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Patriots’ Hall of Dripping Springs, a veterans’ retreat and resource base, will officially celebrate its opening with a ribbon cutting on National Armed Forces Day, sponsored by the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce.
The celebration will take place at the retreat at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 21. The event will commemorate the finished construction of Patriots’ Hall’s first building: the 1200 sq. ft. Meeting House. This building will house two veteran groups: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2933 and American Legion Post #290.
For both of the local groups, having a home base for meetings, gatherings and other events will be a welcome change of pace, said Jerry Martin, commander of VFW Post #2933.
“Since VFW Post #2933 was formed some 25 years ago, we’ve met in churches, schools and city properties,” Martin said. “Although we are grateful for the support from the community, we have never been blessed to have a permanent home – until now.”
Patriots’ Hall embarked on a large-scale, local fundraising effort over the past few years, with a current end goal of $7.3 million, according to its website. Its construction is expected to take place in five phases: main buildings, property renovation and landscapes, wellness clinic and Veterans Affairs claims assistance, veteran development workshops and seminars and annual operating budget.
“Thanks to Patriots’ Hall of Dripping Springs we now have a place to call our home,” Martin continued. “We look forward to serving our veterans and our community from this facility and these grounds so graciously given by patriots who hold veterans in high regard.”
The event will also posthumously recognize John Allen McCarty, a local veteran who served in World War 2 and was honored with a section of dedicated highway in August of 2021. The approximately 10 miles of highway extend west from the east side of Dripping Springs to the Hays-Blanco county line.
“McCarty was a young man that grew up right at the county line in Henly,” explained Gary Hale, founder and charter member of VFW #2933 and American Legion #290. “He joined the army during World War 2 and was sent to the Philippines as part of the air defense auxiliary.”
“Those guys were eventually captured by the Japanese,” he continued. “After three or four years in a POW camp, he survived it, came back and lived in Dripping Springs.”
For more, visit patriotshall.org.
