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Grimes County VFW POST 4006 - Navasota, Texas
Grimes County VFW Post 4006 is on the move! We hosted the Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial in April of 1999. To do this we had a concrete sidewalk poured to accommodate the Wall. Once the Wall was gone, we had only a diamond shaped sidewalk, so we decided that a park should be built for our community, with the theme of a Veterans Memorial Walkway made of engraved bricks, remembering our veterans.
The park has been given the name "Reflections". It has a large 24 by 36 foot pavilion available for many purposes, such as weddings, High School band concerts, reunions, and Memorial Services. Trees and picnic benches are also part of the plan. We have planted some 'Live Oak' trees, and have put up our Reflections sign at the entrance to the park. A flag pole has been installed on either side of the front entrance to the pavilion, displaying the Texas State flag and the Stars and Stripes.
On the anniversary of D-Day, 2001, we planted an 'Eisenhower Green Ash' tree, which has been dedicated to our World War Two veterans. The planting of the green ash tree was a program of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Scott Products, & Wal-Mart. Our tree, and thousands like it, were planted at VFW posts, in town and city parks all around the United States during the week of the Memorial Day holiday and the D-Day anniversary, 2002. The anniversary of D-Day is June 6th of every year.
On Arbor Day, April 19, 2004, we planted a Red Maple tree and had a small ceremony dedicating it to the Korean War Veterans. In the future, we plan to add and dedicate trees to the veterans of the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and the War on Terror.
The much anticipated 'Veterans Memorial Walkway', made of engraved bricks with the name of any military veteran, is now completed. The sidewalk has been poured and the "bays" which house the engraved bricks are constructed and the bricks have been layed. At the ends of each bay is a round, bronze plaque with the emblem of each branch of the military and one of the VFW. We have several hundred bricks installed with more on order. Bricks have been ordered for veterans from as far back as the Revolutionary War. On July 4th 2003, a dedication ceremony took place at the pavilion under threatening skies with a large turnout of citizens and dignataries.
In the front of the Post Home, on Texas Highway 105, we have an M-60 tank on display with a picnic table next to it. The concrete picnic table and benches were donated by the Ladies Auxilary. The picnic table is on a concrete slab and has been covered. There are shade trees nearby and lots of room for people to stop, look at the tank, picnic, and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere. (Unfortunately some vandals have stolen the concrete table and one of the concrete benches) A new entrance gate and sign has been built and has been installed. Also a plaque has been donated by Sylvia Carolla, in memory of her husband Sam, commemorating his work in getting the tank for the post. The plaque is scheduled to be installed by July 4, 2007. A Flag Retirement Ceremony will be held at Reflections Park on Flag Day at 7:00 P.M.. The ceremony is open to the public.
The picture being displayed is of the memorial with the bricks inscribed with names and information of veterans who have served our country.
We are located in the heart of what is known as the Brazos Valley. We are just east of Brenham, Texas which is the home of Bluebell Ice Cream. Blue Bell conducts tours through their plant and will let you sample their delicious product. We are also just a few miles from 'Washington on the Brazos State Park'. This is the actual birthplace of Texas, where the State Constitution was written. They have a fine museum and a working farm from the eighteen hundreds. Twenty or so miles to our north, along Texas Highway 6, which is named "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway", lies College Station, Texas. This is the home of Texas A&M University and the George Bush Presidential Library. Next to us, on the west side, is the 9 hole Navasota Municipal Golf Course. A great and inexpensive way to get some exercise and keep the game sharp. There are also many great eating places that includes fast food, the 'Cow Talk' restaurant at the auction barn, the 'Wrangler Steak House', Mexican and Chinese fare, a trip back to the 50's at 'The Filling Station' and a coffee and ice cream parlor. There are also several nice motels for those traveling by auto. If you are an antique shopper, you'll love Navasota and their fine shops.
We can accomodate RV parking at the Post parking lot. Presently we have any electric hook ups with water available. Also we have a picnic area, as mentioned, and easy access to the above mentioned places, as well as the fact that Houston is only 60 miles to the southwest. If interested in visiting us and staying a while, please feel free to call the Grimes County Chamber of Commerce at 936-825-6600.
Post 4006 meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 P.M. with a pot luck meal at 6:30. Any VFW member is invited to join us. We also have bingo at the Post Home every Tuesday evening at 7:00. Bingo, of course, is open to the public with food and beverages available. Although we have a beer and wine license, we do not have regular canteen hours, with the exception of Wednesdays when we are open from three until?. Otherwise the bar is only open when there is a scheduled event.
If you are ever in this part of Texas, we would be proud to greet you, show you around, and assist you in any way we can. Come see us now, ya hear?
CURRENT EVENTS
The officers for the year 2007 -2008 have been elected and will assume command on July 1st and are firming up their plans for another great year. We always want to take the time to stop for a moment and remember our comrades who have gone on to greater rewards. Anytime you meet another veteran, take the time to say 'Thank You' for their service to our country. Support your post and all veterans!!!
OFFICERS
Officers for the 2007 - 2008 year have been elected. Those leaders are:
Commander - Leland Fougeron
Sr. Vice Commander - Dorton Matthews
Jr. Vice Commander - Richard Cook
Quartermaster - Jose Martinez
Judge Advocate - Christopher Cooper
Chaplain - Father Bruce Chabot
Surgeon - Lisa Barret-Collins
Trustee 1 year - David Railsback
Trustee 2 year - Alton Aga
Trustee 3 year - Jerry Fontaine
Appointed Officers are:
Adjutant - Carl Dry
Service Officer - Carl Dry
Officer of the Day -
Guard -
OF SPECIAL NOTE:
I received an e-mail from a young lady who lost her father before she was born. Her father was a Navy Corpsman and he was killed in Vietnam. She decided to try to investigate what happened to her father, what a corpsman was, and what Vietnam was all about. She wrote a book about her journey to get this information and is trying to get all Veterans as well as others to read her book. The name of the book is "A Corpsman Legacy". There is information on the book at www.acorpsmanslegacy.com. Take a few minutes of your time and visit the web site and make an effort to purchase and read her book. I think you will find it facinating. Carl Dry (webmaster)
Thanks for checking in on us. Come back and visit us soon.
Carl Dry's Veterans Links
Send E-Mail to: cmdry@earthlink.net
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