Hall of Heroes

We end all visits by gathering in a circle and praying for all brothers sick or in distress, all veterans in hospital, and those at home and abroad.

Front row: Minerva Salinas (Air Force veteran), Melba Smith (widow of Brother Ethan Smith, WWII Army veteran), Brother Bill Elliot.

Second row: Brothers Bob Kromback. Joe Sendrowski, Eileen Endres (widow of Brother Dave Endres, Army veteran), Dan Dunn

Back row: Brothers Max Leibold, Frank Medina, Bob Procsal, Jim Finnegan, Isaac Sandoval

St. Joseph Council 8954 in Richardson every 3^rd Wednesday of the month visits veterans at the Dallas VA “Hall of Heroes” Hospital. The council has been making this visit for over 15 years. Brothers and wives gather at St. Joseph, drive down to the VA Hospital in south Dallas, and bring books, coffee and snacks when allowed by the VA. We invite the veterans to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, sing Happy Birthday to any veteran celebrating their birthday, play several games of bingo, break for snacks and drinks, and resume for more bingo games before saying goodbye till next month. Winners received quarters; all veteran wins several quarters. The council’s fraternal year budget includes a line item for $40 worth of quarters every month.

The highlight of the year is our December Christmas visit. Every veteran receives Christmas cards for St. Joseph School children; a Christmas goodie bag provided by the St. Joseph Circle of Friends that include colorful warm blankets and other items. Brothers hand out cards and goodie bags to all veterans playing bingo as well as those confined to their rooms.