Mary Lange, a U.S. Air Force veteran and commander of Hale-Combest American Legion Post 315 in Wylie, received the Texas Legionnaire of the Year award earlier this month. The award recognizes members whose service extends beyond their local post through involvement at the district, department, and national levels, as well as meaningful contributions to their communities.

Leadership and Community Service

Lange is perhaps best known locally for spearheading the effort to bring The Wall That Heals to Wylie in 2025. The three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., drew hundreds of visitors during its four-day stay, giving veterans, families, and residents an opportunity to honor those who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War.

Beyond that project, Lange devotes countless volunteer hours to mentoring young people through American Legion programs. She chairs the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, known as “A Constitutional Speech Contest,” and Texas Boys State for Post 315. She also serves as chair of the oratorical program for the American Legion Department of Texas Fourth District and First Division.

Lange’s commitment to veterans and community service has earned numerous honors in recent years. In 2024, she received the Congressional Veteran Commendation from U.S. Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, and was named the Wylie Area Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year. The City of Wylie also proclaimed Nov. 18, 2025, as “Mary Lange Day” in recognition of her service to the community.

Original reporting: Wylie News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.