Welcome to the 105th Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars State !
To all VFW members, officers, leadership, committee members, and supporters from across the Lone Star State, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and a warm Texas welcome as you gather from June 4-8, 2025, at the iconic Hilton Anatole in Dallas. This year’s convention brings together the remarkable men and women who have served our nation with honor, dedication, and an unyielding commitment to freedom.
Throughout this week, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in crucial board and committee meetings, receive assistance with VA claims, explore the national VFW store, and connect with vendors.
Together, we will commemorate our fallen comrades in a moving memorial, celebrate our shared achievements at the awards banquet, and honor the loyalty and courage of service dogs at a heartwarming graduation ceremony. Additionally, elections, COA briefings, and training sessions will ensure our organization continues to lead with strength and unity.
As you gather this week to share experiences, strengthen bonds, and plan for the future, let the Cross of Malta and the VFW logo be reminders of the noble legacy you uphold and the sacrifices made by those who came before us
Thank you for your service, your dedication, and your commitment to your fellow veterans and your country. Welcome to the 105th Texas VFW State . May it be a time of camaraderie, growth, and continued purpose.
I hope everyone is doing well I would like to express sincere appreciation to Team Texas 2024-2025 and to Comrade in the Department of Texas. I can’t believe year is ending, but I want to encourage everyone to continue to finish strong I am truly grateful for your dedication, commitment, and willingness to continue serve our Veterans and our Great Organization. Your outstanding work all year has contributed to the Department of Texas leading the way in recruiting an vital part in us reaching our goal of 102% membershi Currently, we have 20 Districts at 102% or better, 205 at 102% or better Also, only 2 Districts need less than 20 members to achieve 102%, and many Posts a close. We have several Districts and Posts that are ve to achieving All-American, so don’t quit, keep going, a remember the membership year ends June 30, 2025 I was extremely pleased that participation in our scho programs; Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen and Tea the Year increased this year. Lastly, I want you all to know it has been an honor to with you and I will always reflect and cherish our time together May God Bless you and our troops that are guarding the gates of Freedom
Always remember: Team Texas 2024 – 2025, Life Is Good When Serving Our Veterans! Thank you,
Robert Martinez,
Jr. State Commander, Texas VFW
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
SHIELD/STORM
OCCUPATIONAL SERVICE
KOREAN SERVICE (1950-1954)
KOREA DUTY (1955 - present)
ANNUAL MEMBER (1 Year)
BOSNIA/KOSOVO
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY
ANNUAL MEMBER (2 Years)
I authorize the VFW to automatically charge my account $
I authorize the VFW to charge my account a one-time payment of $
MEMBER
I authorize the VFW to charge my account a one-time payment of $
MEMBER INSTALLMENT PLAN
By entering into the Installment Plan, I authorize the VFW to automatically charge my account $____________ to be paid in 11 monthly installment payments after my initial payment of $45.00. Information about scheduling payments can be found by calling the VFW Member Service Center at 1.833.VFW.VETS. Automatic Payment Plan and Installment options require credit/debit card for processing. By signing this application you acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions of the Automatic Payment Plan and Installment options, if selected.
8:00am - 4:00pm VFW and Auxiliary Registration/Credentials Plum
8:00am - 4:00pm
8:00am - 4:00pm
8:00am - 4:00pm
8:00am - 4:00pm
VFW Service Officers
VA Claims (Open to all)
Buddy Poppy Display
National VFW Store
Vendor Booths
9:00am - 12:00pm
10:00am - 2:00pm
VFW Council of Administration Meeting
Job Fair
12:00pm - 1:00pm
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Lunch Break
Joint Opening (VFW Business Formal)
4:15pm - 5:00pm
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Joint Memorial (VFW Business Formal)
Friday *Red Shirt Room
8:00am - 4:00pm National VFW Store Plum Blossom
8:00am - 4:00pm
8:00am - 4:00pm
8:00am - 4:00pm
8:00am - 4:00pm
VFW and Auxiliary Registration/Credentials
VFW Service Officers VA Claims (Open to all)
Buddy Poppy Display
Vendor Booths
8:00am - 9:00am
9:00am - 9:45am
VFW Bylaw & Resolution Review
USVSD Service Dog Graduation
10:00am - Adjourn
1:00pm - 2:00pm
VFW Business Meeting & Nominations
Past Department Commanders
Lunch (Invite only)
5:30pm - 6:30pm
6:30pm - Close
Reception
Awards Banquet (Formal Dress - No VFW Caps)
105th STATE CONVENTION
Saturday 7
7:30am - 9:00am
8:00am - 12:00pm
8:00am - 12:00pm
8:00am - 12:00pm
8:00am - 12:00pm
VFW and Auxiliary Registration/Credentials
National VFW Store
VFW Service Officers VA Claims (Open to all)
Buddy Poppy Display / Judging Vendor Booths
9:30am - Adjourn
June 7,2025 Sunday Room
4:00pm - 5:30pm
VFW Business Meeting & Elections
June 8,2025
6:00pm - Close
Joint Installation of Officers (VFW Commanders Black Dress Shirt) State Commander and President's Reception
Initial COA Briefing & Training (Closed) Obelisk 8
Formal Dress:
8:00am 9:00am - 10:00am
Safe Travels Back Home
Important Note:
https://bit.ly/4dgH5uY COMMITEEREPORTS Found HERE *Black shirt
Consists of dress footwear, trousers, long sleeve shirt, jacket, belt, tie. (i.e. Suit & Tie) Ladies have the option of wearing a dress. VFW Caps are not authorized for wear.
VFW Business Formal:
Consists of dress footwear, suit or trousers, blazer, long sleeve white shirt and tie, VFW Cap, belt and VFW name tag. Ladies have the option of wearing a skirt.
VFW Business Casual:
Consists of dress footwear, trousers, long or short sleeve collared shirt, belt, VFW Cap and name tag Ladies have the option of wearing a skirt
** Joint Installation of Officers: Commander's black dress shirt, jeans, blazer, VFW Cap, belt and VFW name tag.
Page 10
Financial Statements
Statement of Financial Position
April 30, 2025
Cash and Cash Equivalents Prepaid Expenses
TOTAL ASSETS
Investments Payroll and Accrued Liabilites
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
TOTAL LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Statement of Actvites and Changes in Net Assets
SUPPORT, REVENUE, AND REALIZED GAINS
Direct Public Support
Affiliated Organizaions’ Contributons Interests, Dividends, and Net Realized Gains
TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE
EXPENSES
Program Services: NET ASSETS
Awards and Grants VFW Programs and Grants Fundraising: Supportng Services:
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
NET ASSETS, Beginning of Period Management and General TOTAL EXPENSES
Fiscal Year to Date (July 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025) Snapshot
Through 30 April 2025
19 veteran households served with $21,055 in direct financial assistance 7 Post Assistance Grants totaling $16,500
Since inception
- 6,216 veteran households served with $13.2 M in direct financial assistance - 46 Post Assistance Grants totaling $125,474
12
State Legislative Priorities
The following priorities are not the only issues and priorities that the Texas VFW worked on the past three years, and are key issues that carried over from the last two Legislative Sessions in 2021 and 2023 and Interim Sessions in 2022 and 2024. As always, the Texas VFW closely monitors all Veteran-related bills under consideration by the Texas Legislature.
Create programs and funding streams connected to services that improve mental health outcomes for Veterans suffering from Military Sexual Trauma (MST), Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), e.g., HB 2248 (Vanessa Guillen Day on September 30) and HB 671 (suicide prevention campaign) both became law in 2023 Identify barriers to accessing mental health and improve access to mental health resources for all Veterans.
Support the creation of a single state database to facilitate the seamless provision of Veterans benefits by state agencies and improving coordination among state, federal, and local agencies and others that provide benefits to Veterans. Strengthen support for Veteran housing and ensure the Veterans Land Board has all the necessary tools to maximize their assistance to eligible borrowers in home lending and update state standards to Veteran home loans and housing.
Defend the Hazelwood Act and its legacy provisions
Ensure Bingo continues to operate in Texas and that it’s regulated and licensed. Expanded maximum Bingo Payout and number of licenses allowed annually-SB 643 (became law in 2023). The Texas Lottery Commission administers and regulates Bingo Operations, which is undergoing the “Sunset” process in the Interim two years earlier than scheduled (normally every 10 years) Changes to Bingo being proposed by the Sunset Commission which the Texas VFW opposes: (1) the elimination of licenses for bingo material manufacturers and distributors, which could burden volunteer-based charities with higher regulatory risks; and (2) proposed changes regarding lessor licenses, which could negatively impact existing charitable bingo halls
Advocate for a new State Veterans Cemetery in northeast Texas and leverage federal and state funds to do so Success in 2023 Legislative Session a new State Veteran Cemetery in Lubbock thanks to State Sen Charles Perry and Congressman Jodey Arrington
Advocate for increased access to alternative modalities to opioids: (1) Expand the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP), the medical marijuana program in Texas, to include chronic pain as a condition for medical marijuana prescriptions and make it more affordable; (2) Defend and sustain the legality of hemp-based products-prevented SB 264, a hemp-ban bill from getting a committee hearing in 2023 Session and provided testimony in May 29, 2024, Senate State Affairs Committee Interim hearing regarding legality of hemp-derived consumables;
(3) Support continued research into the effectiveness of psychedelics (MDMA, psylocibin, ibogaine, etc.) to treat PTS and TBI, e g , HB 1802 (became law in 2021); (4) Expand accessibility to service dogs HB 2951 became law in 2023 and created a service dog program within the Texas Veterans Commission Oppose SB 3/HB 2155 (THC ban) and HB 28 (Hemp beverages legal/Hemp edibles illegal) in 89 Legislative Session. th
Support legislation that assists County Veterans Services Offices Support HB 5144/SB 2968 (end “Claims Sharks”).
Ensure VFW Posts are not closed due to Emergency Orders issued by the Governor HB 558, “VFW bill,” passed both Houses of the Legislature in 2023. HB 558 exempts VSOs from closure due to emergency orders Passed House 144-0 and Senate 28-2. Vetoed by Governor Abbott Support HB 2702 in 89 Legislative Session th
Support legislation that benefits Forces (Texas Army National Gu National Guard, and Texas State border mission HB 90 (death be the Texas State Guard who die w Duty) became law in 2023. Supp license portability for military a ensure that service members an continue to practice under a lice jurisdiction
Mitch Fuller, National/State Legislative Chairman
VOTE Stephen Biehl
Junior Vice Commander 2025-2026
Gold Legacy Life Member of Tomball VFW Post 2427.
A 10-year, 5-month veteran of the United States Marine Corps, VFW eligibility comes from service in Operation Desert Storm with the 15 MEU. th
The Three “T’s”
Technology: Continue to improve ‘The Portal’ and incorporate modern technology into our daily VFW business and practices. Training: Continue the strong foundation of The Training Team and ensure that we are incorporating technology training. Tradition: Address the things that we do because “we’ve always done it this way”. Find the true reason for doing these things and ensure that they are in alignment with; laws (local, state, national), our bylaws (Post, District, Department and National), our Congressional charter and our vision for the future of our organization.
