SDN: June 23, 2026

Field of Honor flag dedications now available in Seguin

Community invited to keep supporting local effort

(Seguin) -- Community members are again being invited to honor military personnel, veterans and first responders during the annual Field of Honor display in Seguin.

The patriotic fundraiser returns this weekend, and organizers are now selling flag

dedications that will be displayed as part of this year’s field at Faith Lutheran Church. Seguin will be only one of two locations in Texas in which a display will be available during the Fourth of July holiday.

Connie Ramirez, one of the event coordinators, Field, pg. 2

Christian Cupboard shares list of urgent food donations needed from the community

(Seguin) -- The Christian Cupboard is making an urgent appeal to KWED listeners as the demand continues to rise for food donations.

Executive Director Regina Lee says the nonprofit food pantry is seeing the increased need, especially with more children at home during the summer.

Although the organization recently

made the decision to leave the San Antonio Food Bank, Lee says the move was made to better meet the needs of local families.

“Yes, we broke away from the (San Antonio) food bank. Yes, we realized it was a conscious decision. We’ve talked about that.

Donations, pg. 3

Field, continued.

says each flag dedication costs $35 and provides a meaningful way to recognize those who have served.

“To dedicate a flag, it can be dedicated to a military member, a veteran, a first responder. They are $35 to dedicate a flag. And what that means is we will tag that flag with the honoree’s name, branch of service, and the flag will fly in the field for the duration of the event,” said Ramirez.

Following the event, she says supporters get to keep the entire display.

“Once the event is over, the flag, the pole, and everything are theirs to take home,” said Ramirez.

Ramirez says proceeds from the fundraiser remain in the community and will again support local veterans.

“The money raised from these flag dedications -- we always pick a veteran organization to donate the money to. So. this year it is going to the DAV Chapter 61 here in Seguin. And so, all the money stays local,” said Ramirez.

This year’s event marks the fifth time Seguin has hosted a Field of Honor display. Organizers say they will post 250 American flags in recognition of America’s

250th birthday celebration. In previous years, the display has featured between 700 and 1,000 flags.

Ramirez says community support remains important, even for those who may have previously purchased a flag.

“The point is to continue to honor these individuals, but also to help out the local veteran community. And that’s the purpose of the dedications of the flags,” said Ramirez.

She says dedications can also be made in honor of veterans and service members in general, rather than a specific individual.

The easiest way to purchase a flag is online through the Healing Field website at healingfield.org/event/ seguin-tx. Organizers encourage those waiting until the last minute to contact a committee member directly because online purchase reports can be delayed. One of those committee members include Donna Smith at 830534-5448.

Opening ceremonies for the Field of Honor which will include free hot dogs, ice cream and kids games are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27 at Faith Lutheran Church. Faith Lutheran Church is located at 1326 E. Cedar St.

Donations, continued.

If anyone has questions, feel free to call me so we can talk it through. One of the main reasons is that they didn’t have what we needed. So now, I’m asking the community to go out and flood H-E-B, Walmart, Costco, and Sam’s because I need tuna, I need mac and cheese at any point. I need corn and string beans as always, spaghetti sauce, spaghetti pasta -- those are my main needs right now. The bread, the eggs, the milk, I can do that. And I have that. But these other little things that fill in orders for us, I definitely need. And I know if you put it on the air this afternoon, when somebody comes here this evening or tomorrow, somebody’s going to use this drop box and they’re going to have whatever I want in there,” said Lee.

In addition to food items, Lee says the pantry also provides personal care products that are also desperately needed by local families.

“So, I’m definitely at the point where I’m asking the community. I’m asking the churches to look online and decide what they’d like to take on as a project. We do give out soap, shampoo, toiletries. We do help our homeless.

Think in terms of what you need and what you like and desire,” said Lee.

Lee says even small donations can make a big difference.

“So, think about yourself and as you shop and I know everything is high -- if you put in one extra item and just drop it into the drop box, if you have a lot of stuff, let us know. Somebody can come open up for you,” said Lee.

Lee says she also encourages families to consider creative and fun ways to give.

“The community always shows up and shows out. But I’m asking you to (collect) during your family reunion, if the kids have nothing to do, do a scavenger hunt with them for food in the area, neighborhood, or what have you, and bring it to us because we can sure use it,” said Lee.

Donations can be dropped off at the Christian Cupboard from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays. A donation drop box is also available on the north side of the building and accepts donations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Christian Cupboard is located at 516 N. Camp St. in Seguin.

I’m sure many are already tired of reading about this saga but, when there’s disrespect and uneducated “diagnosis” of individuals that don’t deserve to be mistreated, if you don’t say something, you are part of the problem.

Before alI this mess, I was also thinking about requesting a meeting with the new Elections Administrator. My intent was to introduce myself, wish her luck with her new position. Elections administration is not an easy job. Especially in these politically motivated times. I just wanted to let her know we were looking forward to professional, unbiased and independently run elections.

But then I remembered that the Elections Office was right in the middle of running several elections and I knew they would be busy. They didn’t need any distractions, especially from me. Because when it comes down to it, no matter who I am or who I think I am, to the Elections Office, I am just one vote.

But then, the turmoil rolled in. Maybe she wasn’t the right hire. Maybe she might not have been able to do the job. Unfortunately, now we’ll never know because we never really gave her the chance to go to work, to prove herself. Even if we disagreed with her methodology or her plans for the office, why do we have to be so ugly about it? Why do we have to be so impudent? Seems like these days we always resort to trying to discredit or belittle people we don’t agree with. How do we know if she has serious issues? How do we know if she doesn’t have people skills? How do we know if she’s paranoid? Accusations without facts or proof make it sound like the accuser is the one with those faults.

And then come the Facebook postings. A desperate attempt to rally

support. The same uneducated character attacks continued. Oh Lord, is this person a psychiatrist or a psychologist? I’m sure he’s neither and obviously not qualified to evaluate other people. Perhaps he should work on reviewing himself. Regardless, if one cannot provide facts or accurate accounts of a situation, one should not be allowed to “attack” other people. “Judge not, less ye be judged.”

Then there’s an insinuation that our local news media cannot be trusted to deliver fair and balanced news. Oh come on! True they are not CNN, ABC, or FOX, but we are talking about our neighbors. Our friends. Award winning reporters. Trying to deliver our local news as best as possible. I have nothing but respect for our media sources and I support their reporting even if sometimes I don’t agree with their approach or their conclusions.

Last but not least, if one has to claim they are not a racist, guess what, you’re a racist. Who are you trying to convince me, or you. One more sentence was left out of that I’m not a racist claim. And it is “some of my best friends are Black.”

We live in Seguin, in Guadalupe County. We need each other, we depend on each other. Let’s not bring ugly into play. Let’s respect and support our community even if we don’t agree with everything that is going on. We can work through any problem if we work together as equals. Like the song says, “Sometimes you win sometimes you lose.” But let’s not lose our community. Let’s win as neighbors.

Rene S. Ramos

VITAL STATISTICS

ECKHARDT

Carl “Bubba” Eckhardt was born on August 2, 1964, to Colleen Davis Eckhardt and Carl “Doug” Eckhardt. He is preceded in death by his loving parents and grandparents. Bubba is survived by his 3 beautiful daughters, Ashley (Nicholas), Shelby, and Lauren (Braeden) who he shared with Rebecca; 4 grandsons Henry, Cooper, Finn, and Dawson; his brother Troy (Sharlene); nephew Remington and niece Olivia; and Willie Nelson (thank God).

Bubba graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Animal Science. He had a rich career dedicated to wildlife and the outdoors, from working at the San Antonio Zoo to private game ranches. His “retirement job” with the City of Seguin allowed him to share his love of landscaping and parks management while pursuing one of his favorite hobbies: scavenger hunts. Whether it be arrowheads or jewelry, Bubba was always looking for a new treasure.

Bubba lived his life loud. He loved his beer, Texas country music, and sitting outside watching his pigs. He shared his love of raising show pigs with Shelby and Lauren and continued to share his knowledge with many families around Seguin. He was an avid outdoorsman and lifelong hunter. He would tell

LOOFF

Ellen Blackwell Looff passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on December 13, 1944, in Texarkana, Texas, to Susie Glayds (Stewart) and Stanley Phillip Blackwell.

Ellen graduated from Texas High School in 1963 and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from East Texas State University in 1968. While teaching school in Houston, she met and married Wayne Looff on May 31, 1973. They have one daughter, Whitney.

Shortly after her marriage and moving to Seguin, Ellen continued her thirty-five year teaching career at Randolph Air Force Base, A.J. Briesemeister School, and Seguin High School. Later, she taught at Mary B. Erskine and Vogel Elementary School; many of those students will remember with delight her reading of Hank the Cowdog.

Ellen was the ultimate hostess at parties that Wayne and she gave at their home, celebrating occasions like Christmas, Fourth of July, dinner parties, and other events. Her hobbies included reading, needlepoint, crewel, and crafting. As a member of Faith Lutheran Church for over 50 years, Ellen supported many activities at the church. She was also a member of the Pi Eta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and a charter member of the “Winettes,” which met every Friday afternoon after a long week of school. Other highlights of her life were

his girls that they could marry anyone they wanted as long as they had 10,000 acres and a deer blind for daddy. He loved fishing and spent countless hours on the jetties in Port Aransas. More recently, he enjoyed fishing in Giddings with the Behrens family. He never had a bad day of fishing or hunting. Even if he went home empty-handed, he’d say “that’s why they call it fishing, not catching.” He cherished any time spent with his girls & grandsons in the blind or at the fishing hole. He followed his Red Raider sports religiously, along with NASCAR and the Cowboys. Any losses or other minor conveniences were obviously a result of the full moon. Some months, the moon was full every week.

Bubba was an active member of the community, always willing to lend a hand. He loved his time on the Faith Lutheran Church BBQ crew. His seafood boils were legendary for causing chapped lips and fights over peeled shrimp. He viewed recipes as inspiration and often forgot to write down what he changed, so every meal was unique. Feeding people was truly his love language.

Bubba will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the San Antonio Zoo in Bubba’s honor.

You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary,165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

the many travels to Europe with Wayne. Ellen will be remembered for her style and grace, her kindness and compassion, and her endless love for all.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; her mother-in-law and fatherin-law, Norma “Chick” and E. C. “Pinky” Looff; sister-in-law, Linda Blackwell; and brother-in-law, Jeff Looff and wife Joan.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne Looff; daughter, Whitney Looff McClean and husband, Charlie; sister, Suzanne Sengele and husband D.X., III; brother, Ronald Blackwell; sister-in-law, Lisa Carleton and husband David; niece, Bonnie Finnigan and husband Richard; nephews, D.X. Sengele, IV, and wife Mary; Christopher Sengele, Brandon Sengele, Christian Carleton, Brett Carleton and his wife Natasha; Jeff Looff, II, and his wife Hope Herrington; several great nieces and nephews, cousins, other loving family members and a host of friends.

Visitation will begin on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church. The Reverend Jeremy Pedersen will officiate the memorial service at 3 p.m., celebrating Ellen’s life. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 1326 E. Cedar, Seguin, Texas 78155; or Seguin Public Library, 313 W. Nolte Street, Seguin, Texas 78155.

You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

VITAL STATISTICS

DASHER

www.SEGUINTODAY.com

Francis Wagner Dasher III, “Randy” age 78 of Seguin, Texas passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026. Born on May 19, 1948, in Savannah, Georgia. He was the child of Francis Wagner Dasher Jr and Barbara Jones.

As a child, Randy spent his summers in Cherokee, North Carolina at Camp Sequoyah. He also spent time going on hunts with his granddaddy and enjoyed water skiing at various lakes in Savannah. Randy graduated from Savannah High School and then enlisted in the United States Air Force. Through friends Randy was set up on a “blind date” with Elisa in August of 1969. At that time, Randy told Elisa he knew they would be married someday. In April of 1970 they married and just celebrated their 56th anniversary together. Randy then left the Air Force and settled down in Seguin, where he worked at SMI (CMC) for 39 years. There he and Elisa had two children, Robert and Jennifer. Though they only had two children, they now have eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. During their time together, Randy loved to travel with Elisa on cruises and go to Coushatta.

LUNA

Randy is survived by his spouse of 56 years, Elisa; their children Robert Dasher (Monica) and Jennifer Vasquez (Pete); grandchildren Amanda (Jeremy), Alexis (Kayla), Kaitlyn, Kallie, Emily, Madison, Brandon, MaKenzie; and great grandchildren Bentlee, Ashton, Remi, and Lena; brother Walter Dasher (Alice).

Randy is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved dogs Cookie and Lucy.

Visitation will begin on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel followed by funeral service at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Patricia Riggins officiating. A reception will be announced.

Graveside services and interment with military honors will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with the Reverend Christopher Robinson officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Vasquez, Jeremy Torres, Bentlee Dasher, Joe Paez, Angel Estrada, and Alexis Galindo.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Randy Dasher to Hope Hospice, 611 N. Walnut, New Braunfels. A special thank you to Mayrn, his hospice nurse for all the care she showed Randy and the family.

You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.

Melissa Ann Luna passed away on June 13, 2026, in Seguin, Texas. She was born on December 10, 1967. Arrangements are under the direction of Palmer Mortuary, 1116 N. Austin St., Seguin, Texas 78155. 830-379-9430.

WILSON

Frank Wilson, Sr. passed away on June 12, 2026 at the age of 92 years old.

Survivors include his childeren: Lana Wilson, Dana Wilson, and Frank Wilson, Jr.

Siblings: Louia L. Francis, Everlene Nash, Veryl Inman, Dollis Bagwell,

Manuel Wilson, Jr, and Lorraine Johnson.

Funeral services will be held Thursday 6/25/2026 at 11:00 AM at New St. James Baptist Church in Seguin, TX. A public viewing will take place at the church beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial will immediately follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX.

FDA Panel Recommends mRNA Flu Vaccine

(Bethesda, MA) -- The Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel is recommending approval of Moderna’s new mRNA influenza vaccine. The unanimous approval marks the first vaccine application approved since 2023. In February, the FDA declined to review the Massachusetts-based company’s vaccine, but changed course two weeks later. The technology behind the mRNA flu vaccine, which is being recommended for adults 50 and over, is the same used to develop the COVID-19 vaccine. The approval comes despite repeated criticism of vaccines from Trump administration officials.

Poison Centers: Social Media Trend Causing Benadryl Abuse Among Teens

(Undated) -- Poison center records show American teens abusing over-the-counter medications, including benadryl, at an alarming rate. A recent health advisory from America’s Poison Centers cited a “concerning rise” in cases of allergy and sleep medication abuse in teens ages 13 to 19. It noted a five percent jump in exposure to any substance among teens in this age group from 2024 to 2025. Cases involving sleep and allergy medications rose by 32-percent. America’s Poison Centers is urging adults to store all medications safely and out of reach of kids and teens. They also advise parents to be aware of social media trends or challenges that may encourage unsafe use of benadryl or other medications.

American Red Cross In Need Of Donors

(Washington DC) -- The American Red Cross is looking for more blood donors at a time of year that traditionally sees a dip in donations. The agency is offering 15 dollar gift cards through June 28th for those that donate and a chance to win other gift cards. Officials say donations in the summer drop as much as 30 percent because people are away and children are out of school.

Federal Court Gives Ohio Green Light To Restrict Social Media From Kids

(Cincinnati, OH) -- A federal court is giving Ohio permission to restrict childrens’ use of social media. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a ruling last Thursday which put Ohio’s parental-consent law on hold, and found the law did not violate free speech protections guaranteed by the First Amendment. The law had been put on hold at the request of the tech industry trade group NetChoice, which said it “remains fully confident” that the law will ultimately be struck down. The ruling comes as countries around the world have started restricting children’s access to ?social media over mental health concerns.

Summer Reading Experience Underway at Seguin Public Library

The Seguin Public Library is inviting readers of all ages to participate in its 2026 Summer Reading Experience, “Unearth a Story.” The free program features books, activities, special events, and opportunities to win dino-mite prizes throughout the summer. Children, teens, and adults are all encouraged to join. Registration is available in person at the library or online at Seguin Public Library Summer Reading Experience. No library card is required to participate. Participants have until Aug. 6, 2026, to complete their activity boards and be entered into drawings for raffle prizes.

National Reunification Month

SJRC Texas is recognizing June as National Reunification Month, a time to celebrate the safe reunification of children with their families and to raise awareness about the importance of family preservation. Reunification is the primary goal for children in foster care whenever it is safe and appropriate. Learn more about the services and support available through SJRC Texas.

Art Show Honors Military Veterans

The Seguin Art League will accept entries for its Red, White and Blue Honoring Veterans Art Show from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 13, at the Seguin Art League Gallery, 104 S. Austin St. The exhibit is open to league members and free for non-member veterans. The show will be on display through July 11. A Vet-

erans Art Talk reception is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, at the gallery. A prospectus can be downloaded at seguinartleague. com, or picked up at the gallery. For more information, call 830-491-0778.

Salvation Army Benefit Basket Raffle

The public is invited to support a special basket raffle benefiting the Salvation Army. The fundraiser will be held Friday, June 19, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the back of the Cascade Café at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center. The raffle features Father’s Day and Fourth of July-themed baskets, with all proceeds going to support the Salvation Army and its local mission. Community members are encouraged to stop by, purchase raffle tickets, and help support a worthy cause. Tickets are $1 each or get six for $5.

Jury Duty Cancelled for JP1

Jurors who were summoned for jury duty on Monday, June 22 for Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 are advised that jury duty has been cancelled. Those who received a summons for the 9:30 a.m. appearance do not need to report to court. For additional information, contact the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office.

Field of Honor Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary

The public is invited to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday at the Field of Honor’s Birthday Party on Saturday, June 27, beginning at 10 a.m. The event will feature guest speakers, live music by Clint Taft, free hot

dogs, chips and drinks while supplies last, plus family-friendly activities including a fish pond, duck pool, bean bag toss, coloring table and prizes for children. Flag dedications will also be available. Organizers invite the community to join them as they help kick off the Fourth of July festivities.

Junior Lifeguard Program

The Seguin Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Junior Lifeguard Class from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 25 at the Seguin Wave Pool, located at 1 Wave Pool Drive. The class is open to participants ages 9 to 15 and will teach basic first-aid, CPR, water safety, rescue techniques, communication skills and lifeguard responsibilities. Participants must be able to swim and complete a swim-tread-swim sequence. This is not a learn-to-swim program and does not provide official lifeguard or CPR certification. The cost is $40 per participant. Participants should bring a swimsuit, sunglasses, towel, water, hat and a cold sack lunch. For more information, call Seguin Parks and Recreation at 830-401-2480.

To ensure non-profit organization’s meetings and events appear in this calendar, send information to: communitycalendar@kwed1580.com, or drop off the information at the Seguin Daily News/KWED offices located at 609 E. Court St. in Seguin. For best results, submit information at least two weeks prior to the event.