Volunteer Spotlight

Wesley “Shorty” Salmans has spent a lifetime serving others — first through his 22-year career in the United States Army, and later through decades of volunteer service honoring veterans and their families.

Born on January 24, 1937, in Jetmore, Kansas, Shorty grew up on a farm as the third of five sons. After graduating from Jetmore High School, he joined the Army in 1956. His military career took him from Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, and later to assignments in St. Louis, Missouri, Munich and Nuremberg, Germany, and Frankfurt, Germany. He retired from the Army in 1978 at Fort Sam Houston with the rank of Master Sergeant.

After his military service, Shorty opened his own dental laboratory in San Antonio and became active in the Dental Laboratory Association of Texas, serving as president from 1988 to 1989.

Shorty later became involved with Wreaths Across America while living in Pennsylvania, helping honor veterans at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery from 2007 to 2010. After returning to San Antonio, he continued that mission at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In 2018, Shorty joined Community for Veteran Families and has been a faithful part of our organization ever since. He served as our Volunteer Coordinator from 2022 to 2024, stepping down only when medical issues required him to do so. Even today, Shorty remains a vital part of our CVF family, continuing to support our mission and encourage others through his heart of service.

Wesley “Shorty” Salmans represents the dedication, humility, and commitment that make our volunteers so special.