On Jan. 4 I received a phone call from Mr. Juan Amaya from our local veteran service officer. A the time I was out of town. He informed me that on the night of Jan. 3 the house of one of our local veterans had burned to the ground. Mr. Amaya informed me that the family was in distress and all their belongings were lost in the fire. They got out with only the clothes they were wearing. Luckily, they evacuated the home in time.
After learning about this veteran’s circumstances, I contacted Mr. Vic Sabala, our group secretary, and advised him to make contact with this veteran and see what he needed the most.
After meeting and discussing the needs of this veteran and his family, they were taken to one of our super patriotic merchants, the Walmart on Ruben Torres Boulevard. At this store the Warriors United in Arms were able to buy school supplies and clothing for the whole family (nearly $1,000).
The Warriors United in Arms also helped partially pay for six funerals during the pandemic. We also were called from Baytown to assist with funeral expenses for a veteran’s wife who died out of state. We have bought space heaters for older veterans in the past. We have had calls from out-of-town Veterans Administration offices to assist veterans who needed transportation to Utah and Colorado.
On March 26 the WUIA were able to build a handicap ramp for another disabled veteran. This time we partnered with Home Depot Store #6984 off the expressway. Not only did they provide the materials, but they also assisted in the construction of the ramp. Present from Home Depot were Edward Gonzalez, Lee Roy Sanchez, Ron Bohmer and many others. Our city commissioner from District 3 who showed up was Mr. Roy De los Santos. Without his help this project not have been done. We want to thank Mr. De los Santos for helping us in this project and caring for veterans and veterans’ issues.
If anyone cares about veterans and wants to help, contact us on Facebook: Warriors United in Arms Brownsville Veterans.
The WUIA stands ready to help any other veteran. After all, we are veterans helping veterans.
Tony Garcia
Brownsville
Constitution
and weapons
What I understood Republicans to say after the shooting in Uvalde is that being strong defenders of the Second Amendment trumps human life and empathy for victims. They are pleased with themselves for their stand on the Second Amendment despite the deaths of innocent children.
Central to the issue of mass shootings is an assault weapon. An assault weapon has been central to many mass shooting. Mental health, school security, police, prayer, laws in other states and religion are subordinate to the fact that an assault weapon is used to kill innocent people in mass shootings.
I suggest a national ban on assault weapons. One of the initial steps in mass shooting is the purchase or the acquisition of an assault weapon. Any solution that does not address assault weapons is not a solution.
Believe in the Second Amendment and focus on assault weapons, the common denominator in many mass shootings. The Second Amendment has been worshiped to the point it has become part of the formula for mass shootings. To disrupt the cycle of mass shootings we must get rid of their primary component, assault weapons.
How long will this political ideology be a death sentence for many Americans?
Richard T. Grant
Brownsville
