ABOUT
Post 911 Hunter Morris
Cedar Park Post 911
American Legion Hunter-Morris Memorial Post 911, located in Cedar Park, was chartered on April 27, 2010, to serve veterans and their families across the western region of Williamson County and the North Shore communities of Central Texas. As an active American Legion post, Post 911 is dedicated to supporting veterans, promoting patriotism, and strengthening the local community through service, remembrance, and youth programs.
The post is named in honor of two local veterans whose lives reflect sacrifice and service. Matthew Morris, a 23-year-old U.S. Army Specialist from Cedar Park, was killed in action in Iraq in 2008 while serving his country. Vernon Hunter, a Vietnam veteran and longtime Cedar Park resident, lost his life in February 2010 during the tragic attack on the Echelon Building. Their legacy remains central to Post 911's mission and its commitment to honoring those who have served.
The charter members selected “911” as the post number to commemorate the lives lost during September 11 attacks and to serve as a lasting reminder of American resilience, unity, and patriotism. Today, American Legion Post 911 continues to support veterans in Cedar Park, Leander, and the surrounding Williamson County area through community events, memorial ceremonies, and programs such as Boys State and youth leadership initiatives.
American Legion Charter:
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness and service. As the nation’s largest veterans service organization, the American Legion supports millions of veterans, active-duty service members, and their families across the United States.
Through local posts such as American Legion Hunter-Morris Memorial Post 911 in Cedar Park, the organization plays a vital role in strengthening communities throughout Williamson County and Central Texas. Its mission focuses on mentoring youth through programs like Boys State, promoting patriotism and civic responsibility, advocating for veterans’ benefits, and supporting a strong national defense.
The American Legion remains committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans while fostering leadership, community engagement, and continued support for those who have served.
Matthew Morris
Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris, a 23-year-old soldier from Cedar Park, was killed in action in 2008 by a roadside bomb in Baghdad, Iraq while serving his country. Assigned to Fort Hood, Spc. Morris represented the commitment and sacrifice of Central Texas veterans serving in the Iraq War.
Before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2005, Morris attended Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Virginia, where he spent more than a year developing both discipline and a passion for learning. During his time there, a history teacher inspired him to pursue a future in education. According to his mother, Lisa Morris, “After his service, he wanted to go back to school and earn a four-year degree to become a teacher. He wanted to make a difference and give back to the community.”
Morris was known for his pride in service and his love of motorcycles. His dedication to the Army was evident to everyone around him. “He walked taller in his uniform, and you could see the pride he had in his service even when he was in a T-shirt and shorts,” his mother recalled.
In recognition of his sacrifice, the United States Congress moved to honor his legacy. A resolution introduced by Congressman John Carter passed the U.S. House of Representatives, calling for a Cedar Park post office to be renamed in his honor. The resolution received unanimous approval and moved forward in the legislative process.
Today, the memory of Spc. Matthew Morris remains a lasting part of the Cedar Park community. A bronze statue honoring him stands at Veterans Memorial Park, serving as a place of remembrance for residents and visitors alike. His legacy continues through the work of local veterans' organizations, including American Legion Post 911, which remains committed to honoring those who have served and sacrificed.
Vernon Hunter
Vernon Hunter, a longtime resident of Cedar Park, was a Vietnam War veteran whose life reflected both dedicated military service and a deep connection to his Central Texas community. In February 2010, he was tragically killed during the attack on the Echelon Building, which housed offices of the Internal Revenue Service. The incident shocked the region, not only for its violence, but because it claimed the life of a veteran who had already given so much in service to his country.
Hunter served in the United States Army for more than twenty years, completing a career defined by discipline, endurance, and commitment. His service included two tours during the Vietnam War, one of the most demanding and complex conflicts in American military history. Like many veterans of that era, he carried the lasting weight of combat while continuing to serve honorably until his retirement. His experience placed him among a generation of soldiers who operated in difficult terrain, under uncertain political conditions, and often returned home without the recognition their service warranted.
Following his military career, Hunter built his life in Central Texas, becoming part of the growing Cedar Park community. Those who knew him remembered not only a veteran, but a steady and reliable presence shaped by years of responsibility and service. His death in 2010 represented more than a tragic loss; it marked the passing of a man whose life bridged military sacrifice and meaningful community contribution.
Today, the legacy of Vernon Hunter endures through the memory of his service and the example he set. His story reflects the enduring connection between military duty, and the lives veterans build afterward, grounded in resilience, responsibility, and a continued commitment to serve others.