VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS: Williamson County vets gather for support, fellowship and fun

Veteran's enjoy a meal at VFW Post 8587 in Georgetown.

With at least 42,000 U.S. military veterans calling Williamson County home, it’s no surprise the county is also home to a number of organizations offering vets, active-duty service members and their families plenty of opportunities for socializing and support.

VFW Post 8587 (Ben D. Snowden Post) – 1000 North College Street, Georgetown, 512- 863-2535. The post is named for Army Special Forces (Green Berets) Master Sergeant Ben D. Snowden, who at 29 was killed fighting in Vietnam. The canteen opens at 3 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. VFW-sponsored all you can eat fish fries are open to the public.
American Legion Post 174 (Abe A. Harrison Post) – 1000 North College Street, Georgetown. Originally chartered in 1920, the post is named for Army Private Abe A. Harrison of Georgetown, who lost his life in France during World War I. The Post sponsors Georgetown Boy Scout Troop 151. Call 512-635-3729 or email to jaywjernigan@gmail.com.
American Legion Post 228 (Eli Lamar Whiteley Post, Sun City) – 100 Falcon Cove, Georgetown. Meets the third Sunday of each month, 3-4 p.m. in the Oaks Room, 301 Del Webb Boulevard. Mailing address is 1530 Sun City Boulevard, Suite 120, Georgetown. For more information call 512-713-9178 or 512-363-7952.
VFW Post 9078 (Robert Hernandez Post) – 1000 North Georgetown Street, Round Rock. The post is named for Marine PFC Robert P. Hernandez (1948-68), the only Round Rock service member killed in Vietnam. Mailing address is 3615 Birdhouse Drive, Round Rock. Ted Lyon is Post commander.
American Legion Post 447 (George Johns Post) – 1000 North Georgetown Street, Round Rock, 512-244-0480. The Post is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. n American Legion Post 317 (Joe Kott Post) – 201 FM 487, Jarrell, 512-746-5445. Founded in 1938, the Post’s website states it is named for a local veteran killed in action. The Post is open from noon to midnight daily and until 1 a.m. Saturdays.
American Legion Post 32 (Richard A. Oman Post) – 636 West Front Street, Suite 1100, Hutto, 512-822-2181. The post is named for Army Corporal Richard A. Oman of Hutto, killed in 1969 in South Vietnam.
Marine Corps League of Williamson County, Detachment 1022 – Chartered in 1999, the Wilco’s Marine Corps League detachment conducts business meetings the last Wednesday of each month from 7-8 p.m. at VFW Post 8587, 100 North College Street, Georgetown. Email: contact@mclwilco1022.org.
U.S. Submarine Veterans, Central Texas Base – Meets the third Wednesday of each month at VFW Post 8587, 1000 North College Street, Georgetown. A 6 p.m. social hour precedes the 7 p.m. meeting. For more information call 512-639-0035 or email rmitch2@yahoo.com.
Military Order of the World Wars (Captain Dillworth Chapter) – The military service organization meets at the Georgetown American Legion/VFW headquarters, 1000 North College Street. Call 409-781-7828.
Horses for Heroes – 2050 Rockride Lane, Georgetown. As part of the Ride on Center for Kids, Horses for Heroes offers equine therapy for military veterans. The mailing address is PO Box 2422, Georgetown. Visit www.rockride.org. Call 512-930-7625.
Heroes Night Out – 1150 South Bell Boulevard, Cedar Park, Texas 78613. This community-based nonprofit provides resources and services for veterans, active-duty service members and their families. Call 512-986-7660.
Hope for Heroes – Offers mental health services for active-duty service members and veterans, as well as their spouses and children. Request an appointment by phone 512-466-4454 or online https://hushforms.com/samaritancenteraustin or https://samaritan-center.org. The crisis hotline is 988.
Austin Vet Center – Offers connection, camaraderie and community. The center is at 1524 South Interstate 35, Suite 100, Austin. Call 512-416-1314. If you or someone you know is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online at www.veteranscrisisline.net/chat.
C.O.I.N – Combatants Overcoming Income Needs offers statewide financial assistance to combat veterans and surviving spouses who face financial barriers to employment and/or quality of life. Call 888-737-3112 or register online at www.combinedarms.us/tvn.