The Oldham-Cummings VFW Post #6441 hall in Wimberley was warm and welcoming for the 300 veterans, survivors, their families and caretakers who enjoyed the eighth consecutive Veterans Day luncheon last Saturday. To show appreciation for their service and to continue to foster the bonds forged in military service, guests were served a delicious barbecue meal with all the trimmings.
Chef David Guzman and Ryan Harris manned the smokers and commandeered the post kitchen in an all-night marathon to wrangle tables of briskets, sausages, chicken legs and a 100 pounds of potatoes for guests to enjoy.
Serving up smiles and generous portions were the Jacob’s Well Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
A welcome addition to the luncheon this year were Richard Converse, John Low Rance, Deb Wesloh, David Schunck and Sean Makra, individual performers with the nonprofit organization Soldiers Songs and Voices, who sang and played their original compositions for the crowd.
With chapters across the country, Soldier Songs and Voices provides free instruments and songwriting lessons to veterans as a form of post-conflict care. With opportunities for music participation and community based outreach, the organization encourages veterans to turn their stories into songs. Their popular Reveille Songwriting Retreat will take place March 23 to 28, 2025 in Hallettsville, TX.
On hand to welcome guests were Post Commander Huey Sandifer, Mike Lukowiak, Tim Tempfer, Mike Russett, members of Veteran Service and Assistance Organizations and other post volunteers.
This year the VFW enters its 125th year of service to America’s veterans.
