Organization hosts community events

Cypress-area veterans who have served abroad, along with their friends and families, have called the Cy–Fair Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8905 off Hwy. 290 a central meeting place since its establishment in the 1940s.

Scott Fabian, a veteran who served as a combat medic with the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps for 22 years, is serving his second term as commander of Post 8905 and has been a member for about 12 years. Fabian said he visited several other posts around the state before finding what he was looking for in Cy-Fair.

"I came out here and it felt like home," he said. "I've been here ever since."

When Post 8905 was first chartered in the summer of 1944, it consisted of 16 members who met several times a month in a small structure surrounded by an empty green field. After nearly 70 years of operation, Post 8905 has grown to nearly 600 members. Membership is open to any U.S. citizen who has served overseas with the Armed Forces, and a men's and women's auxiliary is open to the families and supporters of veterans for those 16 and older.

"A lot of the people around this post are not members," said Terry Fraser, treasurer for Post 8905's men's auxiliary. "When we were starting out, it was non-members who helped build this place. We have received a lot of support, and we are all like a big family."

Post 8905 was named for World War II veteran Lt. Arthur Thompson and merged with other posts throughout Houston over the years, including the Patton Post off Hwy. 6 and I-10 and the Chas Zhan Jr. Post in the Garden Oaks community off Hwy. 290. Cy–Fair's VFW continues to give veterans a place to come together, share common experiences with their community.

"This is the only place I can really go where you can get the same camaraderie as in the military," said Strick Strickland, a recent member and webmaster for Post 8905. "Even though a lot of our members are civilians, they are supporting their veterans, and that is very important."

Cy–Fair's VFW serves the community with numerous events each month, a large venue for special events and a bar open to the public. During any given week, veterans and supporters can come together for entertainment, competition or simply good conversation.

"We are always putting on something here," Fraser said. "And just about everything we do is to help something or someone else."

Community events

Cy–Fair VFW Post 8905 hosts a variety of events each month open to the public.

• Bingo is held every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:15 p.m. Cards go on sale at 6:30 p.m. Food and drinks are available.
• A monthly fish fry is held on the second Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m. $9 for fish and sides.
• Steak night is the first Friday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. $10 for a steak and potato.
• NWA Houston live wrestling is held the second Saturday of each month. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. With the first bell scheduled for 7:30 p.m. $12 advance tickets, $15 at the door, $7 children 12 and under
• A public dance is held the second Saturday of every month beginning at 8:30 p.m. Concessions and refreshments available. $5 cover

Other annual events:

• Annual barbecue cook-off
• New Year's party
• Fourth of July celebration
• Annual golf tournament

Giving back

The Cy–Fair VFW donates to several local organizations and groups, including:

• Boy Scout troops
• Girl Scout troops
• Various high schools for scholarships
• Reserve Officers' Training Corp.
• Toys for Tots
• VFW National Home for Children

Open to the public

Nearly every week, Cy–Fair VFW Post 8905 hosts events open to the public. Veterans and their supporters can participate in cook-off competitions, public dances, holiday celebrations and even live wrestling. Recurring events, such as Bingo night and coupon cutting, are hosted by the men's and women's auxillary weekly.

21902 Hwy. 290

Cypress 281-469-6632

www.vfwpost8905.org

Post Canteen Hours

Mon.–Fri. Noon–Midnight

Sat. Noon–1 a.m.

Sun. Noon–6 p.m.