VFW Post 8904 & the Auxiliary

VFW Post 8904 & the Auxiliary "No One Does More for Veterans" There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them,and they were left to care for themselves.

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United S

tates. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000.

Each year in honor of Flag Day, VFW Post 8904, Center, replaces the United States Flag at the Senior Nutrition Center, L...
06/13/2026

Each year in honor of Flag Day, VFW Post 8904, Center, replaces the United States Flag at the Senior Nutrition Center, Loop 500. Yesterday, Friday, June 12, a brand new flag was hoisted and will proudly fly for the next 12 months.

Honoring the service to our country of US Army Air Forces World War II Veteran, Sergeant JULIUS JAMES “CURLEY” YATES ON ...
06/13/2026

Honoring the service to our country of US Army Air Forces World War II Veteran, Sergeant JULIUS JAMES “CURLEY” YATES ON THE 15th year of his passing. Born in Joaquin, Shelby County, Texas to Minnie Florence Gray And Elbert Arnold “Bud” Yates.

He served as an aerial photographer in the European Theater. These photographers played a critical role in World War II by providing essential intelligence through reconnaissance photography, which shaped military strategies and operations. Operating under hazardous conditions, they flew over enemy territory to capture high-resolution images of fortifications, troop movements, and infrastructure, often at low altitudes and without fighter escorts. These photographs enabled Allied forces to map enemy defenses, plan invasions like D-Day, and assess bombing raid effectiveness, significantly enhancing situational awareness. Their work, combining technical skill and bravery, saved countless lives by informing precise military decisions and reducing the element of surprise for the Allies.

Curley died at the age of 88 and is buried with his wife Juanita in the Lone Cedar Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas. Day is done, God is nigh.

Recognizing the contributions to the nation of US Army World War II Veterans, Edward Nathan Whiddon, Jr. on the 40th ye...
06/13/2026

Recognizing the contributions to the nation of US Army World War II Veterans, Edward Nathan Whiddon, Jr. on the 40th year of his passing. Born in Joaquin, Texas to Mildred Veatrice and Edward Nathan Whiddon, Sr. Seven sisters and two brothers.

He served from January 25, 1943, to honorable discharge November 25, 1945. The service Edward Whiddon and of countless other individuals during World War II stands as a profound testament to courage, sacrifice, and patriotism, as millions from all walks of life united to defend freedom and justice against tyranny.

He retired from the Southern Utilities Company in Tyler, Texas.

Edward passed at the age of 63 and is buried in the Sholar Cemetery, Joaquin, Shelby County, Texas. Day is done, God is nigh.

Honoring the service to our country of US Army World War II Veteran, Private JAMES WILLIAM GOODSON on the 51st year of h...
06/13/2026

Honoring the service to our country of US Army World War II Veteran, Private JAMES WILLIAM GOODSON on the 51st year of his passing. Born in Shelby County, Texas to Lena Ophelia Hughes and Jobe Bennett Goodson.

He was inducted on September 22, 1942 at the age of 39, he served to honorable discharge on February 5, 1943.

James died at the age of 76 and is buried with his wife Neva Odell Cannon in the Rather Cemetery, Hurstown, Shelby County, Texas. Day is done, God is nigh.

Honoring the life and service to our country of US Army World War II Veteran, Technician First Grade A. D. GARY on the 3...
06/13/2026

Honoring the life and service to our country of US Army World War II Veteran, Technician First Grade A. D. GARY on the 36th year of his passing. Born in Carthage, Texas to Delia Jane Camp and Andrew Washington Gary, Sr.

He enlisted in the US Army in Edna, Texas 6 months after Pearl Harbor on June 10, 1942. He arrived in the China-Burma-India Theater in January 1943 that was under the command of Lt. General Joseph Stilwell. The General cited A. D. Gary for heroism in combat when he and one other soldier drove bulldozers into a successful assault on the enemy and was awarded our nation’s third high award for valor, the Silver Star. On March 3, 1944 he was also wounded in action. Honorably discharged June 16, 1945.

A.D. died at the age of 71 and is buried with his wife Margaret Love Poff in the Legion Memorial Cemetery, Newellton, Tensas Parish, Louisiana. Day is done, God is nigh.

Honoring the life and service of World War I US Army Veteran Private Fred Jackson McDaniel on the 66th year of his passi...
06/11/2026

Honoring the life and service of World War I US Army Veteran Private Fred Jackson McDaniel on the 66th year of his passing. Born in Deadwood, Panola County, Texas in the year 1892 to Robert and Callie Griffin-McDaniel he grew up on a farm with six siblings.

After registering for the draft in June 1917 he married Miss Della Goodman in August and was inducted into the Army the following year on June 23, 1918. After basic training at Camp Travis, Texas he was assigned to Camp Sheridan, Alabama and company H. of the 67 Infantry where he spent the rest of his enlistment. Private McDaniel was honorably discharged on December 4, 1918 with a 25% service connected disability. He was awarded the World War I Victory Medal and the honorable discharge lapel pin.

He returned to a life of farming in Shelby County and after wife Della’s death in 1926 he married Dovie Keith on December 7, 1928. Working at the Garrison Lumber Company he registered for the WW II draft in April 1942. Fred passed at Shelby General Hospital, Center, Texas of heart disease on June 12, 1960 at the age of 67, and now rests in the Jackson Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas. Day is done, God is nigh.

(Photo restored Google Gemini 3.1 AI)

Remembering Civil War Veteran Joseph Shepherd on the 128th year of his passing. Served as a Private with the 168th Geor...
06/11/2026

Remembering Civil War Veteran Joseph Shepherd on the 128th year of his passing. Served as a Private with the 168th Georgia Militia, Confederate States Army.. Passed in Timpson, Texas at the age of 74.

The 168th Georgia Militia, part of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, was a loosely organized unit typical of Georgia's militia forces, which were often raised locally to supplement regular Confederate troops. Specific details about the 168th are scarce, as many militia units, including this one, lack comprehensive records in historical sources like Joseph H. Crute, Jr.'s "Units of the Confederate States Army." These units were generally composed of local men, often from specific counties, who enlisted to serve in regional defense roles, especially during key campaigns like Sherman's March to the Sea in 1864. The Georgia Militia, including units like the 168th, played a significant role in battles such as Griswoldville and the defense of Atlanta, though they were often under-equipped and faced heavy losses against Union forces. Without detailed records, the 168th's specific actions remain obscure, but it likely contributed to the broader efforts of Georgia's militia to resist Union advances. (Source Grok 3).

Joseph died at the age of 71 and is buried in the New Prospect Cemetery, Timpson, Texas. Day is done, God is nigh.

We commemorate the service to our nation of Private First Class WELDON ARTHUR HENDRICK of the U.S. Army, a World War II ...
06/11/2026

We commemorate the service to our nation of Private First Class WELDON ARTHUR HENDRICK of the U.S. Army, a World War II Veteran, on the 52d anniversary of his passing. Born in Timpson, Texas to Ethel Beatrice Wallis and Arthur W. Hendrick. Two sisters, Lassie Doris and Myrtle.

He enlisted into the US Army in Houston, Texas August 11, 1943 and served to honorable discharge May 9, 1946. Assigned to the European Theater.

Weldon died at the age of 57 and is buried with his wife Lydia in the New Prospect Cemetery, Timpson, Shelby County, Texas. Day is done, God is nigh.

Honoring the life and service to our country of US Army Air Forces Technical Sergeant THOMAS EDWARD SPARKS, JR. on the 1...
06/11/2026

Honoring the life and service to our country of US Army Air Forces Technical Sergeant THOMAS EDWARD SPARKS, JR. on the 12th year of his passing. Born in Rusk County, Texas to Ora Lee and Thomas Edwin Sparks. Graduated with the Timpson High School class of 1939.

He served as a radio operator-gunner aboard B-24 Liberator Bombers in Europe with the 466 Bomb Group. Awarded two Air Medals for aerial operation missions over enemy territory.

Note: The 466th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was a United States Army Air Forces unit activated on August 1, 1943, and stationed at Attlebridge, Norfolk, England, from March 1944 to July 1945. Flying B-24 Liberator bombers as part of the Eighth Air Force's 2nd Air Division, the group, nicknamed the "Flying Deck," conducted 231 combat missions and over 5,600 sorties, dropping 12,914 tons of bombs on strategic targets across Germany and occupied Europe, including marshalling yards, oil refineries, aircraft factories, and other key infrastructure. Their first mission, a daylight raid on Berlin on March 22, 1944, was the longest initial mission flown by any group in the European theater, earning a commendation from Lt. Gen. James Doolittle. The group also supported tactical operations, such as attacking Normandy pillboxes on D-Day, bombing enemy positions during the St. Lo breakthrough, and aiding the Allied advance during the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhine crossing.

The 466th faced significant losses, with 333 personnel killed in action, 171 taken as prisoners of war, 8 evading capture, and 27 interned in neutral countries, while losing 47 aircraft in combat. Notably, the 785th Bomb Squadron achieved a remarkable record, flying 55 consecutive missions without a loss. After their final mission on April 25, 1945, targeting a transformer station at Traunstein, the group returned to the U.S. in July 1945, was redesignated as a Very Heavy bombardment group, and began training with B-29 Superfortresses at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before inactivation on October 17, 1945. Their contributions were commemorated with memorials, including one dedicated in 1992 at Attlebridge and another at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Thomas died at the age of 91 and is buried with his wife Elma Elizabeth Brown in the County Line Cemetery, Eulalie, Rusk County, Texas. Day is done, God is nigh.

Honoring the life and service of US Army World War II Veteran Sergeant Nolan Anderson who was killed in action in France...
06/11/2026

Honoring the life and service of US Army World War II Veteran Sergeant Nolan Anderson who was killed in action in France 82 years ago. Son of Jeff and Ethel Moore-Anderson Anderson of Joaquin.

He joined on November 28, 1939, and served with the 507 Parachute Infantry that was part of the famed 82 Airborne Division. The regiment arrived in the United Kingdom in late 1943 and began training and preparing for the invasion of Normandy Their D-Day objective during Mission Boston, part of the American airborne landings in Normandy, was to help secure the Merderet River crossings. Although their target was supposed to be in Drop Zone T, north of Amfreville, the confusion caused by clouds and flak resulted in a wide scattering of the unit. Six days after D-Day he was killed in action. The 507th PIR’s participation in D-Day was marked by courage, resilience, and adaptability in the face of a disorganized drop and fierce German resistance.

Originally buried overseas Nolan’s remains were returned to Center in October 1948 and he now rests in the West Hamilton Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas. Day is done, god is nigh.

Address

617 Highway 96 N
Center, TX
75935

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19363320349

Website

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