First-ever Post Installed at Active Military Installation

First-ever Stateside Post Opens on an Active-Duty Military Installation at Ft. Hood

OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF CSM A.C. COTTON

POST #12209 are elated to be a part of establishing this ground-breaking new Post. The installation ceremony for VFW Post 12209 at Fort Hood’s Phantom Warrior Center was held on Friday, January 7, 2022.

The Post, officially named CSM A.C. Cotton VFW Post 12209 after the first African-American Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Cavalry Division, is the first VFW on an active-duty military installation in the United States. Cotton passed away September 7, 2021, in Killeen.

Lt. Gen. Pat White, III Corps and Fort Hood Commander, and Cotton’s family members, VFW members, and soldiers attended the event.

Members have expressed that they feel their Post is better suited to support and serve activeduty service members and their families since they will be able to engage with them on a daily basis—from within their offices to their motorpools—and while active-duty performs Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS).

As the military constantly evolves, the Post stays abreast of the changes by being present for briefings including welcome briefings, monthly briefings, service/family members briefings, and Soldier and Family Readiness Groups (SFRG).

Post 12209 says it will do everything in its power to change the perception of what some have of the VFW in order to better position itself to be a pillar in their new community and to offer the best support possible to veterans of all ages.

Post 12209 spans all grades from E-3 to 09.

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Willie Keller, Post 12209 Commander (center), was an integral part in

bringing this Post opening to fruition. (photo courtesy Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS))

Willie Keller, Post 12209 Commander, poses with some of Cotton’s family

members, VFW members and active-duty military. (photo courtesy DVIDS)