Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars

10/30/2026

On Friday TxVFW wears RED and reminds you to Remember Everyone Deployed.

Wear red each Friday to honor the service members deployed around the world, and to remind their families that they are not forgotten.

Wear red. Remember everyone deployed. Until they all come home.

10/30/2026

Celebrating eight decades of assisting Veterans and supporting community projects, Texas VFW Post 8539 hosted special guests October 17, 2026, at the post’s hall. Read more 👇

Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) Saltworks Camp No. 2353 joined the Charles “Choc” Gillen VFW Post No. 8539 and its supporters on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the post’s hall in Lampasas for an 80th anniversary celebration. Special guest Texas State Senator Pete Flores prese...

10/30/2026

Veterans Day Challenge 📣

With Veterans Day right around the corner, businesses across the country are once again offering free meals and discounts to honor our Veterans. While these gestures are appreciated, I want to challenge our Texas VFW Posts, Districts, schools, workplaces, and communities to think beyond the free meal.

What if we used this opportunity to reconnect with a Veteran who may be feeling isolated, forgotten, or disconnected?

Think about the comrade who hasn't attended a Post meeting in months, the Veteran transitioning to civilian life, or someone who may not have anyone to share a meal with.

Let's get creative! Organize a group outing, invite a fellow Veteran, bridge generations, or offer a ride to someone who may otherwise spend the day alone. No membership pitch or expectations, just genuine connection and comradeship.

Let's also remember that food insecurity is a reality for some Veterans and their families. A free meal may provide temporary relief, but it can also open the door to year-round food assistance and other valuable resources.

As your Texas VFW State Surgeon, I challenge us to be intentional about addressing the social determinants of health impacting our Veterans and their families, including food insecurity, social isolation, and barriers to accessing resources.

My challenge is simple:
One meal. One Veteran. One meaningful connection.

The VA has compiled a list of Veterans Day 2026 free meals, discounts, and offers. Share it, make plans, and invite someone to join you!

https://news.va.gov/150505/2026-veterans-day-discounts-free-meals-offers/

And most importantly, don't let that connection end on November 11.

A free meal may fill someone's stomach for a day, but a meaningful connection can make a difference long after the meal is over.

Let's take care of the whole person, not just on Veterans Day, but every day.

Here it is, the 2026 Veterans Day discounts list.

10/29/2026

Looking for a Veteran event near you? Your next connection could be closer than you think!

Head to texasvfw.org and select Events to explore local Post activities and upcoming Department events across Texas.

Whether you’re looking for camaraderie, an opportunity to serve, or something new to get involved in, start here.

Find an event. Bring a buddy. Make a connection.

See what’s happening at www.texasvfw.org!

10/27/2026

The hotel room block is now open for the 2027 Texas VFW Mid-Winter Conference!

Planning to join us in Corpus Christi? Reserve your stay at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel through the official conference room block.

Conference dates: January 12–17, 2027
Book by: December 21, 2026

Hotel Reservations and Banquet Tickets can be found on the texasvfw.org website home page by scrolling down to the upcoming events.

or by visiting the department event page: www.texasvfw.org/events/

Already purchased your banquet tickets? Reserve your room ONLY directly through Omni: https://bookings.omnihotels.com/event/corpus-christi/2027-texas-vfw-mid-winter-conference

Reserve early to secure your accommodations. We look forward to seeing our VFW members, Auxiliary members, and guests in Corpus Christi!

10/23/2026

On October 23, Texas VFW remembers the 241 American service members killed in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, 220 Marines, 18 sailors and three soldiers. We honor their service, recognize the sacrifices of their families, and stand with the Veterans who served in Lebanon.

Early that Sunday morning, a su***de truck bombing destroyed the U.S. military barracks at Beirut International Airport. American personnel were serving as part of a multinational peacekeeping force during Lebanon’s civil war.

Forty-three years later, remembrance remains part of the VFW’s commitment to recognizing military service and supporting Veterans and their loved ones. That commitment includes camaraderie, advocacy, and free assistance from VFW Accredited Service Officers to help Veterans, families, and survivors pursue earned benefits.

We encourage our communities to pause in remembrance, learn about those who served in Beirut, and honor their place in service to our nation's history.

10/20/2026

The Texas VFW State Surgeon’s quarterly newsletter is now available! Andrea Ortiz shares a call to prioritize our health, check on our comrades, and help Veterans and their families stay connected to care and support as we close out 2026.

This quarter introduces the Monthly Comrade Wellness Challenges:

• October | Prevention Starts With You: Schedule an overdue appointment or preventive screening and encourage a fellow Veteran to prioritize their health.

• November | Honoring Veterans Through Action: Make a healthier choice, reconnect with a comrade, and include a Veteran or surviving spouse in your Thanksgiving plans.

• December | No Comrade Left Behind: Care for your emotional wellness, check on someone experiencing grief or isolation, and extend kindness to a Veteran or military family.

Posts, Districts, Auxiliary members, Veterans, and families: take part, share your efforts, and tag Texas VFW and Texas VFW State Surgeon Andrea Ortiz! Please obtain permission before sharing anyone’s photos or personal stories.

Read the quarterly State Surgeon Newsletter:
https://issuu.com/texasvfw/docs/state_surgeon_newsletter_october_2026_

Let’s turn awareness into action, one challenge, one Post, and one comrade at a time.

10/20/2026

Texas VFW joined the Texas Veterans Commission, American Legion, DAV, and fellow Veteran advocates today in Austin to discuss protecting earned benefits, confronting predatory VA claims practices, and improving access to services across Texas. The VSO Roundtable brings Veteran organizations and agency leaders together to identify needs, discuss legislative priorities, and strengthen support for Veterans and their families.

At American Legion Travis Post 76, participants joined TVC Executive Director Thomas “Tom” Palladino for continued collaboration on issues affecting the Veteran community.

Texas VFW’s Mitch Fuller discussed legislative priorities, including the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act. VFW opposes provisions that would fund expanded benefits through changes affecting future disability compensation for tinnitus and sleep apnea. Our position: Veterans’ earned benefits should not be reduced to pay for other Veterans’ benefits.

Participants also discussed h**p policy and “claim sharks”, unaccredited businesses that exploit Veterans seeking VA benefits. Veterans should know: VA-accredited VSO representatives provide claims assistance free of charge. VFW membership is not required to receive assistance.

The agenda also includes statewide service recommendations, Texas Veterans Access, grant opportunities, and coordinated outreach to help more Veterans find available support.

Texas VFW participants included Mitch Fuller, Service Officer Miles Nelson, and IT Director and Media representative Jason Caruso. Casey Wade, a past District 28 commander, attended in his Texas Workforce Commission role with the Texas Veterans Leadership Program.

Advocating for all Veterans means bringing their concerns forward, protecting earned benefits, and sharing reliable information that helps Veterans make informed decisions.

Find free, accredited claims assistance at texasvfw.org.

10/19/2026

After a devastating fire back in April, VFW Post 8541 in San Antonio has officially reopened its doors. The Veterans and community volunteers came together over the last six months to completely remodel and restore this vital historic 1973 landmark.
Welcome back, Post 8541. Learn more 👇

The post, established in 1973, features a new outdoor mural honoring multiple military branches.

10/18/2026

On October 18, Texas VFW recognizes the service and sacrifice of women who have served in our nation’s Armed Forces.

This date marks the 1997 dedication of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. Now known as the Military Women’s Memorial, it preserves generations of women’s service stories as an essential part of our nation’s military history.

This recognition honors women’s contributions and acknowledges the barriers they have faced in service and in being recognized as Veterans, part of the shared history of our Veteran community.

We honor that history and the women Veterans beside us today, our fellow members, leaders, neighbors, and comrades. Thank you for your service.