American Legion Post 313, Boerne, TX History
In 2019, the American Legion, the largest wartime Veterans' organization, turned 100 years old, having been chartered by Congress in September of 1919. American Legion posts are present worldwide and organized into departments in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Philippines and France, where the Legion was first formed by a thousand men from all the units in the American Expeditionary Forces of WWI. Current national membership is over 2 million and, combined with the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion, membership in what is known as The American Legion Family, exceeds 3 million who care about America, Veterans, their families and our nation's youth.
In September of 1997, American Legion Post 228, named for Boerne veteran Harry Freeburn was founded in Boerne. The post operated until April of 2008, when it was dissolved. In December of 2018, an informational meeting was held to discuss interest in establishing a new post in Boerne. One month later, in January of 2019, American Legion Post 313, Boerne, Texas stood up, becoming the first “Centennial” post in the state of Texas, celebrating the American Legion’s 100th birthday. Members of Post 313 selected USAF Captain Mark Tyler Voss as the post namesake. Captain Voss was a Boerne native who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2008 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Following graduation, he attended pilot training and received his pilot’s wings in 2010, eventually being assigned as a tanker pilot at Fairchild AFB, near Spokane, WA. Captain Voss was killed in action on May 3, 2013, along with two fellow airmen, when the KC-135 he was piloting broke apart in the skies over Kyrgyzstan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
American Legion Boerne Captain Mark "Tyler" Voss Post 313 held its first Executive Committee and General Membership meetings in January 2019, electing Chuck Cecchini as the first Post Commander. Also sworn in were First Vice Commander Chuck Brower, Adjutant John Newman, Sgt at Arms Jon Jetelina, and Chaplain Carol Hammes. Attending the swearing in were Captain Voss’ parents, Marcy and Wayne Voss. Initially comprised of 17 founding members, by the middle of the year the post had achieved 274% of their membership goal. On 13 September 2019, officers were formally installed at the Post Inaugural Installation Ceremony at the Fair Oaks Ranch Country Club.
The same month, on 12 September, the Post was formally recognized with a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted by the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce, of which it remains an active member. But perhaps the penultimate event since the Post Founding was held on the 14th of September, when Post leadership and members participated in the dedication and ribbon cutting for the brand new Captain Mark Tyler Voss Middle School in Bergheim, Texas, just minutes from the Voss family home. Post 313 presented an encased American flag to the school principal. The school continues to honor the sacrifice of Captain Voss and his “Shell 77” crewmates, Captain Victoria “Tori” Pinckney and Technical Sergeant Herman “Tre” Mackey III, with an annual memorial ceremony at the school, often featuring a KC-135 flyover, as well as addresses by the Voss family and selected students from the school. Representatives of Post 313 are proud to continue supporting this tradition in honor of our unit namesake, inspiring young students and our future leaders.
From its founding until June of 2025, the Post met monthly at The Kronkosky Center in Boerne. Starting in July of 2025, they moved their monthly meetings to the training room of Kendall County Emergency Management Services. Efforts to establish a Veteran’s Center for both Legion and Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) activities are ongoing.
Affiliated Organizations
In the six years since its founding, Post 313 family members have established several affiliated organizations. The Women's Auxiliary of American Legion Post 313 has been active in supporting various veterans’ outreach programs through its fundraising efforts, soliciting donations and distributing poppies over Memorial Day weekends. The Auxiliary also sponsors attendees for Girls State each spring, where Junior girls from local high schools attend a summer leadership and citizenship program in Austin, Texas learning the mechanics of local, state and national government and politics. Post 313 is proud of its Auxiliary and its members; they are a vital part of our support to veterans and the community.
Post 313 also formed a Sons of the Legion unit for men and boys whose family members have served in the US military. They have assisted the Post with community activities represent a proud part of our American Legion family.
The Post’s American Legion Riders Chapter has a number of active members, both young and old. Not only do they have social rides and activities, but they also support the Post’s participation in local parades and events, providing an eye-catching presence and entertaining the local community.
Patriotic Days
Honoring the service of our members and those who came before them is paramount to the Post 313 mission. As such, the Post conducts a number of ceremonies and activities to recognize special days on the American Calendar that pay tribute to our fellow veterans. In 2022, the post procured a complement of M-1 Garand Rifles in order to provide rifle volleys in support of some of these ceremonies. We are truly lucky that the City of Boerne has dedicated a stand-alone Veterans’ Plaza on Main Street, providing the ideal location to conduct these events with proper decorum and respect.
MEMORIAL DAY: The celebration of Memorial Day dates back to the Civil War, when a group of former slaves gathered on May 1, 1865, to reorganize soldier’s graves into orderly rows and construct a fence around them. The town of Waterloo, NY held a celebration in May of 1866, decorating the graves of soldiers with flags and flowers. Originally called “Decoration Day” the holiday was officially declared in May of 1868 to honor Union Soldiers who had died during the Civil War. After WWI, the holiday evolved, encompassing the honoring of military members who have died in all wars. Post 313 holds an annual Memorial Day ceremony at Boerne Veterans’ Plaza to honor those who gave their lives in service to the country. The ceremony includes guest speakers and a 21-gun salute and the playing of TAPS. The post also conducts smaller ceremonies at several of the nursing homes in Boerne during the week prior to the official holiday. These smaller events give us an opportunity to include those veterans who cannot attend the main ceremony. The Post works in conjunction with the Boerne VFW post to remember our fallen, with members of both organizations attending both organization’s ceremonies and Post 313 members helping to place flags on veterans’ graves at the local cemetery, organized by the VFW. These events are an important vehicle for the Post to keep Memorial Day sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country.
TEXAS WOMEN VETERANS DAY: On June 12, 2018, the first Texas Women Veterans Day was celebrated in Austin, 70 years after Harry Truman signed the Woman’s Armed Services Integration Act. Officially established by the 85th Texas Legislature on June 12 of each year, TX Women Veterans Day celebrates the more than 177,000 women veterans in Texas and their service in the defense of our country. Post 313, in conjunction with the Boerne VFW, hosts a ceremony annually at Veterans Plaza to commemorate the day. A number of women veterans, including General Officers, have taken the time to talk about their service and how the role of women in the military has changed over time. 2023’s celebration was especially significant, with the unveiling of the bronze sculpture by artist James N. Muir, “Athena’s Prayer” at the Plaza. Named after the Greek goddess of war and wisdom, but inspired by Iraq War veteran Lt. Tiffany Kravec, the sculpture depicts a female soldier fresh from battle, holding her helmet over her heart and turning her view toward the heavens in prayer, and honors all women who have served in the US Armed Forces.
INDEPENDENCE DAY: Of course, celebrating the anniversary of the day we declared our Independence sits high on the list of activities in which Post members enjoy participating. The annual July 4th parade in Comfort, TX is a fun, joyous occasion with the post breaking out the Red, White, and Blue decorations to celebrate in style. Parade organizers have requested Post 313 kick off the parade by leading the procession with an honor guard and the Post’s float, fully decorated by members and their families, has won top honors in the past. It is truly humbling to see the support of the local community when they recognize the contributions of those who have served while continuing to secure the freedoms we enjoy.
VETERANS’ DAY: Veterans’ Day originated after WWI, in which hostilities ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Held annually on 11 November as a result, it was first known as Armistice Day and changed to Veterans’ Day in 1954. The holiday honors all those who have served in the US Armed Forces and is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans. Post 313 hosts an annual celebration at Veterans’ Plaza to commemorate the contributions of those who have worn the uniform in service to the United States.
OTHER HISTORIC DATES AND CELEBRATIONS: In addition to the main events listed above, Post 313 has performed Flag Day ceremonies at some of the senior centers in Boerne, raising the American Flag and providing the veteran residents a lasting memory of their military service on this national holiday. The Post has commemorated Patriots’ Day (September 11th), a truly solemn occasion, with events and prayers at Veterans Plaza, including significant representation from our local first responders and elected officials. Members have conducted memorial ceremonies for Pearl Harbor Day at the plaza, recognizing our need to always remain alert and to honor our greatest generation. And lastly, Post members who have passed on have been honored in Post Everlasting ceremonies held during our monthly membership meetings, with family members of those whom we’ve lost invited to participate and receive recognition of their loved one’s service.
Scholarships and Community Projects
Although ceremonies are visible highlights of our activities, engagement with the community and providing support to veterans and families in need are the mainstay of why the American Legion Post 313 conducts operations.
Community awareness of Post 313 and its available services is accomplished through supporting various activities and having a post presence in the community. In addition to the Independence Day Parade in Comfort, the Post enters a float in three Parades held in Boerne: the Das Festival (Father’s Day), the Kendall County Fair (Labor Day), and the Weihnachts (Christmas) parades. We regularly recruit members for Post and its affiliate organizations, as well as promote our services for vets and families, at the monthly Boerne Market Days in the Town Square and periodic block parties sponsored by the Black Rifle Coffee Company. We have also sponsored Blood Drives and assisted the Boerne Police and Kendall County Sheriff’s Office with their “Blue Santa” program which provides toys for needy families at Christmastime. Members have attended several different programs for children and families in the community and local schools in support of the American Legion pillar of Children and Youth.
The Children and Youth pillar is further supported by the Post’s sponsorship of a number of activities linked to our local schools. Most prominent is our sponsorship of up to five young men annually to attend Boys State, the boys equivalent to the aforementioned Girls State, supported by our Auxiliary unit. Selection is a demanding process, and we are proud to send the best and brightest of Boerne Schools to represent the city in Austin. We recently began sponsoring annual awards for top cadets enrolled in the Junior ROTC program, as well as a $1000 scholarship for a college-bound JROTC member. 2025 also marked the first year we awarded the Carol Hammes Nursing Scholarship, awarded to a graduating senior intending to enter nursing school. Carol Hammes was one of the Founding Members of Post 313, served as District Chaplain, and initiated the Post 313 Auxiliary Unit. She served as a nurse while on Active Duty and the Post created the scholarship in her name to commemorate her service not only to the military, but to the American Legion and Post 313.
The Americanism Pillar is supported with an annual oratory contest in which students write and present an 8-10 minute oration focused on an aspect of the US Constitution, with focus on a citizen’s duties and obligations to our government. This program not only provides an academic speaking challenge but reinforces participants’ leadership and understanding of our nation’s laws.
Most importantly, Post 313 is dedicated to supporting the Legion’s Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Pillar with extensive activities conducted in the local area. Post members regularly reach out to fellow veterans to assist where help is needed for those veterans or their family members. We have helped repair homes, provided money or assistance to those who are struggling, and established a system of “Buddy Checks” to contact members on a regular basis to ensure they are doing ok and being taken care of. Post members conduct monthly “Visit the Vets” activities, by going to various nursing homes and senior care facilities in Boerne to check in with Veteran residents and provide a short visit to chat with them, ensure they know we are available to help when needed, and boost their morale. The visits are appreciated, not only by the veterans living in the facilities, but also by the staff who assure us the visits are the highlight of many of their residents’ day. Members have gone as far as the VA hospital in Kerrville to visit with veterans and provide them with a smile and short period of companionship to lift their spirits.
And of course, no organization can function without taking care of its own members. Our monthly membership meetings also function as a social gathering, with a potluck dinner preceding each gathering, and the affiliate organizations invited to participate. A number of social activities are planned throughout the year and have featured dinner at local restaurants, coffee get together, and an annual summer picnic for members and their spouses/children. Post 313 truly takes the “American Legion Family” moniker to heart and would encourage anyone who is interested to come join us in continuing this history of service and comradeship.