Post provides hope, support amidst tragedy of Texas flooding

On Independence Day, heavy showers from earlier in the week caused massive flooding in Kerr County, Texas. In less than an hour, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet, according to state officials.
The results were devastating. With summer camps in place and vacationers in the area, the death toll has risen to 120 people as of July 10. More than 170 people remain missing.
And as first responders continue their daily searches, they’ve found support in the form of the American Legion Family from Post 208 in Kerrville. Just two days after the flooding, the post set up a relief area for first responders, providing snacks, clothing, supplies and more, while also providing a place to sleep.
Donations have poured into the post, including from Legion posts in Texas and elsewhere (see below). Items also have been made available to members of the community impacted by the flood.
The effort actually started with Post 208 looking out for a fellow veteran service organization. “Our post actually sits on the Guadalupe River. And the water did come up Friday morning to the road, but fortunately it did not get to the actual door of our post,” Auxiliary Unit 208 Treasurer-Secretary Lisa Valdez said. “So, by the grace of God we were spared. The VFW in town was not as lucky.”
When Valdez learned that VFW Post 1480 had been flooded and didn’t know when it would be able to reopen, she reached out to Post 208 Commander Robert Garcia. A group text to the post Legion Family’s leadership led to a cleanup effort at Post 1480 the next morning. And that set the wheels in motion.