2021-2022
TEXAS VFW MID-WINTER CONFERENCE
Patriot’s Pen
Voice of Democracy
Smart/Maher Citizenship Teacher of the Year BANQUET PROGRAM Saturday, January 22, 2022
Banquet Agenda Prayer & Pledge Introductions Toasts to the Service Branches Dinner Recognition of Teachers Recognition of Patriot’s Pen Winner Recognition of Top Ten Voice of Democracy Winners Recognition of District Commanders and Presidents Closing Prayer
Table of Contents Norman Macey, State Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Duane Sarmiento, Jr Vice Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Karen Kaylor, State Auxiliary President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sissy Borel, Past National Auxiliary President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Patriot’s Pen Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Citizenship Teacher of the Year Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Voice of Democracy Finalists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11 Voice of Democracy Scholarships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 District Commanders/District Auxiliary Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Department Officers/Department Auxiliary Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Department Chairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Deputy State Inspectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
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Every year thousands of Texas students participate in the VFW Youth Scholarship Programs at the Post, District, State and National Levels competing for more than $3 million in scholarship money. 2021-2022 PATRIOT’S PEN ESSAY CONTEST THEME
“How Can I Be A Good American?”
Each year more than 165,400 students in Grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in State and National awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000!
This year 4,928 students participated in the Patriot’s Pen program. $75,985 in awards were given plus $10,800 in expenses for a total spent on the program of $86,785.
2021-2022 VOICE OF DEMOCRACY ESSAY CONTEST THEME
“America: Where Do We Go From Here?”
Established in 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 65,000 high school students compete for more than $2.1 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording a broadcast script on an annual patriotic theme and the National first place winner wins $30,000!
This year 1,498 students participated in the Voice of Democracy program. $173,425 in awards were given plus $34,598.00 in expenses for a total on the program of $208,023.
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Norman Macey, a Gold Legacy Life Member of Piney Woods Post 4816 in Porter, Texas, was elected as State Commander for the Department of Texas VFW at the 101st Convention in Durant, Oklahoma, in June 2021.
Norman Macey
Macey, a VFW member since 2006, has served in many capacities at the Post, District, State, and National level. He served as a District 17 Commander; served on two National Resolutions Committees; appointed as Aide-de-Camp three times; Special Aide-de-Camp; National Assistant Inspector General; and National Deputy Chief-of-Staff. He earned honors as an All-State Post Commander twice. Macey served as State Inspector; Department Membership Chairman; and (3) terms as the State Chaplain. He received the John Spahr Outstanding Immediate Past District Commander award 2012-2013 and was the recipient of the “J. T. Rutherford Award” in 2018-2019. Comrade Macey served with the United States Marine Corps from 19691970; his overseas service was in Vietnam. Macey’s awards include the Bronze Star w/“V” for Valor; Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Unit Citation; National Defense Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Campaign Bronze Stars; Vietnam Campaign Medal; and RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal w/Palm.
2021-2022
State Commander Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Texas
Born in Houston, Norman is married to Sharon Macey, a member of Auxiliary to Post 4816. They have a son Adam and daughter-in-law Sophie; daughter Kayla and son-in-law Justin Davis; and six grandchildren.
Duane Sarmiento was appointed National Inspector General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on July 24, 2019, at the 120th VFW National Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Duane Sarmiento
He served in the United States Navy from 1988 to 1997, and the United States Naval Reserve from 2002 to 2006, earning his VFW eligibility by serving in Operations Desert Shield/Storm. In recognition of his service, he received the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three campaign stars, the Saudi Arabian Medal for the Liberation of Kuwait, Kuwait Medal for the Liberation of Kuwait and numerous other medals and ribbons. Duane joined the VFW in 1990 at Post 5579 in Gibbstown, N.J., where he maintains his Gold Legacy Life membership. He has served in elected and appointed positions at the Post, District and Department levels, culminating with his election as the VFW Department of New Jersey Commander from 2018 to 2019. On the national level, he has served on the National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, General Resolutions Committee and as Special Aide-De-Camp.
2021-2022
National VFW Jr Vice Commander-in-Chief Veterans of Foreign Wars
He retired as a police officer with the Greenwich Township Police Department and Gloucester County Sheriff’s Department in New Jersey. Duane currently is employed as the Director of Veterans Affairs in Gloucester County, N.J. He is also a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 57. Duane and his wife, Ellen, reside in Gibbstown, N.J.
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Karen Kaylor was elected and installed as Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Texas Auxiliary President at the 95th Texas Auxiliary Convention held in Durant, Oklahoma, June, 2021. She joined in 2004 the then “Ladies” Auxiliary VFW Post 8577 on the eligibility of her husband who served in Southeast Asia Oct 1972-Oct 1973. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving 25 years. She transferred and is now a Life member of VFW Post 4008 Auxiliary.
Karen Kaylor
She has served as Auxiliary President of 8577 (4 times) and has held many offices and chairmanships in Auxiliary, District, and at State levels. As District 14 President (2011-2012) she earned Outstanding District President in her Division. On the State level she has served in 5-line offices and was a chairman for 3 National Programs, Veterans and Family Support, Legislative, (she earned awards “plates” and outstanding for both) Membership, and the State Nursing Program. Karen spent 34 years as a civil service employee for the Department of 2021-2022 Defense (DOD). As a Logistics Assistant Representative (LAR), she supported State Auxiliary 10th Mountain Division and 82nd Airborne division while she was in Kandahar, President Afghanistan. Upon returning in January 2004 to Ft. Hood, Texas, she retired Veterans of Foreign Wars as a GS-12. The skill, morale and expertise of the United States Military was Department of Texas impressive. She greatly appreciated their assistance but especially helping her out of bunkers after running beside them during 3 rocket attacks. This experience motivated her decision to join the VFW Auxiliary to work for our Veterans. “We Tip Our Hat to Vets.” She is a member of the Military Order of the Cooties Auxiliary (MOCA) #13 and is the MOCA Grand Sr. Vice President. She has a Life Membership for the VFW National Home for Children and is Secretary for the Copperas Cove AARP Chapter 1359. In her spare time, she enjoys being with family, reading and playing Bingo. Karen and husband Don have been married for 46 years with a combined family of 7 children, 24 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Granddaughter Holly along with Ella “The Pug” reside with them in Copperas Cove, Texas. Armithea “Sissy” Borel, Past National President, is from Starks, Louisiana, and represents Mississippi and Louisiana on the National Council of Administration, which governs the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States Auxiliary between National Conventions.
Sissy Borel
A Life Member of Starks Memorial Auxiliary 4759, she joined on the eligibility of her brother, a Purple Heart recipient who served in the U.S. Army, and she has three sons who give her eligibility as well. She served the organization at the Auxiliary, District, Department and National level. In 2004- 2005 she was elected Department President, earning Outstanding President of the Year in her membership group. She has also been National Assistant Conductress and National Chairman for the Southern Conference on the Membership and “Buddy” Poppy Programs and is currently serving as VFW National Home Trustee for District 6 representing the Departments of Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Additionally, she is a member of the VFW Auxiliary Appeals and Grievances Committee. She has also served as the Military Order of the Cooties Auxiliary (MOCA) 2006-2007 Grand President of Louisiana, and is a member of the Starks Lions Club, where she has served as President and LEO Chairman for the state.
2013-2014
Past National Auxiliary President Veterans of Foreign Wars
Sissy’s family includes spouse, Terry, five children, 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
2022 Mid-Winter Banquet H 5
Patriot’s Pen Winners 2nd Place Winner
1st Place Winner
Luke M. Leman 6th Grade Leman Homeschooled, Iola, Texas Post Sponsor: 4006–Navasota District Sponsor: 17
3rd Place Winner Riley D. Towell 7th Grade Ponder Jr. High School, Ponder, Texas Post Sponsor: 1475–Amarillo District Sponsor: 9
Karlie A. Barnes 6th grade Whitney Middle School, Whitney, Texas Post Sponsor: 12176-Whitney District Sponsor: 29
4th Place Winner Bayli R. Yousko 8th Grade Whitesboro Intermediate School, Whitesboro, Texas Post Sponsor: 1922–Gainesville District Sponsor: 1
Patriot’s Pen Scholarships 1st Place
$ 1,000
VFW Post 6873–Abilene Scholarship
2nd Place
$ 1,000
William Powell VFW Post 8930 Memorial Scholarship
3rd Place
$ 500 Paul Hayslip Memorial Scholarship, Spring Branch Post 8790–Houston
4th Place
$ 500
Adobe Walls VFW Post 1789–Borger Scholarship
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Smart/Maher VFW Citizenship Education Teacher Award Winners Every year the Texas VFW recognizes an outstanding classroom teacher for Grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. These teachers are selected from nominations received from Posts and Districts throughout Texas. The state winners are then forwarded to National VFW for competition at the National Level.
Grades K-5 Winner
Melissa Funk Water Elementary School, Lubbock, Texas Post 2466, Lubbock, Texas, District 9
Grades 6-8 Winner
Dustin B. Lazenby Capt. Mark Tyler Voss Middle School, Boerne, Texas Post 688, Boerne, District 13
Grades 9-12 Winner
Joseph M. Akers Beaumont United High School, Beaumont, Texas Post 1806, Beaumont, District 2
All teachers receive an honorarium sponsored by VFW Post 6970, Poteet, District 20 2022 Mid-Winter Banquet H 7
Voice of Democracy Finalists Kylee B. Ryeczyk
Lillian E. Ross
Madison Conerly
12th Grade Texoma Christian School Sherman, Texas
12th Grade West Brook Sr. High School Beaumont, Texas
12th Grade The Hockaday School Dallas, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 1, Post 2772 Sherman, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 2, Post 1806 Beaumont, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 3, Post 1406 Dallas, Texas
Preston R. Ellis
Mikayla M. Lively
Avica A. Burrill
12th Grade Atascocita High School Humble, Texas
12th Grade Smithson Valley High School Spring Branch, Texas
12th Grade Port Aransas High School Port Aransas, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 4, Post 12075 Humble, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 5 , Post 8800 Canyon Lake, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 6, Post 8967 Port Aransas, Texas
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Voice of Democracy Finalists Hannah G. Moreno
Kayelyn B. Skorick
Aleah C. Ortiz
11th Grade Moreno Homeschooled Breckenridge, Texas
10th Grade Roosevelt High School Lubbock, Texas
11th Grade Ortiz Academy El Paso, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 8, Post 7767 Breckenridge, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 9, Post 2466 Lubbock, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 10, Post 9173 El Paso, Texas
Jason M. Durr
Riley C. Hagdorn
Chloe M. Gilland
10th Grade Atlanta High School Atlanta, Texas
12th Grade Devine High School Devine, Texas
11th Grade Killeen High School Killeen, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 12, Post 5870 Queen City, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 13, Post 3966 Devine, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 14, Post 4008 Belton, Texas
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Voice of Democracy Finalists Ashlyn L. Stevens
Sarah E. Barrow
Kaylnn J. Walker
9th Grade Homeschooled Angleton, Texas
12th Grade A&M Consolidated High School College Station, Texas
9th Grade La Joya Early College La Joya, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 16, Post 8551 Sweeny, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 17, Post 4692 Bryan, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 18, Post 3895 La Joya, Texas
Wesley A. Alberts
Cecilia C. Korzekwa
Felicity J. Roberts
9th Grade Alberts Academy Tyler, Texas
11th Grade Poth High School Poth, Texas
12th Grade Homeschooled Southlake, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 19, Post 3984 Jacksonville, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 20, Post 8555 Poth, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 21, Post 10454 Grapevine, Texas
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Voice of Democracy Finalists Jacob K. Wachsmuth
Alexis N. Rudd
Elizabeth Miri
11th Grade Shiner Catholic School Shiner, Texas
12th Grade Legacy Sr. High School Midland, Texas
10th Grade Homeschooled Cedar Park, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 24, Post 6209 Shiner, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 25, Post 7208 Midland, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 28, Post 10427 Leander, Texas
Benjamin L. Edmiston
Kylee F. Lookabaugh
9th Grade Clifton High School Clifton, Texas
12th Grade Martin’s Mill High School Ben Wheeler, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 29, Post 8553 Clifton, Texas
SPONSORED BY District 30, Post 7103 Athens, Texas
2022 Mid-Winter Banquet H 11
2 0 21-2 0 2 2
Voice of Democracy Scholarships 1st Place
V-Sweeps Scholarship
$ 10,000
2nd Place
Texas VFW Foundation Scholarship
$ 8,000
3rd Place
Department of Texas VFW Scholarship
$ 7,000
4th Place
Per Stirling Capital Management Scholarship
$ 6,000
5th Place
Thomas “Doc” Howard Post 3359, Garland, Texas, Memorial Scholarship*
$ 5,000
6th Place
VFW District 17 Scholarship
$ 5,000
7th Place
VFW Auxiliary Post 8541-San Antonio Scholarship
$ 5,000
8th Place
VFW District 4 Scholarship
$ 4,500
9th Place
Texas VFW Motorcycle Group Scholarship
$ 4,000
10th Place
West Brazos VFW Post 8551 and Auxiliary-Sweeny Scholarship
$ 4,000
11th Place
Adobe Walls VFW Post 1789-Borger Scholarship*
$ 3,500
12th Place
VFW Post 6873, Abilene Scholarship
$ 3,500
13th Place
Camp Bowie Post 708 & Auxiliary Scholarship*
$ 3,000
14th Place
Stewart-Wendell VFW Post 3904 Scholarship
$ 3,000
15th Place
RVOS Scholarship*
$ 2,000
16th Place
Sidney Pierce VFW Post 4476-Taylor Scholarship*
$ 1,000
17th Place
VFW Post 10428, Kingsland, and its Auxiliary Scholarship*
$ 1,000
18th Place
Paul Hayslip Memorial Scholarship, Spring Branch VFW Post 8790*
$ 1,000
19th Place
Dallas-Love Field VFW Post 7471 Memorial Scholarship*
$ 1,000
20th Place
USAF Chief Master Sgt. Amos Hastings Scholarship
$ 1,000
21st Place
VFW Auxiliary, Department of Texas, District 16 Scholarship
$ 1,000
22nd Place
Humana Scholarship
$ 1,000
23rd Place
VFW Post 9213, McQueeney Scholarship
$ 1,000 *Denotes perpetual scholarships
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2 0 21-2 0 2 2
District Commanders
2 0 21-2 0 2 2
District Auxiliary Presidents
D-1
James Benotti
D-1
Mona Benotti
D-2
Jorg Kitchen
D-2
Carson Anderson
D-3
Ricky Williams
D-3
Crystal Slown
D-4
Johnny Rubio
D-4
Brenda Whited
D-5
Steve Cook
D-5
D-6
Todd Richardson
D-6
Jennifer Richardson
D-8
Melvin Harper
D-8
Debbie Daniel
D-9
Benny Guerrero
D-9
Cathy Jones
D-10
Joe Vargas, Jr.
D-10
Rosie Raulston
D-12
Cathy Small
D-12
Rene Batson
D-13
Andrew Camplen
D-13
Judy Suggs
D-14
Reese Carter
D-14
Kathleen Carter
D-16
Michael Caballero
D-16
Reba Carlson
D-17
Frank Torres
D-17
Doris Harrison
D-18
Loren Pogue
D-18
Jayne McCormick
D-19
Joel H. Pipes
D-19
Tammie Mosby
D-20
William Smith
D-20
Helen Lara
D-21
Manny Leal
D-21
Lorry Beltram
D-24
Jack Mageluzzo
D-24
Barbara Koehn
D-25
Mel Parker
D-25
Chiquita Parker
D-28
Ray A. Sanchez
D-28
Robin Swain
D-29
Christopher Davis
D-29
Johnnie Lopez
D-30
William “Bill” Malone
D-30
Rey Martinez
Dorothy Cook
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2 0 21-2 0 2 2
2 0 21-2 0 2 2
Department Officers
Department Auxiliary Officers
Commander
President Karen Kaylor
Norman Macey
Senior Vice Commander Lynn Toomer
Junior Vice Commander Larry Sanders
State Quartermaster Ben Lowrance
State Adjutant
Sr. Vice President Jeanenne Lumpkin Jr. Vice President Susie Carter Chaplain Karen Jeffrey
Lupita M. Perez
Chief-of-Staff John E. Shipley
Judge Advocate Keith King
State Surgeon Jerry Greene
Chaplain Michael Foy Day
Conductress Irma Solis Guard Shawn Terry Secretary Glenna Alexander Treasurer Jo Ella Menn
Immediate Past Commander Dick Shawver
National Council Member Dan West
State Inspector
Chief of Staff Juanita Workman Assistant Treasurer Marjorie Menzel
Phillip Dubois
Officer of The Day Lonnie Garza
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Assistant Secretary Jayne McCormick
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Department Chairs 102nd Convention Chair Lavern Terbl
Membership Chair Eddie Terry
Buddy Poppy Chair Frank Andrada
Mentorship Chair Bill Oaks
Budget and Finance Chair Inge Conley
Mentorship Co-Chair Robert LaFleur
Community Service Chair John Jowers
Motorcycle Group Chair Thomas E. Anderson, Jr.
Credentials Chair Eric J. Shumaker
POW/MIA Chair Carlo S. Davis
Credentials Chair Asst. Katie Baillio
Service Officers Mike Eshenbaugh (Houston) Katina Cryer (Waco)
Homeless Veterans Chair James Briggs Hospital/MAP Chair Jerry Greene
State Parliamentarian Steve Evans Veterans Employment Chair Bob Gear
National/State Legislative Chair Mitch Fuller
2 0 21-2 2 Deput y St ate Inspec tor s Stephen Biehl Dave Walden Kevin Bost
Greg Brannan William Fuzi Roy Grona
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Congratulations
to all finalists. Thank you for attending! texasvfw.org w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / Te x a sV F W texasvfw.smugmug.com Photos of the awards banquet will be available for free downloads at Smug Mug a few days after the event.
