Bandera Texas Post 157
WHAT IS THE AMERICAN LEGION?
The Nation’s largest and most powerful organization of U.S. wartime veterans and their families. Today, it counts 2.4 million members who operate through nearly 14,000 posts across the United States and beyond.
Texas has over 55,000 members !
The Bandera American Legion
supports numerous elements of these programs in the local community. For example, we have assisted numerous veterans in obtaining their earned VA benefits from enrollment to appeals to finding shelter for local homeless veterans. The non-partisan “get out the vote” events with candidates, Boys State and Oratorical contest competitions, and including Boys and Girls Scouts in Veterans ceremonies and projects. The Auxiliary is there as well supporting active duty soldiers in theatre with care packages, coat drives, Girl Scout support, Helping Hand contributions and visits to Veterans across the community armed with smiles and baskets of items they need.
The American Legion’s services can be classified under the organization’s 4 pillars and their associated programs below:
1
– Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation –
Programs, Services, Advocacy
Employment and Business
Veterans Education and GI Bill
Combating the VA Claims Backlog
VA Volunteer Services
Board of Veterans Appeals
Discharge Review
Help for Homeless Veterans
Final Respects
2
– National Security –
Support for a Strong, Well-Resourced Defense
Operation Comfort Warriors
Military Quality of Life
Support for TRICARE
Disaster Preparedness
Border Security & Immigration
National Emergency Fund
Blu Star Banners
Blood Donor Program
Foreign Relations
Full Accounting of POW/MIA's
3
– Americanism –
Making a Difference in the Local Community
Boys State / Boys Nation
Junior Shooting Sports
Oratorical Competition
Boy Scouts of America
Education Assistance
Legacy Scholarship
Legion Riders
U.S. Flag Protection & Education
ROTC
Voter Participation
4
– Children & Youth –
Strengthen the Family Unit, Support Organizations That Help Children in Need, and Provide Community Programs to Provide Hope and Opportunity for Young People Facing Difficult Situations
Family Support Network
Child Welfare Foundation
Social Issues
Post Leadership
THANK YOU TO THESE OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER LEADERS!
2024-2025
Susan Junker
Commander
Dennis Birchall
Adjutant
Don Gray
Judge Advocate
Chris Dion
"Preacher"
Chaplain
Alan Zimmel
At Large
Interim
1st Vice Commander - Membership
Darryl Sadler
Finance Officer
Bruce Duncan
Historian
Larry Crocker
"Cowboy"
American Legion Riders
Director
Gary Hetrick
At Large
Rick Olivarez
2nd Vice Commander - Programs
Luis Estela
Sgt-At-Arms
Mike Lauricella
Service Officer
Marcie Perez
At Large