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On The Cover: Celebrating The Red, White & BlueABy Alissa Reinhards we celebrate the Fourth of Julythis and every year, let us notforget the deeper meaning of Independence Day. The founding of our country, the United States of America, was an unprecedented achievement. America was the first country founded under the ideal that your life, your liberty, and your pursuit of happiness were unalienable rights that belonged to you, and only you, not to aKing, or a religious leader, or the state. The founders of our great nation drafted our Constitution and members of our armed services have died defending it.In this issue of Highlights, we are proud to honor the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving our great country. It’s a sacrifice that all too often goes without proper recognition or gratitude. So, while you’re enjoying yourcookouts and fireworks this Fourth of July, remember and cherish the original dream of our founders, one nation under God, and the brave individuals who have sacrificed so much to defend that dream.We hope you enjoy your summer with family and friends.American Legion Robert F. McDermott Post 309 Of Helotes, TexasSends O’Connor High School Students To Boys State.ABy John Brouse, 1st Vice Commander, American Legion Post 309merican Legion Boys State is a republic, America can remain strong and unique summertime educational ensure our freedom for future generations. program for rising high school The 2023 Texas Boys State Delegatesseniors that focuses on participation and personal experience in a model state, complete with governmental bodies and elected public officials. It is designed to mirror the structure and operation of the respective state government, while providing training in practical citizenship, leadership and character development through a nonpartisan perspective.The American Legion believes our U.S. government can survive only with an educated populace. By teaching youth to understand and appreciate our democraticdeparted American Legion Post 2, 3518 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, Sunday morning June 10th headed to The University of Texas at Austin for the week- long Boys State program. American Legion Robert F. McDermott Post 309 of Helotes, Texas sponsored two O’Connor High School seniors, Cole Ramer and John Dulkadir. Post 309 First Vice Commander John Brouse and Executive Officer Luis Cardenas saw the young men off.Left to right are Gul Dulkadir (mother of John Dulkadir), John Dulkadir, John Brouse (Post 309 First Vice Commander), Zeki Dulkadir (father of John Dulkadir), Cole Ramer, andLuis Cardenas (Post 309 Executive Officer).Larry Haefling Drafted To The Army In 1968Recognizing John Williams RetiredFrom US ArmyISubmitted By Petra Williamswould like to highlight my husband, John Williams, M.Ed., SFC, US Army Retired, Military Book Author, Educator,and Humanitarian.I would like to share a few of manyamazing things he has done in his life protecting our nation and setting the example. In our society, as a caring human being, father, grandfather, and husband.My husband, SFC ® John Williams, was born in Kansas City Kansas. He joined the Army in January 1978 after finishing high school early, at J.C. Harmon High School in Kansas City Kansas. Enlisted in the Army as a Lance Missile Crewman and was assigned to the 1/333 Field Artillery in Wiesbaden Germany. During his 25.5 years of total service, on active duty and in the Army Reserves, my husband held a variety of leadership positions, including being selected as an NCO of the year in 1994 and awarded countless times for exceptional leadership, knowledge and skills with Missile and Rocket weapons.Historical Notes:My husband and his platoon in Wiesbaden Germany, guarded the American hostages from Iran at the American Hospital in Wiesbaden in the 1980s and in 1995, while serving in the Army Reserves as a member of the first class of AmeriCorps, as a student at6Submitted By Mariska KhalikovIsent to Phuoc Vinh, Vietnam, 1st Calvary division, to serve. His loving family worried, but we were so fortunate. He returned to us physically and mentally unharmed.In 1971, Larry left the Army as a soldier and continued working as a civil servant for the Dept. of the Army for another 35 years. I (Mardi Haefling - his wife of 50 years as of April 21, 2023) had his undying love, devotion, and respect.He was always there for me, our son, and daughter whenever we needed him. He attended all our children’s functions and showed them how proud he was of them. I have always said that he is a better mother than I am.In 1979, I went to work for the Dept. of Defense and began to travel overseas forn 1968, Larry Haefling, was drafted into the U.S. Army while teaching in Cherokee, Kansas. In 1969, he waswww.heloteshighlights.comSubmitted By Edward QuisenberryIt was a characteristic of my father. He was in the U.S. Army for 26 years and retiredCSM,Ft.Lewis,Washington. As a family we had traveled, as many military families did during that era, from postto post. He had served overseas during wartime two times in Viet Nam. Yet, he did not talk about his experiences there. It wasn’t until after my mother had passed away thatMy Father - continued on page 7 July 20236 months at a time, while he stayed home. Our trust in each other equals 100%. I am now bedridden, and he cares for me daily with the same love and devotion, as we approach80!Hehasalwaysbeen“TheWind Beneath My Wings.”Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, while attending an AmeriCorps conference a few blocks from the federal building in OKC. “Assisted, first transponders for the initial two weeks, at the OKC Bombing and received an Oklahoma state award for his humanitarian service support, during that dark period in American history.My Father & What I Never Knew Until ...