Texas Association of the Mexican War Veterans

Founded by Alexander M. Kenaday in 1874, the National Association of Veterans of the Mexican War (NAVMW) sought pensions from the United States government for veterans of the Mexican War. Republicans in Congress continually resisted approving the pensions because numerous Mexican War soldiers had later fought for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. However, Congress finally passed a service pension act for the veterans in 1887. Since the U.S. government had only awarded medals to two Mexican War generals, Winfield Scott and Zachary Taylor, the NAVMW awarded medals to its members. Several states, including Texas, established their own branches of the association and handed out their own medals as well. The groups also met annually from 1874 to 1910 and sought to preserve battlefields and erect a national monument.

Source:

...