Flags, Honor Flight and local outreach: El Paso veterans groups push sponsorships, claims help and events

Speakers at the Veterans Advisory Council meeting described outreach efforts aimed at connecting veterans with benefits and community supports, and solicited local sponsorships for memorial flags.

DeBo (identified in the meeting as the Veterans Advisory Board’s Veteran of the Year) told the council the Old Glory Memorial on Diana in '54 is maintained with state flags and a large flag that is raised as weather permits. "We're soliciting participation for our flags. Our flags have to be maintained and so what we would like to see is for every district that's represented to at least sponsor one flag, which is $50 for the whole year," she said. Sponsors receive recognition tabs affixed to the display.

DeBo and other speakers urged outreach to veterans who have not filed disability claims, especially Vietnam‑era veterans who were reluctant to use VA services when they returned home. "My goal right now as Veteran of the Year is start going in my district...and ask people if you're a veteran and have not filed. I'm not trying to embarrass you. I'm trying to help you," she said.

Mike Barnes, chair of the El Paso County Veterans Advisory Board, described efforts to rebuild the county board and to brief county leadership later in the month. New and reconstituted groups including a newly chartered El Paso chapter of Mu Beta Phi Military Fraternity were introduced and asked to coordinate with the council.

Lazarus Frazier, director of public relations for the new Mu Beta Phi chapter, said the organization will present a slide program next month and is seeking partnerships with local groups. Nicole Castaneda, a volunteer coordinator with Gentiva Hospice, described hospice services that include bereavement support for families for 13 months after a veteran's death and said Gentiva helps veterans connect with benefits and housing resources.

Several speakers described the Honor Flight program in Las Cruces, which sends veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam to Washington, D.C. One speaker who recently rode the flight said the trip was fully funded for the veteran and noted its strong emotional impact.

Schools and youth engagement were highlighted: Don Haskins Middle School students presented cards they had made for veterans; council members said those cards were distributed to inpatient veterans at William Beaumont and in other veteran programs.

The council also heard practical event planning information: a Borderplex Veterans, Family and Caregiver Expo is scheduled for March at the Starlight Center; the council plans a live claims clinic staffed by two Texas Veterans Commission claims representatives. Council staff said vendor slots remain and that attendee walk‑ins will be accepted at the expo.

Community members asked about a publicly maintained directory of veteran‑owned businesses. Council staff said no active list exists now but agreed to start compiling one for quarterly review and verification.

Several attendees asked about hospice authorization timing, and council members asked the VA and hospice providers to follow up on individual cases.

"We would love to coordinate and collaborate with any organization out here in El Paso," said Lazarus Frazier of Mu Beta Phi, summarizing the tone of several community presenters.