Veterans Service Office
205 N. State St., Decatur
(940) 627-2470

The Veterans Service Office helps county veterans acquire benefits through the Veterans Administration. These benefits range from educational benefits, money, home loans and monthly compensation. Employees at the VSO serve as mediators who file claims and represent Wise County veterans before the VA regional office in Waco.
The office is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday.

Wise CountyVeterans Group

The aging of American veterans resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of veteran deaths and the honors of a graveside salute and flag presentation by uniformed sevice personnel became difficult for the government to provide. This became a task veterans organizations, such as the Wise County Veterans Group, proudly began performing.
Founding members of the Wise County Veterans Group signed the original by-laws Jan. 19, 2000. More than five years later, on Feb. 22, 2005, the WCVG registered as a non-profit corporation.
In addition to salutes to the fallen, the WCVG meetss at 9 a.m. every Saturday at Courthouse Cafe, Bay Landing or Johan's, takes part in Veteran's Day parades and banquets, host welcome home celebrations and makes flag presentations.
Current officers include Walt Warner, commander; Paul Lane, adjutant; Gordon Hofstra, financial officer; Art Pierce, historian; Eddie Green, vice commander; Al Smith, quarter master; and Clint Walker, chaplain.
For more information on the Wise County Veterans Group, visit its Web site at www.wisecountyveterans.org.

Wise County Veterans Memorial Park
405 N. Trinity St., Decatur

The Wise County Veterans Group planned, designed, managed and completed the Wise County Veterans Memorial Park with the help of community contributions. Ground was broken June 3, 2003, and the park was dedicated Nov. 11, 2005.
The Path of Sacrifice and Valor, beginning at the Ash Street entrance of the park, is lined by 18 bronze plaques on stone pillars that trace America's history at war from the American Revolution to today. An eternal flame, a symbol of the sacrifice needed to pay for eternal vigilance and the defense of freedoms, at the center of the the park. The names of about 1,500 veterans are etched into the bricks that form the pathways across the park such as the Path of Sacrifice and Valor I, II, III, IV, V and VI, Wise County and the Civil War, World War I and II (European, Pacific and American Theatre), the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, future veterans, honorary veterans, reserved, the Lost Battalion and Veterans Group.
The park is owned by the city of Decatur. It is open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sons of Confederate Veterans
Albert Sidney Johnston Camp No. 983

The Sons of Confederate Veterans is an organization that preserves the history and ancestry of Confederate soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The Albert Sidney Johnston Camp No. 983 meetss the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Wesley Center of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur, 201 E. Main St.
The organization sets the bronze tombstones of Confederate soldiers throughout the county. In addition, they honor the fallen throughout Confederate Soldier month in April and participate in community organizations such as the Relay for Life and Old Settler's Reunion.
Commander is Billy R. Bramlett and Adjutant is W.B. Woodruff.
SCV was founded in Richmond, Va., in 1896 to serve as a historical, patriotic and non-political organization dedicated to ensuring that the history and significance of the years 1861-1865 is preserved.
For more information on the Albery Sidney Johnston Camp No. 983 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, visit its Web site at www.texasscv.org/camps/albertsidneyjohnson983.html.

Other veterans organizations

• American Legion Post 279
  Bridgeport meet at 6:30 p.m. second Thursday
  Bridgeport Public Library
  
  
• Daugters of the American Revolution
  meet third Saturday (times and locations vary)
  
  
• Disabled American Veterans
  Chapter 70,
  2801 Hwy. 51 S., Decatur
  meet at 7 p.m. second Tuesday
  
  
• Disabled American Veterans
  Chapter 113
  204 Lake Road, Bridgeport
  meet at 5 p.m. first Monday
  
  
• North Texas Honor Guard
  204 Lake Road, Bridgeport
  meet at 5 p.m. second and fourth Monday
  
  
• Wise County Veterans Council
  2801 Hwy. 51 S., Decatur
  meet at 5 p.m. third Tuesday
  
  
• County-Based Outpatient Clinic
  located in the eastside wing of the Family Clinic
  808 W. Woodrow Wilson Ray Circle, Bridgeport
  (940) 683-2538