John Wiebel VFW Post 2932

Duane's take

Here's my telling of the official marker for John Wiebel VFW Post 2932, right here in San Patricio County. Now settle in, because this is a story that starts in Washington and ends right here on the Texas coast, still standing after everything the Gulf could throw at it. In 1899, the United States government passed a law establishing the Veterans of Foreign Wars as a fraternal organization, its purpose plain and honorable: help veterans and their families.

That seed took root in the halls of Congress, and by 1917, lawmakers had established veterans benefits that included disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and insurance. The VFW had made its case, and the country had listened. Fast-forward to January 29, 1935, and a group of World War I veterans in Aransas Pass sat down together and did something lasting.

They chartered a post. The founding members, W.M. Womack, Worth B.

Howard, C.R. Roberts, Olin Newberry, Normal D. Sanford, Albert Tate, and Rivas S.

Olivares, put their names to something that would outlive every storm headed their way. And storms did come. In 1945, donations were raised for the construction of a Veterans Memorial Home, a building that has since withstood hurricanes, served as a relief shelter, a disaster center, FEMA headquarters, and a Red Cross distribution center.

That building has seen more than most people will in a lifetime. The post's membership has stretched across generations, from World War I and II veterans through to Vietnam and Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, each one decorated with the Cross of Malta, the official insignia of the order. District Six Command oversees the organization, with VFW national headquarters and the Department of Texas VFW both offering guidance along the way.

And through it all, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary has been right there, helping veterans with community activities and aiding in the conducting of meetings. The John Wiebel VFW Post 2932 has influenced San Patricio County history by serving the veterans and the surrounding community. Some buildings just hold.

This one holds on purpose.

What the marker says

In 1899, the United States government passed a law establishing the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) as a fraternal organization to help veterans and their families. Influenced by the VFW, congress established veterans benefits in 1917 that included disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and insurance. The VFW post in Aransas Pass was first chartered on January 29, 1935 by World War I veterans that included W.M. Womack, Worth B. Howard, C.R. Roberts, Olin Newberry, Normal D. Sanford, Albert Tate, and Rivas S. Olivares. In 1945, donations were raised for the construction of Veterans Memorial Home. The veterans memorial building has withstood hurricanes, served as a relief shelter, a disaster center, FEMA headquarters, and a Red Cross distribution center. Post membership has included veterans from World War I and II; current membership includes Vietnam, and Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Each member is decorated with the Cross of Malta which is the official insignia of the order. District Six Command is in charge of the VFW organization, but VFW national headquarters and the Department of Texas VFW also offers guidance. The VFW Ladies Auxiliary has helped veterans with community activities and aids in conducting meetings. The John Wiebel VFW post is a historical organization in San Patricio County that has influenced county history by serving the veterans and the surrounding community. (2012)