Raul F Lopez Chapter 95

The History of the Raul F. Lopez Chapter #95,
Disabled American Veterans
McAllen, Texas

"A man who is good enough to shed his blood
for his country is good enough to be given
a square deal afterwards".

~ Theodore Roosevelt ~

Chapter #95 was originally chartered as the Hidalgo County Chapter #95 on March 25, 1949 with 12 Charter members, all of whom were World War II Veterans.  The name of the Chapter was changed in April 2001 to the Raul F. Lopez Chapter #95 in honor of Raul F. Lopez, a deceased member of the Chapter.  The Members unanimously approved the name change because of Mr. Lopez’s continued dedication to the Chapter and his many efforts to serve his fellow disabled veterans during his 45 years of membership in the Chapter.

Looking Back

1949 to the early 1980's - under construction and gathering information.

Hidalgo County Chapter #95 was one of six Chapters in the Rio Grande Valley.  Other active Chapters were located in Brownsville, Texas, Raymondville Texas, Harlingen, Texas, Weslaco, and Rio Grande City, Texas.  There remain three active Disabled American Veterans Chapters in the Rio Grande Valley, those in Harlingen, McAllen and Rio Grande City.  Chapter #95 was very active during the early years, raising funds and then donating them to veterans in need as well as to Veterans at the VA Hospitals in San Antonio and Kerrville.  Each year, the Chapter held a group activity to bring cheer into the hearts of Veterans who were alone in the VA hospitals.  The Chapter developed a close relationship with local citrus growers, many of whom were Veterans themselves.  The growers agreed to donate a portion of their crop to our Chapter for distribution to local Veterans and those who were hospitalized.  After the first picking, the Chapter Members and Auxiliary Members would pick the fruit remaining on the trees and deliver it locally and to the two VA hospitals in San Antonio and Kerrville.  This was no small feat because the Members would pick and deliver over twelve thousand pounds of fruit in a trailer truck!  Those Members who participated in the event said that it was a happy time – a day spent in fellowship working together to gather a special treat for their fellow Veterans.

The 1980's - under construction and gathering information.

During the 1980's, the Chapter began raising funds with the intention of purchasing land and building a building.  However, they learned that the task was greater than they had imagined.  After they had raised about $30,000, the Members, under the leadership of Commander James Bradley (1992-1993), decided that the money could be better used in providing additional services for the Veteran community in the Rio Grande Valley, an area of about 4,300 square miles.  One of the major problems that Veterans encountered was the lack of professionally trained Service Officers that could assist them in answering many questions that they had and helping them fill out the extensive paperwork required to pursue their claims.  The Chapter donated $12,000 to our Department (the State organization) to assist in recruiting and hiring someone who was willing to perform the job.  This was no easy task because it was not a matter of sending email; instead, it took a lot of paperwork and time to transmit the simplest of requests.  Actually, things have not changed that much.  If you have dealt with the Department of Veterans Affairs, you know that nothing can be done easily!  The first Department Service Officer (DSO), Mr. Carlos Rodriguez, was hired during 1987 and was trained in the intricacies of dealing with the VA.  As with any job where you are dealing with the government, it took Carlos a while to figure out the VA way of doing things.  However, his continued dedication and determination to help local Veterans made a tremendous difference in the services that were provided.  As word spread that the Disabled American Veterans now had a Department Service Officer, requests for assistance rose many times over and Chapter #95, under the leadership of Carlos Rodriguez, became known for providing valuable assistance to all Veterans, whether disabled or not.

The 1990's - under construction and gathering information.


THE NEW MILLENNIUM

Commander Johnny Najera, the Department Service Officer for the Rio Grande Valley, served as Chapter Commander between 2003 and 2005.

In April of 2005, Richard F. Aguire assumed the Office of Chapter Commander and served as Chapter Commander for three terms - 2005-2006, 2006-2007 and 2007-2008.  The fiscal year for a Disabled American Veterans chapter begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th of the following year.  During his first year in Office, emphasis was been placed on preparing and abiding by a budget with services to veterans being the highest priority.  Through the distribution of approximately 140 food boxes (purchased from the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley) and a fund specifically designated to assist veterans and their families in need or distress, the Chapter reached out to the veteran community in the local area as never before.  Additionally, the Chapter began making contributions directly to the Department (State) of Texas to defray costs of maintaining the McAllen Transportation Network and other activities carried on at the Department.  At the same time, the Chapter put forth additional effort to pay more attention to its own members.  By its name, the DAV is composed of disabled veterans, who due to age and injuries are unable to participate actively in many Chapter activities.  A bimonthly newsletter helps to keep members aware of Chapter activities and continually encourages their participation.  The Chapter has also made contact with various businesses and agencies so that the veteran receives a discount when making purchases, or does not have to go through the task of establishing a need.  Through the assistance of a very professional Community Relations Committee, the Rio Grande Valley has been made more aware of the many areas of assistance that the Raul F. Lopez Chapter #95 can provide.

INFORMATION TO BE UPDATED AND ADDED