Angelo State History Students Recreate San Angelo VFW's Warrior Gallery

SAN ANGELO, TX — A team of history students from Angelo State University has created a new exhibit honoring local veterans and their military service. The “VFW Warrior Gallery,” a permanent feature at San Angelo VFW Post 1815, showcases artifacts and displays related to veterans’ participation in military conflicts. The post is located at 125 S. Browning St.

To introduce the gallery, VFW Post 1815 will host a series of showcase events, beginning with an advance media viewing on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 4 p.m.

“The ASU students will be on hand to answer questions about the project, and VFW members and staff will be available to discuss the gallery and post operations,” said John Wojtkun, commander of VFW Post 1815.

The student team began the project in March 2025 by familiarizing themselves with the post and its collection. They cleaned and organized display cases, inventoried and researched artifacts, and verified their historical relevance. Several model planes were mounted from the ceiling, and new display cases were added. Students also interviewed VFW members about their military service.

The recorded interviews will be featured in a future video display to complement the physical exhibits. Over the course of three months, students worked evenings and weekends compiling, arranging, and cataloging what is now the VFW Warrior Gallery.

The gallery’s introduction will include three key events:

• Tuesday, June 24 at 4 p.m.: Media Advance Viewing, with a chip-and-dip bar provided.
• Tuesday, July 1: Independence Day-themed Veterans Project Report (VPR), including a ribbon-cutting ceremony for VFW members, veterans, and families. A sandwich buffet will be served.
• Thursday, July 10: Community Open House for the general public, featuring a hot and cold buffet.

The VFW’s mission, as established by Congress, is to foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts and to serve veterans, the military, and local communities. The organization advocates on behalf of all veterans to ensure they are respected for their service, receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for their sacrifices.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a fraternal, nonprofit service organization composed of eligible combat veterans and military service members from active duty, guard, and reserve forces.