AMVETS Post 115 News
News about the post and its membership.
More news can be found on the post Facebook pages (and other news and social media).
Taps section updated to include Memorial Day 2026 and video of 2024 D-Day playing of taps
New Post phone number: 737-266-9484
Information email: Information email
NEW: In time for Flag Day and Independence Day: United States Flag
Coming event: August 22 - Community Connect Day
Saturday August 22, 2026
Community Connect Day
0800 - 1000 Continental breakfast at the Post [Community Day Flyer]
1000-1300 Community Blood Drive [Blood Drive Flyer]
Note new later hours for Blood Drive
1100-1300 food ( sausage wrap, chips, drink combo $5.00)
Post phone number - 737-266-9484
More photos at:
Coming in October: 2026 Car Show
2026 Car Show at the Performing Arts Center
Sunday October 18, 2026
2026 CAR SHOW
at the Performing Arts Center (PAC). 979 Kohlers Crossing, Kyle, TX 78640 [flyer]
Registration form for Show Cars and Vendors
Sponsors and vendors are also being sought.
times and more details coming soon
Contact us for more information.
...
Juneteenth & Flag Day
Friday June 19, 2026 Juneteenth Day
Color Guard from left to right: VFW Post 12058 Jason Payne, AMVETS Post 115 3rd Vice Commander Ernest Oviedo, AMVETS Post 115 2nd Vice Commander Jared Hepler, VFW Post 12058 Clint Williams
Saturday June 20, 2026 Flag Day Ceremony
0900-1000 Flag Day Ceremony - City of Kyle at Heroes Memorial Park, Kyle [flyer]
Presented by AMVETS Post 115, City of Kyle Parks & Rec, VFW Post 12058, with presentation by John W. Knox, Sons of the Revolution
(Actual Holiday was on June 14)
Color Guard from left to right: AMVETS Post 115 3rd Vice Commander Ernest Oviedo,VFW Post 12058 Clint Williams, AMVETS Post 115 2nd Vice Commander Jared Hepler, AMVETS Post 115 Commander Chris Calkins, VFW Post 12058 Jason Payne, ?, John W. Knox
Above: Visitors, Cub Scout Pack 115, participants, Color Guard and Presenter
Left to right: Irma Mason, John W. Knox, Auxiliary 115 1st Vice President Barbara Colarusso →
More photos at City of Kyle Parks and Recreation Dept and
Facebook pages
AND: In time for Flag Day and Independence Day: United States Flag "How To's"
Above: John W. Knox shows one of his several designs proposed to celebrate America's 200th Anniversary.
AND: In time for Flag Day and Independence Day: United States Flag "How To's"
Department of Texas 59th Annual Convention Conference
Friday-Sunday June 5-7, 2026
Department of Texas 59th Annual Convention Conference in Waco Texas
Awards received: 2025-2026 Post of the Year, Americanism, Child Welfare, Community Service, Hospital and Youth Volunteer.
Outstanding Service Award , Mystery Award (Ruth Green)
← Auxiliary 115 Past President Barbara Colarusso holding Outstanding Service Award.
Actual awards are posted on Ladies Auxiliary Awards page
More photos at: AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 115 Facebook group page
Left to right, seated: Auxiliary 115 Past President Barbara Colarusso, Mineral Wells Post 113 Len Wood, Post 115 Commander Christopher Calkins.
Monday May 25, 2026 Memorial Day
Taps at Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday May 25, 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony Taps
Commander Chris Calkins playing Taps
- City of Kyle at Heroes Memorial Park, Kyle
Remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom.
See more photos on Facebook BC and CC
Post phone number - 737-266-9484
Monday May 25, 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony
0930-1130 Memorial Day - City of Kyle at Heroes Memorial Park, Kyle
Remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom.
Organizations represented:
AMVETS Post 115, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 115
VFW Post 12058, Scouting America,
City of Kyle Parks & Recreation Dept
Guests at 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony
Missing Man Table at Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ)
Here are members of:
AMVETS Post 115, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 115
VFW Post 12058, Scouting America,
Missing Man Table at Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ)
Missing Man Table at Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ)
Left to right: AMVETS Post 115 Commander Chris Calkins, VFW Post 12058 Jason Payne
Missing Man Table
Missing Man Table at Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ)
"The Missing Man Table (also known as the POW/MIA table) is a solemn, symbolic memorial set up at U.S. military dining functions and ceremonies to honor fallen, missing, or imprisoned service members" from and more at Wikipedia®
AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary at Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ)
Saturday May 23, 2026 Community Connect Day
Saturday May 23, 2026
Community Connect Day
0800 - 1000 Continental breakfast at the Post [Community Day Flyer]
0900-1400 Community Blood Drive [Blood Drive Flyer]
1100-1300 food ( sausage wrap, chips, drink combo $5.00)
This is the second of four Community Connect Days/Blood Drives in 2026.
Post phone number - 737-266-9484
More photos at:
Saturday May 17, 2026 Ladies Auxiliary Meeting and Election
Saturday May 17, 2026
Elections for the Ladies Auxiliary 115 were held after Saturday Veterans Breakfast
Visit Ladies Auxiliary 115 Officers page for names and contact information.
After Saturday Veterans Breakfast and Ladies Auxiliary meeting and election.
Left to right, standing: Post 115 Commander Christopher Calkins, Auxiliary 115 Past President Barbara Colarusso; seated: AMVETS Department of Texas Officers and Barbara Najera, newly elected Auxiliary 115 President →
Graduation & JROTC Awards Ceremonies at local High Schools
Johnson High School Graduation
Wednesday May 27, 2026
1300 Honor Guard for Johnson High School Graduation
Strahan Arena, Texas State University, 106 Charles Austin Dr. San Marcos, TX, 78666
← Honor Guard from left to right: AMVETS Post 115 Commander Chris Calkins (rear), AMVETS Post 115 Vice Commander Jared Hepler (carrying US flag), AMVETS Post 115 Vice Commander Ernest Oviedo (carrying Texas flag), VFW Post 12058 Jason Payne (front, carrying rifle)
Johnson High School Graduation
Thank you again to you and your colleagues for assisting us at this year's graduation! We truly appreciate you all! Our number of graduates this year was 689 and the number of guests at the venue was close to 8, 000 according to our student support services. I am also including some pictures that were taken by our district photographer.
Have a wonderful day,
Christine Velasquez
Assistant Principal,
Johnson High School
Cadet William Garcia-Ortiz received MJROTC Award
Cadet William Garcia-Ortiz received MJROTC Award
Tuesday May 5, 2026
1800 - JROTC Ceremony with Jack C. Hays High School
at the Jack C. Hays High School, 4800 Jack C Hays Trail, Buda, TX 78610
Cadet recipient: William Garcia-Ortiz
AMVETS Post 115 Presenter: Jared Hepler
← Left to right: Cadet William Garcia-Ortiz , Jared Hepler
...
Cadet William Garcia-Ortiz received MJROTC Award
CC/PO3 Max Barrios received JROTC Award
Wednesday April 22, 2026
1700 - 2000 NJROTC Awards Ceremony at Lehman High School, 1700 Lehman Rd, Kyle, TX 78640
Cadet recipient: C/PO3 Max Barrios
Faculty advisor: CWO5 Carlos Cruz
AMVETS Post 115 Presenter: Jared Hepler
Left to right: Jared Hepler, guest, guest, C/PO3 Max Barrios →
...
...
April 25, 2026 Flag Retirement Ceremony
New Guy Welcomes Visitors to Post
Saturday April 25, 2026
0800-1000 Post Veteran Breakfast sponsored by Art Patterson, Modern Woodmen and prepared and served by Kyle Cub Scout Pack 105, Kyle
1100 - Flag Retirement Ceremony [Flyer]
Attended by Kyle Cub Scout Pack 105, Kyle, Scouting America, Kyle, Hays County Sheriff Department.
Also present: Lehman High School, JROTC Award Recipient C/PO3 Max Barrios
Left: New Officer Welcomes Visitors to the Flag Retirement Ceremony at AMVETS Post 115. Thank you to 2nd Vice Commander William Banks.
More photos at:
Flag Retirement Ceremony Honor Guard
Flag Retirement Ceremony Honor Guard
Post Commander Calkins prepares to play Taps as Flag Retirement Ceremony Honor Guard fires volley as salute.
Hazel Hammond's 84th Birthday
Hazel Hammond's 84th Birthday
Thursday April 9, 2026
Hazel Hammond's 84th Birthday
Members of AMVETS Auxiliary 115 had been visiting with Past Commander Kerman Hammond's wife and bringing lunch monthly until she moved to assisted living not long after the passing of her husband. They continue to visit monthly.
Left to right: Auxiliary 115 President Barbara Colarusso, Hazel Hammond, Auxiliary 115 Secretary Angela Harelick →
Left to right: Aux 115 Pres Barbara Colarusso, Hazel Hammond, Aux 115 Secretary Angela Harelick
A Special Salute to our Special Ops units
A Special Salute to our Special Ops units, who rescued our pilot and weapons officer...
April 6, 2026
"A Special Salute to our Special Ops units, who rescued our pilot
and weapons officer of a downed plane...
In a scene that unfolded like a Hollywood script, hundreds of American troops descended into the rugged mountains of southwestern Iran Saturday to rescue a wounded airman who spent nearly two days hiding from Iranian forces.
What followed was a high-stakes combat search-and-rescue mission deep inside Iran, with U.S. forces racing to locate and extract the wounded officer before Iranian troops could reach him, deploying a large contingent of special operations forces and aircraft into hostile territory."
See more on FOX News
HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters were involved in rescue efforts for the downed airman in Iran.
AMVETS 115 at Philomena Assisted Living
The Philomena Assisted Living & Memory Care
Tuesday March 31, 2026 -- "Meet and Greet resident Veterans and spouses of Veterans at the Philomena Assisted Living and Memory Care."
"Meet and Greet resident Veterans and spouses of Veterans at the Philomena Assisted Living and Memory Care." With the playing of Taps the Post color guard retired and replaced their worn US and State of Texas flags.
"Meet and Greet resident Veterans and spouses of Veterans at the Philomena Assisted Living and Memory Care." With the playing of Taps the Post color guard retired and replaced their worn US and State of Texas flags.
With the playing of Taps the Post color guard retired and replaced their worn US and State of Texas flags.
AMVETS Post 115 and Auxiliary 115 will make a visitation to Philomena from 9:00-10 a.m. on the last Tuesday of the quarter beginning March 31, 2026 and every quarter thereafter: June 30, September 29, Dec. 29, 2026.
KXAN: Bikes, books and pillows:
How one woman’s nonprofit helps Hays County families
March 10, 2026
AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Sergeant at Arms Cynthia Bentley, founder and president of "Unforgettable Families and Friends", settled in Hays County after hurricane Katrina.
US flag flown in combat
Certificate: US flag flown in combat in honor of AMVETS Post 115
February 19, 2026
Certificate acknowledging the US flag flown in combat in honor of AMVETS Post 115 on February 19, 2026 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
The flag and this certificate are on display at the post.
The back deck renovation IS COMPLETE!!
Renovations
The wood deck has been replaced with a concrete slab with grooved ramp and metal railings.
More improvements are also in the works.
The front also has added a grooved ramp and safety markings painted on the parking lot surface..
More pictures will be available soon.
New Post phone number - 737-266-9484
Wet cement
The first day of concrete pour.
The back deck
Looking South from the back deck
The back deck after concrete pour.
Looking South from the back deck
Looking South from the back deck
Looking South from the back deck with the storage building in the foreground and VFW out of view in the distance behind the childcare building.
Back deck cooking area window
Back deck cooking area window
Newest addition: Wall with window on back deck behind outdoor cooking area.
Back deck cooking area window
Back deck cooking area window
Front of post with concrete ramp and safety markings.
Non-slip strips
Non-slip strips have been added to front and back ramps.
New look: front of post
Front of post with concrete ramp and safety markings.
Safety markings
Safety markings
No parking striping in front of ramp and handicap parking logos.
CONGRATULATIONS Commander Chris Calkins...
2026 Masonic Community Builder Award
February 18, 2026
Thank all of you who came out to support Commander Calkins and his receiving of the Community Builder Award from Live Oak Masonic Lodge.
Special shout out to Mike who did a great job announcing it on the Webpage and for keeping us all informed. Great job, Mike. Please post an announcement on the website about Chris and this award.
Barbara and the Ladies Auxiliary for the great job with the cake and punch service.
We are lucky to have a Commander that is both conscientious and passionate about his role to serve Post 115 and our community.
Kudos to our “Commander”! We had such a great turnout and it was truly a community event. Thanks again and we look forward to continue to serve our great organization.
Alex Barragan, Worshipful Master, Live Oak Masonic Lodge
Memorial Cup Ceremony for Kerman Hammond
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Today, we gather to honor the life, service, and enduring legacy of Commander Kerman Hammond.
Commander Hammond exemplified the very best of leadership — steady under pressure, humble in success, and unwavering in his commitment to those he served beside. He understood that true command is not about authority alone, but about responsibility — responsibility to mission, to values, and most importantly, to people.
He led with integrity. He listened before he spoke. He acted with courage when it mattered most. And through every challenge, he carried himself with quiet strength and deep conviction.
The Memorial Cup we present today is more than a symbol. It represents the standard he set — of excellence, honor, and selfless service. It reminds us that leadership is measured not only by achievements, but by the lives touched and the example left behind.
May this cup stand as a lasting tribute to Commander Hammond’s dedication and character. And may all who strive to earn it remember the legacy they are called to uphold.
Commander Hammond’s watch has ended — but his influence endures.
Taps on First Saturday at Heroes Memorial Park in Kyle
Taps at Heroes Park D-Day 2024
Post 115 performs Taps at Heroes Memorial Park in Kyle the First Saturday of Every Month at 1800
Here Ernest Oviedo plays taps on D-Day in 2024 took place on Thursday, June 6. This date marked the historic 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, France, which began on June 6, 1944
Taps at Heroes Park
AMVETS Post 115 in attendance at Taps at Heroes Memorial Park in Kyle
Here members of Post 115 take a moment after the playing of taps.
Taps on Other Occasions December 2023
Post 115 performs Taps at memorials and other ceremonial occasions
Here Chris Calkins plays taps at a memorial for Joe Colarusso. Held at Kyle City Hall December 2023
Taps at Heroes Park on Memorial Day 2026
Monday May 25, 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony
0930-1130 Memorial Day - City of Kyle at Heroes Memorial Park, Kyle
Remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom.