HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022
Thank You for your support and contributions during 2021. Because of Each of You, Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans was able to continue our Mission of Helping Others. As we enter the 2022 year, please stay Safe and Healthy.

GET READY 2022 SGVHV Events

Relay for Life (Cancer Killeen & Copperas Cove)
SGVHV School Supply Drive
SGVHV Golf Tournament Fundraiser
SGVHV Gospel Show
SGVHV Thanksgiving Food Bag Giveaway 
SGVHV Christmas Holiday Support Giveaway   

 

Star Group Veterans Team attended the grand opening of GO Car Wash located at 1807 E Hwy 190, Copperas Cove Texas. 

The festivities included free car washes and continental breakfast.  They even offered discounted monthly car wash passes to everyone in attendance. The Car Wash offers Free vacuums, Free mat cleaning machine and Free use of towels for drying your car!

Stanley Davis, SGVHV Advisory Committee member had noticed the activity and inquired about the opening of the Car Wash.

Chris Murphy, Go Car Wash general manager invited Star Group Veterans Team to attend the Grand Opening. 

Many of the Star Group Veterans members came out; who would skip a Free car wash. During the Grand Opening, Sheila Timmons and Stanley Davis were visiting Chris Murphy and he shared they found there was only one car wash in town so it was decided to go ahead and get another one up and running and today is the day they were doing it. Chris shared they want to be a part of the Community by giving back and offering a good car wash facility for the entire community. We also met Robert Perez HR Business Partner (Marketing) for Go Carwash Texas Region  

We also found Chris Murphy and Brenden Blanding are both veterans. Thank You for your Service! 

We welcome GO Car Wash to the Copperas Cove community!

This year was the second year for SG-VHV to give away backpacks. Mr Mitchell, a Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans Advisory Committee member, was contacted last year by a teacher looking for backpacks for their students, so Mr Mitchell ran the idea past the group. The group gave away 50 backpacks last year. 

During the 2021 year, SGVHV voted to do this again but increase to 150 backpacks. Each backpack was filled with all of the supplies listed on the CCISD school supply list. 

The backpacks were divided into two age groups - sixth grade through high school and kindergarten through fifth grade. There were 100 bags for the secondary class group and 50 bags for the elementary group. 

Due to the continued Covid pandemic, the backpacks were distributed through the Drive By method. Information of the bag giveaway was distributed by SGVHV Team members and area nonprofits. 

People who were in need of a backpack contacted a SGVHV Team member and were placed on a list and informed of the day and time to drive by the Star Group Veterans building to get their backpacks. 

Ms Rose Williams brought her grandchildren, who are in fourth and second grades. She said she was so grateful for Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans. “I think it’s awesome, because I’m a veteran myself, so I count it a blessing that the Community has this type of group and they’re here to reach out to help.”

No weather has been able to cancel the laying of the Wreaths on the graves of those who served our country. And Saturday Nov 27, 2021  was no different even with the rain and inclement conditions; still thousands came out to participate at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery Wreath for Vets laying. 

This touching Events is an honor for a moment to pay respect to the Veterans who have gone before us. It’s a small sacrifice to symbolize that their lives and what they gave is not forgotten.

Star Group Veterans Wreath for Vets Lead Team consisting of Ms Powell, Mr Spencer, Ms Bridges, Mr Robinson and Ms Robinson along with approximately 15 additional SGVHV members were on hand to help lay wreaths. 

Prior to the laying of the wreaths, there was a cemetery to honor the Veterans with Maj. Gen. Steve Gilland, Fort Hood deputy commander, giving the keynote address. He thanked Jean Shine, the founder of Friends of Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery (commonly known as Wreaths for Vets), for beginning the tradition of laying a wreath at every gravesite every year since 2007. Thanks to her vision every veteran’s grave has a wreath which is very unusual. Without her and the community this wouldn’t be possible. As of 2021, there are approximately 12,500 veterans and family members interred at the cemetery, every headstone represents a veteran. “But the headstone signifies much more than just name and rank,” Maj. Gen. Gilland said. “In this cemetery, each stone represents a lifetime of service to our nation, going far beyond their time in uniform. It represents the support of thousands of military families, as well as the sacrifice and the grief that they, too, have endured over the years. Remember “It signifies freedom and the American way of life that has been defended so valiantly by these veterans as you lay your wreaths.”

 Maj. Gen. Gilland and Command Sgt. Maj. Cliff Burgoyne, the top enlisted soldier at Fort Hood, laid the first wreath at the base of a fallen soldier monument. Star Group Veterans members Mr. & Ms Anderson son, SSG Mecolus C. Mc Daniels  listed on the wall. 

 The monument, which depicts a pair of boots, with an upright rifle and a combat helmet on the butt of the rifle, is the center of a group of other monuments that bear the names and photos of Fort Hood soldiers who have lost their lives in the line of duty during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

After fulfilling their obligation, Star Group Veterans members went to the grave of each of our deceased members, to ensure there is a wreath laid and we said a prayer thanking them for their military service and commitment to the Star Group Veterans Organization. 

SGVHV MEMBERS 

1. David Lehmkuhler (SGVHV Member) Died 2013

2. Willie Gordon (SGVHV Member) Died 2013 

3.James "Don"Bailey (SGVHV Member) Died 2015

4. Earnest Peel (Spouse of SGVHV Member) Died 2015

5.Willie Browning (SGVHV Member) Died 2016

6. Elijah King Jr (SGVHV Member) Died 2017 

7.Katherine Gordon (SGVHV Member) Died 2019 

8.Gainwell “Jimmy” White (SG-VHV Member) Died 2020 

9.Donald “Don” Walker (SGVHV Member) Died 2021

10.Henri Grenier, (SGVHV Member) Died 2021

11.Mark Mello (Spouse of SGVHV Member) Died 2009

12.Keith Pullins (Spouse of SGVHV Member) Died 2009

13.SSG Mecolus C. Mc Daniels (SGVHV Honorary Member & Son of SGVHV Member)  Died 2011 (In line of Duty)

14.Suzanne Belland (Relative of SGVHV Member) Died 2012

15. Naomi Lynette Robinson (Daughter of SGVHV Member), Died 2018

SG-VHV deceased members graves at other area 

1. Jacqueline Stabler (SGVHV Member) Died 2013 (Location-Killeen Memorial)
2. Margie Williams (SGVHV Member) Died 2015 (Location-Killeen Memorial
3. Jimmie Hensley (SGVHV Member) Died 2017 (Location-Copperas Cove Cemetery)
4. Rudy Rodriguez (SGVHV Member) Died 2017 (Location-Lampasas)
5. Carol Golding SGVHV Member     Died 2019 (Location-Copperas Cove Cemetery) 

The wreaths will stay in place until Jan. 8, 2022 when volunteers will return to the Cemetry to pick the wreaths and put them in storage.

Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans gave away more than 500 turkeys and bags which included all the trimmings during its annual Thanksgiving Basket distribution. 

Due to COVID-19 precautions, the number of people inside the group’s headquarters was limited to Sponsors, Representatives from area community organizations and Special Invited Guest only; instead like in past years when all the actual 500 families would come to pick up their baskets. 

Each person entering the building underwent Covid protocol. 

Mayor Diaz welcomed everyone to Copperas Cove and said SGVHV was the fabric of the City of Copperas Cove and helps not only Veterans but the entire Community. 

Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans received several donations on the distribution day as well. The Fort Hood Area Association of Realtors presented the group with a check for $5,500 which Ms Timmons indicated was very much appreciated and needed due area food shortage and pricing increases. She indicated SGVHV had a scare when they were unable to get the turkeys and food items due to the food shortage. But Ms Timmons said “God always prevails” and they were able to fulfill their mission. 

After the presentations and donations, Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans Vice President Mr. John Robertson handed the first “official” Thanksgiving bag to CCISD Representative Shelly Brown who passed it to Killeen ISD Representative JJ to represent the partnership between Copperas Cove and Killeen and shows no division between the city’s.  

The turkeys and bags were distributed with CCISD receiving 60 bags and Killeen ISD (which covers Killeen, Harker Heights and Nolanville) receiving 150 bags to go to students within HARP. Also distribution was done through area non-profits and veteran organizations.

Each family received a turkey plus a bag with corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, yams, cornbread mix, cake mix, frosting, gravy mix and rice. 

But none of this would be possible without the Star Group Veterans Team Members and Mr Robertson and Mr Mitchell who took the lead on this Event. Mr Mitchell ind he had some awesome SGVHV Members who helped all the way, from purchasing, picking up food, putting together bags and the actual distribution. Again SGVHV shows it takes a Team!  

Also our Premier Corporate Sponsors who continue to always support us on Every Event.  If you are in need of any Services provided by these Sponsors we ask that you try them as they continue to support the Community and You. 

PREMIER CORPORATE SPONSORS 

PCSI, Inc 

JR Rentals 

Linnemann Realty

Viss Family Funeral Home 

All American Chevrolet 

Century 21 Premier Realtors CC

AFGE Local 1920

AFGE District 10

Additional Bag Sponsors 

SGVHV Members

Regina Wesson 

John Sanders

The French Family

Sharon & Joe Tabor

Home Place Floors - Lampasas 

ReFresh Spa

Central Texas College 

Veterans United Mortgage 

Crawford Bowers Funeral Home

Oliver Bros Transmission

AVAC is in charge of Victory Corner and Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans has been awarded the privilege  to maintain Victory Corner for November and December. 

It is truly an Honor to be able to decorate this Monument for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. 
SGVHV Advisory Committee Member, Mr. Micheal Barker handles the decorations and care on behalf of Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans Team  

The “Victory Corner“ monument was placed at the corner of the West Fort Hood entrance and Texas Highway 190, to commemorate the Citizens who gather at the corner all hours of the day and night to Welcome Home the 26,000 soldiers returning from Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

We salute Everyone who stood at Victory Corner to support our Troops

GOLFERS Needed for SG-VHV Veterans Day Golf Tournament Fundraiser on FRIDAY, NOV 5, 2021

Please SHARE & circulate to all Golfers. We need teams and/or single Golfers.

This is a Fundraiser to help feed 500 families for Thanksgiving. The baskets will be given out at the Star Group Veterans building. 

GOLF EVENT INFORMATION:

DATE: Friday, November 5, 2021

Registration: 8:30 - 9:30am at Hills of Cove Golf Course Copperas Cove

Hole In One (Vehicle) sponsored by All American Chevrolet Killeen 

Four Person Scramble Team … Singles welcome we will try to make a Team

Shot Gun Start at 10:00am

Cost: $75 Per Person (Lunch Included)

18 Holes // Cart Fee (Included) // Green Fees (Included)

REGISTRATION INFORMATION: 

Pre-Registration Call Ms Timmons 214-676-8871

Pre-Registration (In-person) Five Hill Golf Course located at 1408 Golf Course Rd. Copperas Cove, Texas

Web-Registration: www.sg-vhv.org and pay using Pay Pal and enter team members in the remarks section.

Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans, hosted a three part Event honoring Cancer Survivors, Memorialized those gone and Thank Veterans for their sacrifice for our Freedom… Happy Independence those at our headquarters in Copperas Cove.

It was the organization’s first in-person event since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

June is National Cancer Survivors Month, and a few cancer survivors were in attendance to share their stories and be honored by the organization.

Mr John Cook organized the lunch for cancer survivors and also sits on the advisory council for the Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans organization. “The Event means a lot to me because a lot of people don’t know the story of cancer survivors,” Cook said. “We want people to know that a lot of cancer survivors are still here, and we want to keep them in our prayers and honor them. It feels so great to have our first in person event again.”

We were very fortunate to have three awesome speakers, in Ms McKinney, Ms Mims and Ms White share their Cancer Journey.

Ms. Avis White was first diagnosed with cancer in 1994, and then again in September 2012, when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 capillary thyroid cancer, and just two months after that, she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.  “I have been cancer free for about three and a half years,” White said at the luncheon. “I have bouts with fatigue, but that comes with the territory, but these cancers were survivable; it just how you choose to live the rest of your life. She said she celebrates Every Day as her birthday♥️

Ms. Barbara Mims shared her journey which was complicated y her father being diagnosed and passing away months later with the same type of cancer.  Mims was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003. After surgery to remove the caner, she received a clean bill of health in 2004.  Her father was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004 - on the same day she told him her cancer was gone. He away the following year.

Ms. Vivian McKinney, a breast cancer survivor, shared “I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2005, and now have been a survivor for almost 16 years,” McKinney said. “It is great that they held this lunch for survivors, but it is also to get the word out for people to know what they need to do, because it can happen to anybody at anytime.  “You don’t fully understand until it happens to you. She commended Darnall Army Medical Hospital for everything they did for her. In the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wear pink every day.”

 Mr. Gregory Johnson, one of Bell County’s justices of the peace, attended to show support.  “It was a great opportunity for me to come and show support for this great organization: Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans,” Johnson said. “They are one the premier nonprofit veterans community service organizations in this area, and they go above and beyond to help veterans. It is also great to come out listen to some of these survivors who have overcome so much.”

Sheila Timmons, the executive director of the organization, offered her thoughts on the event.  “It is great to be able to do events again and see smiles on people’s faces she said.  Many of the group’s big events, such as for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, were canceled this year and last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Star Group-Veterans Helping Veterans members were excited to attend the ribbon-cutting celebration for the recent renovation of the Copperas Cove Utility Administration building. 

The new building (newly renovated) is beautiful and truly a smart economic decision. The new building is state of the art and very modern and conducive for all citizens. 

The community watched as Jo Ann Perez, Utility Administration manager, snipped through the ribbon.

“It’s been a good transition,” Perez said as people toured the newly renovated facility. “The public is real receptive to the new building.”

Since transitioning back to the building at 305 S. Main St., the Utility Administration has grown its number of staff from three to 13.

“The staff has been amazing,” Perez said. “They like it, we’re all in one building, so it’s all positive; it’s been really good.”

“Several years ago, when we moved out of this building, the expectation was we’re done with this building,” said City Manager Ryan Haverlah. “In fact, city council actually gave direction that once we moved out, there was the possibility we would sell this building and this location and be out of it.”

Great decision To Renovate not Sell & Smart Financial decision

SGVHV Memorial Day Ceremony Canceled

Each Year Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans pays tribute and honor to every fallen soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live free.

We host a Ceremony which includes the Community, area Mayors and City Council and other Veteran Organizations who come together in reverence of Memorial Day.  This year due to Covid -19 social distancing directives we will not have our Memorial Day Ceremony. 

We at Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans, hope each of You and your Families make time on Memorial Day to Honor those who sacrificed for all of us. 

Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans members in our individual personal ways will pay tribute and honor to every fallen soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live free. 

REMEMBER ... All Gave Some and Some Gave All...Also, Some We Know BUT All We Owe.
STAY TUNED for our IN PERSON Reunion Honor/Celebration Event on Saturday, June 28th