April 13, 2022 COMMANDER’S MESSAGE
Greetings my fellow Legionnaires, JA Garcia American Legion Family, Veterans Community and our beloved City of Mercedes, Texas one of the most patriotic little towns in the Nation.
Veterans Serving Veterans
In today’s Weekly Update I would like to recognize and bring credit to an Organization that contributes to the community and promotes Patriotism and Americanism. Members of the JA Garcia American Legion Post 172 were honored and privileged to attend and present awards at this year’s JROTC Military Ball held for the Mercedes ISD JROTC Tiger Battalion, Their ceremony was awesome. We would like to congratulate Major Danielson and SFC Olvera for a job well done. The Cadets looked sharp and their discipline was evident.
It was a memorable experience for me as the Commander of our Post. A lot of memories came across. Back in 1983 (40 years ago) Chief Warrant Officer Joe Saenz Jr (RIP) and myself Master Sergeant Moya spearheaded the JROTC Program at Mercedes High School (photo below). It has produced some outstanding individuals to include Combat Veterans and School Teachers.
In the Photo is Chief Warrant Officer Joe Saenz Jr.(RIP), he was also a former Commander for our American Legion Post and Senior Army Instructor for the JROTC Tiger Battalion back in 1983.
Also in the photo is Master Sergeant Juan Moya Sr. The Associate Army Instructor and Present Commander for our American Legion Post.
This year we were honored to present 6 American Legion Awards to 6 outstanding Cadets Photo below. In attendance making the presentations were Commander Juan Moya Sr., Korean War Veteran Ramiro Aldape and Comrade and former Cadet Belinda Mata..
In the photo are Comrade Ramiro Aldape, Comrade Belinda Mata and Commander Juan Moya Sr with some of the Awards Recipients.
In the photo are some of the former JROTC Cadets (40 years ago) to include: Chief Warrant Officer Julio Ovalle with 30 years of Service, Chief Warrant Officer Tomas Ovalle also retired Military, Roberto Perez Jr., Combat Veteran and also Cadet Juan Reyna.
IMPORTANT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our Next Scheduled Business Meeting for our American Legion Post will be on Wednesday, at 7:30 PM on April 13th, 2022. Our last scheduled Fish Fry for this year will be on Friday, April 15th, 2022. Come out and support our Post.
NEW IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
LIVE MUSIC COMING TO OUR LEGION HALL ON SATURDAY, APRL 30TH, WE TENTATIVELY HAVE THE XTREMO GROUP FROM DONNA, TEXAS. GREAT MUSIC TO DANCE AND ENJOY THE EVENING. THE MUSIC WILL BE FROM 8 PM TO 12:00 MIDNIGHT. MORE INFORMATION WILL FOLLOW.
The Post Canteen will continue to operate at normal hours Meat raffle on Mondays, Fried Chicken on Tuesdays and Lounge will be open.