Our Mission

To participate in activities on National Holidays and during civic functions that honor and recognize our Veterans, those currently serving and those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

About Us

The term “Tejano” recently spurred some debate for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) because some felt it had was genre specific. The HLSR Committee defended the term, saying it was a play on the popular 50’s slogan, “Go Texan.” The Tejano Veterans Association agrees. The term Tejano is not meant to alienate or exclude, rather describe what we are- Texans, (thus Texan Veterans Association). TVA Commander Carlos Rodriguez invites all veterans who want a veteran family to belong to come to their meetings.

Our Story

The group operates in memory of a caring Screaming Eagle. NO TVA member receives any type of compensation for their work in the organization. All funds are used to assist fellow veterans in their time of need, conduct seminars and fund expenses common to most non-profit organizations.

TVA members come from all walks of life, all branches of the service, all ages, and genders- all with one mission- veterans helping veterans. Since its inception, TVA has been a very active volunteer force at the VA Hospital- particularly for Chapel service. Although the VA Hospital has a Chapel with Sunday service for various religions, many hospitalized veterans are unable to physically take themselves there. TVA members, along with the Knights of Columbus volunteer to escort patients to and from service each Sunday morning. Spirituality can be a very important part of one’s well-being so this service is crucial. The companionship TVA Chapel Volunteers provide demonstrates to hospitalized veterans that someone cares. They often visit and escort patients who have no visitors. This service is provided even on Holidays. TVA Chapel volunteers joined Texans player Brian Cushing as he visited hospitalized veterans this past Christmas Day.
During each major Holiday, TVA provides a meal to hospitalized veterans- typically the psychiatric inpatients. This past Veterans Day they cooked burgers for veterans in the hospital. During Christmas, they cooked BBQ brisket sandwiches for veterans, along with the meal they donate socks, t-shirts, and toiletry items to these hospitalized veterans throughout the year.

Outside of the VA Hospital, TVA is involved in all National Cemetery events including the Flags for the Fallen and Wreaths Across America. During the holidays, their cooking team assisted by members of American Legion Post 490 helped prepare a meal for nearly 3,000 troops in Ellington Field for the USO Christmas party. The group was also the cooking team for the Salute to Service party sponsored by the NFL, Houston Texans, and the USO. They fed over 1,500 service-members.

Last Summer, TVA took on a huge endeavor. With an aging veteran population, funeral details can be hard to find. The idea of providing this service for fallen comrades was encouraged by TVA member Dominique Ochoa, who served in the Air Force Honor Guard and started the base Drill Team while stationed in Alaska. Ochoa was part of the last salute deceased active duty service members received. Nearly a dozen TVA members are part of the Honor Guard. Ochoa teaches each of them every detail so that in case someone is absent they can fill in easily. Members practice every Monday evenings after six months members have made significant strides with their movements. Ochoa reminds them that each move must be flawless, for the grieving family is expecting them to honor their fallen loved one with the utmost respect. The TVA Honor Guard recently purchased uniforms and received a rifle and bugle donation.

This veterans group is unique in that it is an independent organization who does not report to a state, national or other formal bodies. Decisions are made by the membership with the ever so present motto- veterans helping veterans. Spouses are welcomed at each meeting and are also an integral part of the organization. TVA welcomes ALL honorably discharged veterans to join! Meetings are the 1st Weds of the month at 6 pm at HCC Southeast Campus.

Since early 2012, the TVA has been active at the Houston VA Regional Hospital volunteering in assisting patients to attend church services on Sunday and visiting patients who typically have no visitors. Through the companionship of the TVA chapel volunteers, patients appear to better respond to others around them. Their many smiles tell the story each Sunday. The TVA also donates socks, tee shirts, and toiletry throughout the year to needy patients. Our association holds several fundraisers and donations to support this activity.

The association’s annual involvement at the Houston National Cemetery has become greater with its May 2013 participation in the revived “Flags for Fallen Veterans” program. The event involves placing miniature U.S. flags at all 70,000+ gravesites the day prior to Memorial Day. It was the first time since 1999 that flags had been posted for Memorial Day at this cemetery. The association also participates in the nationwide “Wreaths Across America” program each December to insure each gravesite has a Christmas wreath.

TVA members are often invited to Houston area schools to engage in discussions with students on military life, duty and country. We also participate in the Houston VA BBQ cook off each November and have won several trophies at this event and other cooking competitions. We march in the annual City of Houston Veterans Day parade, serve as Honor Guard at funerals and are involved in a variety of other events through out the year.

September 29, 2012, TVA hosted its initial free Veterans Benefits Seminar. Guest speakers from the Houston VA Regional Office, City of Houston Department of Veteran Affairs, AMVETS, and The Vet Center were in attendance. The speakers informed the audience of what their respective agencies had to offer them.

October 19, 2013, The second seminar was held, in addition to the previous speakers, we had representatives from the VA Hospital, Texas Veterans Land Board and Texas Veterans Commission. Each agency offers specific aid and benefits to veteran. Because of the positive response to these seminars, we have made them an annual event.