Abilene VFW post remembers soldiers in Operation Desert Storm: ‘We didn’t know what was going on’

Mariah Williams
·1 min read

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6873 in Abilene held a program last Sunday, remembering the Veterans of Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War.

The program included a prayer as well as readings of the events that happened during the military operation.

‘Support needs to be out there’: Big Country Veteran and therapist reflect on PTSD awareness

Since 1987, the VFW has served as a place of community for Veterans of Abilene and its surrounding towns, and provided a safe space filled with resources for them.

Mark Bottila, a board member at VFW Post 6873, told KTAB/KRBC the benefits of the VFW are not as well known as they should be.

“A lot of Veterans do not know about our programs and what is available to them, and who is to help them, and I think that needs to be addressed so that everybody is aware of that,” Bottila said.

Hawley residents wake up to damaged mailboxes, homeowners responsible for replacement cost

Operation Desert Storm was a monumental moment in the Gulf War, becoming one of the first military operations to use advanced aircraft technologies.

Post 6873’s VFW Chaplain, Charles Bowen, recalled a pivotal time when his brother was sent to be a part of the operation.

Abilene locals recall the stories of Pearl Harbor, 81 years later

“He was in Kuwait; he was also civil affairs, just like I was. They were just trying to figure what was going on and getting what their jobs were,” explained Bowen. “We didn’t know what was going on. I knew I had to prep myself, and he was married with a couple of children. We didn’t have a lot of communication to talk to each other at that time to talk to each other.”

The VFW regularly holds programs in remembrance of different historical events for Veterans in the Big Country. They have recently undergone a new management change as well as onboarding new positions.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.