Veterans Day at Post
November/08/2024 12:12 PM Filed in: Post Events
We are going to be participating in the Veterans Day Parade this year and the weather looks better than it has in years (but it's Texas). The parade is on Veterans Day, Monday November 11th.
We have sent printable parking passes to key members of the Post and Auxiliary. Early birds (with trailer) will be departing Post around 8:30 am on this coming Monday, November 11th. Others plan to car pool out at 9 or a little later. We will be serving breakfast out of mermite cans at the parade ground for those who ride.
The Post will be serving brisket (thanks Mark D$, Mike and Logan) after the parade. We are number 40 (great slot) so sometime around 1pm. The Post is also serving brats, dogs and burgers to serve throughout the day. Come hungry!
Maps:
Here are the instructions from the parade coordinator:
2024 Greater Dallas Veterans Day Parade
November 11, 2024
Your Unit Name: Veterans of Foreign Wars
Chapter or Unit Name: Dallas VFW Post 6796
March Order No: 40
Parade Date: November 11, 2024
Parade Theme: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE
Greetings. On behalf of the Dallas Veterans Day Parade Committee and the Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation we thank you for your participation in the 27th anniversary of the Greater Dallas Veterans Day Parade. Each year of course we request participants exhibit a patriotic theme. Where possible, parade participants should wear caps or clothes identifying their military connection. It is desired that all participating organizations provide a banner identifying their parade group. As noted we are excited to return to Fair Park after several years. The following staging instruction details are provided below.
Timing:
• Parade units may start forming at 9:00 A.M
• The official Parade Check-in tent is located at Gate 12 (Lot 12C) NOTE: Check in is imperative to confirm your parade position and obtain a Parade position # sign to be displayed prominently at the front or the RIGHT side of the vehicle or parade entry.
• The Parade will begin about 11:15 A.M. Specific instructions and locations will be provided at check. Parade will begin at the direction of the Parade Boss.
Entry into the Park:
• School buses will enter through Gate 11 (also known as the Lagow Gate).
• All other entries come in from Gaisford Street (no Gate #, but the Check-in tent is at Gate 12).
• Animal units (horses) enter on Gaisford and go down to the street between buildings 24 and 25. That way they can park their trailers and horses will not be "twitchy" over the bands; they'll have a relatively quiet area to wait and will be fed in as the parade passes this street.
• Personal vehicles can be parked in Lots 10B, 9B, 9A.
• After dropping the kids (bands, ROTC units), the buses will come down Pennsylvania to park in Lots 8A and B to wait.
Parade Marching Instructions:
• Units should maintain a close interval with the unit in front of them and prevent gaps from developing between units.
• Once organizations are moving in the parade, they are not allowed stop on the parade route unless so directed by a parade official, police officer, or when there is something physically impeding forward movement.
• Bands will not stop anywhere on the parade route for maneuvers or demonstrations except as outlined in rule 5 above. Such maneuvers or demonstrations are allowed if the Band continues forward progress and maintains a close interval with the unit in front of them.
• Horse Units must provide fecal cleanup for their animals following directly behind throughout the parade.
Other instructions:
• Portable Toilets are located 12B
• MAPS and a Parking Pass are attached
• No items are to be passed from parade participants to the spectators (City Ordinance). This includes but is not limited to food, drinks, candy, beads, clothing, etc.
• No alcohol is to be brought into or consumed in the staging or parade areas.
• Golf carts will be available to shuttle older participants from the parking area to their assigned starting point.
Organizations participating in the parade will be judged as they pass the Reviewing Stand in front of the Hall of Nations. Awards will be presented to the top units. Bands should be playing as they enter reviewing stand area, and we suggest a patriotic song with a marching cadence as units pass the Reviewing Stand. Please do not stop or offer a performance on the route, and do not throw anything from within the parade. We request that Bands play predominantly patriotic songs, along the parade route.
The entire committee thanks you for your participation. If you have any significant changes or issues related to your entry, please notify David Iverson, at 309-287-2936 or David.iverson48@gmail.com. For specific questions about the staging area and check-in, please contact Donna Plunk at 214-398-9440 or dplunk62@gmail.com.
*IN CASE OF COLD WEATHER AND/OR RAIN BRING COAT / RAIN GEAR. If the parade is cancelled due to a severe weather situation, or other issue, we will attempt to notify participants by radio/TV, and contact as many as possible directly.
David Iverson
Parade Operations.
Last Week's Results!
November/08/2024 11:32 AM Filed in: Post Communications | Post Improvements
For any of you who couldn't make it to the Post last week, it was nothing short of amazing. We had the Ukrainian Cultural Forces performing live at our Canteen on Halloween, Steak Night on Friday with the first test of our new kitchen receipt printer (orders at bar = order to kitchen, no second line), followed by the 7th Annual Dr. MRE Competition... and capped on Sunday with the Auxiliary's Superb Sunday Brunch!
The music and storytelling by the Ukrainian performers was phenomenal and we hope you all enjoyed the evening. Thanks to our karaoke crowd for starting a little late last Halloween night.
Here's a picture of Stu and Susan pointing out how to use the kitchen receipts:
The MRE competition is fierce. Teams select a random MRE and then head off to the "Black Market" to doctor their meals up. Mock military script is available for a donation and that's what contestants use to "buy" their black market foods and spices.
Here is Omega "Black-Market" getting the store ready-
The rain kept many of you away, but not Cruisin Al
All but two teams bowed out. But the Marine Brothers were there and so was the Auxiliary Team (Logan Roy, President)
Here are the two rivals getting prepared; Logan Roy the minimalist
and Shawn Handlin (our Post Quartermaster) with his shock and awe tent
Then came the judging (with a big thanks to Kelley, Kathi and Karen!)
The judges decided to move inside to deliberate leaving our competitors to wait
and wait...for over 25 minutes
A bottle of champagne sat on the bar shelf in anticipation of victory by the Reigning Champions.
But it was not to be. This year the Post Auxiliary team took First Place in a stunning upset against the Post! Of course Shawn's entry did win Best Presentation. Congrats and thanks to all who came out to support our Post.
The music and storytelling by the Ukrainian performers was phenomenal and we hope you all enjoyed the evening. Thanks to our karaoke crowd for starting a little late last Halloween night.
Here's a picture of Stu and Susan pointing out how to use the kitchen receipts:
The MRE competition is fierce. Teams select a random MRE and then head off to the "Black Market" to doctor their meals up. Mock military script is available for a donation and that's what contestants use to "buy" their black market foods and spices.
Here is Omega "Black-Market" getting the store ready-
The rain kept many of you away, but not Cruisin Al
All but two teams bowed out. But the Marine Brothers were there and so was the Auxiliary Team (Logan Roy, President)
Here are the two rivals getting prepared; Logan Roy the minimalist
and Shawn Handlin (our Post Quartermaster) with his shock and awe tent
Then came the judging (with a big thanks to Kelley, Kathi and Karen!)
The judges decided to move inside to deliberate leaving our competitors to wait
and wait...for over 25 minutes
A bottle of champagne sat on the bar shelf in anticipation of victory by the Reigning Champions.
But it was not to be. This year the Post Auxiliary team took First Place in a stunning upset against the Post! Of course Shawn's entry did win Best Presentation. Congrats and thanks to all who came out to support our Post.
Big Week!
October/28/2024 12:39 PM Filed in: Post Events | Post Improvements
Over the next few days we have a lot going on at our Post and I hope many of you can come down and join us.
On Thursday (Halloween) we will be hosting the Ukrainian Armed Forces musical group from 6-8pm. These are combat veterans of the war in Ukraine and they are touring the United States to say Thank You to America. There is no admission charge, so please join us if you can. More information and the poster is available here.
Ronnie Ray and karaoke will start right afterwards this Thursday Night.
Friday is steak night!
Stu will be cooking 60 ribeye steaks, with baked potatoes, corn on the cob and salad. We have reduced our prices to $20.00 in case you haven't joined us lately. Those long lines are down and we have a new kitchen printer that sends your order straight to the cooks. Your name will be called in the hall as soon as your order is ready!
Dr. MRE 2024!
This coming Saturday will be the seventh year of our Dr. MRE contest. Our 'Marine Brothers' have won every year. Is this the year someone will displace the reigning champions? It's only $25.00 to compete (max 2 cooks per team) and $5.00 to taste (you get brats to eat--we wont serve MREs to our members and guests!)
The flyer is under Events and also available here . Ever wonder what's in an MRE? Find out here
Curious how the judges rank meals? Example judging sheet is here.
Last but not least by a stretch, I want to thank CL and Logan Roy for getting us a little closer to opening the canteen bar wall to the outside. The sink closest to the entrance door has been leaking for years and it was also too long to allow us to do our cut out.
Step 1: Remove old sink
Step 2: Replace old sink with second sink in Social Hall.
Now there is room to do our cut out:
That was a pretty big job--time for a cold one
On Thursday (Halloween) we will be hosting the Ukrainian Armed Forces musical group from 6-8pm. These are combat veterans of the war in Ukraine and they are touring the United States to say Thank You to America. There is no admission charge, so please join us if you can. More information and the poster is available here.
Ronnie Ray and karaoke will start right afterwards this Thursday Night.
Friday is steak night!
Stu will be cooking 60 ribeye steaks, with baked potatoes, corn on the cob and salad. We have reduced our prices to $20.00 in case you haven't joined us lately. Those long lines are down and we have a new kitchen printer that sends your order straight to the cooks. Your name will be called in the hall as soon as your order is ready!
Dr. MRE 2024!
This coming Saturday will be the seventh year of our Dr. MRE contest. Our 'Marine Brothers' have won every year. Is this the year someone will displace the reigning champions? It's only $25.00 to compete (max 2 cooks per team) and $5.00 to taste (you get brats to eat--we wont serve MREs to our members and guests!)
The flyer is under Events and also available here . Ever wonder what's in an MRE? Find out here
Curious how the judges rank meals? Example judging sheet is here.
Last but not least by a stretch, I want to thank CL and Logan Roy for getting us a little closer to opening the canteen bar wall to the outside. The sink closest to the entrance door has been leaking for years and it was also too long to allow us to do our cut out.
Step 1: Remove old sink
Step 2: Replace old sink with second sink in Social Hall.
Now there is room to do our cut out:
That was a pretty big job--time for a cold one
Steak Night!
October/04/2024 01:11 PM Filed in: Post Dinners
Tonight is steak night. We have 65 ribeye steak dinners cooked by Stu Harvey tonight!
We have worked hard to fix the line problem we had last steak night--so come on down!
POW-MIA Recognition
September/28/2024 07:18 AM Filed in: Post Communications
Our Post recognized POW-MIA Day with a ceremony on Thursday September, 26. Trustee Kevin Thomas delivered the speech which was written by Post Adjutant Ron Rogers.
Full text of commemoration speech:
Today, more than 80,000 Americans remain unaccounted for — a reminder of the sacrifices made, and the uncertainty endured by so many. On this solemn National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the service and sacrifice of those who have yet to return and hold their families in our hearts. We also renew our commitment to the promise that every hero will be brought home.
The black and white banner we raise today first served as a tribute to those who fought in Vietnam but who remain missing or unaccounted for. Today, it is a powerful symbol of hope and remembrance for all service members who haven’t made it home, no matter the mission.

On Jan. 7, 1970, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael G. Hoff launched his Sidewinder A7A Corsair from the USS Coral Sea to begin an armed reconnaissance mission over Laos. His last radio transmission reported a fire warning. Then his plane inverted. Moments later, his flight leader reported seeing Hoff’s aircraft explode on impact.
When Hoff’s wife, Mary Helen, got the news, she would have no body to bury. Yet, she turned her grief into action, leading a passionate campaign for recognition of all our missing and captive heroes. The POW/MIA flag was one of her efforts, and it was officially recognized by Congress in 1989. Today, it reminds all Americans of our service members’ bravery and sacrifice.
Thank you for taking the time to remember these heroes on this important day and for holding their families in your thoughts. We’re truly grateful for all you do to support the people of our Armed Forces.
Full text of commemoration speech:
Today, more than 80,000 Americans remain unaccounted for — a reminder of the sacrifices made, and the uncertainty endured by so many. On this solemn National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the service and sacrifice of those who have yet to return and hold their families in our hearts. We also renew our commitment to the promise that every hero will be brought home.
The black and white banner we raise today first served as a tribute to those who fought in Vietnam but who remain missing or unaccounted for. Today, it is a powerful symbol of hope and remembrance for all service members who haven’t made it home, no matter the mission.

On Jan. 7, 1970, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael G. Hoff launched his Sidewinder A7A Corsair from the USS Coral Sea to begin an armed reconnaissance mission over Laos. His last radio transmission reported a fire warning. Then his plane inverted. Moments later, his flight leader reported seeing Hoff’s aircraft explode on impact.
When Hoff’s wife, Mary Helen, got the news, she would have no body to bury. Yet, she turned her grief into action, leading a passionate campaign for recognition of all our missing and captive heroes. The POW/MIA flag was one of her efforts, and it was officially recognized by Congress in 1989. Today, it reminds all Americans of our service members’ bravery and sacrifice.
Thank you for taking the time to remember these heroes on this important day and for holding their families in your thoughts. We’re truly grateful for all you do to support the people of our Armed Forces.