The Bandera County Commissioners Court approved a request from American Legion Post 157 Commander Susan Junker to use the Courthouse lawn for multiple events in 2025, including the National Day of Prayer and Bandera Honors Veterans.
Junker made the request during the April 10 Commissioners Court meeting, where she also presented the Legion’s Community Impact Scorecard, a tool she said helped the post secure a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The court unanimously approved the use of the lawn for the National Day of Prayer on May 1 and the Bandera Honors Veterans event on Nov. 8.
Commissioners also authorized the posting of flags around the Courthouse perimeter in honor of Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Veterans Day. Junker noted that National Police Officers Memorial Day will be recognized with a 24-hour vigil on the sidewalk above the Courthouse steps from May 10 to May 11.
Junker also highlighted the work of the Bandera County Honor Guard, a joint effort between Legion Posts 157 and 410 in Lakehills. The two posts share training and responsibilities for veteran funerals across the county.
The Community Impact Scorecard outlines nearly 50 programs and events conducted by Post 157 from 2019 through 2025.
Junker said the scorecard reflects the Legion’s focus on veterans’ affairs and rehabilitation, children and youth programs, Americanism, and national security.
“So we’ve translated that national level mission to our local community meetings,” Junker said. “Just as in government and a nonprofit organization, we are stewards of OPM — other people’s money — and it’s a best business practice to measure our community impact.”
According to the scorecard, Post 157 provides a wide range of services, including immediate assistance to veterans and families in need, commemorations for Vietnam Veterans Day, patriotic parade floats, Veterans in the Classroom programs, and monthly visits to local nursing homes.
The post also hosts quarterly community breakfasts, coordinates local blood drives, and sponsors Boy Scouts, high school scholarships, and civic engagement activities such as voter registration and get-outthe-vote efforts. Nonprofit groups benefit from the post’s support through access to facilities and opportunities to participate in community events. Beneficiaries have included the Bandera County Historical Commission, Frontier Times Museum, Bandera Pro Rodeo Association, and Texas Veterans Commission, among others.
Junker closed her presentation by thanking the court for its continued support of local veterans and the Legion’s mission.
“On behalf of the American Legion, we want to thank you for your continued support of our mission, our County Veteran’s Service Officer, and obviously our veterans,” she said.
“Thank you very much,” replied County Judge Richard Evans. “You all do a great job.”
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