SAN ANTONIO – (Feb. 17, 2019)

Legionnaire Willie Foster, 96, the oldest member of Fred Brock American Legion Post No. 828, was recognized for his service during the annual Miss Black San Antonio Scholarship Pageant held at the Carver Community Cultural Center.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1922, Foster served in the U.S. Army from 1942–1946 during WWII.
Before enlisting, he graduated from Wheatley High School in San Antonio and attended Cuney Elementary and Douglas Middle Schools.
After his discharge from the Army at the rank of sergeant (quartermaster), he worked on Fort Sam Houston Army Base as a furniture mover. He then began working at Kelly Air Field in 1952. He then began working as a male nurse at the Fort Sam Houston Hospital.
Foster is a Prince Hall Freemason with Star Tom Lodge No. 100, a life member of Moussa Temple No. 106 (Prince Hall Shriners), and a deacon with Mount Sinai Baptist Church.
Foster stated that it felt great to be recognized.
“This was a tremendous gift,” said Foster to more than 400 guests in attendance. “Not only for myself but as a representative of Fred Brock American Legion Post No. 828.”
The Miss Black San Antonio Scholarship Pageant is a paramount showcase and production, described as the Dynamics of Pageantry Competition Training, that is offered to career-oriented young African-American women.
The contestants represented include college-bound students, vocational skills trainees or military-based enlistees who display a stellar performance in modeling, talent and public speaking.
The winner will receive financial assistance to pursue their career goals and free hair salon services for a year, and will serve as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Greater San Antonio Community for a year.