7/28/2025
Squadron 208 Donation Acceptance Letter
7/27/2025
Good morning Kevin,
I thought it was time for an update so here we go.
FEMA has moved in and has ran a bunch of volunteers off of the river.
A lot of the people that have been supplying meals for people have moved out.
We still have approximately 20-25 veteran first responders that are staging from Post 208. They have told us that after the lost and missing count was dropped to 3, that 12 more bodies have been found. There were a group of about 10 homeless people on a piece of property that can’t be accounted for as well as a couple of illegal immigrants that have been added to the totals.
The town and surrounding communities have received so many donations of needed items and money that their supply stocks are full. It has truly been something to behold.
If the rest of the world had a little of the love that is happening in Kerrville right now , the world would be a much better place.
The generosity of not only Texas , but really the world has been something to behold.
The Sons have a total of 2 that have lost everything and their stories of how they got out are something out of an adventure novel. The Post and Squadron as well as the detachment donations are going to make sure these guys are going to be taken care of.
We are in the process of adding air, lighting and shelving to a 40’ connex box to be set up as a food distribution point. We have 6 connex boxes full of supplies to help out people with.
Thank you the Detachment of Texas as well as the other detachments in the US for all that ya’ll have donated and the prayers. They are greatly appreciated.
If you would like to make a monetary donation to Squadron 208 for flood relief ,send it to Max.
Thanks,
Tracy Wood
21st District Commander
Detachment of Texas
7/16/2025
Update to the things going on in Kerrville.
We have had more rain hindering the process of the search and rescue guys, latest weather report I saw was no rain predicted so we are hoping that is true.
We have been feeding and bedding search and rescue guys at our post. There are some great stories with these guys.
We are continuing to receive items from all over, Gary Sinese contacted our Post Commander yesterday, told him to get 2 more large conex boxes because his charity is getting ready to fill them up.
The sons are helping the search and rescue guys by working on their vehicles and helping them get what they need.
We are KerrvilleStrong and will have our Sons meeting this evening in my shop. One of the search and rescue guys from Dallas will be attending his first Sons meeting.
One of the first camp kids to be found was my buddies niece. They had the funeral last Saturday and approx 1000 people showed up for the funeral.
We appreciate the detachment of Texas keeping Kerrville in your prayers.
Will keep you updated,
Tracy Wood
Adjutant
Sons of The American Legion
Squadron 208
7/16/2025
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7/8/2025
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7/8/2025
I just received the following from Tracy Woods, 21st District Commander, member of squadron 208 in Kerrville:
GUIDANCE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP
Kerrville officials invited the public to monitor the City's Facebook Page for the latest developments from the area.
Officials are also issuing guidance to the public regarding offers of assistance. They issued the following statement on Sunday:
"We have had many offers of volunteer support. At this time, we have all the resources we need. We are compiling a volunteer list if and when we need to call on volunteers. Salvation Army Kerrville is the point of contact for that volunteer database. Go to tcr.communityos.org or call 830-465-4797. We do not need food or water donations at this time. Monetary donations can be made at the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.
Tracy wrote the following:
The Salvation Army, Red Cross and the churches around Kerrville are full of food, clothes, water, etc., and our Post is full. We had 2 more 18 wheelers come in this morning that we knew of. I heard that Marble Falls has a problem with flooding, and we are going to take a couple of trailer loads of stuff from Kerrville up to Marble Falls. We appreciate everyone and everything that everyone has done. We have a Son that is going to be cooking for 500 in Hunt this weekend and passing out HEB gift cards, Walmart gift cards and Visa gift cards to the first responders and those affected by the flood. So, if you would like to help out with that, you can either bring a check to the Convention or you can mail a check to Jean "Max" Maxwell. Thank the Department and the Detachment for everything they have done and for all of the prayers.
Kevin Winkelmann
Detachment Adjutant
7/8/2025
SE Region
I contacted Texas SAL leadership to determine where we can send monetary donations to assist with repair, rebuilding and other necessities in this time of need. Detachment of TX Commander Geroge Alva and PNC Kevin Winkelmann provided me with this information.
Please earmark the checks/money orders/etc. Kerrville/Guadalupe River Disaster.
send them to:
Squadron 208
c/o Jean "Max" Maxwell
710 N Creek Rd.
Comfort, TX 78013
I thank you on behalf of The American Legion Family here in Texas, but most especially from our friends in Kerrville.
The Southeast region is strong and resourceful and I know we will come to the aid of our brothers. Thank you for any way you are able to help.
Also North Carolina has once again been inundated with heavy rains as well from Chantal please keep them in your prayers and efforts to assist.
Finally if you want to donate physical items Kevin will relay that information to me once they have a location setup that can receive physical donations.
John C. Lawrence
Sons of the American Legion
National Vice Commander Southeastern Region
1964m20e@gmail.com
7/7/2025
Good morning, Detachment of Texas members. By now, I know everyone has heard of the devastation and loss of life this past Friday in Kerrville. I know for a fact everyone is curious and also wants to know how we can help Kerrville. After personally talking with Squadron 208, here is what they have asked us to do. No matter what else you have heard from anyone in the Detachment, please follow this request. Squadron 208 has asked that we just wait for them to let us know what they need. Whether it is money, food, water, personal belongings, without knowing themselves and with all the confusion that is happening at this moment, they cannot honestly say what is the most important item(s) they need at this very moment. Also, Tracy Wood has said he will forward me a short note on the situation by Wednesday, which I will forward out to the Detachment, so the members of Squadron 208 does not have to explain what is going on to 75 different people at convention. Tracy will also let us know what is priority in terms of what is needed first and what we can do as a Detachment. Tracy asked each of you to be patient and wait for Kerrville to address us. I will forward more information as I get it. Tracy did say that all Post, Auxiliary and SAL members are accounted for and that the Post home was not damaged. If anyone has been to Kerrville Post 208, you know the Guadalupe River is just down the hill from the Post.
Kevin Winkelmann
Detachment Adjutant
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