Llano Military News Group holding Armed Forces Rally Day on May 17

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

LLANO — Several years ago, Llano resident and military mom Tommi Meyers created the Llano Military News Group to connect service members to their home town and vice versa.

Members of the nonprofit organization hope they can take it a step further by honoring local service members May 17 during the Armed Forces Rally Day at the Llano County Courthouse in the downtown square. It starts at noon.

“This is a chance to get together and recognize our soldiers and armed forces members who grew up in Llano County or graduated from Llano High School,” said Allyn Rub, the Llano Military News Group president. “We put this Rally Day together fairly quick, so I’m not sure how big it will be, but I’m hoping people will show up and show their support for our hometown service members.”

Rub said Meyers started the group as a way to keep her son and others who were in the military informed about what was happening in Llano County.

“But it’s also a way to let people here know about our service members,” Rub said.

Rub became involved with the group when he was serving as president of a Llano American Legion post. The Legion offered a place for the group to meet and support it.

The military group has undergone changes with Meyers stepping down to devote more time to her family, Rub said, but the purpose remains the same: support local service members.

The group sends care packages to local soldiers and service members as well.

Members initially scraped by on what they could manage to get from donations and other means, Rub said.

Now, as a registered nonprofit, Rub said the organization has begun to step up its fundraising activities.

“Now, we’re up and stable,” he said.

Officials would like to build their list of Llano County residents or Llano High School graduates who are serving in the military. But the big hope is to get as many people at the rally as possible to honor local service members.

“They deserve our support and thanks,” Rub said.

daniel@thepicayune.com