Submitted by Jose A. Garcia, Chief Warrant Officer 5, USMC (Ret.)
A veteran is someone who made one of the most personal and consequential decisions of their life: to raise their right hand, take an oath, and pledge to defend a nation they love, a family they cherish, and the freedoms they believe are worth protecting. It is a decision rooted in faith, patriotism, courage, and the willingness to place service above self.
A veteran knows what it means to leave home with a heavy heart, embrace loved ones goodbye, and wonder when—or if—they will see them again. They know the pain of missing a child’s first steps, a spouse’s embrace, or a parent’s final days. They carry the burden of duty while their hearts remain with the families praying for their safe return. At war, they face fear, exhaustion, and the loss of friends who become family. Some return physically wounded; others carry invisible scars that never completely heal.
To a veteran, the folded American flag is deeply personal. It represents the oath they took, the uniform they wore, the comrades they lost, and the sacrifices their families endured. It is a final salute to those who gave everything and a reminder that the freedom we cherish was defended by real people with real lives, hopes, and loved ones.
Yet too many veterans grow old feeling forgotten. We see the gray hair, the aging grandparents, and those sitting alone in nursing homes, but we may never know the courage behind their eyes or the battles still carried in their hearts.
We honor veterans by visiting them, listening to their stories, supporting their families, and ensuring they receive the care and dignity they deserve. Most importantly, we must remember them beyond a single holiday.
To every veteran: your service matters, your sacrifice is not forgotten, and your brothers and sisters will always be part of your story. For God, for country, for family—we stand because you stood, we remember because you sacrificed, and we will never forget!
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- Written by: Jose A. Garcia
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Veteran suicide is the No. 1 issue facing the veteran community today. The American Legion's answer is Be the One, a call for every one of us to be the person who notices, asks, and acts.
To get us ready, The American Legion has partnered with Columbia University to offer free online training in the Columbia Protocol, a short, proven set of questions anyone can use to tell whether a veteran may be at risk and needs help right away. Each session runs 90 minutes on Zoom, so you can join from home, and no counseling background is needed.
In the session you will learn how to:
- Use the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale to identify people who may be at risk
- Recognize risk factors and warning signs
- Spot behaviors that signal immediate danger
- Talk with a comrade who may be thinking of hurting themselves
Upcoming sessions (Central time):
- Tuesday, Nov. 3, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 12, 10:30 a.m. to noon
- Wednesday, Nov. 18, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 9, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 17, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Sign up today: Be the One training registration (click Register next to the session you want).
Post 38 is asking every member, starting with the Executive Committee, to take the training. It pairs naturally with the Buddy Checks we already do.
If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255. Help is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Post 38: Be the One.
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- Written by: Johnathon Farrell
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Veterans, if you or someone you know is experiencing the loss of a loved one, American Legion Post 38 wants to invite you to come to the grief support group at the Hall in Floresville. You will find a community of caring people who will walk the journey of grief with you. The group is for veterans and their families.
The group meets Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the American Legion Hall Classroom, Floresville Post 38, 1412 Fourth Street, Floresville, TX 78114. The current session runs through December 8, 2026, and you can join any time. You do not have to wait for the first week of a session to walk in.
The group uses GriefShare, a welcoming support group for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. As GriefShare puts it, "You don't have to figure this out on your own." Each meeting combines video guidance from grief experts with honest conversations and encouragement from others who understand what you are going through. There is no pressure to have the right words or to "move on." Instead, you will find a safe place to share your story when and if you are ready, listen when you need to, ask questions, and discover timely tools that can help you navigate life after loss, one step at a time. Whether your loss is recent or happened years ago, GriefShare is there to walk alongside you as you find hope for the road ahead.
There is no fee for the group. Register at GriefShare.org, and you can purchase the workbook online when you register. If you need assistance with purchasing a book, scholarships are available.
Veterans can also have three free sessions of one-on-one pastoral counseling with Rev. Dr. Tommy Myrick for grief over the loss of a loved one.
For more information, text Tommy at 979-595-6022 or Polly at 979-777-1212. If you know a veteran or a veteran's family carrying a loss, share this with them, or bring them along on a Tuesday night. If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
Post 38 – You Don't Have to Walk This Road Alone.
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- Written by: Johnathon Farrell
- Category: News
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Submitted by Jose A. Garcia, Chief Warrant Officer 5, USMC (Ret.)
I still remember where I was on that fateful day. I was at home, preparing to go to work in Lancaster, California, when my daughter called and told me that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I turned on the television and saw the second plane strike the South Tower. In that moment, I knew this was not an accident. We were under attack.
I was born and raised in New York City. Watching the city of my birth suffer such devastation left me at a loss for words. I was stunned and angry. Seeing people running for safety, the towers collapse, and the terrible suffering of those who had no way out is something I will never forget. When I learned about the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, my fears were confirmed. I knew then that our nation was at war.
My thoughts soon turned to my family. I learned that my cousin worked in one of the towers, and for several hours, no one knew whether he had survived. The uncertainty was unbearable. Then came the news that he was safe. He had been scheduled to work in the tower that morning, but the day before, he had been told to attend a meeting away from the building. Our family had been spared. I have never forgotten how fortunate we were.
At the time, I was serving in the Marine Corps Reserve as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 assigned to a tank battalion in San Diego, California. In December 2001, I transferred to an infantry battalion closer to where I lived. I became the new Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Officer. That decision would mark a turning point in my life.
During the Christmas holidays, I visited my parents with my future wife, Socorro. My brother took us to Ground Zero. Because of my father’s and my military IDs, we were allowed to enter the site. I witnessed a sadness and emptiness that are difficult to describe. Families had lost loved ones, and first responders were still working through the rubble. Behind me was a board displaying pictures of those who had been lost. One picture remains fixed in my mind: an ultrasound beside a photograph of a firefighter, with the inscription, “You are going to be an uncle.”
That image said more than words ever could. It reminded me that the people who died were not simply names or numbers. They were sons, daughters, parents, spouses, and friends. They had plans for the future. They had people waiting for them to come home.
I wanted to take a picture of the rubble, but I decided not to. It did not feel right. Instead, I carry that memory within me. I will never forget seeing smoke rising from the rubble, even three months after the attack. When we returned to my parents’ home, I remained quiet. There were no words that could adequately express what I had seen.
A few days later, on New Year’s Eve, my family gathered at my parents’ home to bring in the New Year. During the celebration, I received a call from the executive officer of my new unit, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines. He informed me that the unit had been activated and asked whether I would activate with the battalion. I said yes.
I told Socorro and my sister, but I did not tell my parents that night. I did not want to disrupt the family gathering. As I flew home, I thought about how quickly I would have to close down my real estate business and prepare my unit for war. The responsibility felt overwhelming, but I knew I had a duty to fulfill.
In my unit, I later learned that one of the Marines had lost his fiancée on September 11. His plane had been diverted to Canada that day. He had been at Boston Airport with his fiancée, and they were preparing to travel to different destinations for work. Their planes were next to each other, and as they boarded, they were able to see one another through the windows. That was the last time he saw her. Her plane struck the second tower.
Hearing his story reminded me that September 11 was not only about the destruction of buildings. It was about the destruction of lives, families, and futures. Every person who died left behind someone who loved them. Every family had a story, and every story mattered.
Within a year, I was serving in combat operations. I am proud to have served my country and to have continued my family’s legacy of service to the nation. My uncle Angel served in combat during the Korean War, and his example has always been meaningful to me. Serving after September 11 gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to answer the call of duty.
September 11, 2001, is more than a date in history. It is a day I remember through the faces of my family, the memories of Ground Zero, and the experiences of those who served. It reminds me of the importance of honoring those who were lost, appreciating those who helped, and carrying the lessons of that day into the future.
I remember the fear, the anger, and the uncertainty. But I also remember the courage, the sacrifice, and the strength of people who came together in the face of tragedy. Most of all, I remember that life is precious, that family matters, and that service to others is a responsibility worth carrying.
I will never forget.
Photo credits: U.S. National Archives (public domain) — Ground Zero and Pentagon flag by Paul Morse, White House Photo Office; Flight 93 temporary memorial, Department of the Interior Photographic Services.
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- Written by: Jose A. Garcia
- Category: News
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As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday in 2026, American Legion Post 38 reflects on the profound history of our nation and the role veterans have played in preserving its ideals. This milestone offers a powerful opportunity to renew our commitment to the principles of liberty, democracy, and self-governance established in 1776.
The American Legion, founded in 1919 by World War I veterans, has participated in every major national anniversary celebration since its inception. Post 38 continues that tradition locally by supporting community events and educating members about the sacrifices that secured our independence and have defended it ever since. From the Revolutionary War through today's global operations, American service members have answered the call to protect freedom.
This 250th anniversary reminds us that freedom is never free. It requires constant vigilance, civic engagement, and the willingness of citizens — especially veterans — to step forward when needed. Post 38 members carry forward that legacy every day through community service, youth education, and advocacy for fellow veterans.
Locally, we see the American spirit alive in Floresville's Freedom Fest and other patriotic gatherings. These events bring neighbors together to celebrate not just fireworks and fun, but the shared values that unite us. Post 38 encourages all residents to use this anniversary year for reflection: read founding documents, discuss history with family, and find ways to contribute to your community.
Our Post remains dedicated to ensuring that the lessons of the past guide our future. Through flag education, proper retirement ceremonies, and active participation in national and local observances, we help keep the flame of liberty burning brightly for the next 250 years and beyond.
Happy 250th, America — Post 38 Stands Ready.
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