DWTX Military Ministry News

Spring 2023 Click here to view as a webpage.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day: March 29

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors all veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, and their families. The Commemoration started in 2022, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, and will continue through 2025.

Vietnam Veterans Day was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 - the day United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. In addition, on and around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.

Click here to view diocesan resource for honoring veterans and their family members in your church and community.

Ministry News and Events

Vietnam War Commemoration Pins & Church Resources

As Commemorative Partners in the National Vietnam War Commemoration, diocesan churches and other community organizations presented over 300 pins to veterans and family members to honor their service. Vietnam Commemorative pins are available to veterans, surviving spouses, and family members along with other mementos, as part of the ongoing commemoration.

Church Commemorative packets, include a resource guide for honoring Vietnam veterans in your church and community are available online at the link below.

Contact the Rev. Dr. Karen Brandon, or Leslie Mixson for more information.

Commemoration Resources

April - Month of the Military Child

The Defense Department celebrates military children during the month of April. There are more than 1.6 million military children who face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of their parents' service. While military members serve around the world, we often forget the challenges faced by their children. Military families move on average every two to three years, impacting military children through changing schools and support networks.

The Military Child Education Coalition offers several resources for celebrating military children, included at the link below.

Military Child Month Toolkit

Operation Lanyard Complete!

Thanks to all those at Diocesan Council who helped tie an estimated 4,600 knots, in 1,000 feet of paracord! Your hard work helped to create 200 survival lanyards for military members and first responders. Paracord can hold up to 550 lbs. of weight, and a lanyard provides five feet of cord that can be used in an emergency. Click here to read more about how lanyards are used in the field.

50 lanyards were delivered directly to

a military unit in San Antonio, Texas and the additional 150 will be added to

4,000 care packages to be assembled April 10 - 11 in San Antonio through Operation Gratitude. Click here for more information and volunteer registration for the Operation Gratitude April Assembly event.

Operation Gratitude Event

Veterans and their families are invited to sign up for camp sessions at Camp Capers, Duncan Park, and Mustang Island Conference Center. Scholarships are available for veterans and their families for all summer camp programs. Sessions fill up quickly, but wait lists are also available. Veterans and their families are welcome at any of our camp sessions as applicable by age group. There are also special sessions reserved for military families. Click here to get a jump on registering for the November 2023 Veteran Family Camp at Mustang Island Conference Center.

More information and registration for all sessions is available online at dwtx.org/events.

Contact Lisa Wray for more information about Camp Capers, Lynn Corby for more information about Mustang Island Conference Center, and Jody Davis for more information about Duncan Park.

Outreach Opportunities

Veteran Mobile Food Distribution, San Antonio - Soldiers' Angels: April 20

Soldiers’ Angels provides monthly food assistance for San Antonio veterans. Veterans in need of food support can register and receive approximately 75 lbs. of groceries, at no cost. Volunteers are always needed to package and hand out the food, on the third Thursday of every month. Volunteers, as well as veterans in need of support, must register ahead of time. Click here to learn more.

Veterans in need of support may click here to be notified when registration for future events opens.
Anyone interested in volunteering may click here to sign up for the next Soldiers' Angels San Antonio Veteran Food Distribution event, held at Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio.

Cooling Scarves for Troops

Know how to sew? Want to support our active duty troops? We need you! Military Ministry partners with Soldiers' Angels to provide deployed troops with Cooling Scarves that help keep troops cool in scorching temperatures. Cooling Scarves are filled polacrylamide granules that turn to cold gel when soaked in water.

Participants need to have a sewing machine and very basic sewing skills. Sewing kits, including supplies for 50 scarves, are available at no cost to those wanting to participate in this outreach. Each kit includes detailed instructions for sewing, assembling, and delivering to Soldiers Angels for distribution.

Contact Leslie Mixson, at leslie.mixson@dwtx.org or (210/888) 824-5387 to learn more about sewing scarves, or to donate funds to support this ministry.

Show Your Support: Military Ministry Yard Signs and Challenge Coins

Show your support to veterans and their families with a Military Ministry Yard Sign or Challenge Coin. Yard signs offer a different message on each side: "Please Pray for Troops and their Families" and "Please Pray for our Veterans and their Families." Challenge Coins are also available. Proceeds from the sale of signs and coins support Military Ministry in the Diocese of West Texas. Contact Leslie Mixson, at leslie.mixson@dwtx.org, for more information.