Erath County Judge Tab Thompson opened the American Legion 17th District Department of Texas 2016 Spring Convention held March 19th & 20th by welcoming Legionnaires to Stephenville and the historic old Legion building at 801 East Washington. Legionnaires conducted business sessions here on Saturday & Sunday. Due to the overflow of attendees, District Auxiliary Units held their business sessions at LaQuinta.
The Traditional Saturday evening banquet & joint session was held at City Limits with guest speaker, Mayor and Legionnaire, Kenny Weldon, delivering a rousing and inspirational oration. Raffles and door prizes added to the fun and excitement with Mineral Wells Post 75 Commander Mike Brooks winning the 43” LG Flat Screen TV provided by Legionnaire Kenneth Gifford, of GIFFORD TV & APPLIANCE. The 17th District Spring Convention adjourned at noon on Sunday.
Post 240 Commander, Burton Smith by letter congratulated and expressed appreciation to all that contributed to the very successful weekend. His letter follows;
Please accept our most sincere gratitude for the support you provided in Stephenville's Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240's hosting of the annual Spring Convention of the 17th District of the Department of Texas' American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. It was an absolute success in every regard. 17th District Commander, Ken Simonton, was effusive in complementing us for the warm welcome he and his staff, and all the participating posts, received during their stay in Stephenville from the comfortable accommodations at La Quinta Inn to the goodie bags provided by the Chamber of Commerce.
Erath county Judge Tab Thompson set the tone for the event in welcoming the visiting Legionnaires and Auxiliary members to Stephenville and Erath County. The highlight for many was the banquet and dinner at City Limits so beautifully coordinated by Melissa Reed on behalf of V. W. and Cynthia Stephens who were extraordinarily generous in providing their City Hall
banquet hall, the delicious food, and an opportunity to enjoy City Limits' famous music venue afterwards.
A special thanks to the talented Margie Hartsfield for her incredible entertainment during the social hour and meal.
Mayor, and fellow Legionnaire, Kenny Weldon enthralled everyone in attendance with his inspirational address encouraging all of us veterans to continue to serve our community and our nation in the years to come.
H.E.B. came through as it always does in supporting Texas' veterans as administrator Holly Hodges generously provided fresh cold cuts and cookies after we wrapped things up on Sunday.
As Commander Simonton was departing for his return to Abilene he confided in how impressed he was with the way Stephenville embraces the American Legion family, and veterans in general, expressing his hopes that Post 240 and Stephenville will continue to set the example in hosting this convention in the years to come.
So let's plan on it again in the spring of 2019!
For God and country,
Burton Smith
Post 240 Commander
