A Patriots Hall for Dripping

For Dripping Springs veterans, the dream of having their own building is beginning to become a reality thanks to the efforts of local volunteers who have undertaken the gigantic task of building a “Patriots’ Hall.”

Both the American Legion and VFW are currently meeting at the old Stephenson Building (the old Hays County Precinct 4 Office just left of the Masonic Lodge Building on Mercer), and have been seeking a more permanent facility. However the new building will go beyond providing a space for the American Legion and VFW, rather it will be aimed at serving an even larger need of the local veteran community.

“It’s never been done before,” Patriots’ Hall Board Director Kathryn Chandler said. “It will be the first of its kind, a ten-acre retreat for workshops and veteran events. A place designed for veterans and their families to gather. Our mission statement is to create an innovative retreat for veterans of all ages, and all military branches, to relax, socialize and find support.”

On Oct. 24, ten acres of land for the project were acquired on Hwy 290, near the intersection of Hwy 290 and Canyonwood Drive (behind the Domino’s Pizza). The next steps for the project will be raising the money to construct the building and landscaping.

The first phase of the project will be the construction of a 3,500 sq. ft. main building which will serve as a main gathering hall, and a second 1,000 sq. ft. “accent hall” which will serve to house the Dripping Springs VFW and American Legions posts.

The second phase will be landscaping. It will include a fishing pond, BBQ area, vegetable garden, basketball court, campsites for weekend workshops, fitness trail, and obstacle course.

Phase three will include the implementation of programs and activities such as therapies for veterans, art classes, physical fitness challenges, vet-to-vet mentoring, Marine led-yoga, gardening, bee keeping, equine therapy, auto-body workshop, and motivational and job networking seminars.

The final phase, phase four, will be a wellness clinic for local physician Dr. Kevin Lewis, and a part time VA liaison.

The board of directors for this ambitious project are Kathryn Chandler, Dr. Mary Jane Hetrick, Amy Doucet, Kyle Chandler, veteran Jeff Wells, veteran Ben Adair, veteran “Shorty” Barnett, veteran Robert Garland, and veteran Randy Van Camp.

The advisory board is comprised of veteran Cyla Barron, veteran J.R. Matinez, veteran Gary Hale, veteran Daniel Vargas, and Dr. Kevin Lewis.

For more information, or to find out how donate to the project, visit patriotshall.org.