Dedication at Austin Memorial Park

Austin Memorial Park is the cemetery American Legion Travis Post 76 visits on Memorial Day to plant American flags by the grave markers of veterans. I participated last year. One marker I saw was for someone who had served in the Spanish-American War. I've been told there are some veterans dating back to the Civil War.

One of the ladies at the Post, Sharon Blythe, has been working for many years to gain recognized historic status for the cemetery, in an effort to prevent the City of Austin selling off part of the cemetery - a section which is apparently the resting place for many veterans - for some other purpose. She and Rescue Austin Memorial Park will be hosting a dedication this Saturday, April 24, 2010, at 10:30 in the morning for the marker recognizing Austin Memorial Park as an Historic Texas Cemetery. Among the veterans interred there is LCpl. Nicholas S. Perez. Sharon would like to see as many people attend the dedication as possible, to help show City of Austin officials that this cemetery is important to the people of Austin. If you can, please come out to show your support. Austin Memorial Park is located at 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin, Texas.

Fundraiser to benefit LCpl Nicholas S. Perez Elementary's Library

American Legion Auxiliary Travis Unit 76 is holding a fundraiser. It was decided we would donate the proceeds to help the library at LCpl Nicholas S. Perez Elementary School. Perez Elementary is a newer school, so there is much empty space on the bookshelves. A new school gets a limited number of books, and it takes time to expand beyond that, especially for a school with many families of lower socio-economic status. Our Auxiliary wants to help fill those shelves.

So....the prize is a customized cross-stitch of the service emblem of the winner’s choice that will be framed along with a photo of the selected service member. This is an example of what you could win.


Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. You can purchase raffle tickets by mail. Make your check payable to American Legion Auxiliary Travis Unit 76. Mail it - along with your contact information so we can send you your raffle tickets and contact you if you win - to:

ALA Travis Unit 76
c/o American Legion Travis Post 76
PO Box 1214
Austin, Texas, 78767.

Jeremy Kane Benefit Run April 2010

My friend Carrie, who posts over at Villainous Company from time to time, sent a link and asked for help in spreading the word on this.

The Jeremy Kane Benefit Run will take place on Sunday, April 25th "at 10:00am sharp at Cherry Hill East High School" in Cherry Hill, NJ.

From the website for the run:

Lance Cpl. Jeremy Kane was a student at Rutgers-Camden studying Criminal Justice and Political Science. He had joined the Marine Reservists on September 11, 2006 because "he felt that every American had the duty to give back to his country."

When his Reserve Unit was activated for deployment, Jeremy was hesitant leaving his mother behind, as Jeremy's Father recently passed away from stomach cancer. Shedding his reluctance, Jeremy Kane deployed with enthusiasm because he knew it was the right thing to do. For this, Jeremy Kane made the ultimate sacrifice for his family, and country.

We will all run to raise a monument for Jeremy Kane, and other students and graduates of Rutgers who have also sacrificed their lives in the interest of our protection. We ask that you join us on April 25, 2010 to celebrate the fact that such heroes have not passed, but lived.

So, if you are in the vicinity and are willing and able, please considering either participating in the run, or contributing to this cause.