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September 16, 2024
Hill Country Women Veterans Celebration set for September 21
By Susan Junker
Commander, Bandera American Legion
All women veterans in the Texas Hill Country are invited to a free celebration with an impressive list of Texas and Veterans Administration leadership focused on your earned benefits and addressing your unique needs. The Sept. 21 event is at the Bandera American Legion, 205 12th St., between Western Trail Antiques and the Chevron Ice House. The event will feature guest speakers, information tables, gifts, door prizes, refreshments, lunch, and the opportunity to network with fellow veterans. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Women veterans are invited to continue networking beyond the official end of the celebration.
Laura Koerner, chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), will kick off the event, followed by Dr. Bruce Harris, the TVC director of mental health. After a light lunch, Dr. Julianne Flynn, executive director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), will provide remarks. Guest speakers may include information on resources, capabilities, services, goals and measures of success. Sharron Stewart, TVC women veterans coordinator, South Texas, will join all three leaders on a panel to take questions from the audience. This will be a rare opportunity to directly interact with this senior level of leadership responsible for the care of veterans.
Additional representatives from each of these offices will be in attendance. Information tables will be in place. Dr. Betty Moseley Brown is the Designated Federal Officer for the Veterans’ Family and Caregiver and Survivor Federal Advisory Committee. She will answer questions and share her book, “Leadership Lessons: Personal Reflections from a Women Marine.” Sharron Stewart will represent the TVC Women Veterans Program with information packets for each attendee. Together With Hill Country Veterans (TWHCV), a suicide prevention and education nonprofit based in Kerrville, will share its resources. Bandera County Veteran Service Officer (VSO) Mike Lauricella will provide information on the capabilities of VSOs to apply for earned benefits and link attendees with their respective county VSO.
The Major James Kerr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), will serve as the event support staff ensuring everyone’s comfort and great refreshments. The Bandera Convention & Visitors Bureau will provide information packets for everyone who may wish to extend their stay.
Send RSVP and questions via text, phone, or email: Cell/Text: 210-788-9160 or [email protected].
Additional Information:
~ September marks 101 Years of VA Women’s Health Care (Sept. 13)
~ Quadrennial VA Women Veterans Summit will be held Sept. 5-7, in Washington, D.C. – “The Year of Empowerment”
~ Women are the fastest-growing demographic within the veteran community.
~ September is Suicide Prevention Month
- Women veterans are twice as likely to attempt suicide than male veterans
- Women veterans are twice as likely to die by suicide than their civilian counterparts
- Suicide rate among women veterans jumped 24.1 percent between 2020-2021 - four times higher than the 6.3 percent increase among male veterans
Laura Koerner, chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), will kick off the event, followed by Dr. Bruce Harris, the TVC director of mental health. After a light lunch, Dr. Julianne Flynn, executive director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), will provide remarks. Guest speakers may include information on resources, capabilities, services, goals and measures of success. Sharron Stewart, TVC women veterans coordinator, South Texas, will join all three leaders on a panel to take questions from the audience. This will be a rare opportunity to directly interact with this senior level of leadership responsible for the care of veterans.
Additional representatives from each of these offices will be in attendance. Information tables will be in place. Dr. Betty Moseley Brown is the Designated Federal Officer for the Veterans’ Family and Caregiver and Survivor Federal Advisory Committee. She will answer questions and share her book, “Leadership Lessons: Personal Reflections from a Women Marine.” Sharron Stewart will represent the TVC Women Veterans Program with information packets for each attendee. Together With Hill Country Veterans (TWHCV), a suicide prevention and education nonprofit based in Kerrville, will share its resources. Bandera County Veteran Service Officer (VSO) Mike Lauricella will provide information on the capabilities of VSOs to apply for earned benefits and link attendees with their respective county VSO.
The Major James Kerr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), will serve as the event support staff ensuring everyone’s comfort and great refreshments. The Bandera Convention & Visitors Bureau will provide information packets for everyone who may wish to extend their stay.
Send RSVP and questions via text, phone, or email: Cell/Text: 210-788-9160 or [email protected].
Additional Information:
~ September marks 101 Years of VA Women’s Health Care (Sept. 13)
~ Quadrennial VA Women Veterans Summit will be held Sept. 5-7, in Washington, D.C. – “The Year of Empowerment”
~ Women are the fastest-growing demographic within the veteran community.
~ September is Suicide Prevention Month
- Women veterans are twice as likely to attempt suicide than male veterans
- Women veterans are twice as likely to die by suicide than their civilian counterparts
- Suicide rate among women veterans jumped 24.1 percent between 2020-2021 - four times higher than the 6.3 percent increase among male veterans