September 2024
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.
Patriot Day
September/12/2024 04:37 PM Filed in: Post Communications | Post Dinners
VFW Post 6796 commemorated Patriot Day on Wednesday September 11, 2024. Post Adjutant Ron Rogers delivered the speech and we also welcomed our special guests from Dallas Fire Department Station 31. Judge Advocate Clayton Hosterman delivered the prayer, and Trustee Kevin Thomas shared his memories of that day.
An All American dinner was served (donations only) with Commander Mark Clark providing the sloppy joe sandwiches and potato salad and Jr. Vice Commander Eddie Lara providing the key ingredient: tater tots.
In case you weren't able to attend, here is the text of Ron's speech:
Ron: Today, we gather with heavy hearts to remember the events of September 11, 2001, a day that forever changed our nation and the world. We honor the lives of the nearly 3,000 innocent men, women, and children who were tragically taken from us, and we stand in solidarity with the families who continue to bear the pain of their loss. We also recognize the courage and sacrifice of the first responders, firefighters, police officers, and countless heroes who risked and gave their lives to save others. Their bravery in the face of unimaginable terror reminds us of the resilience and strength that define us as a nation.
As we reflect on that dark day, we are reminded not only of the sorrow we felt but also of the unity and resolve that emerged in its aftermath. We came together as one people, committed to rebuilding, supporting one another, and defending the values of freedom, democracy, and peace. Let us honor the memory of those we lost by carrying forward that spirit of unity, by being there for each other in times of need, and by striving every day to create a world where such hatred and violence have no place. May we never forget the lessons of September 11, and may we continue to be guided by the principles of compassion, courage, and hope.
Post Chaplain Clay Hosterman, please lead us in a prayer:
Let us please observe a moment of silence to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of the first responders, firefighters, police officers, and countless heroes who risked and gave their lives to save others.
Thank you (recognize firefighters in attendance)
Iraqi Freedom
September/03/2024 07:43 AM Filed in: Post Communications
On Friday, August 31, Post 6796 asked our members and guests to join us in recognizing the service of those who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
More than 1.5 million soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deployed to Iraq between March 20, 2003, and Dec. 18, 2011. More than 32,000 U.S. service members were wounded in action in Iraq and its surrounding area, and 4,486 made the ultimate sacrifice, a total almost double the number of lives lost worldwide in the Global War on Terrorism. On Dec. 18, 2011, the last convoy of American troops left Iraq and more than 21 years after Saddam Hussein’s forces invaded Kuwait, it seemed as though our nation could finally shift our focus away from Iraq. However, it only took three years before we were sending the U.S. military back to the country to combat the terror group ISIS through Operation Inherent Resolve.
Thank you for joining the more than 1.4 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary in honoring the veterans of the Iraq War and remembering those still deployed overseas protecting our freedom.
Ice Cream Social and Personal Pizza!
September/02/2024 11:49 AM Filed in: Post Dinners | Post Events
Join us tonight at the Post for an old fashioned Ice Cream Social celebrating Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer at 5:00 p.m. Stay a while and join us in our commemoration to VJ Day at 6:00 p.m.
Then chip in $8.00 to help our Auxiliary by buying a delicious home made personal pizza. (Life is too short not to start with dessert!)
VJ Day
September/02/2024 11:41 AM Filed in: Post Communications
John Franklin Sprague Post 6796 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States pays honor tonight at 6:00 p.m. to America’s Greatest Generation of veterans as we mark the 79th anniversary of V-J Day, Victory over Japan Day, when Japan formally surrendered and officially ended World War II.
On Sept. 2, 1945, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, along with the Japanese foreign minister, Mamoru Shigemitsu, and the chief of staff of the Japanese Army, Yoshijiro Umezu, signed the official Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri.
VJ Day is in remembrance of the more than 400,000 Americans and 60 million people killed worldwide during the deadliest military conflict in human history. We thank the more than 16.1 million American service members who answered the call to protect freedom and democracy. Our nation will be forever grateful for their honor and sacrifice.