Chapter Projects
The veterans of Chapter 553 continue to serve with their involvement in supporting the Thomas E. Creek Veterans Hospital; the four Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs offered at area high schools; The Texas Panhandle War Memorial (TPWM); and, other projects that honor the Panhandle’s veterans.
Thomas E. Creek Veterans Administration Hospital:
- The VA Amarillo Healthcare System provides health care services at 5 locations serving northern Texas and eastern New Mexico. The facilities include the Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center in Amarillo and 4 community-based outpatient clinics in Clovis, New Mexico, and Childress, Dalhart, and Lubbock, Texas.
- Chapter 553 donates funds for the VA’s Housing First Program to provide household goods and personal hygiene items for homeless veterans that are transitioning to permanent housing.
- Funds are provided by Chapter 553 to assist the VA Hospital’s Clothing Room in purchasing coats, underwear, winter clothing and personal hygiene items for homeless Veterans.
- Chapter 553 contributes funds to be used for recreational purposes benefitting the veterans living in the VA Hospital’s Community Living Center.
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
- Chapter 553 supports the four area JROTC programs by sponsoring a leadership award which is presented annually to one outstanding cadet at each of the four high schools.
Texas Panhandle War Memorial and Education Center
- Chapter 553’s veterans support the Texas Panhandle War Memorial both with financial assistance and with contributions of their time. The Texas Panhandle War Memorial and Education Center attempts to honor all veterans; in addition to informing and educating the public concerning the wars and conflicts that the United States has been involved in.
Other Projects
Designating Texas Panhandle Counties as Purple Heart Counties
In early 2019 Chapter 553 began soliciting the twenty-six County Commissioners’ Courts of the Panhandle to approve a proclamation designating their county as a Purple Heart County. Chapter 553 felt this was a way for the County Commissioners to honor and recognize all veterans residing in their county. To date, Chapter 553 and the Commissioners of
Other projects that MOPH Chapter 553 has done for Veterans and their families of the Texas Panhandle.
Designating Texas Panhandle Counties with Purple Heart Proclamations.
In early 2019 our chapter started out getting proclamations signed by County Commissioners designating their county as a Purple Heart County. This is a way the various 26 Counties of the Texas Panhandle can honor and recognize all veterans who served in the military that live in their county. To date our Chapter has designated Gray County, Wheeler County, Potter County, and Randall County as Purple Heart Counties. We presented a very nice road sign that they can put up entering the county and signed a proclamation.
Sgt. Cameron Meddock Memorial Project:
Cameron Alexander Meddock was a 2011 graduate of Spearman High School where he played football and ran track. In 2014 Meddock enlisted in the United States Army. Meddock trained as an infantryman; became airborne qualified; and then successfully completed Ranger training. January of 2019 found Sergeant Meddock on his second deployment to Afghanistan. On January 17 he was shot by a sniper during an operation in Badghis Province. Evacuated to Germany, Sgt Meddock succumbed to his wounds on January 19.
To honor Sgt. Meddock’s sacrifice, Chapter 553 and the following organizations came together to create a memorial at Spearman High School.
- Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 0900 - Lubbock, Texas
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1475 Auxiliary - Amarillo, Texas
- America - Celebrate, Honor and Serve Organization - Amarillo Texas
- Krause Landscape Contractors - Amarillo, Texas
- Osgood-Lagrone Monument Co. - Amarillo, Texas
An engraved bench flanked by trees was placed on the Spearman High School grounds honoring Sgt Meddock.
Medal of Honor recipient Thomas E. Creek Challenge Coin Project
MOPH Chapters 553 of Amarillo and Chapter 0900 of Lubbock teamed to have a Challenge Coin created for the Creek family and in a special presentation at the Thomas E. Creek Veterans Hospital in Amarillo to present brother and family members the Thomas E. Creek coin.
While serving as fire team leader, Thomas Creek was killed in action on February 13, 1969, near the Cam Lo resettlement village. Creek's squad was escorting a convoy of trucks bringing supplies to Vandegrift Combat Base when it was ambushed. While under enemy mortar (weapon) fire, Creek moved to a position to attack the hidden enemy, engaging in a fire fight. While moving to a better position, he was shot in the neck and fell into a gully near fellow Marines who had taken cover; a grenade landed between Creek and the other Marines. Creek rolled on top of the grenade and took the full force of the blast, saving the lives of those around him.
LCPL Seth Huston Challenge Coin Project
Seth Huston was a 2003 graduate of Perryton High School. Upon graduation, Huston enlisted in the Marine Corps. As part of the 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, LCpl Huston, deployed to Iraq in 2004. On August 21, 2004 LCpl Huston and his unit engaged hostile insurgents in al-Anbar Province. In the ensuing firefight LCpl Huston was killed.
To honor LCpl Huston’s sacrifice, MOPH Chapters 553 of Amarillo and Chapter 0900 of Lubbock commissioned a challenge coin for presentation to his family.
MOPH Chapter 553
Proclamations
This proclamation is given to counties supporting veterans in their county.
Whereas, the people of the county have given admiration and the utmost gratitude for all the men and women who have selfishly serve their country and this county in the Armed Forces; and
Whereas, veterans have paid the high price of freedom by leaving their families and communities and placing themselves in harms way for the good of all; and
Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women from the County who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedom and way of life enjoyed by our citizens; and
Whereas, many men and women in uniform have given their lives while serving in the Armed Forces; and
Whereas many citizens of this county have earned the Purple Heart as a result of being wounded while engaged in combat with an enemy force, construed as a similar meritorious act of essential service, and
Now therefore, be it resolved at the county court hereby proclaims the county as a Purple Heart County, honoring the service and sacrifice of our nations men and women in uniform wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.
If possible, can you put a statement at the end of the article about donating to MOPH Chapter 553 so we can continue to support all veterans and their families of the Texas Panhandle? Donations would be sent to our Chapter Finance Officer Mendell Schelin at 7102 Rochelle Ln. Amarillo, Tx 79109
Please let me know if you need any more information from me about our Chapter or Mission.