the SA Kayak Anglers when they brought recuperating warriors from BAMC to fish out of kayaks at Blanco State Park. On a day’s notice, we served a late lunch to all last December.

The Child Welfare Foundation provides grants to non-profit youth serving organizations to disseminate information about well established organizations that benefit youth.

The American Legacy Scholarship fund is used to provide the children of the fallen with a college education.

The National Emergency Fund deals with the aftermath of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and wildfires.

Department, County and Post Service Officers are available to assist veterans navigate the federal bureaucracy and fill out VA forms for home loans or medical care.

The Post wishes to thank Dennis Moore for the loan of folding chairs to meet the anticipated crowd.