On May 7, 2007, VFW Post formally adopted Texas National Guard Unit HHC 3-144 and began a support relationship with them for the duration of their deployment to Iraq and beyond.

Besides sending regular packages to the Troops containing whatever they cannot get, or that is in short supply where they are, we support the spouses left behind through the "Family Readiness Group". This Army organized support group for spouses meets at our Post once a month. The ladies who come to these meetings get valuable help on how to cope with life with their husbands so far away and in harms way.

We also support these wives through the VFW Maps program, and we have already caused two mortgage companies to desist in foreclosure proceedings. (The "Soldiers and Sailors Act of 2003" makes it a Federal Felony to foreclose on an Armed Forces member serving in a war zone) Once foreclosure proceedings were stopped these families could catch their breath and catch up (if they reasonably could). In one case there will probably be a Maps Grant to help in that catching up.

The VFW Post 8911 Web site is a valuable tool in supporting our troops. In fact the Army has recognized this and is asking us to turn the HHC 3-144 web site that is attached to vfwpost8911.org into a Battalion wide site, not just to support the Headquarters Company, but all 5 Companies of the Texas 4th Panthers Battalion.

To this end forum software is being installed to let them talk to each other more easily over admittedly non-secure channels. In this fashion the FRG groups can share information as well as the companies and individuals troopers. It is a great honor to be so entrusted with this support of our troops and we look forward to this new chapter in our relationship with the whole of the Texas 4th.

We have always felt that the troops were grateful for our support, but this Gratefulness came in tangible form when Col. Henry, the Commanding Officer of the 56th IBCT, gave a Plaque to the Post Honoring what we do for the Brigade as well as the 4th Texas Battalion. See Pictures (more Pictures are coming that were taken by the official Brigade Photographer)

See Pictures from before deployment and now at Camp Adder in Iraq.

Here is the URL for HHC 3-144 and the Texas 4th Panthers: http://www.vfwpost8911.org/4thtex.html

******************************************

Sgt. Major Larkin of the Texas National Guard's 56th IBCT was honored at his Retirement Party at Post 8911.

A Plaque was presented to Post 8911 by Col. Henry, Commanding officer of the 56th IBCT, in appreciation for 8911's supportof the Troops and Veterans