Abraham Lincoln said, "A nation that does not honor its heroes will not endure." And honoring our lost comrades is very important to us.

And in that vein, our post has a rich history in a historic area of central Texas. In 2005 there were over 2,754 veterans living in Milam County, three of whom are former Prisoners of War (POWs). Veterans represent over 15.5% of our county population. The national average is only 12.7% of county residents being veterans.

From World War I through the Vietnam War, more than 2,120 men and women from Milam County have served in the United States Military Forces. They have been steadfast, dependable, and aggressive in the defense of their country.

Post History

Our historic timeline is deeply rooted in tradition. In 1938 a group of local veterans, realizing the need for a Veterans of Foreign Wars in the Cameron area, began organizational meetings. By later that year, 23 men applied for a charter. On October 19, 1938, the Ben Milam Post #2010 was instituted in Cameron, Texas.

In 1973 we constructed and moved to our present 7,000+ ft² location. In 1981 we enlarged the building, adding a canopy and a back awning four years later. In 1996 we paved our parking lot, and in 2002 we rebuilt the stage.

We have had a great group lead us, and look forward to many more years. Please also see our history of the Ladies Auxiliary, a vital component of our team.

Charter Post Officers in 1938

History of Ben Milam, for whom our post is named

MILAM, BENJAMIN RUSH (1788-1835). Ben Milam was born in Kentucky in 1788. He enlisted in the militia there, later fighting in the War of 1812.

A man with no formal schooling, Milam became an entrepreneur, moving to Texas six years later. In Texas he traded with the Comanches on the Colorado River. There he also helped fight for Texas independence from Spain.

In 1824, Milam became a Mexican citizen and a colonel in the Mexican army. Later he helped Texas fight for its independence, primarily in helping take Goliad and then San Antonio.

It was this quest to help the army capture San Antonio that led to Milam's most famous quote. He had learned that the army did not want to advance and then asked the troops, "Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?"

Milam found hundreds of volunteers and that early December a five-day attack ensured. On December 9, 1835, the Mexican army surrendered the city.

Unfortunately, midway through the siege, Milam was shot in the head by a sniper and died.

Sixty three years later, in 1897, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas honored Milam with a monument at his gravesite in

Milam Park, San Antonio. In 1976 the marker was moved and the original grave site forgotten. But, in 1993, a grave was found that is now believed to be Milam's.

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