    [House Document 104-20]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                      PROCEEDINGS OF THE

                 95th NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE

                   VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

                     OF THE UNITED STATES

                     [SUMMARY OF MINUTES]
                                       104th Congress, 1st Session - - - - -
                                       - - - - - - - - - House Document 104-
                                       20

                   Las Vegas, Nevada : : : August 21-26, 1994

            104th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House
    Document 104-20

                             P R O C E E D I N G S

                                     of the

             95TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

                              OF THE UNITED STATES

                              [SUMMARY OF MINUTES]

                               Las Vegas, Nevada

                               August 21-26, 1994

      March 16, 1994.--Referred to the Committee on National Security and
                             ordered to be printed

                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                                  ----------

         Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
                                               Kansas City, MO,
                                                      October 24, 1994.
    Hon. Thomas S. Foley,
    The Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives,
    Washington, DC.
        Dear Mr. Speaker: In conformance with provisions of Public
    Law No. 620, 90th Congress, approved October 22, 1968, I am
    transmitting to you herewith the proceedings of the 95th
    National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, August 21-26, 1994,
    which is submitted for printing as a House document.
                Sincerely,
                                               Larry W. Rivers,
                                                      Adjutant General.

                                C O N T E N T S

                                  ----------
                                                                       Page
    Annual Memorial Service, Sunday, August 21, 1994:
        Call to Order................................................     1
        Advance of Colors............................................     1
        Invocation...................................................     1
        In Memoriam..................................................     3
        Introduction of Speaker......................................     3
        Memorial Address.............................................     4
        Introduction of Colonel Archie T. Roberts....................    15
        Presentation of the Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor     16
          Bronze Medallion.
        Benediction..................................................    18
        Retiring of Colors...........................................    18
    Joint Opening Session, Monday, August 22, 1994:
        Advancement of Colors........................................    20
        Invocation...................................................    20
        Welcome......................................................    21
        Introduction--The Honorable Jan Jones, Mayor, City of Las        23
          Vegas.
        Greetings--The Honorable Jan Jones, Mayor, City of Las Vegas.    24
        Introduction--The Honorable Bob Miller, Governor of State of     26
          Nevada.
        Response--The Honorable Bob Miller...........................    28
        Presentation of American Flag Sets...........................    30
        Introduction of Commander-in-Chief Cramer....................    31
        Presentation of VFW Gold Medal of Merit and Citation.........    38
        Response--Ladies Auxiliary President Juanita Crowe...........    40
        Introduction--Helen Putnam Blackwell.........................    41
        Introduction--General Ray Davis, USMC (Ret.), Chairman of the    41
          Korean War Veterans Memorial Advisory Board.
        Response--General Raymond Davis..............................    44
        Introduction--Lieutenant General Claude Kicklighter, USA,        49
          (Ret.).
        Response--Lieutenant General Claude M. Kicklighter, Chairman     50
          of the 50th Anniversary of World War II Commemorative
          Committee.
        Introduction of Adjutant General Vander Clute................    61
        Response--Adjutant General Vander Clute......................    64
        Introduction--1994 National Voice of Democracy Winner........    67
        Voice of Democracy Winner--Nathaniel Bennett.................    69
        Introduction--Ian McDonough, Vice-President, Returned            73
          Servicemen's League--South Australian.
        Response--Ian McDonough......................................    74
        Introduction of the Supreme Commander of the MOC, Glen           75
          Maroney.
        Remarks--MOC Supreme Commander Glen Maroney..................    76
        Introduction of Professor Teh-Shaun Hung, VACRS..............    80
        Response--Professor Teh-Shaun Hung...........................    80
        Introduction of Dr. William Bennett..........................    85
        Keynote Speech--Dr. William Bennett..........................    86
        Introduction of General Tae-wan Chang, Korean Veterans          101
          Association.
        Remarks by General Tae-wan Chang, President of the Korean       102
          Veterans Association.
        Recess.......................................................   104
    Distinguished Guests Banquet, August 22, 1994:
        Invocation...................................................   105
        Pledge of Allegiance.........................................   105
        Introduction of Master of Ceremonies.........................   105
        Presentation of Commander-in-Chief's Gold Medal of Merit.....   110
        Response--Mr. Robert Stack...................................   113
        Presentation of VFW Americanism Award, Gold Medal and           115
          Citation.
        Response--Mr. Gerald McRaney.................................   118
        Presentation of the Dwight David Eisenhower Distinguished       119
          Service Medal and Citation.
        Response and Principal Address--The Honorable Deane R. Hinton   121
        Benediction..................................................   131
        Recess.......................................................   131
    First Business Session, Tuesday Morning, August 23, 1994:
        Call to Order................................................   132
        Salute to the Colors.........................................   132
        Opening Prayer...............................................   132
        Report of Credentials Committee..............................   134
        Report of Committee on Convention Rules......................   134
        Presentation of VFW News Media Award, Gold Medal and Citation   139
        Response--Mr. Joseph Goulden.................................   141
        Introduction--The Honorable Jesse Brown, Secretary of           146
          Veterans Affairs.
        Address--The Honorable Jesse Brown, Secretary of Veterans       147
          Affairs.
        Presentation of VFW Hall of Fame Award, Gold Medal and          158
          Citation.
        Response--Mr. Peter Graves...................................   162
        Presentation--VFW Gold Medal of Merit and Citation...........   165
        Response--The Honorable G.V. Montgomery......................   168
        Presentation of VFW Distinguished Service Award, Gold Medal     184
          and Citation.
        Response--Comrade William Radigan, Sr........................   186
        Presentation--VFW Gold Medal of Merit and Citation...........   188
        Response--Lieutenant General William G. Pagonis..............   191
        Report of Committee on National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure    195
          and Ritual.
        Report of Committee on Finance and Internal Organization.....   210
        Introduction--Diane Carlson Evans, Vietnam Women's Memorial     235
          Project.
        Remarks by Diane Carlson Evans...............................   236
        Report of Committee on Americanism and Community Activities..   239
        Winners of Insurance Drawing.................................   263
        Recess.......................................................   264
    Second Business Session, Wednesday Morning, August 24, 1994:
        Call to Order................................................   265
        Salute to the Colors.........................................   265
        Opening Prayer...............................................   265
        Report of Credentials Committee..............................   266
        Introduction of Eileen Fulton, March of Dimes National          266
          Spokesperson and Honorary Member, Board of Trustees.
        Response--Eileen Fulton......................................   268
        Presentation of the J. Edgar Hoover Award, Gold Medal and       274
          Citation.
        Response--Ms. Mayra Fausett..................................   277
        Presentation of VFW Emergency Services Award, Gold Medal and    278
          Citation.
        Response--Mr. Thomas Korlin..................................   280
        Presentation of the VFW Aviation and Space Award, Gold Medal    285
          and Citation.
        Response--Colonel Thomas Akers...............................   287
        Report of Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs.   290
        Report of POW/MIA Subcommittee...............................   295
        Presentation by the PAC Committee............................   307
        Introduction--Harry G. Summers, Jr., Cowles History Group....   308
        Remarks by Colonel Harry G. Summers..........................   309
        Presentation of Life Membership to Major Buddy Merritt.......   318
        Response by Major Buddy Merritt..............................   319
        Presentation to Adjutant General Vander Clute................   320
        Response by Adjutant General Vander Clute....................   323
        Presentation of VFW Armed Forces Award, Gold Medal and          326
          Citation.
        Response--General Needham....................................   328
        Report of Committee on Veterans Service......................   333
        National Marching Units and Parade Committee Winners.........   367
        Report of Committee on Veterans Service (Cont'd.)............   369
        Report of Committee on General Resolutions...................   372
        Presentation of Buddy Poppy Display Winners..................   383
        Winners of Insurance Drawing.................................   417
        Recess.......................................................   418
    Third Business Session, Thursday Morning, August 25, 1994:
        Call to Order................................................   419
        Salute to the Colors.........................................   419
        Pledge of Allegiance.........................................   419
        Opening Prayer...............................................   419
        Report of Credentials Committee..............................   419
        Introduction--General Wilma Vaught, President, Women in         420
          Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc.
        Remarks--General Wilma Vaught................................   421
        Presentation of James C. Gates Distinguished Service Award...   427
        Response--Mr. James Edge.....................................   429
        Winners of Insurance Drawing.................................   432
        Presentation--National Large Employer of the Year............   433
        Response--Mr. Daniel Grafton.................................   435
        Visit of Ladies Auxiliary Delegation.........................   437
        Presentation of Distinguished Service Award, Gold Medal and     442
          Citation.
        Response --Past Commander-in-Chief John Carney...............   444
        Presentation of VFW Small Employer of the Year Award.........   448
        Response--Comrade George Whitmill............................   450
        Presentation of the National Employment Service Office Award.   452
        Response--Mr. James Mason....................................   454
        Presentation by Department of the Treasury, U.S. Savings Bond   456
          Division.
        Response--Mr. Kenneth Burch..................................   456
        Presentation of VFW Outstanding VA Health Care Provider of      460
          the Year Award.
        Response--Mr. Charles Bouley.................................   461
        Presentation of VFW Outstanding Community Health Care           462
          Provider Award.
        Response--Dr. Murray T. Pritchard............................   464
        Presentation of VFW Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award..   465
        Response--Mr. Daniel W. Moore................................   467
        Presentation of VFW Post Service Officer Award...............   467
        Response--Comrade John J. Speckman...........................   469
        Introduction--Mr. Mike Lynch, General Manager, Help             470
          Hospitalized Veterans.
        Remarks--Comrade Mike Lynch..................................   471
        Introduction of Past Commanders-in-Chief.....................   473
        Recognition of National Sergeants-at-Arms....................   475
        Visit of National Home Representatives.......................   478
        Remarks by 1994-95 Buddy Poppy Child.........................   481
        Nomination of Officers.......................................   483
        Nomination of Commander-in-Chief.............................   484
        Nomination of Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief.................   486
        Nomination of Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief.................   489
        Nomination of Quartermaster General..........................   491
        Nomination of Judge Advocate General.........................   494
        Nomination of Surgeon General................................   498
        Nomination of National Chaplain..............................   501
        Salute to the Colors.........................................   503
        Closing Prayer...............................................   503
        Recess.......................................................   503
    Fourth Business Session Friday Morning, August 26, 1994:
        Call to Order................................................   504
        Salute to Colors and Pledge of Allegiance....................   504
        Opening Prayer...............................................   504
        Final Report of Credentials Committee........................   505
        Completion of Convention Business............................   506
        Nominations for National Home Trustees.......................   507
        Election of Officers.........................................   508
        Announcement of Council Members-Elect........................   528
        Announcement of Appointments by Commander-in-Chief-Elect.....   530
        Installation of Officers.....................................   531
        Presentation of Past Commander-in-Chief Lapel Pin and Gold      539
          Life Membership Card.
        Acceptance Address by Commander-in-Chief Kent................   540
        Parade of Transmittals/Report of New Posts...................   556
        Closing Ceremonies...........................................   556
        Retiring of Colors...........................................   557
        Closing Prayer...............................................   557
        Adjournment..................................................   558
                  VFW NATIONAL OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS, 1993-94

    Commander-in-Chief...............................................
    Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief...................................
    Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief...................................
    Adjutant General.................................................
    Quartermaster General............................................
    Judge Advocate General...........................................
    Surgeon General..................................................
    National Chaplain................................................
    National Chief of Staff..........................................
    Inspector General................................................
    Assistant Adjutant General, Administration.......................
    Assistant Adjutant General, Programs.............................
    Assistant Quartermaster General..................................
    Director, Accounting.............................................
    Director, Administrative Services................................
    Director, Americanism & Community Activities.....................
    Director, Emblem & Supply Department.............................
    Director, General Services.......................................
    Director, Insurance Programs.....................................
    Director, Marketing Services.....................................
    Director, Membership.............................................
    Director, National Convention....................................
    Director, Post Development.......................................
    Director, Post Services & Buddy Poppy............................
    Director, Publications & Public Affairs & Editor,
      VFW Magazine...................................................
    Director, Purchasing & Life Membership...........................
    Director, VFW Properties, Kansas City............................
    Director, Voice of Democracy & Youth Activities & Safety.........
    Administrative Assistant to Adjutant General.....................
    Assistant Adjutant General & Executive Director,
      Washington Office..............................................
    Director, National Legislative Service...........................
    Director, National Security & Foreign Affairs....................
    Director, Political Action Committee.............................
    Director, Public Affairs, Washington Office......................
    Director, Veterans Employment....................................
    Director, VFW Properties, Washington.............................
    National Service Officer & Director,
      National Veterans Service......................................
    Administrative Assistant to Washington Office....................
          REGIONAL NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION MEMBERS, 1993-94

    District 1 (ME, NH, VT)..........................................
    District 2 (MA, CT)..............................................
    District 3 (MD, RI)..............................................
    District 4 (DC, DE, EU)..........................................
    District 5 (IN, MO)..............................................
    District 6 (VA, WV)..............................................
    District 7 (TN, KY)..............................................
    District 8 (GA, AL)..............................................
    District 9 (SC, NC)..............................................
    District 10 (OK, AR).............................................
    District 11 (WI, IA).............................................
    District 12 (SD, ND, WY).........................................
    District 13 (NE, KS).............................................
    District 14 (MT, WA, ID).........................................
    District 15 (NM, CO, AZ).........................................
    District 16 (PC, PAC, AK, HI)....................................
    District 17 (UT, NV, OR).........................................
    District 19 (LA, MS).............................................
    District A (Pennsylvania)........................................
    District B (Illinois)............................................
    District C (New York)............................................
    District D (Ohio)................................................
    District E (Minnesota)...........................................
    District F (Michigan)............................................
    District G (California)..........................................
    District H (Texas)...............................................
    District I (New Jersey)..........................................
    District J (Florida).............................................
    Past Commander-in-Chief..........................................

                  VFW NATIONAL OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS, 1994-95

    Commander-in-Chief...............................................
    Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief...................................
    Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief...................................
    Adjutant General.................................................
    Quartermaster General............................................
    Judge Advocate General...........................................
    Surgeon General..................................................
    National Chaplain................................................
    National Chief of Staff..........................................
    Inspector General................................................
    Assistant Adjutant General, Administration.......................
    Assistant Adjutant General, Programs.............................
    Assistant Quartermaster General..................................
    Director, Accounting.............................................
    Director, Administrative Services................................
    Director, Americanism & Community Activities.....................
    Director, Emblem & Supply Department.............................
    Director, General Services.......................................
    Director, Insurance Programs.....................................
    Director, Marketing Services.....................................
    Director, Membership.............................................
    Director, National Convention....................................
    Director, Post Development.......................................
    Director, Post Services & Buddy Poppy............................
    Director, Publications & Public Affairs & Editor,
      VFW Magazine...................................................
    Director, Purchasing & Life Membership...........................
    Director, VFW Properties, Kansas City............................
    Director, Voice of Democracy, Youth Activities & Safety..........
    Administrative Assistant to Adjutant General.....................
    Assistant Adjutant General & Executive Director,
      Washington Office..............................................
    Director, National Legislative Service...........................
    Director, National Security & Foreign Affairs....................
    Director, Political Action Committee.............................
    Director, Public Affairs, Washington Office......................
    Director, Veterans Employment....................................
    Director, VFW Properties, Washington.............................
    National Serivice Officer & Director,
      National Veterans Service......................................
    Administrative Assistant to Washington Office....................
          REGIONAL NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION MEMBERS, 1994-95

    District 1 (ME, NH, VT)..........................................
    District 2 (MA, CT)..............................................
    District 3 (MD, RI)..............................................
    District 4 (DC, DE, EU)..........................................
    District 5 (IN, MO)..............................................
    District 6 (VA, WV)..............................................
    District 7 (TN, KY)..............................................
    District 8 (GA, AL)..............................................
    District 9 (SC, NC)..............................................
    District 10 (OK, AR).............................................
    District 11 (WI, IA).............................................
    District 12 (SD, ND, WY).........................................
    District 13 (NE, KS).............................................
    District 14 (MT, WA, ID).........................................
    District 15 (NM, CO, AZ).........................................
    District 16 (PC, PAC, AK, HI)....................................
    District 17 (UT, NV, OR).........................................
    District 19 (LA, MS).............................................
    District A (Pennsylvania)........................................
    District B (Illinois)............................................
    District C (New York)............................................
    District D (Ohio)................................................
    District E (Minnesota)...........................................
    District F (Michigan)............................................
    District G (California)..........................................
    District H (Texas)...............................................
    District I (New Jersey)..........................................
    District J (Florida).............................................
    Past Commander-in-Chief..........................................

       COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES

    (Including societies that amalgamated to form Veterans of Foreign Wars)

        The American Veterans of Foreign Service and the Army of
    the Philippines amalgamated at Denver, Colorado, August 1913,
    forming the Veterans of Foreign Wars as it is today. However,
    the birth of the order dates from September 29, 1899, when the
    first national officers were elected and the eligibility clause
    adopted. The original charter as granted October 11, 1899.

                      American Veterans of Foreign Service
                            The * indicates deceased
    1899-1900    James C. Putnam *............  Elected at Columbus, Ohio.
    1900-1901    Maj. Will S. White *.........  Elected at Columbus, Ohio.
    1901-1902    Maj. Will S. White *.........  Elected at Columbus, Ohio.
    1902-1903    James Romanis *..............  Elected at Washington
                                                 Courthouse, Ohio.
    1903-1904    James Romanis *..............  Elected at Cincinnati, Ohio.
    1904-1905    James Romanis *..............  Elected at Cincinnati, Ohio.
    1905-1906    George Metzger *.............  Elected at Altoona,
                                                 Pennsylvania.
    1906-1907    Charles H. Devereaux *.......  Elected at Cincinnati, Ohio.
    1907-1908    David T. Nevin *.............  Elected at Jamestown,
                                                 Virginia.
    1908-1909    J. Alfred Judge *............  Elected at Lebanon,
                                                 Pennsylvania.
    1909-1910    J. Alfred Judge *............  Elected at Pittsburgh,
                                                 Pennsylvania.
    1910-1911    Robert G. Woodside *.........  Elected at Jersey City, New
                                                 Jersey.
    1911-1912    Robert G. Woodside *.........  Elected at Philadelphia,
                                                 Pennsylvania.
    1912-1913    Robert G. Woodside *.........  Elected at Pittsburgh,
                                                 Pennsylvania.

                      American Veterans of Foreign Service
                                (Eastern Branch)
                            The * indicates deceased
    1903-1904    Capt. Robert S. Hansbury *...  Elected at Altoona,
                                                 Pennsylvania.
    1904-1905    H. O. Kelly *................  Elected at Pittsburgh,
                                                 Pennsylvania.

                             Army of the Philippines
                            The * indicates deceased
    1900-1901    Gen. Francis V. Greene *.....  Elected at Denver, Colorado.
    1901-1902    Gen. Irving Hale *...........  Elected at Salt Lake City,
                                                 Utah.
    1902-1903    Gen. Irving Hale *...........  Elected at Council Bluffs,
                                                 Iowa.
    1903-1904    Gen. Charles King *..........  Elected at St. Paul,
                                                 Minnesota.
    1904-1905    Gen. Wilder S. Metcalf *.....  Elected at St. Louis,
                                                 Missouri.
    1905-1906    Col. Alfred S. Frost *.......  Elected at Chicago,
                                                 Illinois.
    1906-1907    Gen. Arthur MacArthur *......  Elected at Des Moines, Iowa.
    1907-1908    Capt. H. A. Crow *...........  Elected at Kansas City,
                                                 Missouri.
    1908-1909    Maj. P. J. H. Farrell *......  Elected at Galesburg,
                                                 Illinois.
    1909-1910    Col. Charles L. Jewett *.....  Elected at Pittsburgh,
                                                 Pennsylvania.
    1910-1911    A. H. Anderson *.............  Elected at Chicago,
                                                 Illinois.
    1911-1912    F. Warner Karling *..........  Elected at Detroit,
                                                 Michigan.
    1912-1913    F. Warner Karling *..........  Elected at Lincoln,
                                                 Nebraska.

                  Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
                            The * indicates deceased
    1913-1914    Rice W. Means *..............  Elected at Denver, Colorado.
    1914-1915    Thomas Crago *...............  Elected at Pittsburgh,
                                                 Pennsylvania.
    1915-1916    Gus Hartung *................  Elected at Detroit,
                                                 Michigan.
    1916-1917    Albert Rabing *..............  Elected at Chicago,
                                                 Illinois.
    1917-1918    William Ralston *............  Elected at New York, New
                                                 York.
    1918-1919    F. Warner Karling *..........  Elected at Minneapolis,
                                                 Minnesota.
    1919-1920    F. Warner Karling *..........  Elected at Providence, Rhode
                                                 Island.
    1920-1921    Robert G. Woodside *.........  Elected at Washington, D.C.
    1921-1922    Robert G. Woodside *.........  Elected at Detroit,
                                                 Michigan.
    1922-1923    Tillinghast Huston *.........  Elected at Seattle,
                                                 Washington.
    1923-1924    Gen. Lloyd M. Brett *........  Elected at Norfolk,
                                                 Virginia.
    1924-1925    John H. Dunn *...............  Elected at Atlantic City,
                                                 New Jersey.
    1925-1926    Fred Stover *................  Elected at Tulsa, Oklahoma.
    1926-1927    Theodore Stitt *.............  Elected at El Paso, Texas.
    1927-1928    Frank T. Strayer *...........  Elected at Providence, Rhode
                                                 Island.
    1928-1929    Eugene P. Carver, Jr.*.......  Elected at Indianapolis,
                                                 Indiana.
    1929-1930    Hezekiah N. Duff *...........  Elected at St. Paul,
                                                 Minnesota.
    1930-1931    Paul D. Wolman *.............  Elected at Baltimore,
                                                 Maryland.
    1931-1932    Darold D. DeCoe *............  Elected at Kansas City,
                                                 Missouri.
    1932-1933    Adm. Robert E. Coontz *......  Elected at Sacramento,
                                                 California.
    1933-1934    James E. Van Zandt *.........  Elected at Milwaukee,
                                                 Wisconsin.
    1934-1935    James E. Van Zandt *.........  Elected at Louisville,
                                                 Kentucky.
    1935-1936    James E. Van Zandt *.........  Elected at New Orleans,
                                                 Louisiana.
    1936-1937    Bernard W. Kearney *.........  Elected at Denver, Colorado.
    1937-1938    Scott P. Squyres *...........  Elected at Buffalo, New
                                                 York.
    1938-1939    Eugene I. Van Antwerp *......  Elected at Columbus, Ohio.
    1939-1940    Otis N. Brown *..............  Elected at Boston,
                                                 Massachusetts.
    1940-1941    Joseph C. Menendez *.........  Elected at Los Angeles,
                                                 California.
    1941-1942    Max Singer *.................  Elected at Philadelphia,
                                                 Pennsylvania.
    1942-1943    Robert T. Merrill............  Elected at Cincinnati, Ohio.
    1943-1944    Carl S. Schoeninger *........  Elected at New York, New
                                                 York.
    1944-1945    Jean A. Brunner *............  Elected at Chicago,
                                                 Illinois.
    1945-1946    Joseph M. Stack *............  Elected at Chicago,
                                                 Illinois.
    1946-1947    Louis E. Starr *.............  Elected at Boston,
                                                 Massachusetts.
    1947-1948    Ray H. Brannaman *...........  Elected at Cleveland, Ohio.
    1948-1949    Lyall T. Beggs *.............  Elected at St. Louis,
                                                 Missouri.
    1949-1950    Clyde A. Lewis...............  Elected at Miami, Florida.
    1950-1951    Charles C. Ralls *...........  Elected at Chicago,
                                                 Illinois.
    1951-1952    Frank C. Hilton..............  Elected at New York, New
                                                 York.
    1952-1953    James W. Cothran *...........  Elected at Los Angeles,
                                                 California.
    1953-1954    Wayne E. Richards *..........  Elected at Milwaukee,
                                                 Wisconsin.
    1954-1955    Merton B. Tice *.............  Elected at Philadelphia,
                                                 Pennsylvania.
    1955-1956    Timothy J. Murphy *..........  Elected at Boston,
                                                 Massachusetts.
    1956-1957    Cooper T. Holt...............  Elected at Dalls, Texas.
    1957-1958    Richard L. Roudebush*........  Elected at Miami Beach,
                                                 Florida.
    1958-1959    John W. Mahan................  Elected at New York, New
                                                 York.
    1959-1960    Louis G. Feldmann............  Elected at Los Angeles,
                                                 California.
    1960-1961    T. C. Connell................  Elected at Detroit,
                                                 Michigan.
    1961-1962    Robert E. Hansen.............  Elected at Miami Beach,
                                                 Florida.
    1962-1963    Byron B. Gentry *............  Elected at Minneapolis,
                                                 Minnesota.
    1963-1964    Joseph J. Lombardo *.........  Elected at Seattle,
                                                 Washington.
    1964-1965    John A. Jenkins *............  Elected at Cleveland, Ohio.
    1965-1966    Andy Borg....................  Elected at Chicago,
                                                 Illinois.
    1966-1967    Leslie M. Fry................  Elected at New York, New
                                                 York.
    1967-1968    Joseph A. Scerra.............  Elected at New Orleans,
                                                 Louisiana.
    1968-1969    Richard W. Homan.............  Elected at Detroit,
                                                 Michigan.
    1969-1970    Raymond A. Gallagher.........  Elected at Philadelphia,
                                                 Pennsylvania.
    1970-1971    Herbert R. Rainwater *.......  Elected at Miami Beach,
                                                 Florida.
    1971-1972    Joseph L. Vicites *..........  Elected at Dallas, Texas.
    1972-1973    Patrick E. Carr..............  Elected at Minneapolis,
                                                 Minnesota.
    1973-1974    Ray R. Soden.................  Elected at New Orleans,
                                                 Louisiana.
    1974-1975    John J. Stang................  Elected at Chicago,
                                                 Illinois.
    1975-1976    Thomas C. Walker.............  Elected at Los Angeles,
                                                 California.
    1976-1977    R. D. Smith, Jr..............  Elected at New York, New
                                                 York.
    1977-1978    Dr. John Wasylik.............  Elected at Minneapolis,
                                                 Minnesota.
    1978-1979    Eric Sandstrom...............  Elected at Dallas, Texas.
    1979-1980    Howard E. Vander Clute, Jr...  Elected at New Orleans,
                                                 Louisiana.
    1980-1981    T. C. Selman *...............  Elected at Chicago,
                                                 Illinois.
    1980-1981    Arthur Fellwock..............  Succeeded T.C. Selman
                                                 October 21, 1980.
    1981-1982    Arthur Fellwock..............  Elected at Philadelphia,
                                                 Pennsylvania.
    1982-1983    James R. Currieo.............  Elected at Los Angeles,
                                                 California.
    1983-1984    Clifford G. Olson, Jr........  Elected at New Orleans,
                                                 Louisiana.
    1984-1985    Billy Ray Cameron............  Elected at Chicago,
                                                 Illinois.
    1985-1986    John S. Staum................  Elected at Dallas, Texas.
    1986-1987    Norman G. Staab..............  Elected at Minneapolis,
                                                 Minnesota.
    1987-1988    Earl L. Stock, Jr............  Elected at New Orleans,
                                                 Louisiana.
    1988-1989    Larry W. Rivers..............  Elected at Chicago,
                                                 Illinois.
    1989-1990    Walter G. Hogan..............  Elected at Las Vegas,
                                                 Nevada.
    1990-1991    James L. Kimery..............  Elected at Baltimore,
                                                 Maryland.
    1991-1992    Robert E. Wallace............  Elected at New Orleans,
                                                 Louisiana.
    1992-1993    John M. Carney...............  Elected at Indianapolis,
                                                 Indiana.
    1993-1994    George R. Cramer.............  Elected at Dallas, Texas.

    SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 95TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE VETERANS
    OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, AUGUST 21-26,
                                      1994

                            ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE

                            SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 1994

        [The Memorial Service of the 95th Annual Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, held at the Las
    Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, was called to order
    at 9:00 o'clock a.m., with Commander-in-Chief George R. Cramer,
    presiding. The Gold Star Parents, Gold Star Wives, National
    Officers and Past National Chaplains were escorted by the
    Sergeants-at-Arms.]

                                 CALL TO ORDER

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Sergeant-at-Arms, please prepare
    the hall for the advancement and posting of the Colors.

                               ADVANCE OF COLORS

        [Whereupon, the VFW National Honor Guard advanced the
    Colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.]

                                   INVOCATION

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, comrades. The
    Reverend Harland M. Palmer will give the Opening Prayer.
        REVEREND HARLAND PALMER: Good morning. Shalom. Peace be
    unto you. We would like to welcome all the VIPs this morning.
    Of course, in the sight of God, we all are VIPs. In the book of
    Isaiah, Chapter 40, ``Even the youth shall faint and be weary,
    and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon
    the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with
    wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they
    shall walk, and not faint.''
        Let us bow our heads in prayer, please. Almighty God, we
    ask a special blessing for this new day. We give thanks knowing
    that you are guiding and directing our paths. We look to you
    for our strength and our understanding.
        Heavenly Father, bless everyone here and bless all our
    dearly departed comrades. Bless our country, Lord, and may we
    help keep it free. And everyone said, ``Amen.'' Amen.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You may be seated. The Trinity
    Life Center Choir will now sing the ``Battle Hymn of the
    Republic.''
        [Whereupon, the Trinity Life Center Choir sang the ``Battle
    Hymn of the Republic''.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Led by the Soloist of the Ladies
    Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
    we will join together in singing ``Nearer My God To Thee.''

                                  IN MEMORIAM

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, Ladies of the
    Auxiliary and Friends: We have met at this time to commemorate
    our comrades of the United States Armed Forces who have
    answered the last call. The VFW Ritual provides that the
    audience shall refrain from applauding. The Chief of Staff will
    see that there is no disturbance during the ceremonies.
        NATIONAL CHIEF OF STAFF DARREL MILLER: Comrade Commander-
    in-Chief, your order will be obeyed.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I request the National Chaplain
    to preside.
        [National Chaplain Reverend Charles W. Edwards, Jr.,
    presided during the Memorial Services performed by the National
    Officers in accordance with the Ritual.]
        [At the conclusion of the Memorial Service the Trinity Life
    Center Choir led the assembly in singing ``America.'']

                            INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: It is now a pleasure for me to
    introduce our special Memorial Service speaker, Brigadier
    General Arthur S. ``Sam'' Thomas, Deputy Chief of Air Force
    Chaplains, Headquartered in the United States Air Force,
    Washington, D.C.
        Chaplain Thomas is a native of Mankato, Minnesota, where he
    attended high school and college. A former enlisted member of
    the Minnesota National Guard, he enlisted in the Air Force in
    January 1955, and served as the Russian Language Specialist in
    Japan.
        After attending St. Procopius Seminary in Lisle, Illinois,
    Chaplain Thomas was ordained in 1965 as a priest for the
    diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota, where he served as a parish
    priest. In November 1968, he was commissioned as a Chaplain,
    First Lieutenant, and reported to March Air Force Base,
    California.
        As the Deputy Chief of Air Force Chaplains, he assists the
    Chief of Chaplains in directing and maintaining a trained,
    equipped and professional chaplain service, including more than
    2,300 active duty guard and reserve chaplains, enlisted to
    support personnel and civilians.
        As a member of the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, he and the
    other members serve as Advisors to the Secretary of Defense and
    the Joint Chiefs of Staff on religion, ethical and quality of
    life concerns.
        Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in giving a warm
    welcome to Brigadier General Arthur S. Thomas.
                                MEMORIAL ADDRESS

        CHAPLAIN BRIGADIER GENERAL THOMAS: Thank you. A Brigadier
    General I am, an Air Force Chaplain I am. I am not a pilot for
    Continental Airlines. This is our new uniform.
        Commander-in-Chief Cramer, Honored Guests, Members of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars, Gold Star Parents: It is my honor to
    greet you this morning in the love and mercy of the God of all
    mercy and constellation. I feel very privileged to share in
    this meaningful service today, and I bring you greetings from
    the Chiefs of Chaplains of the Air Force, the Navy and the
    Army. All three of them greatly appreciate the sacrifices that
    you have made and the contributions that you continue to make
    as dedicated citizens and patriots of our great nation.
        I wish to begin my reflections this morning with a little
    story, a true story, and it is inspired by the VFW emblem. As
    all of you know, the Cross of Malta has a rich history. It has
    been worn with pride and honor for centuries. The banner on the
    emblem, as we share it in the VFW, says Pro Deo Patria, for God
    and country.
        This is a powerful sentiment which rightly joins patriotism
    with the vital spirit of faith. As is well known, this Maltese
    Cross was the mark of the Knights of Malta, officially known as
    the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, whose primary mission was
    to care for the injured crusaders and pilgrims in the Holy
    Land.
        The story I wish to share with you is about their finest
    hour which is, also, coincidentally, the account of their
    grimmest days. You see, in May 1565, the Knights of St. John
    were using the small Mediterranean Island of Malta as a base
    from which to attempt to stem the imperialistic advances of the
    powerful Turkish Empire.
        In May 1565, 40,000 experienced and merciless Turkish
    troops landed on the island to crush the brave members of this
    religious order. Facing them during a violent siege, which
    would last more than five months with more than a mere 8,000
    Christian soldiers, of whom about 700 were Knights.
        There were also a thousand local men, women and children
    who were there to help the defenders. With virtually unlimited
    resources, the Turks made attack after attack on the two small
    fortresses that sheltered the defenders. The fortress was Fort
    St. Elmo.
        Every day, 6,000 to 7,000 iron, marble cannonballs were
    hurled at the fort as its soft stone walls were pulverized.
    Every day, walls of men rushed forward to seize the stronghold.
    The Turks were certain a small fortress would fall within less
    than a week, but they had underestimated the courage and the
    commitment of the Knights. It was more than a month before St.
    Elmo fell.
        Preparing for their deaths, as the Turks massed for the
    final onslaught, the defenders used the small chaplain bell to
    signal their friends that they had made peace with God and were
    prepared for their final battle. The wounded, too injured to
    stand, were placed in chairs near the walls from which they
    opposed their foes with their final energies.
        The final grim battle for Fort St. Elmo, on the 31st day of
    the siege, lasted over an hour. At its close, the overwhelming
    Turkish force turned its attention to the remaining crusader
    fortress in Malta.
        As we pause today to remember and commemorate the lives and
    members of the armed forces of the United States who have gone
    ahead of us, it occurs to me that the members of the VFW have
    far more in common with the Knights of St. John than simply the
    shape of our emblem.
        Indeed, I would like to suggest this morning that you share
    at least three priceless characteristics which these soldiers,
    who so willingly sacrificed their lives in the defense of ours.
    And what are these qualities to which I refer?
        Along with the Knights of St. John, each of you display a
    generous degree of compassion, courage and commitment. To some
    of those outside the armed forces, it sounds contradictory to
    say that members of the profession of arms can be guided by
    compassion.
        But to those of us who are members of this distinctive
    family, it is so obvious. We know very well the love which
    reaches out to aid those in need. We take care of our own is
    more than simply an empty phrase. What is more, we take care of
    others in need, even when they are not our own.
        One needs to look not further than Bosnia or Rwanda, to see
    who it is who is there to help. When America is helping people
    around the globe, the Americans carrying food and medicine are
    almost always wearing a uniform like the one which each of you
    has brought credit to.
        We members of the military community have seen compassion
    in our midst with such frequency that I am ashamed to admit
    that most of us have taken it for granted. We have seen people
    make tremendous sacrifices, such as being separated from their
    loved ones for months at a time, so that people they have never
    even met are free to live in peace and security with their
    families.
        American citizens in uniform have willingly gone to foreign
    shores often at great personal cost, not to serve a selfish
    purpose, but rather they have journeyed to the fortress,
    beaches, jungles and deserts of the world to defend the people
    and defend that precious gift of freedom and liberty.
        Yes, compassion has motivated many that we have seen in our
    midst. Many of those in our number today here in this
    conference hall have been privileged to witness one of the
    greatest miracles of compassion and unselfishness that can ever
    be experienced by a human being.
        Though the memory is not without pain, it is all something
    very, very precious. Although the recollection of such
    sacrifices reminds us of the deep personal loss, I am convinced
    that those who have witnessed the death of a fallen comrade,
    life lives forever transformed and enriched by the sharing of
    that moment.
        For you, without a glimmer of a doubt have beheld ultimate
    compassion. There is a French proverb, ``Gratitude is the
    heart's memory.'' The gratitude that you feel today and every
    day for their sacrifices is the most fitting memorial that we
    can hope to offer.
        The acts of compassion worked by the VFW are as numerous as
    its members. In communities all over our nation, you are
    volunteering to work with troubled youth, homeless families,
    handicapped, and individuals, and virtually everyone who
    possesses a need.
        You are freely and generously contributing your resources
    and energy to make the United States and the world a better
    place. Why? Because you profit in some manner? Certainly, you
    are not only motivated by compassion, but you see the need and
    you respond.
        This willingness to respond, to act upon the compassion you
    feel when you recognize need is an evidence of the second
    quality you share with the defenders of Malta, courage. Many
    people recognize need and they simply immerse themselves more
    deeply in their selfish pursuits to drown out the cry.
        Others see the troubled state of the world about them and
    they flee for refuge to the false security of drugs or alcohol.
    But these are the paths of cowards. You, on the contrary, see
    the need, but instead of running away you face the fear and
    confront the darkness. Only a fool is never afraid or
    intimidated by the challenges facing them.
        George Patton said that in the heat of battle courage is
    fear, holding on a minute longer. And in a similar vein, Eddie
    Rickenbacker noted that courage is doing what you are afraid to
    do. There can be no courage unless you are scared. So, if you
    sometimes feel that the obstacles are too great to surmount,
    that is a test in some particular endeavors and will be
    impossible to attain, then take heart.
        Your courage can still prevail. Don't surrender when you
    know you are right. I will just share one example. As important
    as the issue is to many, in the current political climate,
    there are those who despair about ever gaining a full
    accounting of American POWs and MIAs from World War II, Korea
    and particular Vietnam.
        Most Americans, in fact, do not know how many thousands of
    sons, sisters, brothers and fathers these numbers represent.
    Yet, despite the times when calling for the fullest possible
    accounting appears a futile appeal, the VFW boldly continues to
    make this one of its primary goals. I commend you. I commend
    you for your concern, I commend you for your constancy, I
    commend you for your courage.
        The third quality you possess is commitment. In our day of
    instant gratification, it is anything but popular to say that
    something takes time; but it does. You the members of the VFW
    have proven that you are committed to what is right for the
    long haul. You don't leave the plow when the tilling gets
    rough.
        You understand what Adlai Stevenson meant when he said,
    ``Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but
    the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.'' Yes, we all
    have been particularly moved when we have recited the Pledge of
    Allegiance or sung the National Anthem. Of course, we have had
    to catch our breath when we stood at the Tomb of the Unknown
    Soldier or the Vietnam War Memorial.
        Who wouldn't become emotional as they stroll through
    Arlington Cemetery? But we know all too well that such emotions
    don't last. They are simply precious moments. It is in the
    daily grind, the ongoing commitment to doing what is right that
    things get done.
        It perplexes me that the unbounded enthusiasm and
    patriotism which treated American veterans in the aftermath of
    the Gulf War evaporated so quickly. I don't doubt that it was
    sincere, yet it was based not on thoughtful commitment to
    principles involved, but simply on the emotions and the relief
    of the moment.
        That, and I believe, unfortunately a degree of national
    penitence for the mistreatment of the returning Vietnam
    veterans two decades earlier caused this sudden evaporation. By
    contrast, you as members of the VFW possess a profound and deep
    commitment to your beliefs, a commitment that you have in
    common with the defenders of the Malta more than four centuries
    ago, which reminds me I didn't finish the story about the
    Knights of Malta.
        You see, that siege of the island after the fall of St.
    Elmo continued during 1565. The crusader casualties were
    horrible as the months passed, conditions in their remaining
    strongholds deteriorated to the point where their hope was
    nearly gone.
        Yet, the Knights of Malta and their comrades remained
    steadfast. Strengthened by compassion, courage and commitment,
    they defied the overwhelming odds and refused to spare their
    lives by denying their God and embracing a new faith.
        Finally, on the verge of defeat, but not surrender, a small
    relief force of 16,000 did arrive with reinforcements. The
    mighty Turkish army already battered by the much smaller
    crusaders and defenders fled after one final battle in which
    they were utterly brutal as they boarded their enormous fleet
    to return to Constantinople.
        Hardly a man, woman or child on Malta was unscarred by this
    siege. By the close of the conflict, only 600 defenders of
    Malta were capable of fighting. Seven thousand have died and
    the remainder were severely wounded. However, the ships
    returning to Constantinople carried 25,000 fewer soldiers than
    they had arrived with in May 1565.
        The Knights of Malta had stood with courage in the face of
    incomprehensible odds and they had emerged victorious.
    Likewise, no matter how intimidating the challenges which seem
    to face you or the prestigious organization, I have confidence
    that the VFW will always emerge triumphant. Is there any wonder
    that you have chosen for your theme this coming year ``Anchored
    in Pride''?
        One closing thought, which is also inspired by the Pro Deo
    Patria portion of the VFW emblem. We recently commemorated the
    50th Anniversary of D-Day, the day that sounded the death knell
    for fascism in Europe. Some of you were there.
        Without its section, the allied leaders on that day were
    convinced that their cause was not only right but holy. It was
    only appropriate that they sought divine blessing for the
    invasion of Normandy. In rereading the words of General
    Eisenhower's Order of the Day to the allied troops invading
    France, I was struck by the degree to which they affirmed the
    ongoing vision and mission of the VFW.
        I quote General Dwight Eisenhower. ``The tide has turned,
    the free men of the world are marching together in victory. I
    have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and
    skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory.
    Let us all beseech the blessings of almighty God upon this
    great and noble undertaking.''
        Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this special
    occasion. May God continue to richly bless and comfort you and
    to also fill you with overflowing compassion, courage and
    commitment as you continue to pursue this great and noble
    undertaking.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, General, for the very
    fine memorial message. We will now be led once again by the
    Trinity Life Center Choir in singing America the Beautiful.
        [Whereupon, the Trinity Life Center Choir led the assembly
    in singing ``America the Beautiful.'']

                   INTRODUCTION OF COLONEL ARCHIE T. ROBERTS

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: The names of four chaplains,
    Lieutenants George L. Fox, Clark V. Poling, John P. Washington
    and Alexander D. Goode, will never be forgotten. Chaplains Fox
    and Poling were Protestant Ministers. Chaplain Washington was a
    Roman Catholic Priest. Chaplain Goode was a Jewish Rabbi.
    Although their religious traditions differed, they were united
    in the spirit of sacrifice that was their foundation.
        When the Army Transport, the Dorchester, was torpedoed and
    sunk in the North Atlantic off Greenland in February 1943, they
    gave their life jackets to others in hopes those lives would be
    saved. The four chaplains perished in those icy waters. A
    postage stamp was issued in their honor.
        In Philadelphia, the Chapel of the Four Chaplains preserves
    their memory for all posterity. I wish to bring to the podium
    now Chaplain Archie T. Roberts for his remarks from the Chapel
    of Four Chaplains. Past National Chaplain, Archie T. Roberts.

      PRESENTATION OF THE CHAPEL OF FOUR CHAPLAINS LEGION OF HONOR BRONZE
                                   MEDALLION

        COLONEL ARCHIE ROBERTS: Thank you very much, Commander-in-
    Chief Cramer. As he related the incident that we are all so
    very familiar with, and as we have celebrated the days of World
    War II the past couple of years, and look forward to that, we
    certainly know that this stands as a true and eternal message,
    not only of that day but for all of the future generations, as
    well as the importance of mankind working together.
        So, it is a privilege for me to represent the Chapel of
    Four Chaplains here this morning to present an award to one who
    symbolizes that kind of giving of himself in the service of
    others, one who was recognized by the Chapel some years ago for
    the giving of himself in his local community, and certainly now
    for the past few years at the National level.
        So, Commander-in-Chief Cramer, it is an honor and privilege
    for me to present to you the Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of
    Honor Bronze Medallion.
        If you would come forward, please. This is awarded to
    George R. Cramer, Commander-in-Chief of the VFW. And on the
    reverse Pro Deo Patria, which is, as the General said, For God
    and Country, which you truly symbolize.
        The award for the Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion is
    presented to George R. Cramer by the Chapel of Four Chaplains,
    Valley Force, Pennsylvania, in recognition of outstanding
    service to all people regardless of race or faith. This award
    symbolizes for all Americans and for all time the unity of this
    nation founded upon the fatherhood of one God. Congratulations,
    Comrade Commander-in-Chief Cramer.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Archie, I just certainly want to
    thank the Chapel of Four Chaplains for the prestigious award
    and recognition. It is even more important, Archie, because you
    gave it to me.
        We will now join the Trinity Life Center Choir in singing
    ``God Bless America.''
        [Whereupon, the Trinity Life Center Choir led the assembly
    in ``America the Beautiful.'']
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: We will have the Benediction by
    Reverend Immanuel Wasson, Holy Trinity AME Church.

                                  BENEDICTION

        REVEREND IMMANUEL WASSON: Let us bow our heads. Lord let us
    all leave this service with a prayer in our hearts for the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars and their families. Help us to
    appreciate those who have given their lives for our safety, and
    now to the congregation when you return to your homes tell your
    friends and your relatives that Las Vegas is not only a city of
    bright lights and glitter but we love the Lord and we serve him
    with all of our heart.
        Now, unto him that is able to keep you from falling and
    unto the presence and to present you faultlessly for his glory
    with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Savior, the glory
    and mighty dominion and power both now and forever. Amen.

                               RETIRING OF COLORS

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I would like to express my
    appreciation to the Trinity Life Center Choir for being with us
    today. We certainly appreciate your presence.
        [Whereupon, the Retiring of the Colors was performed by the
    VFW National Honor Guard.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Will you all remain standing
    while the Sergeants-at-Arms escort the Gold Star Parents and
    Gold Star Wives out, please.
        SERGEANT-AT-ARMS GEORGE SARVER: Comrade Commander-in-Chief,
    the Closing Ceremonies have been performed.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I would like to thank you all
    for attending this Memorial Service of the 95th Annual
    Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I look forward to
    seeing you this afternoon at the Awards Luncheon. Please note
    the doors will open at 11:30 a.m. Thank you again for
    attending.
        32D ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCHEON HONORING ALL AMERICAN COMMANDERS AND
                            NATIONAL PROGRAM WINNERS

                            HILTON CONVENTION CENTER

                            SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 1993

        George R. Cramer, Commander-in-Chief and Mrs. Juanita
    Crowe, National President, Ladies Auxiliary, were Host and
    Hostess of the Thirty-second Annual Awards Luncheon, 95th
    National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States.
        The Invocation was given by Reverend Charles W. Edwards,
    Jr., National Chaplain.
        The menu for the luncheon was Chilled Melon in season, Beef
    Tenderloin Tips in a La Deutsch with Pearl Onions, Normandie
    Vegetables and Rice Pilaf, Apple Pie, Rolls and Butter, Coffee,
    Brewed Decaffeinated and Tea.
        Toastmaster for the event was Paul A. Spera, Junior Vice
    Commander-in-Chief.
        After the presentation of awards for the All American
    Commanders and National Program Winners, Reverend Charles W.
    Edwards, Jr. Chaplain, gave the Benediction.

                             Presentation of Awards

                       all american department commanders

        Donald Kilmer, Alaska; Leslie Thone, Arkansas; Raymond
    Sisk, California; James Boyt, Europe; Niel Ramsdell, Florida;
    Glenn Mitchell, Georgia; Norbert Enos, Hawaii; Alvin Mason,
    Idaho; Eddie Akers, Kentucky; Alan Winter, Maine; Joseph
    Nassar, Maryland; Leslie Blanchard, Mississippi; Herbert
    Tellkamp, Nevada; James Ferguson, New Mexico; William Penn,
    Pacific Areas; F.E. ``Gene'' Warden, Texas; Frederick Peyton,
    Utah; William Myette, Vermont; George Berthiaume, Washington.

                        all american district commanders

        Alabama--James H. Brewer, 4; Arkansas--Jerry Cloud, 9;
    William Walden, 13. California--Leonard Herrst 4; Dennis R.
    Atwood, 13; Stephen C. Highnight 17; Fred V. Vogler, 22.
    Europe--Myron H. Murley, 4. Florida--Robert M. Sprute, 7;
    Sidney R. Holm, 10; Rocky E. Albert, 13. Georgia--Ben Clay, 5.
    Illinois--Vincent J. Medina, 6. Kansas--Leon Shaw, 3.
    Kentucky--Jack N. Moore, 13. Maryland--Gregory J. Abbott, 17.
    Michigan--Barry J. Estill, 6. Minnesota--Clarence R. Fyhrlund,
    6. Mississippi--Leonard Slade, 3; Glenn O. Patterson, 5. New
    Jersey--Walter R. James, 9; Donnie C. Wine, 11; Brune W.
    Schlueter, 12. New York--William J. Stackman, 3. Ohio--Raymond
    R. Burrows, 1; George M. Householder, 7; John R. Johnson, 12.
    Pacific Areas--John F. Welsh, 3; Rhett O. Webber, 7. Rhode
    Island--Ernest Frappier, 1. Texas--Doyle W. Sloan, 1; Richard
    L. Johnson, 9; Richard J. Crissman, 10; Gary L. Kinson, 21.
                     all american county council commanders

        Montgomery, Ohio--Robert Legault. Lake Geauga, Ohio--Guy
    Speakman.

                          all american post commanders

        Alabama--Charles Gavin, 3550; James Green, 4388; Phyllis
    Crowden, 5140; Fred Wynn, 5818. Alaska--Horace Johnson, 9978;
    Arkansas--Samuel Walters, 2278; James Randazzo 4507; Raz
    Munholland 4548; Donald Nelson, 7769; Mark Cybulski, 9095;
    Odell Stricklin, 10442. California--Kenneth Robbins, 85;
    Alexander Brown, 1512; James Sehrt, 1934; Leslie Mahler, 3255;
    William McDonald, 3982; Roy Springer, 4084; Manfred Poole,
    4647; Hugh Hartfield, 5394; Lyman Indermuehle, 8547; Dale
    Samuelson, 10165; Donald Roberts, 11133. Connecticut--Dominic
    Romano, 7330. Delaware--William Wailes, 475. Europe--Austin
    Mansfield, 89; James Landreth, 8862; Martin Mieras, 10436;
    Jaudon Davis, 11281. Florida--William Taylor, 2811; James
    Walden, 4781; John Logan, 8463; Donald Pierce, 8696; Norman
    Auger, 10097; Thomas McDole, 10137; Thomas Koulan, 10209; Carlo
    LaPollo, 10757. Georgia--Hubert Swecker, 665; Ben Clay, 1100;
    Leonard Ott, 6330. Illinois--Roy Russell, 99; Joe Dannels,
    2223; Junior Murray, 4549; Terry Wright, 9759. Indiana--Ivan
    Dimmett, 1114; Leo Farnsley, 3281. Kansas--Larry Salzman, 7479.
    Louisiana--Milton Foster, 7286. Maine--Joseph Gallant, 832;
    Larry Smith, 11363. Maryland--Claude Groom, 482; Noble Sutphin,
    6506; William Berry, 6694; Kenneth Britter, 9862. Michigan--
    Raymond Kolka, 485; Gerald Hawkins, 3243. Minnesota--Roger C.
    Fahrenkrug, 5555. Mississippi--J.L. Beeson, 4889; James
    Teeters, 6473; Willie Lindsey, 9832. Missouri--James Farmer,
    3777; Leonard McGee, 5896; Richard Palmer, 7147. Nebraska--
    Richard Doty, 247; James Brown, 2503; John Lossi, 3704.
    Nevada--James Martin, 3819; Alfred Staff, 10053. New Jersey--
    Juan LaBoy, 157; Joseph Fortunato, 453; Edward Damiano, 6805;
    Daniel Firus, 9112; James Felton, 9503. New Mexico--Donald
    Brown, 11384. North Carolina--Sherrill Brawley, 6480; David
    Brooks, 7383. Ohio--John Wasilko, 1500; Craig Swartz, 2947;
    Charles Smith, 4736; Talmadge Bailey, 7201; Nathan Sternberger,
    8437; Mark Caniff, 8850. Oklahoma--Ronald Slowick, 2270; Donald
    Connelly, 3669. Pacific Areas--James Luther, 10215; Sammy
    Skipper, 10269; Victor Ferrer, 11435; Jerry Bristle, 11447.
    South Carolina--Arthur Mann, 10420. South Dakota--Sid Walter,
    628; Daniel Sigmund, 1273. Texas--Richard Crissman, 812; Roy
    Paulk, 1475; Henry Salisbury, 2772; Danny Henry, 4372; Jack
    Meadows, 4380; James Nordyke, 6873; Harvey Henderson, 6899;
    James Zimmerman, 7211; Hubert Brast, 8577; Bobby Cook, 8790;
    Albert Poste, 8919; Louis McCellan, 8923; Alonzo Bryant, 9181;
    Edward Rodriquez, 9186; John Dread, 9191; David Dickens, 9286.
    Vermont--Robert Dean, 2571. Virginia--John Dodge, 1503.
    Washington--James Van Slyke, 2995; Niel Lavin, 4760. West
    Virginia--Eugene Patrick, 3856; Alvin Johnson, 8365. Wyoming--
    James Little, 2316.
                            national program winners

        Americanism--Post 7472 and Ladies Auxiliary, Ellicot City,
    Maryland; District 2 and Ladies Auxiliary, Department of
    Minnesota.
        Community Activities--Division I: Post 5812 and Ladies
    Auxiliary, Pueblo West, Colorado; Division II: Post 2681 and
    Ladies Auxiliary, Marietta, Georgia; Division III: Post 9969
    and Ladies Auxiliary, Del City, Oklahoma; Division IV: Post
    4876 and Ladies Auxiliary, Altus, Oklahoma.
        Loyalty Day--Post 5290 and Ladies Auxiliary, Conyers,
    Georgia; District 9 and Ladies Auxiliary, Department of
    Washington; Allegheny County Council and Ladies Auxiliary,
    Department of Pennsylvania; Department of Texas and Ladies
    Auxiliary.
        Youth Activities--Post 302 and Ladies Auxiliary, Kansas
    City, Missouri; District 14 and Ladies Auxiliary, Department of
    Maryland; Department of Washington and Ladies Auxiliary.

                              parade leaders award

        First Place--Department of Europe. Second Place--Department
    of Pacific Areas. Third Place--Department of Utah.

                      national department division winners

        Division I--Department of California.
        Division II--Department of Florida.
        Division III--Department of Missouri.
        Division IV--Department of Washington.
        Division V--Department of Iowa.
        Division VI--Department of Kentucky.
        Division VII--Department of Mississippi.
        Division VIII--Department of Maine.
        Division IX--Department of Vermont.
        Division X--Department of Pacific Areas.
        Division XI--Department of Europe.

                               conference winner

        Western Conference--100.58% + 2,181

                          department conference winner

        Western Conference--Department of Pacific Areas.
        Southern Conference--Department of Mississippi.
        Big Ten Conference--Department of Missouri.
        Eastern Conference--Department of Europe.
                             JOINT OPENING SESSION

                            MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1994

        [The Joint Opening Session of the 95th National Convention
    of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and the
    81st National Convention of the Ladies Auxiliary was called to
    order on Monday, August 22, 1994, at 9:00 o'clock a.m., in the
    Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, by Comrade
    Albert J. McMindes, Chairman of the VFW 95th National
    Convention Committee.]
        COMRADE ALBERT McMINDES: Good morning. Welcome. Please
    clear the center aisle and please take your seats. Sergeants-
    at-Arms, please retire to the rear of the hall to prepare the
    National Honor Guard for the presentation of the Colors.
        SERGEANT-AT-ARMS GEORGE SARVER: Yes, sir.

                             ADVANCEMENT OF COLORS

        [Whereupon, the National Honor Guard advanced the colors at
    this time and the Pledge of Allegiance was given.]
        COMRADE ALBERT McMINDES: We will have the Invocation by the
    National Chaplain, Reverend Charles W. Edwards, Jr.

                                   INVOCATION

        [Whereupon, National Chaplain Edwards gave the Invocation.]
        NATIONAL SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: The Opening Ceremonies
    have been performed.
        COMRADE ALBERT McMINDES: We have put together for you a
    review of the 1993-94 year. Please watch your video screens and
    enjoy the presentation.
        [Whereupon, a video presentation on the 1993-94
    ``Commitment to Service'' year was presented at this time.]

                                    WELCOME

        COMRADE ALBERT McMINDES: On behalf of the VFW Department of
    Nevada, I would like to welcome all of you to our state, the
    City of Las Vegas and to the VFW 95th National Convention. We
    are proud to be the host for this National Convention. It took
    a lot of hard work to arrive at this moment, and we still have
    some work ahead of us this week.
        But the hard work is worth it, because each of these
    Conventions is a milestone in the field of veterans affairs. On
    a personal note, I am very proud to stand here this morning
    where Past Commander-in-Chief Les Frye stood five years ago to
    welcome you to our 90th National Convention.
        We sounded taps for Chief Frye this year, and in his
    passing the VFW lost one of its great leaders and the
    Department of Nevada lost a dedicated and a dear comrade and
    friend. In the days ahead, we will carry on the work of Les
    Frye as well as the work of those dedicated comrades who
    founded our organization 95 years ago.
        If only those founders could see us today. We are over two
    million strong, with over 10,000 Posts serving all of America's
    27 million veterans and their families. I think they would be
    proud of what they have founded and proud of us and all that we
    have done to carry on their work and make their dreams come
    true.
        Our work is not yet completed. As you meet this week, you
    will have 222 Resolutions to discuss, vote on and then put into
    action. In addition, we will give awards to two dozen people
    who have served our veterans and our communities. Speakers from
    the U.S. Government and many other organizations will appear
    before us to present their views on veterans affairs and what
    we must do to approve those affairs.
        We have a lot of work ahead of us, comrades and sisters,
    and before I hand this Convention over to Commander-in-Chief
    Cramer, I would like to thank my National Convention Committee
    who have done so much his year to being us to this moment. I
    cannot thank them enough.
        If you enjoy this Convention, tell them. If there is
    something you did not enjoy, tell me. Welcome to Nevada,
    welcome to Las Vegas, and welcome to the 95th National
    Convention.

        INTRODUCTION--THE HONORABLE JAN JONES, MAYOR, CITY OF LAS VEGAS

        COMRADE McMINDES: Our next guest became the 15th Mayor of
    Las Vegas in May 1991. She has presided over the city's change
    from a small town to a major metropolitan area.
        A champion of public and private partnerships, her Mayor's
    Committee for a Better Community has succeeded in renovating a
    shelter for homeless women, children and establishing a
    neighborhood community center offering social, recreational and
    educational programs.
        She recently raised $150,000 from the business community to
    fund a city and county government consolidation study which
    realized a savings of more than $35 million in city and county
    services.
        She serves on a variety of influential Boards affecting the
    Las Vegas Visitors and Conventions, transportation, housing,
    flood control, clean air, senior citizen concerns, and she also
    serves on the Nevada State Commission on Nuclear Projects, and
    is Chair for the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Communications and
    Transportation Committees.
        A mother of five children, she maintains an active
    involvement in the community. She was recently recognized by
    the Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs for her community
    service and was the 1992 Woman of the Year for the National
    Conference of Christians and Jews. She is listed among the
    2,000 Notable Women in America and was recently recognized as a
    member of the Distinguished Women of Nevada.
        The Chief Executive Officer of a restaurant and catering
    company, a Director of Research and Development for another
    company, President of the Fletcher Jones Management Group,
    please welcome the Mayor of Las Vegas, Jan Laverty Jones.

          GREETINGS--THE HONORABLE JAN JONES, MAYOR, CITY OF LAS VEGAS

        MAYOR JONES: Thank you. It is both an honor and pleasure to
    be here this morning to welcome the Veterans of Foreign Wars on
    the occasion of their 95th Convention. It is also a great
    pleasure for me to welcome you to one of the world's finest
    resort destinations but also one of the most livable cities in
    the country.
        One of the little known facts about Las Vegas is per capita
    we have more churches, schools, Little League, Cub Scouts, Boy
    Scouts, Girl Scouts, Frontier Girls, Pop Warner Football Teams
    than any city of our size in the country. I invite you, if you
    have the time, not only to visit our resort area but take a
    little time and go out and see what a wonderful city we are
    really to live in.
        Your presence here today reinforces your commitment to
    ensuring that our country continues to remain a leader and
    dominant power in accepting responsibility in the world. The
    2.2 million dedicated men and women of the VFW, have our deep
    devotion and heartfelt thanks for your unselfishly answering
    the call of our country in our hour of need. That is what your
    presence here today means.
        The great personal commitment and sacrifice of each of you
    so the hopes and future of those of us behind and all our
    children can be realized, as well as to promise all of our
    future generations that we will live in a country that is free
    of war and free of the threat of war.
        It is that simple hope and common vision that has united
    our country. We owe a great deal to all of those who have
    fought and died on foreign soils for the cause of freedom and
    for the foundation of peace we enjoy today.
        My sincere thanks to all the Veterans of Foreign Wars for
    selecting Las Vegas as the site to host their National
    Convention. I am very pleased to offer my personal, best wishes
    and also those of the city's residents. One of the things, even
    though I know this is a very serious occasion, I noticed that
    earlier they said if there were any problems, call your
    Commander. You can also call me.
        One other thing we attempted to do, and I know most of you
    won't be spending time in the casinos, but as mayor I want you
    to know one of the things we try to do for our special
    conventions is make sure all our slot machines are set at a
    rate that the return will be very favorable in your interest.
        That is just a little something we offer. I can't promise
    anything on roulette or the crap tables. For those of you who
    may lose, I want you to know that 56 percent of those revenues
    go to educate our children. School started this morning, so you
    are not losing money, you are helping to educate the children
    of Nevada. Enjoy yourselves and please all come back and visit
    with us again.

    INTRODUCTION--THE HONORABLE BOB MILLER--GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA

        COMRADE McMINDES: Whether you fly into the Las Vegas area
    or drive, it is hard to ignore the beauty of Nevada. Our next
    guest, who is committed to preserving the natural beauty of
    this great state, was elected Governor in 1989. He is Chairman
    of the Western Governors' Conference and serves as Chairman of
    that group's Committee on Natural Resources.
        He is active in the National Governors' Association,
    serving as lead Governor of the Infrastructure Committee, the
    Transportation Committee, and is Chairman of the Legal Affairs
    Committee.
        In 1993, he was appointed by President Clinton to the
    Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Relations and the
    Federal Emergency Management Agency, or as we know it FEMA. A
    strong advocate for justice and public service and safety, he
    formerly served on President Ronald Reagan's nine-member
    President's Task Force on Victims of Crime.
        Entering Nevada politics shortly after receiving his law
    degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, he has served as
    Clark County District Attorney and Deputy District Attorney,
    Las Vegas Township, Justice of the Peace, and as a uniformed
    officer in the Sheriffs' Departments of both Los Angeles and
    Clark County. He was the first Legal Advisor of the Las Vegas
    Metropolitan Police Department.
        He served his country as a member of both the U.S. Army
    Reserve and the U.S. Air Force Reserve, receiving his discharge
    at the rank of E-6 in 1973. He is the father of a boy, two
    girls and the husband of a former teacher of the hearing
    handicapped.
        Please give a warm welcome to the Governor of the beautiful
    State of Nevada, Bob Miller.

                       RESPONSE--THE HONORABLE BOB MILLER

        GOVERNOR MILLER: It is exciting to stand here and look out
    at so many attendees, and it is truly an honor to welcome all
    of you to the Silver State for your 95th Annual Convention. I
    know that every veteran believes in hard work and in playing
    hard, and I know that you will be working hard, and now having
    seen your ambitious opportunity for the play of every sort, you
    certainly will be able to combine both of those while you are
    here in the Las Vegas area.
        In Nevada, our state slogan is ``The Battle Born.'' It is a
    slogan that dates back to the beginning of the Civil War when
    Nevada was the first to achieve statehood in those times. But
    it is a slogan that Nevada veterans have carried into battle in
    every conflict since right up to modern conflicts like Desert
    Storm.
        All Nevadans embrace their slogan in support of our
    veterans. I am proud to be the Governor of a state that has
    more veterans per capita than any other state. Those Nevada
    veterans, like all of you, are the people who have been part of
    a long history of this country's commitment to defending
    freedom and liberty around the globe.
        Without the contributions and sacrifices of veterans of all
    of our previous wars, this country might not now have the
    opportunity or ability to defend freedom around the world. Your
    accomplishments and sacrifices have not only resulted in
    victorious individual awards, but have also laid the foundation
    for a legacy of peace and democracy for generations to come in
    this country and on foreign shores.
        Every American needs to remember the contributions made by
    our veterans. It was just a few months ago that the world was
    reminded of the significance of long-range impact of those
    contributions during the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. It was an
    opportunity for the whole world to be reminded that America's
    military forces aren't employed purely out of self-interest but
    also in the interest of peace and freedom for all people.
        When General Dwight Eisenhower announced to the world the
    D-Day landing on the coast of France, he said, ``I call upon
    all who love freedom to stand with us. Now together we shall
    achieve victory.'' Nevada veterans, all the veterans of this
    country, stood together on battlegrounds around the world and
    here on our home front in support of our combat troops. To this
    day, our veterans stand together. They stand together in
    support of each other and in support of their communities, and
    as the case with comrades in arms, our veterans will continue
    to be victorious in their efforts to make their lives and the
    lives of their fellow citizens better.
        I look forward to standing with you together in that
    effort. I thank you for returning to Nevada. I am sure you will
    have not only a productive but a pleasurable conference. Thank
    you.

                       PRESENTATION OF AMERICAN FLAG SETS

        COMRADE McMINDES: At this time I would like to call on
    Mickey Scherer, the Ladies Auxiliary National Patriotic
    Instructor, to the podium, please.
        NATIONAL PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTOR MICKEY SCHERER: Thank you
    very much. I would just like to take a moment to reflect back
    to two memorable occasions, one being December 7, 1941, the
    1991 anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Going back to June 6, 1944,
    to 1995, the 50th Anniversary of the invasion of Normandy.
        On these anniversaries, how many memories have been stirred
    up, friendships renewed, tears shed? These two flags being
    presented today are being dedicated to those men and women who
    served in the armed forces of the United States and to the many
    who gave their lives for the cause of our freedom. I would just
    like to quote a few lines from a poem written by Herb Lee
    Watkins.
        It states, ``What was inside of them that overcame their
    fear, what made them leave the homes they loved and families
    held so dear? What made these men lay down their lives to stem
    the tide of war, for now they must rest beyond the blue, upon
    the golden shores.
        ``I am much more than just a flag that decorates a pole, I
    am faith, the hope and the love within the G.I.'s soul. And if
    a flag could really talk, here is what this flag would say, to
    every soldier laid to rest, `Come fly with me today'.''
        Honorable Bob Miller, Governor of Nevada, and Honorable Jan
    Jones, Mayor of Las Vegas, we of the Ladies Auxiliary of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States are proud to
    present to each of you this piece of cloth. It is our symbol of
    liberty. The red represents the sacrifices of our brave
    defenders; the white, our desire for liberty; and the blue
    represents the loyalty and human dignity of all our people.
        May these flags presented to you today always be displayed
    proudly. Thank you.

                   INTRODUCTION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER

        COMRADE McMINDES: It is now my sincere pleasure to
    introduce the gentleman who will lead this 95th National
    Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        When the VFW looks for leaders, we seek men of integrity
    and strength of character. We seek men with the ability to
    motivate and encourage us to greater accomplishments for
    America's veterans. Commander-in-Chief George R. Cramer has
    proven himself to be just such a man.
        A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, George earned an
    Air Medal and the Bronze Star as an artillery surveyor with the
    6/14 Artillery, 1st Field Forces. He served in Vietnam from
    October 1967, through December 1968.
        He joined the VFW in 1969. He was quickly recognized for
    his leadership abilities and ultimately served as an All-State
    Post Commander in 1972-'94, an All-American District Commander
    in 1976-'77, a 100 percent State Commander in 1982-'83, and an
    All-State Post Quartermaster from 1976 through 1985.
        George's commitment and service are also recognized outside
    the VFW in organizations like the American Legion, the
    Dibrovsky Club and the Scottish Rite.
        He is a Life Member of VFW Post 6869 in North Riverside,
    Illinois. George and his wife, Linda, son Scott and daughter
    Cheryl reside in Woodridge, Illinois.
        For the past year, George has led the VFW in speaking out
    against full diplomatic relations with Vietnam until the POW/
    MIA issue is fully resolved. He has spoken boldly against
    military intervention in Haiti and has worked hard to protect
    veterans entitlements and ensure the VA Health Care System
    remains intact and exclusively for veterans.
        Please join me in welcoming the Commander-in-Chief of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, George R.
    Cramer, from the great State of Illinois.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Commander-in-Chief Cramer.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, Jack, for the kind
    introduction. Good morning. You know, what a better way to
    start the 95th National Convention than by having the house
    lights dimmed and our great looking National Honor Guard
    walking down the aisle with a spotlight on the American Flag.
        I want you to know that two nights ago I had the
    opportunity to be with our National Honor Guard at the football
    stadium where the native football league, Las Vegas Posse plays
    and they did a great job on the field representing you as well.
    I think they deserve a hand for what they do for this
    Association. [Applause]
        Unfortunately, the Mayor and the Governor have already
    left. I was going to tell the Mayor that we were there
    representing our organization and doing our moral support for
    the City of Las Vegas. The Posse showed up, I guess, but didn't
    do well. They came out on the short end of a 10 to 39 score.
        You know, I have always learned when I got out of school, I
    entered the military, business and now for the last three years
    I was very confused on coming out to the Silver State. I
    thought by coming out here that was perhaps a token of their
    appreciation for us coming out here, but like many of you I
    guess instead of getting some type of a souvenir to take home
    we are making the Silver State while we are here this week.
         No year truly comes to an end in the VFW. Instead, each is
    a building block and that adds strength to our organization.
    Throughout my travels this year, I saw the work, the dreams and
    the progress of those that preceded me as VFW Commanders-in-
    Chief.
        It can be said of them that in their time they built for
    the future. I feel the same can be said of our year. The work
    that each of you did this year will have an impact today,
    tomorrow and for many tomorrows to come. Because of you, the
    POW/MIA issue is closer to being resolved.
        You held the line on the cuts to the VA budget, and you
    asked that the future budgets address the needs that have been
    neglected for so long. You took the joy and happiness to
    hospitalized veterans around the country, and you set the VFW
    on a new course of veterans service in co-sponsoring the Golden
    Age Games.
        I must tell you this is the third year I have had the
    opportunity to attend the games, and one of the individuals, a
    very proud individual that is partially handicapped, and in
    both of these games, in a wheelchair, is a competitive guy. I
    have been talking to this guy for three years.
        This year I had the opportunity to present him with one of
    his medals. As I was presenting his medal and saying something
    to him, he said, ``You know, Chief, I have got to tell you
    something.'' I said, ``What is it?'' He held up a little card.
    It said, ``I am deaf.''
        But the whole thing, I am getting the point across is what
    these games do for those guys in the hospital. They look
    forward each and every year meeting each other and competing
    each other against the VA Hospital system, the guys in the VA
    Hospital system.
        It is because of people like yourselves that are making
    this all possible. Through programs and projects, you continue
    to serve our country and make it better than ever. You honor
    those who served in World War II through hundreds of
    commemorative events, and on D-Day, 1994, you walked the cold,
    windswept beaches of Normandy where so many fought and died for
    freedom over 50 years ago.
        You maintain our tradition of serving veterans, a tradition
    that goes back over 95 years, and through your work and
    dedication you have assured that this tradition will go on as
    long as there are veterans. You have set a new record in our
    Voice of Democracy program by contributing over $2 million in
    scholarships.
        At that Washington Conference, you awarded more
    scholarships than ever before. Even since our Washington
    Conference, two more scholarships have already been awarded for
    next year, and the day is very close where each student will
    have at least $1,000 when they go out.
        You kept the pressure on our government to maintain a
    military of defending our country against any enemy.
    Strengthening the peace time is the best defense that a nation
    can have. We know too well what can happen when a country is
    weak at home and has no foreign policy abroad.
        We don't want anyone to forget about Pearl Harbor and the
    history of America, and we don't want the cost of another D-
    Day. Everything that you did this year, you met the challenges
    of the day and set the course for the future.
        I enjoyed representing you and carrying your message around
    the world. Sometimes it seemed like the day just blew by real
    quickly and, then, of course, other times it seemed like the
    day would never end. But in my case, it is the best year I have
    had, the best experience in my life.
        I have only you to thank for it. Because of people like
    yourselves, this organization will continue to honor the dead
    by helping the living through your commitment to service.
        As I told the Council of Administration a couple of days
    ago, it took us about nine months to have the opportunity to go
    in to see the President of the United States. At the Washington
    Conference, I made a decision, perhaps a decision that wasn't
    received well by many of you out there, but in respect to the
    office of the presidency of the United States, I, along with
    Larry Rivers, on May 20th went in to visit President Clinton in
    the Oval Office with several other veterans service
    organizations. One at a time, of course.
        While Larry and I were there, we presented the VFW priority
    goals to the President. I personally asked him verbally and
    with a typewritten letter to attend this Convention. I want you
    to know that it wasn't until two weeks ago that he and/or his
    staff refused to attend this Convention. In addition to that,
    with the exception of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse
    Brown, also told us that no other cabinet member was available
    for our Convention or any other Convention.
        I want you to know last Monday Vice-President Al Gore
    attended a union convention in Chicago and, of course, he met
    with the Chicago Police Department for some unknown reason.

       PRESENTATION OF VFW GOLD MEDAL OF MERIT AND CITA- TION TO LADIES
                       AUXILIARY PRESIDENT JUANITA CROWE

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: It is a singular pleasure to
    introduce our next honoree. An outstanding leader, she
    represents the more than 770,000 women of the Ladies Auxiliary
    to the VFW. She and they have contributed greatly to the VFW's
    success over the past year.
        She was elected National President at the 80th National
    Convention of the Ladies Auxiliary in Dallas, Texas, last year
    at this time. Her theme, ``Volunteers for a Better World,'' set
    the tone for a year of outstanding achievement.
        During the past year, a Ladies Auxiliary Museum was
    established at National Headquarters in Kansas City with more
    than $22,000 donated by the members. In keeping with her theme,
    the Ladies Auxiliary volunteers contributed an all-time high
    $46 million conducting community service and patriotic programs
    during the '93-'94 year. The ladies volunteered more than 3.7
    million hours at VA Medical Centers, nursing homes and other
    hospitals across the nation.
        Another highlight of the past year was a total of
    $3,088,173 raised for cancer victims and research. This is the
    sixth consecutive year the Auxiliary has raised more than $3
    million.
        Without question, the Ladies Auxiliary experienced a banner
    year under our next guest's leadership. Please honor the Ladies
    Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars with a warm welcome
    for their National President, Juanita Crowe, from the great
    volunteer State of Tennessee.
        ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Gold Medal
    of Merit and this Citation awarded to Juanita Crowe, National
    President, Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
    1993-'94.
        ``In special recognition of her untiring dedication to our
    country and in sincere appreciation for her enthusiastic
    leadership as evidenced by the exceptional contributions of the
    Ladies Auxiliary to the programs and purposes of the Veterans
    of Foreign Wars and, by their deeds, fulfillment of the
    commitment of the Ladies Auxiliary to ``Volunteers for a Better
    World''.
        ``In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
    the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States, this 22nd day of August, 1994.'' It is signed by myself
    and, of course, by Howard Vander Clute, our Adjutant General.
        Juanita, I publicly want everyone to know that it has been
    a real pleasure for me to have the opportunity to serve with
    you these last three years.

               RESPONSE--LADIES AUXILIARY PRESIDENT JUANITA CROWE

        LADIES AUXILIARY PRESIDENT CROWE: Commander-in-Chief
    Cramer, National VFW and Auxiliary Officers, Comrades, Sisters
    and Guests:
        I am deeply honored to receive this special award from the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars and I thank you very much. This
    Convention marks the completion of the 80th year that the
    Ladies Auxiliary has served as a partner with the VFW towards
    our joint goals of serving American's veterans and our
    communities.
        I am proud to have been able to play a role in that caring
    legacy. I am pleased to have been able to join our Commander-
    in-Chief Cramer in his dedicated ``Commitment to Service.''
        I thank each of you here today for your continued
    dedication to our organization and for the tremendous efforts
    you have put forth conducting our programs. You truly are
    volunteers for a better world. It is a better world because of
    you and your ``Commitment to Service.''
        Commander-in-Chief Cramer, thank you for the leadership you
    have provided and for the tremendous feeling of cooperation
    that you have fostered during your term of office. May you have
    a very successful year and I, too, have certainly enjoyed
    serving with you and for you for the last three years. Thank
    you so very much.

                      INTRODUCTION--HELEN PUTNAM BLACKWELL

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Seated in the audience this
    morning is the daughter of our founder, James Putnam, the first
    Commander-in-Chief of our original organization, the American
    Veterans of Foreign Service.
        This lady has continued in the family tradition of service,
    recently completing a term as President of the Department of
    Arkansas Ladies Auxiliary. Please give appropriate recognition
    to Mrs. Helen Blackwell.

     INTRODUCTION--GENERAL RAY DAVIS, USMC (RET.), CHAIRMAN OF THE KOREAN
                      WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Next, being a Korean veteran
    himself, I would like to call on Past Commander-in-Chief John
    Staum to introduce our next guest.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF STAUM: Thank you, Commander-in-
    Chief Cramer. Madam President, Distinguished Officers of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars, Distinguished Guests, my Fellow
    Comrades and Sisters:
        It is a pleasure to stand before you this morning as a
    member of the Korean War Memorial Veterans Advisory Board and
    to present to you and introduce to you the Chairman of that
    Board. I asked the Commander-in-Chief for this special
    privilege and he graciously consented to let me do this.
        I am introducing to you this morning a great American
    fighting man, and I am sure once you listen to his speech this
    morning you will agree with me that he is a great, great
    person.
        For the past eight years, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and
    its Ladies Auxiliary have generously contributed to the
    building of a monument in our nation's capital to honor those
    who fought and died in freedom's cause during the Korean War.
        To date, the VFW's contribution has exceeded our original
    $500,000 commitment to the Korean War Memorial by more than
    $100,000.
        Next July 27th marks the 42nd anniversary of the signing of
    the Korean Armistice and the dedication of that Memorial to
    those who served and sacrificed in the Korean War.
        For an update on this Memorial, we are most honored to have
    with us this morning the Chairman of the Korean War Memorial
    Veterans Advisory Board, General Raymond G. Davis.
        During the Korean War, Lieutenant Colonel Davis commanded
    the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division from August
    to December, 1950. Besides receiving the Medal of Honor for
    action during that period, he also earned two Silver Star
    medals, the Legion of Merit with Combat ``V,'' and later, as
    Executive Office of the 7th Marines, the Bronze Star Medal with
    Combat ``V''.
        Prior to his retirement, he served as the Assistant
    Commandant of the Marine Corps. A World War II veteran, Korean
    War veteran and Vietnam veteran, my friends, in all my private
    life, my business life and my affiliation with the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, I have had the honor of
    meeting many great and distinguished people in this United
    States and throughout the world, but this man rates right at
    the top.
        So, I ask you to please give a great welcome to the
    Chairman of the President's Korean War Memorial Advisory Board,
    General Raymond G. Davis, United States Marine Corps, (Ret.)
    General Davis.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to General Davis.]

                        RESPONSE--GENERAL RAYMOND DAVIS

        GENERAL DAVIS: Thank you, John. That was most generous. In
    fact, somewhat overpowering. I would like today initially to
    reflect on what happened in this hall yesterday, which was my
    first great privilege to attend your Memorial Service, and I
    must say it was totally outstanding.
        I was indeed moved to tears. I swelled with pride, I was
    thrilled to the depths of my spirit, challenged to ever moving
    forward in support of those great causes which we all serve. I
    congratulate you, I commend you and I certainly salute you.
        I am here today to talk about those eight years that John
    referred to in bringing forth the Korean War Veterans Memorial
    in Washington. It is now being constructed. I was there last
    week at the site near the Lincoln Memorial. As some of you may
    know, the water table in that area is just two feet below the
    surface.
        We have repaired that and we have compacted the soil. We
    have driven the piles, and last week we poured the foundation
    for the 19 figures which will be soon in place. On a recent
    visit to the foundry, we observed the 19 figures in full size,
    seven to eight feet, being readied for casting.
        A side statement about that visit. Five out of the first
    seven we disapproved of the facial features. Somehow sculptors
    and artists know only people who have pointed ears and long
    noses and sunken eyes and terrified looks on their face. We
    have corrected that.
        We have now approved 11 out of the 19. I have just been
    told that the rest are ready for our approval. I think that the
    sculptor is now convinced, because we told him time and time
    again, that these are young gallant warriors embarked on a
    mission where they are dedicated and determined to have
    victory.
        That is what you will see on the faces of those figures in
    our Memorial. The wall, 180 feet long, will depict all those
    who supported this formation of foot troopers. Huge boulders
    from the desert near San Jose, California, are hauled to
    Minnesota--it is black granite--sawed into slabs eight inches
    thick, ten feet by four feet in size, highly polished, and
    etched with a computerized system.
        We have approved most of that and, of course, we have our
    friend John there in the vicinity to carefully oversee that
    part of the operation. The list of those being lost is being
    researched, being sorted out and will soon be ready for display
    in a manner which many of you have seen at the Naval Memorial,
    an upgraded automatic process where all will be seen with their
    activities and possibly their photographs. All of this will be
    at the site of our Memorial.
         The Memorial is to be finished in May or June of next year
    and will be dedicated on the 27th day of July, the date of the
    Armistice in Korea. It is a three-day event. You will find in
    the registration area here in Las Vegas copies of the details
    of the three-day schedule.
        Generally, the dedication is on the 27th, and all past
    presidents, the President of South Korea, representatives from
    all the nations that participated in the war will be present.
        On the second day, the assembly of flags of all units that
    participated in the war. Those who have been deactivated will
    be symbolically reactivated for this event. Then on the third
    day, of course, the parade. In anticipation of maybe up to
    500,000 veterans, families and their friends, we plan
    continuous activity and entertainment throughout this period.
        The Memorial, we have arranged to be open 24 hours a day
    for several days before and certainly after the event. No more
    than 2,000 per hour can view it carefully and, therefore, we
    have arranged to maximize its availability. Entertainment at
    the Kennedy Center, on the mall, major events near the
    Washington Memorial, fireworks, an exhibition in the
    Smithsonian Institute, art displays in the National Gallery,
    war movies, a major symposium on the war, the causes, the
    effects, the lessons, and open house in all the embassies with
    a bus fleet that will shuttle from embassy to embassy.
        A contract is being completed this week with World Travel
    Partners, a billion-dollar enterprise, will run the details of
    these activities. We now have more than 8,000 rooms reserved,
    the schedules, the travel, the communications, the local buses,
    the control headquarters, the conduct of the details of all the
    activities.
        An international flavor will be obvious. In the last four
    or five months I visited Korea three times. I briefed the
    President of South Korea. They are fully organized and they
    have committed a million dollars to recruit the best talent in
    Korea to perform at the Kennedy Center is one example.
        Their government will provide honor guards, flag carriers,
    banners. Their veterans will come, and I met here a few minutes
    ago the President of the Korean Veterans Association who is
    here. I have seen him many, many times. We are prepared for a
    major participation by Korean veterans.
        The tourists industry, some of us don't realize how many
    tourists from South Korea and other nations come to this
    country, but many of those will be diverted to Washington to
    join in this event. One thousand five hundred British veterans
    are already committed, for example.
        None of the construction money can go to this dedication
    event, and you will soon hear from us. We are now moving out
    smartly. The Battle Monument Commission has new leadership.
    General Joe Roffstodder is here. He is really building the
    fires for us in Washington.
        In the defense, General Kicklighter is here who is running
    the 50th Anniversary event. Will you stand, please. In a
    priority mail-out, in our initial lists are the 200,000
    contributors to the construction of the Memorial, and they will
    be asked to commit themselves to attending, to the purchase of
    a souvenir passport which will mark them as full participants.
        In addition to the passports, it will be an opportunity for
    contributors to receive books, prints and artifacts of other
    kinds. We anticipate a major participation by veterans and
    their families. Any surplus we raise, and this includes surplus
    which might have gone to World Travel Partners, is being put
    into a foundation to support needy veterans and their families.
        We have a prototype of a newspaper which will be mailed to
    those who indicate their participation. We will give you an up-
    to-date view of exactly what is to happen in July, 1995. I have
    hundreds of copies of the three-day schedule, so when you have
    a chance go by the registration area and pick up one of those.
    After July of next year, our nation will never again forget
    Korean War veterans. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: General, certainly it is my
    pleasure, on behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, to present
    to you this check for $4,000 towards the Korean Memorial Fund.
    That check brings the VFW total to well over $600,000 and makes
    the VFW the largest contributor to the Korean Memorial.

        INTRODUCTION--LIEUTENANT GENERAL CLAUDE KICKLIGHTER, USA (RET.)

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: With 50 percent of our
    membership being World War II veterans, plans, programs and
    tributes on the 50th Anniversary of World War II have special
    significance.
        With us today is Lieutenant General Claude Kicklighter,
    Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army and Executive
    Director of the 50th Anniversary of World War II Commemorative
    Committee.
        During the Vietnam War, General Kicklighter served with the
    101st Airborne Division. Prior to his retirement, he served as
    Commanding General, United States Army Pacific.
        The VFW has an excellent working relationship with the
    committee in developing plans and programs that provide
    communities across America with a greater understanding of the
    lessons and history of World War II.
        Please join me in giving a VFW welcome to a VFW Life Member
    and the Executive Director of the 50th Anniversary of World War
    II Commemorative Committee, Lieutenant General Claude M.
    Kicklighter.

      RESPONSE--LIEUTENANT GENERAL CLAUDE M. KICKLIGHTER, CHAIRMAN OF THE
            50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD WAR II COMMEMORATIVE COMMITTEE

        GENERAL KICKLIGHTER: Thank you, sir, for those very kind
    introductory remarks.
        Commander-in-Chief, Madam President, other Distinguished
    Guests, especially General Davis, Fellow Veterans, Ladies and
    Gentlemen:
        It is an honor and privilege for me to be here in Las Vegas
    and to attend our 95th National Convention and also to provide
    you an update brief on the Commemorative Program for
    commemorating the 50th Anniversary of World War II.
        It is also great for me to celebrate my sixty-first
    birthday with you this morning. What a birthday party. I have
    never had a group like this. From the very start of this
    program, the VFW has been a leader in helping our nation
    remember and commemorate the 50th Anniversary of World War II.
        It has been an honor and privilege for me to work with our
    past three National Commanders. Commander-in-Chief Bob Wallace
    helped get this program off to a great start, and then he was
    followed by Commander-in-Chief Jack Carney, who helped move
    this program across the nation by getting involved our
    Departments, Districts, our Posts, and the Ladies Auxiliaries
    who moved this program into many of our communities across
    America.
        During this past year, it has been indeed a privilege to
    work with our Commander-in-Chief George Cramer. He has always
    been there when I needed advice and counsel and support.
    Starting right after our Convention last year, we initiated a
    program to issue the 75th Commemorative Medal to the World War
    I veterans. Commander-in-Chief Cramer was there to help kick
    that program off.
        I will tell you that we still have many World War I
    veterans out there, unfortunately, who are disappearing rapidly
    that have not received that medal. I would ask you to help us
    find those World War I veterans and make sure they get their
    75th Commemorative Medal.
        Commander-in-Chief Cramer also participated and was very
    active in the recent D-Day activities in both England and
    Normandy, France. In July, we were together as we commemorated
    a very moving commemoration in Guam, as we commemorated the
    liberation of Guam with 1,200 other veterans of that battle.
        I look forward to this next year working with our
    Commander-in-Chief-Elect ``Gunner'' Kent. I look forward to
    that opportunity. Although Commander-in-Chief Cramer has
    already mentioned the purpose of the program, I will briefly
    review it for you.
        It is to help a grateful nation, and I underline ``grateful
    nation'', to remember and to thank and honor our World War II
    veterans and their families, and especially the families of
    those who lost loved ones in that war, who know the price of
    freedom.
        Also, we want to remember those who served on the home
    front and we want to remember to tell the story of the women
    who served both on the home front and in the war, and we want
    to complete the story of the minorities that served on the home
    front and the war.
        A second part of that purpose is to encourage the study of
    history of this period. When we began this program, three out
    of five Americans could tell you almost nothing about World War
    II. We want to make sure that we learn and we prepare and we
    use this knowledge to ensure our children and our grandchildren
    and our great-grandchildren never have to go through what this
    generation went through.
        So, a big part of this program is to support the local
    schools. You know, the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary are very
    active in the school program. I would like to give you now just
    a brief update of several of the programs that are helping us.
        First, I will talk about the World War II Commemorative
    Community Program. This is a grass roots program where we are
    trying to reach more than eight million World War II veterans,
    where they live, whether that is in a community, a retirement
    home, a nursing home or a veterans hospital.
        We are recognizing and we are asking our states, our
    communities, our veterans and civic organizations across
    America to join in this program and volunteer to participate
    and to sponsor at least three events each year to thank and
    honor our veterans.
        As we come to the final year of this program, we need more
    than ever the help of our VFW Posts and Auxiliaries across the
    nation. We also want to emphasize not only thanking the
    veterans but we use them to get in the local schoolhouses. Once
    a community and organization volunteers to become a
    commemorative community, they are officially designated with a
    plaque signed personally by the Secretary of Defense, as
    authorized by Congress, and they become a Commemorative
    Community.
        They receive a Commemorative Community plaque, and along
    with that plaque they receive many very professional products
    to go into local schoolhouses. To date, I am happy to report
    that there are more than 4,000 World War II commemorative
    communities across America today.
        That includes every state and every territory, and it
    includes colleges and universities, the Supreme Court, also
    television channels, and many, many other organizations that
    are a part of this. We are continuing to grow, thanks to your
    help, more than 200 new commemoratives each month are joining
    our ranks.
        Our National VFW Headquarters became a World War II
    commemorative community about two years ago, as you recall,
    when General Colin Powell made a surprise visit to our winter
    conference and presented a Commemorative plaque to our
    Commander-in-Chief Jack Carney.
        Since that time, hundreds of our VFW Posts and Ladies
    Auxiliaries have become World War II commemorative communities.
    They are doing wondrous and great things across America and
    around the world. I wish I had time this morning to share some
    of the contributions that are being made through our Posts and
    Auxiliaries, but time doesn't allow it.
        I would say that District No. 3, in Arizona, all of the VFW
    Posts and the Ladies Auxiliaries are all World War II
    commemorative communities and working extremely hard throughout
    their District. I thank you for that.
        As we come to the final year of this commemoration, we need
    all of our Posts and Ladies Auxiliaries and your communities to
    become more involved. We need to make sure that all of our
    World War II veterans are properly thanked and honored as they
    must be.
        The next area I will give you a brief update on is
    education. I don't have to talk to this group about education.
    The VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary and our committees have
    produced some superb educational materials that are available
    to all of our schools across America at no cost.
        We need you to assist in getting these materials and our
    veterans into the classroom to assist our teachers. If we
    study, learn and prepare, just maybe World War II will become
    known as the last world war.
        Howard Vander Clute and Mike Gormally have been a driving
    force in the commemorative program and our educational program.
    I want to thank both Mike and Howard for the very great work
    and support you have done for this program. If you need more
    information about either the educational or the commemorative
    program, I will ask you to check at our booth, and also the VFW
    has products out there to assist you in this as well.
        A quick update on the media. As you know, as well as I do,
    if we are going to reach young America we must keep the media
    involved in telling the story. We are working hand in hand with
    the VFW and with your Posts around the country to get our local
    stations involved.
        I would like to share with you just a couple of things that
    we are doing. One is that we have prepared some 30-second spots
    about World War II for our television stations. I am happy to
    report to you that many of the stations across America now are
    playing those spots and will continue to produce those
    throughout this next year.
        So, any assistance that you can do to encourage your local
    stations will be appreciated. There already have been more than
    50 major television programs and movies in the past three years
    that have honored and thanked our veterans of World War II.
    There are many, many more that are planned for this final year.
    So, with the VFW we will keep the pressure on the media to tell
    your story.
        The last item that I will give you is an update on this
    morning is the commemorative events. As you know, we began this
    program on December 7th, 1991, with the 50th anniversary of the
    attack on Pearl Harbor, in Honolulu and the VFW was again very
    much involved in helping make that happen.
        We have had many events that we have done since then, but
    due to time this morning I will just hit a few. I would also
    point out that at the commemorations that we do around the
    world, they are normally done on the site where the battle
    takes place, and it is also done in many sites across America.
    That will be the model that we will use throughout the rest of
    this program.
        In June 1994, we commemorated the battles in Italy, the D-
    Day landings in Normandy and the liberation of Saipan, and
    Tinian in the Pacific. In June '94, we had the liberation of
    Guam, a very moving ceremony in the Island of Guam.
        In August, we commemorated the landings in Southern France,
    and the 25th of August we will commemorate the liberation of
    Paris. In September '94, we will commemorate the liberation of
    Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Then we will be back
    in the Pacific to commemorate the Battle of Peleliu and Palau,
    one of the toughest and bloodiest battles of the war.
        In October, we will commemorate the great naval battle of
    Leyte Gulf and General McArthur's return to the Philippines. In
    December '94, the Battle of the Bulge, both in Belgium and in
    St. Louis, Missouri. Then we come to the final year, 1995.
        In February-March '95, we will commemorate the Battle of
    Iwo Jima. We will do this initially in Washington, and then we
    will have three separate ceremonies during the period of
    February and March on the Island of Iwo Jima. In March '95, we
    commemorate the crossing of the Rhine River at the Remagen
    Bridge in Germany. That is the first time we have had a
    commemoration in Germany.
        In April through June, we will commemorate one of the most
    significant and the toughest battles of war when we commemorate
    the Battle of Okinawa. We will initially commemorate this in
    Washington, but we will finish the commemorations and the last
    commemoration before ``V-J'' Day will be on the Island of
    Okinawa.
        Also, we will commemorate in Russia on April 25th, we will
    commemorate the U.S./Russian link up on the Elder River both in
    Germany, Washington and Moscow. May 8, 1995, is the end of the
    war in Europe and VE Day will be commemorated throughout Europe
    and all across America, remembering the end of the war and
    tyranny comes to an end in Europe.
        Then in July '95, we will all be in Washington, D.C., to
    help General Davis unveil the Korean Monument that we are so
    excited about. Then September 2nd is the end of the war in the
    Pacific. This will be our last event during the celebration,
    and we will close the World War II commemoration with an
    international event, with many heads of state participating in
    Honolulu.
        We will have major end of the war ceremonies all across
    America in major cities across America. We will be glad to
    provide a list for you on that. Then the program officially
    closes November 11, 1995, Veterans Day. Throughout America that
    morning we will remember the price of freedom that we had to
    pay 50 years ago.
        No generation has ever been given a tougher job than the
    World War II generation. You have fought the most destructive
    war in history, a war that we were not prepared for, and we had
    to buy time to get prepared with lives of young Americans.
        You literally saved the world as we know it, and it is
    appropriate that we remember and that we thank you. No matter
    what we do to honor this very special generation, it will not
    be enough. Every day, when we wake up and look around at this
    strong and free and beautiful America, we must always remember
    that this nation didn't just happen, it happened because brave
    men and women answered our nation's call 50 years ago as they
    always have done and as they will always do.
        It has been said that any nation that forgets its veterans
    ceases to be a great nation. America will never forget its
    veterans. A grateful nation does remember. God bless America.
    Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, General. In
    appreciation of not only what you are doing for World War II
    activities, but also in appreciation for your service to the
    country that we all live in, and on behalf of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, it is my pleasure to present
    to you your Life Membership in the VFW.
        GENERAL KICKLIGHTER: Wow. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Working very closely with
    General Kicklighter is Colonel Kevin Hanretta. Certainly,
    Kevin, in addition to what I said to the General, we are most
    appreciative of your efforts as well and on behalf of the VFW I
    would like to present to you your Life Membership in the VFW.
        Yesterday, our Annual Memorial Service was dedicated to the
    memory of two distinguished Past Commanders-in-Chief, Lewis G.
    Feldmann of Pennsylvania, and Leslie M. Frye of Nevada.
        Witnessing that Memorial Service and with us this morning
    is Thomas Fagan, a Feldmann, a nephew of Past Commander-in-
    Chief Lewis, with a message from the family. Mr. Fagan.
        MR. THOMAS FAGAN: The Veterans of Foreign Wars meant a
    great deal to Lewis Feldmann. On behalf of Lewis' widow and the
    rest of the family, I would like to present this memorial to
    the VFW in honor of him.

                 INTRODUCTION OF ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The purpose of this next
    introduction is to honor a gentleman who is no stranger to
    these proceedings. He has given 36 years of service to our
    great organization. He has made significant contributions to
    the VFW and to America's veterans.
        Howard E. Vander Clute, Jr., was appointed Adjutant General
    in 1981, after serving as Commander-in-Chief of this
    organization during 1979-80. Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, he
    served with the Army Corps in Germany through 1951 and '53. He
    later joined and remained a Life Member of VFW Post 6467 in
    Bergenfield, New Jersey.
        Howard Vander Clute was elected Post Commander in 1958 and
    ultimately served as an elected officer of the Post, County
    Council and the Department at all levels. He is a past All-
    American District Commander. He was an All-American Department
    Commander of New Jersey in 1974-75, and has served as the
    Chairman of the National Security Committee, on the National
    Council of Administration, General Resolutions Committee, and
    the National Budget and Finance Committee.
        In 1972, former Governor William Cahill of New Jersey
    appointed Vander Clute State Veterans Day Chairman. In later
    years, New Jersey's Governor Brendan Byrne appointed him to two
    successful four-year terms as the Chairman of the State
    Veterans Service Council.
        During his years as Junior and Senior Vice Commander-in-
    Chief, Vander Clute made fact-finding trips to Europe, the Far
    East, the Middle East and Central America. He also appeared on
    Good Morning, America, Today and Tomorrow Shows representing
    the VFW on major issues of interest to all members.
        Vander Clute is married to the former Susan Stamm and
    resides in Kansas City, Missouri, where he has served the VFW
    for the past 13 years as its Adjutant General.
        Sergeant-at-Arms, will you present our guest to this
    podium. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming a man
    who has become an institution in our organization, Howard E.
    Vander Clute.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Adjutant General Vander Clute.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The citation reads, ``Gold Medal
    of Merit and Citation awarded to Howard E. Vander Clute, Jr.
        ``In special recognition of his extraordinary service as an
    articulate spokesman and exceptional advocate for our nation's
    veterans and for the programs and purposes of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars that is more than 36 years of leadership rendered
    in every elected office at the Post, County Council and
    District and on the National levels for which he received All-
    American honors as the District and Department Commander of New
    Jersey, followed by his election to serve on the National
    Council of Administration, representing New Jersey and
    Maryland.
        ``In his election and advancement through the Chairs to the
    highest office of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States in 79-80, at which time his single achievement and
    brilliant leadership as National Commander-in-Chief propelled
    the organization and its membership in front of the rest, and
    in its sincere appreciation for continuing to serve the
    organization with great dignity, high esteem and unparalleled
    expertise, and innovation for another 13 years as the Adjutant
    General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.''
        Howard, it is a pleasure for me to sign that citation and
    for John Senk to sign for you. Thank you, for all your efforts
    on behalf of the VFW.
        I thought it was important at the employees party the other
    night that the employees were a part of this first, because
    they were the people that purchased the pin. At the party, I
    showed Howard the pin. I said I have got to take it back
    because they bought it at Sears and it is broken, so we have
    got to return it and get it fixed.
        It was not broken, but I wanted to keep it for this special
    occasion. So, it is a proud moment for me to present to you the
    only Past Adjutant General's pin.

                    RESPONSE--ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE

        ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE: Commander-in-Chief, I always
    prided myself in the fact that I knew everything that goes on
    at a National Convention. I am a hands-on sort of a manager,
    and much to the irritation of my staff at times. Every day of
    this Convention, we review carefully the daily agenda before we
    come here in the morning, and everybody has a copy. Obviously,
    there was one copy that got by me this morning.
        Also the daily business of the organization almost always
    passes by my office. I don't know how they were able to prepare
    a citation, because I am always in on everything to be
    absolutely certain that we have all of the things that we need
    to make this convention a success.
        So, you can imagine this morning my surprise when the
    Commander-in-Chief was not reading from the same script that I
    was monitoring. Please let me say if you have set aside this
    moment this morning to pay tribute to me, let me reverse that,
    because you have given me an opportunity to serve this
    organization that has produced for me a great deal of
    excitement, a great deal of self-satisfaction and a great deal
    of pride in having the position of Adjutant General for the
    almost 14 years I have served.
        It is I who owe you a debt for which I will continue to
    work to pay off by paying attention to the policy, by
    subscribing to the policy of this organization and working in
    its best behalf as long as I can take a breath.
        Secondly, I want to thank, and I am trying to do this and
    not leave anything out, the 13 Commanders-in-Chief that I
    served during that time, beginning with Art Fellwock, who had
    to serve two terms because of the untimely death of T.C. Selman
    just a month after he had been installed as Commander-in-Chief.
        It was decided that I would have a training period in
    Kansas City under the tutelage and counsel of then Adjutant
    General Julian Dickenson. Circumstances prevented that from
    happening, because only a few days after I arrived at
    headquarters, Julian Dickenson died in the St. Mary's Hospital
    in Kansas City.
        So I was thrust into the position almost immediately.
    Commander-in-Chief Art Fellwock flew to Kansas City to install
    me in front of all of the employees. Frankly, it was an awesome
    responsibility, one that took a great deal of time to adjust
    to.
        After that initial adjustment, it was the most rewarding
    position that any member of this organization could ever hope
    to have to deal with the membership of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars, deal with the Commanders-in-Chief who served it so well,
    and to work with the professional staff that all of you have
    helped to assemble.
        I say that to this audience because every member of that
    staff came from the ranks of this organization having been
    tested in the field as a volunteer before he came to the
    headquarters. I am proud of the staff that serves this
    organization, I am proud to have worked with it.
        If there have been accomplishments in that 14 years, the
    credit belongs to the staff who has focused upon the
    responsibilities that were given to them and to perform in the
    best interest of their country and of this organization.
        Before I sit down and attempt to regain my composure and
    get on with the agenda of this Convention, which is so
    important to me these few days, I want to share this moment
    with my wife, Susan, who has been there all the way. My wife is
    known to talk a lot, and it is not a very secure secret if she
    has one, but that one was well kept. Thank you everybody for
    all this great experience. Thanks again.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Howard, it was easy to keep
    Susan from telling you anything. We didn't tell her until
    yesterday.

      INTRODUCTION OF NATHANIEL BENNETT--1994 NATIONAL VOICE OF DEMOCRACY
                                     WINNER

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For 47 years, the VFW's Voice of
    Democracy Scholarship Program has encouraged high school
    students to think, write and speak out on freedom and
    democracy.
        For each student, competition begins at his or her school.
    They move through the VFW Post, District and State levels,
    finally to the VFW National Competition where more than
    $100,000 in scholarship monies are given.
        All told, more than $2 million in scholarships and awards
    are provided each year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        The 1994 First Place National Winner of the Voice of
    Democracy Program is Nathaniel Bennett of Minneapolis,
    Minnesota.
        Nathaniel just finished his junior year at Minneapolis
    South High School. He is sponsored by VFW Post 1149 and its
    Ladies Auxiliary in Minneapolis.
        As First Place Winner, he is the recipient of the $20,000
    T. C. Selman Memorial Scholarship and he plans to use his
    scholarship to attend the University of California.
        Here to present his award-winning essay on ``My Commitment
    to America'' is the 1994 Voice of Democracy Scholarship First
    Place Winner, Nathaniel Bennett.
        It is a pleasure for us to present you with your medal and
    this plaque to Nathaniel Bennett, First Place National Winner
    of the Voice of Democracy Winner 1994. Young man, you did an
    excellent job.

                  VOICE OF DEMOCRACY WINNER--NATHANIEL BENNETT

        MR. NATHANIEL BENNETT: Before I begin, thank you's are in
    order. This is great. I will have to speak to my parents to
    build another wing for all the awards and medals that you have
    given me. It is amazing. It is beautiful. If I named people
    specifically, I would take up much more of your Convention than
    I think is appropriate, because all the people I have met have
    treated me so kindly and warmly, and it has been a pleasure to
    meet you all.
        So, just quickly I would like to thank my Stars Spangled
    Banner Post 49 in Minneapolis and the 7th District, the
    Department of Minnesota, and, of course, all of the members of
    the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary, not only
    for the scholarship and for your service in the war conflicts
    and in the ladies' case keeping the country, the jobs and the
    families together when the men were gone, but also for your
    sharing yourselves with me and the American community.
        Every time I come to one of these events, it becomes more
    obvious how dedicated service you truly are. So, without
    further ado, ``My Commitment to America.''
        All of us can think of a commitment that we've made to
    someone else; in marriages, in families and with friends.
    Commitment means people pledging themselves, often to each
    other. My commitment to America is no different. It involves
    America and I pledging ourselves to each other. For America's
    part, I have been welcomed by my family, my community, a
    government that is of, by and for the people, and by a society
    that has made this country great. To make the relationship
    between my nation and myself work, I must make my own
    commitment.
        I have always felt a commitment to America, but only
    recently thought about what that commitment really is. I have
    pledged allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it
    stands, but never fully understood the meaning of allegiance. I
    studied the Constitution, and discovered that it explains what
    the government can and cannot do, and gives the people certain
    rights, but nowhere in the Constitution does it mention a legal
    commitment. To understand my commitment to this country, I had
    to look deeper than the letter of the law. I had to look at the
    moral principles that America is based on, such as freedom of
    expression, toleration of differences, and belief in peaceful
    compromise. I had to realize that I, and every other American,
    must make a moral commitment to America.
        As part of that commitment, it is important that I exercise
    my right to vote, my right to free speech, and my right to
    petition the government. Still, this is not enough. I must also
    contribute to society in my own, individual way. America is not
    only a political state, it is a society that was shaped by many
    people, in many ways.
        Many of the greatest Americans were not involved in
    politics. If Mark Twain had been a career politician, we would
    not have his novel, Tom Sawyer, and we would not know how fun
    and profitable it can be to white-wash a fence. If Alexander
    Graham Bell had spent his life studying Constitutional law, we
    might still be communicating by Pony Express. If the father of
    the skyscraper, Louis Sullivan, had been a Washington lobbyist,
    the world of architecture would be less interesting and a lot
    shorter. If Harriet Tubman had been a member of Lincoln's
    Cabinet, there would have been many slaves that never made it
    to freedom. The point is not that these people weren't making
    political statements. Of course their lives reflected their
    political opinions. The point is that they contributed to
    society in their own way.
        Right now, I am experimenting with a few ways to express my
    commitment to America. I'm no Ansel Adams, whose pictures
    inspire awe in our nation's natural beauty, but I do take
    photographs of my surroundings that express my commitment to
    America. One of my pictures is of a building with a billboard
    displaying the message, ``Support our Troops in Operation
    Desert Storm.'' Below the billboard, on the building are the
    words, ``Troops Out'' in black spray-paint. When I took the
    photograph, I thought of it as merely an ironic urban scene,
    superimposing two messages into one image, but now it seems to
    me it is an example of the American forum. The maker of the
    billboard, the maker of the graffiti, and I, the maker of the
    photograph, all considering America's direction.
        I'm not on a par with Bob Dylan, the American troubadour,
    but I play the bass guitar and occasionally I write songs. One
    of them called ``Indecision'' describes an inner struggle. Two
    lines read, ``I try to communicate. I do so with perseverance.
    But hypocrisy retaliates with its interference.'' The tunes and
    lyrics are simple, but the song reflects my occasional
    frustrations about life.
        And what about this speech? I do not think the great
    American orator, Fredrick Douglas, will lose his place in
    history because of me, but I am using this speech to explore
    and explain my commitment to America. It made me think about
    how my photography and music reflect that commitment. Even now,
    as I recite, I gain more insight into who I am and what my
    commitment to America means.
        I've discovered that I treasure the freedom of expression
    that allows me to contribute my music, my photography, and my
    opinions to American society. My whole generation and I
    experience this freedom because of many Americans before us;
    Americans who have given their ideas in political speeches, in
    songs, in stories and in actions; Americans who have worked in
    factories and universities and grocery stores; Americans who
    have given their loyal services and even their lives, in the
    armed forces. In response to and in honor of those Americans, I
    contribute my ideas, my talents, and my life to America in
    order to make it better now and for generations to come. This
    is my commitment to America. It is the greatest commitment that
    I can make.

      INTRODUCTION--IAN McDONOUGH, VICE-PRESIDENT, RETURNED SERVICEMEN'S
                            LEAGUE--SOUTH AUSTRALIA

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: A long-held tradition among the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars is to maintain close relationships
    with our counterparts in other countries. VFW members have
    strong affection for troops with whom they have shared the
    field of battle.
        In World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam, many American
    troops fought alongside the troops of Australia. These close
    ties have carried forward in our current relationship with the
    Returned Servicemen's League of Australia.
        This morning, I am especially pleased to introduce the
    current Vice-President of the Returned Servicemen's League from
    South Australia, Ian McDonough.

                            RESPONSE--IAN McDONOUGH

        COMRADE McDONOUGH: Commander-in-Chief Cramer, Distinguished
    Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. I would probably be like one of
    our Prime Ministers. He lost his trunks in the Indian Bank one
    day and got caught with his pants down. I have been
    experiencing audiences up to about 200. Your Adjutant General,
    I am very pleased to meet him, but this is a con man.
        I have only met him last Friday for the first time and I
    have met him twice since, and he has put one over on me each
    time. Being 34 years in a law agency, it is a bit hard to take,
    Howard. It has been a pleasure meeting you. I have the honor to
    present to you the Australian Flag. It is the first one
    respective government has presented outside of Australia on
    behalf of the British Governor.
        In addition, I would like to present the VFW with this
    Returned Servicemen's League gold plaque from my President in
    Australia. That was the first Con Act of your Adjutant General.
    The second one was this morning he asked me to present a plaque
    on behalf of the Australian Veterans organization, called the
    Greater Southeast Australia Association on behalf of their
    Vice-President.
        It is an honor to present this. I served in 1960 in the
    Australia Air Force. I know the area well. I most certainly
    treasure our association, so this is given to you, sir.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER. Thank you, Ian.

           INTRODUCTION OF SUPREME COMMANDER OF THE MOC--GLEN MARONEY

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER. Thank you, Ian.
        A national gathering of the Veterans of Foreign Wars would
    not be complete without a visit from the Supreme Commander of
    the Military Order of the Cootie.
        Elected Supreme Commander at the 74th Supreme Scratch in
    1993, Glen Maroney first became a member of Gopher Pup Tent No.
    2 Grand of Minnesota after joining VFW Post 246 in 1948.
        Glen is a World War II and Korean War veteran, serving as a
    U.S. Naval Officer in the Pacific Theater during the Second
    World War and being recalled to active duty during Korea.
        He has been active in both the Military Order of the Cootie
    and the VFW for more than 45 years.
        Please give a warm VFW welcome to the Supreme Commander of
    the Military Order of the Cooties, Glen Maroney.
                  REMARKS--MOC SUPREME COMMANDER GLEN MARONEY

        COMRADE MARONEY: I almost thought I needed to take a bow
    out there. That is a Cootie greeting. Anyway, good morning, my
    dear friends, National Officers, Commander-in-Chief George and
    the National Officers of our Ladies Auxiliary, the beautiful
    ladies, my fellow comrades out here and friends all.
        We have your other Auxiliary that have had a beautiful year
    this year. I am extremely proud of our members and what they
    have done. We will start our Supreme Scratch this coming
    Thursday at 1:00 o'clock over at the Riviera. That will be our
    75th Anniversary.
        That is 75 years our veterans have come back to these
    encampments and to do things and have a good time and renew old
    friendships and acquaintances. Some people ask me why in the
    world would you name an outfit a Cootie? Well, this happened
    after World War I, the ones that came out of the trenches of
    Europe.
        They didn't have all these head doctors, psychiatrists,
    therapists, whatever you want to call them, that tell you today
    what is wrong and put on you Prozac. How to solve your problems
    then was in laughter, good times. They weren't so darn thin-
    skinned that we couldn't tell an ethnic joke, a religious joke,
    or any kind of a joke, where like today we are not politically
    correct to start with.
        What I am saying, they got over their problems with
    laughter. Our original parameter was to both perpetuate humor
    and offer advice to American servicemen. And we still to this
    day try to have a good time in our meetings, enjoy each other
    and enjoy life. I think we should look to that a little bit
    more. We need to lighten up and let's have some fun.
        As we matriculated through the years, the Cooties got a
    little more serious program. Some of you with better ideas than
    I came up with our hospital program which they call the ``Keep
    Them Smiling in Beds of White.'' I am proud of what we have
    done in the hospitals this last year.
        We have set all-time records. I am not going to give you a
    lot of figures. You don't want to hear them anyway. We set all
    kinds of records, but one thing that has really made me realize
    how good we have been doing is the VAVS. You all know that is
    Volunteer Service for Veterans Administration Hospitals that
    puts out figures as to what the organizations do.
        There are 172 VA's in the United States or under their
    jurisdiction. We Cooties are represented in 160 of them, which
    is a good record. We need more of you, though, to join with us
    and to get those other 12. We are working on them. More
    importantly, there are 60 regular organizations who are
    registered with the VA system to do volunteer work.
        We are not number one or number two, I am sorry to say.
    That is the American Legion and their Auxiliary. We are not
    even number three and number four. That is the VFW and their
    Auxiliary in that position. Number five, no, the DAV, the
    Disabled American Veterans.
        But we are number six and we are proud of that figure. We
    are very proud of that. Our motto this year was ``Volunteer
    With Pride.'' We have some of the greatest volunteers in the
    world, and I am proud that they selected me to lead them this
    year.
        I want to reiterate and try to get through here, and it is
    a hard thing to do. When we become Cooties, we do not abandon
    the VFW. We still stay strong and work with the VFW, and under
    the leadership of our great Commander-in-Chief this year we
    have been fostering and trying to promote that word around the
    country.
        Just as an example, I have one of our Supreme Officers down
    front. He is Quartermaster of his Post. He has been District
    Commander two or three times. He has held all kinds of offices
    in his Department. Bobbie Birdett, my Supreme Adjutant
    Quartermaster, is down front. Along with him I would like to
    introduce his wife, Faye, who is our Supreme Senior Vice-
    President of the Cooties Auxiliary.
        Just one more short thing and I will get out of here. I
    know we have a lot of speakers coming. I have tried to somehow
    show the fact that we are active in the VFW and we have tried
    to pick up our VFW booster program, not just a numbers game
    where we say only you members can sign up and things like that.
        We wanted the states, when we called them, to give us a
    resume on what they are doing to promote and help their VFW on
    membership. We have got some great letters from some of them.
    Some didn't respond. It is a new program and didn't get through
    the heads right away, and they have to think about it for a
    while.
        I would like to announce at this time that the Grand
    Commander Rick Allen of North Carolina will be the winner of
    our VFW Booster Program this year. Rick is here. With that, as
    I said earlier, we have had a terrific year. I am proud of the
    fact I was able to lead this Auxiliary for the VFW and I am
    especially proud to be here with George and serve with him this
    year.
        I know with Howard, George and I retiring, we will all be
    around. Howard is not going to wander off on his motorcycle
    into the sunset like the rest of us. Thank you again for all of
    your kind attention.

                INTRODUCTION OF PROFESSOR TEH-SHAUN HUNG, VACRS

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For more than two decades, the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars has pledged their support for our
    friends in the Republic of China on Taiwan through resolutions
    at our National Convention.
        The citizens of the Republic of China on Taiwan are proud
    of their success and economic achievement. Certainly, that
    success, in large part, can be attributed to the employment and
    development programs that the Republic conducts for its
    veterans.
        The tremendous care, support and vitality of its veterans
    programs have been an inspiration and model for the VFW. We
    wish to thank our friends with VACRS, the Vocational Assistance
    Commission for Retired Servicemen, for their long and
    beneficial friendship.
        Joining us today to reaffirm our pledge of brotherhood and
    comradeship is Professor Teh-Shuan Hung, Vice Chairman of
    VACRS.

                       RESPONSE--PROFESSOR TEH-SHUAN HUNG

        PROFESSOR TEH-SHUAN HUNG: Commander-in-Chief Cramer,
    Delegates to the Convention, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and
    Gentlemen.
        On behalf of the Vocational Assistance Commission for
    Retired Servicemen and the veterans of the Republic of China, I
    extend to you our most sincere congratulations on the occasion
    of the National Convention of the VFW. I am very pleased to be
    with our old friends from the VFW here in Las Vegas.
        As veterans, we have endured the horrors of war, and we
    long for peace and quiet. Unfortunately, even today, with the
    near-demise of communism as a force of evil in the world, we
    still have many trouble spots, which could erupt into wide-
    spread violence, and possibly world war, at any moment. In
    Bosnia, Rwanda, Haiti, Somalia, and in a host of other places
    around the world, the embers of hate are fanned by greed, until
    they rage into a roaring fire of death and destruction.
        We believe that it is the special responsibility of the
    veterans of the Free World to unite in our efforts to promote a
    spirit of justice, which may calm the propensity toward war and
    violence. As we know, the devastation of war can only lead to
    economic dislocation, hardship, and suffering, not only for the
    military forces, but also for non-combatants within the nations
    and the people of neighboring countries.
        The VFW has always been a close friend of VACRS and the
    Republic of China. We share many common goals and mutually
    beneficial interests in veterans affairs. We both promote the
    best quality in home care, health care, education and training,
    and job placement that can be provided for our veterans. We
    understand that veterans benefits are not merely grants from
    the government, but rather compensation for service rendered to
    the nation on which no one can place a price tag.
        In the areas of foreign relations and national defense our
    two countries likewise share common aims. We are committed to
    expanding liberty, democracy, national security, and prosperity
    for all people of the world. We believe that the cooperation of
    freedom-loving people will triumph over dictatorship and
    slavery. As the Iron and Bamboo Curtains continue to fall, we
    are all hopeful that nations around the world can finally enjoy
    peace.
        For two decades, the VFW has shown its endorsement of the
    Republic of China through Resolutions at the Department and
    National levels. You have supported the diplomatic recognition
    of the Republic of China, our return to the United Nations, and
    the continued supply of advanced military equipment for our
    armed forces. For this support our people are truly grateful.
        As an important example, I would like to recall that,
    during the 1970s and 1980s, the Republic of China attempted to
    purchase F-16 fighters from the United States. Unfortunately,
    the Carter, Reagan and Bush administrations denied our
    requests. The VFW, in spite of the difficulties, knew that it
    was in the best interests of both the Republic of China and the
    United States to provide us with F-16s, under the provisions of
    the Taiwan Relations Act, so that we could maintain a
    sufficient self-defense capability.
        After almost two decades of continuous support, your
    Resolution was finally fulfilled, when President Bush
    authorized the sale of 150 F-16 fighters to our country in
    1992. We thank you and are most grateful for your unending
    efforts in this regard, and we hope that you will support our
    continued access to advanced U.S. military equipment in the
    future.
        We also hope that the relationship between the VFW and
    VACRS will continue to grow and prosper in the years to come,
    so that we will be able to enhance and foster the spirit of
    veterans' brotherhood between our organizations.
        In closing, I give you my best regards for health,
    happiness, and a most successful Convention in 1994. Thank you
    very much.
        MR. CHARLES KAN: On behalf of the Republic of China, we
    have a presentation that I have the honor to read, a
    certificate accompanying the Cloud and Banner Medal.
        ``Mr. George R. Cramer, Commander-in-Chief, The Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, has distinguished himself by
    his outstanding contributions to the promotion of friendly
    relations between the peoples of the United States of America
    and the Republic of China and to the enhancement of ties and
    cooperation between the veterans of our two countries.
        ``In appreciation of his meritorious service, Commander-in-
    Chief Cramer is presented the Order of the Cloud and Banner
    with Cravat by the Government of the Republic of China, in
    accordance with Article 11 of the Armed Forces Decoration
    Regulations.'' It has been signed by Lee Teng-hui, President,
    Lien Chan, Premier, and Sun Chen, Minister of National Defense.
        We have a plaque presented by VACRS. ``Presented to Mr.
    George R. Cramer, Commander-in-Chief, the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States in appreciation of his outstanding
    contributions to a strengthening of brotherhood between the VFW
    and VACRS by the Chairman of the Vocational Assistance
    Commission for Retired Servicemen, Republic of China, August
    22, 1994.''
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Professor Teh-Shaun Hung, I want
    to thank you for the medal and the plaque, and also I want to
    thank you on behalf of the VFW for being a most gracious host
    when we had an opportunity to visit with you folks in the
    Republic of China.

                      INTRODUCTION OF DR. WILLIAM BENNETT

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Ladies and gentlemen, we are
    pleased and honored to have with us this morning one of the
    most exciting and intellectually stimulating speakers in
    America today. He is also the 1987 recipient of the prestigious
    VFW James E. Van Zandt Citizenship Award.
        In 1981, President Ronald Reagan appointed Bill Bennett
    Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 1985,
    he was named Secretary of Education; and in 1989 he accepted
    the Post of Director of National Drug Control Policy.
        Dr. Bennett, in a decade of distinguished public service,
    earned a reputation as a man of strong, reasoned convictions
    who addresses the tough issues of our time in an eloquent,
    meaningful manner.
        In his post-government career, Bill Bennett continues to
    have a significant impact on gut issues that move the American
    people.
        Evidence of his influence on national political debate can
    be seen in his extraordinarily successful and widely praised
    ``Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories,'' which
    was number one on the New York Times Best Seller List; and his
    book ``The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators'', his
    assessment of modern American society.
        A commentator and frequent guest on ``Good Morning,
    America,'' CNN, MacNeil/Lehrer and Nightline, Bill Bennett is
    currently a distinguished fellow in cultural studies at the
    Heritage Foundation and is Co-Director of Empower America, a
    public policy ``think tank.''
        A native of Brooklyn, New York, he grew up in Washington,
    D.C., where he attended Gonzaga High School. He went on to
    receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Williams
    College and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Texas,
    and a law degree from Harvard.
        Please join me in a warm VFW welcome for the Honorable
    William Bennett.
                      KEYNOTE SPEECH--DR. WILLIAM BENNETT

        DR. WILLIAM BENNETT: Thank you very much, Commander-in-
    Chief Cramer, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great pleasure,
    privilege and honor to once again appear before the VFW. I
    treasure the award I received in 1987 and it was a great
    delight to get the phone call, as many of you know, last week
    inviting me to come. I have been on vacation with my wife and
    children and there are a few things I would give up for that
    family time, but I was happy to do so for your kind invitation.
    I have a reputation for speaking candidly, so let me speak
    candidly to you today.
        Though I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to
    you, I frankly do not understand why the President of the
    United States or the Vice-President could not come and speak to
    you today. For a long time it has been my view, and let me just
    say parenthetically I know we do not take sides in the VFW, it
    is not a political organization, but you will allow me free
    speech, nonetheless.
        For a long time it has puzzled me and bothered me that the
    President of the United States nor the Vice-President could not
    see fit to attend the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Jamborees. In
    doing so, to my knowledge, they were the first President and
    Vice-President to stiff the Boy Scouts in the history of the
    United States. To find out the same thing was done to the VFW
    simply adds to the embarrassment.
        To me, this is more important than Whitewater. I don't
    understand Whitewater, I may never understand Whitewater, I may
    be with many of you never understanding Whitewater, but I do
    understand what it means to neglect critical and important
    institutions. It is not as if the virtues of the Boy Scouts and
    the Girl Scouts and the virtues of the VFW were in oversupply
    in our nation that we could neglect these august institutions.

                              virtues vs. virtues

        Indeed, as I shall say in a few minutes you have given me,
    these are the virtues we need most of all. By the way, I hope
    you don't mind my using the term virtues. I feel I have made
    some contributions in getting this word back into circulation
    with the ``Book of Virtues.'' When I talked to my publisher a
    year ago about this book, he said, ``What is it?'' I said, ``It
    is a collection of moral stories for adults and children and
    adults and children together.'' Then he said why don't we call
    it the ``Book of Values.''
        I said no, it's not about values. When I hear the word
    values, I reach for my Sears catalog. This is about virtues,
    and a virtue is an excellence of character, and what we need I
    believe more than anything else today is attention to
    character, to nurturing the character of the young, and to
    instill in them the kind of virtues long associated with this
    organization and its brother and sister organizations.
        The tremendous success of the ``Book of Virtues'' has, of
    course, meant a great deal to me and my family personally and
    financially, and I don't want to stay too long in Las Vegas to
    make sure that it remains so. But it says something else about
    the country and the culture. The book was number one on the New
    York Times best-seller list, which I have to tell you as a
    conservative Republican was the nicest thing the New York Times
    ever said about me. It's a book with no pictures, there is
    nothing dirty or nasty or salacious or illicit in it, and it
    has sold 1.4 million copies.
        Three weeks ago it outsold Howard Stern's book four to one.
    Two weeks ago it outsold Howard Stern's and Roseanne's combined
    three to one. The last time I said that in public I got a phone
    call from a friend of mine named Rush Limbaugh, you may know
    him. He said, ``Don't use that locution.'' And I said, ``Why
    not?'' And he said, ``That's a hell of a thought, Howard Stern
    and Roseanne combined.''

                              winning the struggle

        But anybody who suggests that the cultural war has been
    waged and we have lost it; that Americans don't care about what
    is decent and honorable and forthright is mistaken. There is a
    great struggle going on in the country and I think the greatest
    and most important struggle going on in the country is in the
    culture.
        The stakes are these: Who wins gets to teach the children,
    and who gets to teach the children will decide what it is our
    children learn. Whether they will learn that America is the
    greatest country in the world, the greatest country that has
    ever existed, a country with faults and problems and a history
    that is mixed, but still the beacon of liberty and freedom in
    the world where whether they will learn something else about
    America.
        Who gets to teach the children will decide whether our
    history is taught accurately, whether math is taught at all,
    whether children are taught to speak English for their sake as
    well as for the sake of the identity of this country. It is a
    fight and a struggle I invite you to join. A grateful nation
    thanks you, ladies and gentlemen, for your service to this
    great country.
        It is our responsibility, people like me whose life is
    public policy, and whose life as an educator is to try to make
    it plain that our schools and colleges must teach the
    accomplishments of this country and how this country could not
    survive, could not have the greatness it has without the
    sacrifice made by you and your colleagues. So with that we
    thank you. Without the Veterans of Foreign Wars it would not
    have achieved what we achieved five years ago.

                             victory over communism

        Perhaps one of the most significant events in the entire
    history of Western civilization, the overthrow of communism and
    the victory of freedom. The long twilight struggle against
    communism of which John F. Kennedy spoke, a struggle waged by
    Republicans and Democrats alike, over the last 40 years, has
    ushered in the victory of liberty and democracy and most
    important, the American idea.
        Your contribution to that victory is not just a victory for
    the military, it is not just a victory for our children, it is
    not even a victory for America, it is a victory for
    civilization itself. Because the struggle to be clear, was a
    struggle between civilization and barbarism, between the
    goodness represented by democracy and freedom on the other
    side. Quite accurately, although to some it was a shock when
    Ronald Reagan said it, it was called ``The evil empire.''
    Indeed, that's what it was and it was vanquished by the forces
    of righteousness, decency and freedom.
                                domestic crisis

        The struggles we face now are somewhat different, I would
    submit to you. Yes, there are still foreign problems and there
    are no doubt going to be needs and opportunities for the United
    States to involve itself militarily. History is not over, the
    military involvement of the United States in the wider world is
    not over, and yet I believe the great struggle before us is the
    struggle I described, the struggle for our culture, the
    struggle for our children, the struggle internally to the
    United States.
        The great wars that the United States has waged and won
    were not fought and won so that we could see a 560 percent
    increase in violent crime in the last 30 years. The great
    struggles and wars were not fought and won so that we could see
    a 90-point decline in the scholastic aptitude test scores in
    the last 20 years. And the great wars and efforts that this
    country has waged were not fought and won so that we could see
    an increase in illegitimacy in this country that staggers the
    imagination.
        In 1960, five percent of the children born in this country
    were born out of wedlock. In 1990, 30 percent of the children
    born in this country were born out of wedlock. Senator Patrick
    Moynihan, a Democrat from New York, and I have spoken often on
    this topic and he agrees with me that if this rate continues by
    the end of this century we will have a 50 percent illegitimacy
    rate in this country.
        This country, this republic, cannot survive that kind of
    onslaught. We did not wage the wars against fascism, Nazism,
    Stalinism and communism in order to be overthrown from within
    by a declining decay of our own institutions. Our churches, our
    schools, our neighborhoods and our families are the places and
    the beachheads where these next wars will be fought and
    decided.
        The struggle again is the struggle for our children. Public
    policies, sound public policies can make a difference. To have
    a serious criminal justice system and not one that's a
    revolving door system will make a great deal of difference. We
    have to make it plain that we no longer believe what was
    popular in the '60s and '70s--that all criminals are victims
    and must be treated as such.

                        sense of personal responsibility

        We have to have once again a clear and certain idea of
    personal responsibility, not the idea that we have seen
    recently in the courtrooms of California where a person can say
    ``I'm not responsible because the riot made me do it,'' or
    ``I'm not responsible because sometime in my youth I was
    mistreated.'' At the heart of American politics, at the heart
    of the American political philosophy, and at the heart of
    Western civilization I described a few minutes ago, is the idea
    of personal responsibility. If that goes, it all goes.
        As to the welfare system, it is my belief and it has been
    for some time, that we must simply end the welfare system. The
    government must say we will no longer subsidize the wantonness
    of youth. Welfare programs were started, as many of you know--
    this should be a point underlined by this organization--to help
    the widows of those killed in service to their country. It has
    now been perverted into a system which rewards teenagers for
    the wantonness of the back seat of an automobile. This is not
    progress.
        And in the third area--education. We need to make it plain
    that an education is the education of mind and heart, that all
    education is the education of character. That parents want the
    schools to do several simple things: To teach children how to
    read, and write and count and think correctly and to help to
    develop ideas right and wrong that will guide them through
    life. If the current educational structure cannot provide these
    ends and reach these ends in a straightforward way, then it is
    time to turn the system back to parents. In my view, the
    American people will do better than the bureaucracies that now
    govern our educational system.

                             lessons of government

        So there are things to do in the realm of public policy.
    But I must tell you, I served in three different government
    jobs. I was Chairman of the National Endowment for Humanities.
    That's not the National Endowment for the Arts, I don't want
    you to confuse it. The National Endowment for the Arts is the
    one with the dirty pictures, the National Endowment for
    Humanities is the one with the dirty books but you have to be
    an intellectual to understand that.
        Then I was Secretary of Education where I fought with
    teachers' unions, university presidents; then I became the
    nation's first drug czar, which the only laugh line I had in
    that position was that I could refer to my lovely wife as
    czarling and to our two little boys as the czardines.
        Parenthetically, my wife thinks that my career in
    Washington is a case study in downward mobility. The thing
    started while at the Humanities, then I got into fights in
    Education, then I ended up in busts of the ``Bloods'' and the
    ``Crips'' at four in the morning in Los Angeles. And when I
    left that job she asked, ``What's next dear, toxic and
    hazardous waste cleanup?''
        But I saw a lot, I saw a lot about America. I visited
    classrooms; it was my wife's idea. When I became Secretary of
    Education, she said instead of making pronouncements, why don't
    you go around the country and go to class and teach classes,
    talk to parents, teachers and kids and see what they think,
    then make your pronouncements.
        I said, ``Elaine, I'm the Secretary of Education for the
    United States, I don't do retail, I do wholesale.'' And she
    said, being a daughter of a salesman, ``Do retail and you'll do
    better wholesale,'' and I did. And I went to 105 classrooms and
    taught class, and believe me, it's difficult to teach class
    with cameras in the back of the room. Dan Quayle will tell you
    that. And I will tell you that.
        And when I was drug czar I went to 103 besieged communities
    and I said take me to where the problems are the worst and they
    would always take me to where the problems were the worst. So
    I've had a pretty good survey of the American scene and I can
    tell you that our greatest problems are not going to be solved
    by government. Our greatest problems are not going to be solved
    by public policies. The government can help, they can hinder,
    but right now I think it's doing a lot of hindering in its weak
    approach to crime and it's approach to welfare and it's
    approach to education.
                           strengthening institutions

        But the real answers I believe lie outside of government.
    They lie in the idea of personal responsibility. They lie in
    the idea of the strengthening of our institutions. And they
    lie, of course, and most significantly, in the spiritual and
    moral realm. They lie in that realm in which we are all called
    to our own sense of responsibility. What we must do first, it
    seems to me, not to conclude, is to attack the idea of
    dependence in our time. There is an idea in our time of
    dependence on government which we must slough off if we are to
    regain our sense of personal responsibility.

                                richmond debates

        In the Richmond debate, the last of the presidential
    debates almost two years ago now, there was an important moment
    to me--the single important moment of that political campaign.
    A man about 40 years old, wearing a pony tail, approached the
    podium in Richmond--the interactive debate you remember with
    Clinton and Bush and Perot--and he said to the three men, ``We
    are your children,'' said this 40-year-old man, ``one of you
    will become the President. What will you do to take care of our
    needs as your children?''
        ``As your children we have needs, what will you to do take
    care of us?'' It was a shocking question. This question that
    was asked in Richmond not far from where Madison and Jefferson
    are buried, this man, this self-governing citizen referred to
    himself as a child in the presence of the future President of
    the United States as the father who would take care of him.
        What was perhaps more shocking than the question was the
    answers that were given. My colleague, my boss George Bush, a
    very good and decent man, demurred a little bit then answered
    the question. He told this man six or eight or ten things that
    he would do for him.
        Then Ross Perot answered the question. Well, to be fair to
    Ross Perot, he didn't answer the question, he said something
    like open the hood and get granny out of the closet, open the
    barn and some other stuff. It was very peppy, but it didn't
    really answer the question.
        But then Mr. Clinton answered the question and answered
    with a long and elaborate litany about the things that he would
    do for this man. And that answer goes on today. Look, I don't
    want to take cheap political shots and use the VFW platforms
    and opportunity to do that, that would not be right that
    wouldn't be fair.
        The political philosophy of the party empowered is a
    coherent political philosophy; it just happens to be one with
    which I disagree. That political philosophy says this: ``Give
    us your money and we will take care of you. Give us more of
    your money and we will take care more of you. Give us all of
    your money and we'll take care of everything, cradle to grave,
    your health care, your child care, your condoms, everything you
    need, we'll take care of it.''

                              spiritual challenge

        That, it seems to me, is the challenge to the American
    political and public spirit today. We need to say something to
    that, in my view, Democrats and Republicans alike, because
    there are Republicans who participate in this philosophy. But
    Americans, whatever their political persuasion, need to stand
    up to the government and say to the government today: ``Give us
    back our money and with it our sense of responsibility.''

                            who will lead the world?

        Finally, ultimately, as you know, because this is the idea
    for which you fought, this is an idea of self-government. This
    is an idea not of being in tutelage to a federal government.
    This is an experiment in liberty, liberty of the citizens,
    liberty of all the citizens.
        I referred earlier to the great victory of freedom around
    the world. One of the great heroes of freedom of the era in the
    last ten years was Lech Walesa of Poland. Let me close by
    reminding you of what Lech Walesa said at his departure from
    the United States. He visited the United States and addressed
    the Congress, in which he thanked the American people for the
    service that the United States had provided in the cause of
    freedom. Then he went to New York City, and with the Statue of
    Liberty behind, he said goodbye to the United States. He said,
    ``Thank you, thank you America for teaching the world the great
    lesson that freedom is more important than tyranny.'' Everyone
    thought he was finished, but he wasn't. He added a sentence or
    two: He said, ``Now comes another challenge for the United
    States. Take care of this country,'' he pleaded with us. ``Take
    care of America,'' said Walesa, ``for if you do not lead us,
    who will?''
        Well, we have taught the world a great lesson. Thanks to
    you and your colleagues, we have taught the world great lessons
    over centuries. Now there is a great lesson to be taught and to
    be relearned at home, so let us take care of that country at
    home.
        And I hope now that you will join with other Americans to
    fix the problems at home; to get into the struggle in our own
    country, the struggle for the minds and hearts of our
    countryman and our children.
        The ideas of America, the idea of liberty, the idea of
    freedom and the idea of personal responsibility. That is the
    great struggle of our time. Thank you very much.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, Dr. Bennett, for your
    sincerity and inspirational message. Quite frankly, I am glad
    the other fellow was unavailable.
       INTRODUCTION OF GENERAL TAE-WAN CHANG, KOREAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Four decades ago, we stood
    shoulder-to-shoulder with our comrades in Korea on freedom's
    front line. We shared the hardships and agonies of a war that
    took a terrible toll not only in lives but the very fibre of a
    nation. Since then, we have continued to stand together,
    committed to defending the freedom we won. During the difficult
    days of the Vietnam War, our allies from the Republic of Korea
    joined us in fulfilling our commitment in Vietnam.
        Today, Korea, through the sheer dynamics and energy of its
    people has emerged as an economic power in that region of the
    world. It is an achievement in which we share the pride of the
    Korean people. It remains an achievement that was made possible
    by the sacrifices of gallant veterans, both Americans and
    Koreans.
        We take great pride in the special relationship that we
    share with the Korean Veterans Association. We know the courage
    and dedication of those veterans, but most of all we know their
    friendship.
        It gives me great pleasure to introduce our comrade- in-
    arms, General Tae-wan Chang, President of the Korean Veterans
    Association.
        Comrades, please join me in giving General Chang a warm VFW
    welcome.

      REMARKS BY GENERAL TAE-WAN CHANG, PRESIDENT OF THE KOREAN VETERANS
                                  ASSOCIATION

        GENERAL CHANG: Thank you. Commander-in-Chief Cramer,
    Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
        It is a great privilege for me to be invited to attend your
    1994 Annual Convention. I extend warm greetings on behalf of
    all members of the Korean Veterans Association.
        Dear VFW Members, the Republic of Korea, with its new
    government since February of last year, has made remarkable
    progress in all fields including politics, economy and social
    affairs. This progress and great achievements would not have
    been possible without your assistance in the Korea War. I
    extend our sincere gratitude for this assistance.
        Today, in the midst of world political turmoil, the United
    States leads the pursuit for reconciliation and peace to form a
    new world order. However, North Korea is only eager to beef up
    its military power.
        As you know well, North Korea has refused to allow complete
    nuclear inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency
    for the last six years and continues its nuclear weapons
    development. The North Korean Nuclear Program provides a
    serious threat to peace not only on the Korean Peninsula but
    also around the world.
        As you know, Kim Il Sung, the ruler of North Korea for the
    past 49 years, died last month and has been succeeded by his
    son, Kim Jung Il. The son is cruel and belligerent and this
    increases the possibility of a reckless provocation by North
    Korea. These factors have increased tension between the North
    and the South.
        Dear friends, we take great pride in our traditional
    friendship. I look forward to your continued support in
    furthering the security and mutual interests of our two
    nations. In closing, I sincerely hope your Convention will be a
    successful and rewarding one. Thank you.
        This plaque is presented to Commander-in-Chief Cramer, in
    grateful recognition of the dedication and continued support to
    the Republic of Korea and to the promotion of friendly nations
    between the two organizations. This is presented this 22nd day
    of August, 1994, Las Vegas, Nevada.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, General, not only for
    this fine plaque but I also want to thank your organization as
    well for the hospitality extended to me upon my recent visit to
    Korea.
        Before we go into our closing ceremonies, I would like to
    remind everyone our Distinguished Guests Banquet tonight will
    feature Robert Stack and Gerald McRaney. I say that because
    they are perhaps going to arrive a little late. I do want you
    to know that we will have a show that will last for about an
    hour and one-half, your entertainment. I hope you can
    appreciate what we are doing here in the entertainment capital
    of the world.
        I would like to call on our National Chaplain Dr. Charles
    Edwards for the Benediction.
        [Whereupon, National Chaplain Charles Edwards, Jr., gave
    the Closing Prayer.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: This concludes the Opening
    Session of our 95th National Convention. We will reconvene at
    9:00 o'clock a.m. tomorrow.
        [Whereupon, the meeting was duly recessed at 11:50 o'clock
    a.m.]
                          DISTINGUISHED GUESTS BANQUET

                                AUGUST 22, 1994

        [The Distinguished Guests Banquet of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, meeting in the Las Vegas
    Hilton Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, was called to
    order at 7:00 o'clock p.m., by Comrade Albert J. McMindes,
    Chairman, Board of Directors, VFW 95th National Convention.]
        COMRADE McMINDES: May we have your attention. We would like
    to start the program. If you will all rise and remain standing
    until the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance is given,
    please.
        At this time I would like to call upon the National
    Chaplain, Reverend Edwards, to give the Invocation.
        [Whereupon, the Invocation was given by National Chaplain
    Reverend Charles W. Edwards, Jr., followed by the Pledge of
    Allegiance.]

                      INTRODUCTION OF MASTER OF CEREMONIES

        COMRADE McMINDES: Good evening and welcome to the
    Distinguished Guests Banquet for this, our 95th Convention. As
    your Chairman of the Board of Directors for this Convention, I
    want to extend a sincere welcome to all of you from the City of
    Las Vegas and the great State of Nevada.
        I sincerely believe that this banquet may well be one of
    the highlights of your Convention. We have a stimulating and
    what I am sure will be a memorable program in store for you. We
    hope that you enjoy the meal and the program.
        It is my pleasure, and I consider it to be indeed a
    pleasure, to have the special privilege of introducing the
    distinguished member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars who will
    serve as your Master of Ceremonies for the remainder of the
    evening.
        The VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief ``Gunner'' Kent has
    been continuously active in the VFW affairs at the State,
    District and National levels since joining the VFW in 1968. The
    VFW offices include All-American Post and Department Commander,
    Captain of the All-State Team, and the Western Conference
    Chairman.
        He was named Arizona's Young Vietnam Veteran of the Year
    for 1979. He has also served as your National VFW
    Transportation Coordinator, Vice-Chairman of both the National
    Legislative and National Security Committees, and Chairman of
    the Americanism Committee. He is currently a Life Member of VFW
    Post 19972, Sierra Vista, Arizona.
        I am proud to introduce a good friend, our Senior Vice
    Commander-in-Chief ``Gunner'' Kent from the great State of
    Arizona.
        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: Thank you, Comrade
    McMindes. It is truly my honor to have the opportunity to serve
    as your Master of Ceremonies for this magnificent event. For
    your pleasure, the Sun Spots will entertain with their
    appropriate music during the meal.
        After the meal, it will be my honor to introduce the head
    table and the Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States. Please enjoy your meal.
        [Whereupon, the dinner was enjoyed at this time.]
        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: It is my high honor to
    introduce our head table guests.
        [Whereupon, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Kent introduced
    the distinguished guests at the head table.]
        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: I have the privilege
    this evening to introduce to this very special audience the
    National Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
    the United States. Since its beginning, the VFW has drawn
    together dedicated men and women who share the same concerns
    and love for America.
        As veterans, with a long and proud history of
    accomplishments, the VFW has always been in the forefront of
    every constructive program to set forth, expand and protect the
    rights of the American veterans. Whether its efforts were for a
    strong national defense or concern for the nation's veterans,
    the VFW must have inspired leaders who will guide us wisely.
        We have been most fortunate to have a man of this stature
    to guide us this year. Throughout his 25 years of active
    involvement in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, George Cramer has
    been a man on the move helping his fellow veterans and his
    community.
        In keeping with his motto, ``Commitment to Service'', he
    has worked hard, addressed the concerns and resolved the
    mandates of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to introduce the
    Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States, George R. Cramer, from the Department of
    Illinois.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Commander-in-Chief Cramer.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, Gunner, for the very
    kind introduction. It will be my pleasure to surrender the
    gavel to you Friday morning. You see standing before you a very
    proud man. For the last 12 months, he has had the wonderful
    privilege of leading the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States and our Ladies Auxiliary.
        Leading this great organization is very gratifying. I have
    seen the results of the work and services of over two million
    VFW members and over 770,000 members of our Ladies Auxiliary
    across the United States, in Central America, Europe and Asia.
        In every city and town I visited, I saw positive proof that
    the VFW and our Ladies Auxiliary are a dynamic force serving
    our nation's communities and our nation's veterans. The year
    1994 has been a pivotal year not only for world events but in
    our continuing efforts to ensure adequate funding for the
    veterans' health care programs, ensuring that veterans'
    programs received the proper funding, maintaining the integrity
    of the VA as Congress and the Administration review our
    nation's health care programs, and in seeking eligibility
    reform in the VA health care system continue to be our biggest
    challenges.
        To our commitment to service, we have supported our armed
    forces and the need to maintain a strong national defense. Our
    VFW has committed tremendous resources and travel to the POW/
    MIA issue. Our steadfast stand to resolve that issue has not
    wavered.
        Your efforts in support of every program that we have
    undertaken this past year, whether it be in community and youth
    activities, the Voice of Democracy, Post development, Buddy
    Poppies, has proven that working together we can be successful.
        Yes, it has been a very special year for me because I was
    proud to be with and serve with the finest men and women of our
    nation, its veterans.
        In conclusion, let me say that the Veterans of Foreign Wars
    have always and always will be committed to serving America and
    its veterans. Before my personal mission as your National
    Commander-in-Chief draws to a conclusion, I wish to say on
    behalf of my wife Linda, my son Scott, and my daughter Cheryl,
    thank you for your hard work and thank you for your commitment
    to service.
        I might say that I am sure you have noticed there is a
    vacancy next to me tonight. Linda and the kids were here and
    one of them got sick so you know where mom is. They are in the
    room, and she is taking care of the one that is sick. He is
    okay. I am sure you will find him terrorizing the hotel
    tomorrow morning.

            PRESENTATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S GOLD MEDAL OF MERIT

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Our first honoree has a face and
    voice instantly recognized by nearly every American and most
    Europeans. A fifth-generation Californian, he literally grew up
    among the men and women in the performing arts.
        Stars of film, the concert stage, opera and radio were
    regular visitors during his formative years. It was only
    natural that he aspired to a career in the limelight.
        Before achieving international acclaim as a performer, he
    garnered accolades as an athlete and in motor sports. He and
    his brother won the International Outboard Motor Championships
    in Venice, Italy, and he was a National Skeet Shooting Champion
    at the age of 16. In 1971, he was inducted into the National
    Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame.
        While still in college, he began his acting career in
    earnest when he signed a contract with Universal Studios. His
    first assignment as the male lead opposite Deanna Durbin in
    ``First Love'' began a long and successful career.
        However, just when his career began to pick up speed, he
    answered the call that echoed across America following that
    fateful day in December, 1941.
        Commissioned as a Navy Ensign in 1942, his shooting skills
    gained him duty as an Aerial Gunnery Instructor. After four
    years, including a year overseas, he returned to his Hollywood
    career.
        He has 40 successful feature films to his credit, including
    an Oscar nomination for ``Written On The Wind.'' However, he is
    most often identified with his emmy-award winning performance
    as Eliot Ness in the long-running TV series ``The
    Untouchables.''
        He is one of the few actors to star in four major
    television series and is currently in his sixth year as the
    host of the highly-rated ``Unsolved Mysteries.''
        He is particularly proud of the number of criminals that
    have been captured as a result of that show.
        His portrayal of law enforcement officers and his strong
    support of aggressive law enforcement have brought significant
    recognition and honor to those who serve to protect and defend
    our city streets and country roads. In addition, he has been a
    veterans advocate throughout his lengthy career.
        Please give a warm VFW welcome to a patriot, a veteran and
    a sincere law enforcement advocate. Please rise and honor this
    year's recipient of the VFW Commander-in-Chief's Gold Medal of
    Merit and Citation, veteran actor Robert Stack.
        [Whereupon, a prolonged rising ovation is given to Robert
    Stack.]
        ``The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Gold
    Medal of Merit and this Citation awarded to Robert Stack in
    special recognition of his distinguished career in motion
    pictures and television, highlighted by his sincere and
    positive portrayals of a variety of law enforcement
    professionals.
        ``In grateful appreciation for a service to America as a
    naval officer during World War II and for his commitment to
    creating a safer environment for United States citizens in the
    television series ``Unsolved Mysteries'' which he hosts and
    resulted in apprehension of dangerous criminals.''
        It is signed this 22nd day of August by myself as
    Commander-in-Chief and Howard Vander Clute as Adjutant General.
        Mr. Stack, as I told you, it is really kind of ironic that
    I should be presenting this award to you as a person who
    portrayed Eliot Ness. I told you I grew up in a neighborhood of
    your arch enemy, Mr. Al Capone.

                           RESPONSE--MR. ROBERT STACK

        MR. STACK: Cicero, Illinois? Al Capone. I am deeply touched
    and honored. An award is conditioned upon the value of the
    people who give it. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States is the finest veterans organization in the world.
        It is a kick for me tonight because I came from a military
    family in World War II. Five of us were in the Navy. From a
    Vice-Admiral aiding President Roosevelt, to a Captain
    Commander, Ensign and Seaman 2nd, and I was low one. But it is
    a fulfilling thing.
        I was on the trip two months ago when we went over for the
    50th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy. To see the men
    given recognitions like the death of a salesman, respect must
    be given. Finally, these men and women, to see them with their
    medals, not just the ribbons, but to see them dressed in their
    flight jackets going back to Omaha Beach getting the accolades
    they should have gotten a lot earlier than 50 years, it gave me
    a thrill.
        I have been involved with veterans groups for the better
    part of my life. I have worked one group in particular, the
    Paralyzed Veterans. We put on a trap shoot and they shoot from
    the wheel chairs, and they can shoot the socks off anybody who
    is standing up on their two feet.
        I think one little bumper sticker puts it best that is on
    the back of one of these wheel chairs. The guys are all lined
    up, and on the back of this one it says, ``This wouldn't be the
    land of the free if it wasn't the home of the brave.'' God
    bless you, thank you and keep the faith.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Mr. Robert Stack.]
         PRESENTATION OF VFW AMERICANISM AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Each year, when we come together
    at our National Convention, one of the highlights of our
    gathering is to bestow the VFW Americanism Award. This award,
    given to an individual for outstanding contributions to the
    principles of Americanism, has been bestowed upon such notables
    as Senator John McCain, comedian Red Skelton, singer Lee
    Greenwood, actor John Wayne and many others.
        Tonight we are pleased to add another individual to that
    distinguished list.
        Our guest's show business career has not been quick or
    easy. He began acting in high school and college. Before coming
    to Hollywood, he labored long in repertory theaters and low
    budget films across the country. Coming to Hollywood, he drove
    a taxi too support his family and finance his acting classes
    while looking for acting jobs.
        His first television role was on an episode of ``Nightly
    Gallery.'' Four appearances on ``Gunsmoke'' were followed by
    steady work as a character actor in ``Where the Ladies Go,''
    ``Women in White,'' ``The Law,'' and ``Roots II.'' In addition
    to made-for-TV movies, he worked steadily on several series,
    including ``The Incredible Hulk,'' ``The Rockford Files,''
    ``Police Woman'' and ``How the West Was Won.''
        One of his fondest roles was to play the last gunfighter to
    square off against Matt Dillon in the final episode of
    ``Gunsmoke''.
        Bolstered by several successful years as a character actor,
    our guest was in a unique position to pick and choose among a
    variety of offers which came his way for a series pilot.
        One particular script caught his eye and the rest, as they
    say, is history. He began the first of eight years as the
    irrepressible, yet immensely likable private investigator Rick
    Simon on ``Simon and Simon.'' He immediately followed that
    success with a four-year stint as America's favorite Marine in
    ``Major Dad.''
        He takes great pride in both ``Simon and Simon'' and
    ``Major Dad'' because he has been able to write, produce and
    direct, addressing some issues he considers very important.
        He co-wrote a segment of ``Simon and Simon'' titled ``I
    Thought the War was Over'' in which his character suffers from
    post-traumatic stress disorder from his Vietnam service.
        On another segment, he was able to deal with adolescent
    drug abuse, deglamorizing the use of drugs for his many teenage
    viewers.
        In addition to his show business success, he has formed the
    Entertainment Industry's Council for a Drug-Free Society and is
    a strong supporter of the John Tracy Clinic in Los Angeles
    which teaches communications and educational skills to deaf and
    hard of hearing children.
        A strong supporter of American military forces, he visited
    the troops in Somalia. While there, he lived as a soldier,
    donning his flak vest and helmet as he moved from compound to
    compound. His visit was a highlight and a real morale booster
    for troops in a dismal situation.
        For his commitment to the principles of Americanism,
    demonstrated in his strong stand against drug abuse, his
    concern for those suffering from PTSD, his professional
    portrayal of a Marine officer and his support of our men and
    women in uniform, we are proud to welcome to the podium this
    year's recipient of the VFW Americanism Award, ``Major Dad,''
    Mr. Gerald McRaney.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Mr. Gerald McRaney.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of
    the United States Americanism Award, Gold Medal and Citation
    presented to Gerald McRaney:
        ``In sincere appreciation and special recognition of his
    exceptional ability as an actor, crusader for a drug-free
    America, entertainer of United States forces in Somalia and as
    a director and portrayer of an American serviceman in the film
    titled `Vestige of Honor' and a segment of `Simon and Simon'
    entitled `I Thought the War Was Over' and special recognition
    of his starring role in the `Major Dad' television series. His
    expression of patriotism by entertaining and encouraging
    members of the United States armed forces during their
    `Operation Restore Hope' deployment in Somalia and his
    initiatives through use of entertainment media to chronicle the
    devastating effects of illicit drugs by America's youth
    demonstrate his devotion to this country and to his fellow
    man.''
        This has been signed by myself and Howard Vander Clute,
    Adjutant General.
        Mr. McRaney, congratulations for what you do for America.

                          RESPONSE--MR. GERALD McRANEY

        MR. McRANEY: I am deeply touched and highly honored to be
    recognized by such a prestigious organization. I also am filled
    with a sense of humility to be presented with an award for
    Americanism knowing full well that any person in this room is
    much more deserving of it than I am.
        I just left the set. I flew in from Seattle where we are
    making a ``Simon and Simon'' movie of the week, and among the
    people working on the set is a Navy veteran of Vietnam, and
    then about a month ago I buried an uncle of mine. So, if you
    will, I will accept this honor, but not for myself, but for my
    buddy up in Seattle and in the name of Charles Lee Lewis, who
    served this country in the Pacific campaign during World War
    II.
        I do believe Uncle Chuck might be looking tonight. He is
    probably pretty proud. I thank you all from the bottom of my
    heart for the honor that you do to me, but more importantly, I
    thank you from the bottom of my heart for the honor that you do
    to the United States of America. Thank you. [Applause]

    PRESENTATION OF THE DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
                    AND CITATION TO AMBASSADOR DEANE HINTON

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Since 1970, the Dwight David
    Eisenhower Distinguished Service Award has been presented to
    eminent Americans for their individual contributions to the
    cause of American security, unity and world peace. No one is
    more deserving of this prestigious award than our honored guest
    tonight, Ambassador Deane Hinton.
        Prior to his retirement from the State Department in March,
    Ambassador Hinton was the longest serving foreign service
    officer, serving overseas for more than 50 years. Ambassador
    Hinton has served under every President since Harry Truman.
        During troubled and difficult times, he served with
    distinction as Ambassador to Panama, Costa Rico, Pakistan and
    El Salvador. In Washington, he served with the Bureaus of
    Intelligence, Economic Affairs, and European Affairs as well as
    with the Council on International Economic Policy in the White
    House.
        In 1983, he received the President's Award for
    Distinguished Diplomatic Service.
        At the time of his retirement, Ambassador Hinton was a
    Career Ambassador in the Foreign Service of the United States.
    This is the highest rank in the Foreign Service, limited to no
    more than five serving American diplomatic officers.
        Born in Ft. Missoula, Montana, Ambassador Hinton served two
    years active duty with the United States Army during World War
    II.
        Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct honor to present
    the VFW Dwight David Eisenhower Distinguished Service Award to
    a great American and distinguished statesman, Ambassador Deane
    Hinton.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Ambassador Deane Hinton.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: ``The Veterans of Foreign Wars
    of the United States Dwight David Eisenhower Distinguished
    Service Medal and Citation awarded to Deane R. Hinton, United
    States Ambassador.
        ``In special recognition of his distinguished career in the
    Foreign Service of the United States spanning fifty years and
    marked by his record of skillful diplomacy in handling
    assignments of extreme sensitivity and importance which have
    contributed immeasurably to maintaining global harmony and
    world order and in sincere appreciation for his exceptional
    service to the nation under every President since Harry S.
    Truman.''
        This citation has been signed by myself and Howard E.
    Vander Clute, Jr. Ambassador Hinton, thank you for what you
    have done for America.

         RESPONSE AND PRINCIPAL ADDRESS--THE HONORABLE DEANE R. HINTON

        MR. HINTON: Commander-in-Chief Cramer, Secretary Brown,
    Fellow Veterans:
        Actually, I started as a Private under Franklin Delano
    Roosevelt. You are right, the Foreign Service career started
    with Harry Truman. Ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed a
    singular honor for me to address you tonight. I am deeply
    appreciative of the award that the Veterans of Foreign Wars
    have bestowed upon me. It only seems unfair to subject you to
    me after dinner music, but still the Commander-in-Chief told me
    no speech, no award. So, to you, my friends, you pay the price.
        It is my pleasure being with you. Let me start by
    expressing four beliefs about the United States and the world
    that I have arrived at in these 50 years. I won't argue them, I
    will just say them.
        First, the nation's peoples, the economies and the faith of
    all of us are more definite every day than that proposed
    isolation solution to our problems, in fact, advocating formula
    for disaster.
        Second, as the United State's relative power position
    moves, even though we remain the only super power, the need to
    strengthen multi-lateral institutions is central to a secure
    prosperous future. The United Nations, as discordant as it is,
    must play an increasing role in the managing of world problems
    in crisis.
        A new world trade organization must supersede the GATT, and
    like it or not we must abide by the rule just as we expect
    others to abide by them. So, also we must continue to support
    and help fund the international financial institution's key
    regional bodies, such as the Organization of American States.
        Third, and this is critical, there is no substitute for
    United States leadership in facing up to the world's problems.
    Neither the United Nations or anything else is likely to
    function well without our leadership.
        Fourth, the strength of our position in the world depends
    on the strength of our domestic economy and society.
        Just as we should not concentrate on world problems at the
    expense of the home front, neither should we concentrate on the
    home front at the expense of our international credibility. You
    will perhaps forgive me if as an Army brat, son of a soldier, a
    one-time soldier, and as a retired Foreign Service Officer I
    reflect tonight both on the state of the world and on two
    critical instruments dedicated to advancing our national
    security, our armed forces and our foreign service.
        Neither works at its best without the other. In fact,
    resort to arms to deal with international problems is generally
    evidence of foreign policy favor, where it is the diplomat's
    job to advance the national diplomacy without the exercise of
    force. Still, diplomacy not backed up by the force, or possible
    force, is like a football team quarterback, whether to pass or
    not pass.
        For this and many other reasons that you and I know that we
    need to maintain a strong national defense establishment. We
    also need, in my opinion, a strong State Department with strong
    foreign service. You may understand this a bit better if I tell
    you something about what Foreign Service Officers are and the
    FSO's, as we call them, do.
        First, let me tell you what we don't do. I only wore
    striped pants once, and that was over 40 years ago. As to tea
    drinking, if it is not iced tea, I say that is all. That phrase
    about striped pants and tea drinking diplomats is a bum rap.
        Pastor John Gordon Mean, my boss in Guatemala, was killed
    there by terrorists in 1968. I lost other colleagues in
    Guatemala, including the military group commander. In
    subsequent years, friends of mine have been killed in Cypress,
    Lebanon, Sedan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
        Now, it is high time that the American public understood
    that the Hollywood image of diplomats and a drinking society is
    a gross distortion of the reality. There are far more hardship
    posts in Africa, Asia, Latin America and in the Middle East
    than there are dozens of the plush, expensive European Posts.
    For every London, Paris or Rome, there are Africas, Ghanas,
    Kuwaits and others.
        What does the Foreign Service do? Basically, it is the
    Washington's eyes and ears in a foreign land. Ambassadors are
    responsible for the President knowing what is going on and
    analyzing its impact on American interests, and for presenting
    recommendations to the Secretary of State and the President as
    to how best to advance those interests.
        He and his staff also conduct negotiations pursuant to
    instructions from Washington on a wide range of issues which
    may include nuclear non-deliberation, maritime law enforcement,
    participation in peace keeping, protection of the Gulf
    copyright and patent rights, extraditions, cooperation of the
    war on drugs, economic development, mutual security and
    assistance programs, allocation of radio frequencies, air
    traffic rights and a myriad of other things.
        For example, the last agreement I signed with Panama took
    years of negotiation by the Department of Agriculture experts,
    my staff and myself, related to screw worm eradication.
    Esoteric, yes. Vital to U.S. interests, no. Important, yes, to
    American Mexicans and Central American Cattlemen, and there may
    be some here tonight.
        Other less glamorous but nevertheless essential functions
    are the constant protection of American citizens;
    administrative support for a wide range of government agencies,
    the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Department of Defense, or what
    have you, and an increasingly commercial profession in helping
    to market the U.S. exports and promoting an investment.
        I will skip a page or two. I will not put this harm on you
    people. The Ambassador and his staff, a multi-agency staff,
    should know the players in the country to which he is assigned,
    understand the decision-making process. Once you know your
    decision-making process in Washington, you know better than
    anybody else how to influence and control policy.
        If they do, then visits by high Washington officials or
    phone calls, would be followed by sound diplomatic preparation
    that can get results. On the other hand, failures in diplomatic
    preliminaries in cities. Now, in setting strategic priorities
    can easily reduce the needed reputation at the top, and each
    such failure results in the loss of prestige.
        What is far worse is loss of our credibility. The fiasco
    concerning human rights in China is a clear example. Another
    example, our diplomats in Europe should have been able to
    advise the President in advance of his proposal for a new
    ground of trade negotiations was premature, doomed to rejection
    this last June by the French President and other leaders of the
    industrial democracy.
        Let me say one or two words about the researchers. The
    Secretary of State Christopher, in recent Congressional
    testimony, called for redefinition of national security,
    putting greater emphasis on American economics and building
    democracy and meeting threats both by our proliferations and
    environmental degradation, rapid population growth, the illegal
    narcotics, and terrorism.
        The National Security Advisor, speaking at John Hopkins,
    laid out a strategy, what he called democratic awareness. He
    argued compelling that our interests and ideals require us not
    only to be significantly engaged but to lead. He is right. But
    fine words backed with shrinking resources will not get the job
    done. Indeed, the administration has not even sought the
    requisite appropriations from Congress.
        No wonder Jim Hoagland, Associate Editor of the Washington
    Post, says, describing Bill Clinton's foreign policy is like
    describing the Loch Ness Monster. How can you describe what you
    cannot see? Jim will appreciate that.
        We have opened 29 embassies in new countries in the former
    Soviet Union and Yugoslavia in a period in which the State
    Department's budget has declined by over five percent constant
    dollars. Around the world in the last few years, we have been
    firing experienced foreign service nationals and also reducing
    Americans.
        This year the intake of new Foreign Service Officers is
    130, down from 200 last year. Our service is a rather small
    one. But in addition to the immediate Edwards impact, the long-
    run implication is 35 percent decrease in new officer blood in
    the Foreign Service to me is horrendous.
        There are other endless lists of consequences of excessive
    budgetary stringency. In Brazil, in a country the size of the
    United States, more or less, political officers have a travel
    budget of $3,200 for all year. How can they do their job? The
    overall appropriation for the State Department is a little over
    $2 billion for the fiscal year.
        That is less than the cost of one B-2 Bomber, a small
    fraction of the appropriation for our intelligence services,
    and almost nothing compared to domestic entitlement programs. I
    submit to you the American people cannot reasonably expect the
    Foreign Service to meet its responsibilities with declining
    resources.
        Let's look at the world. It is a mess. It is a dangerous
    complicated chaotic mess. Moreover, we as people are showing
    signs of wanting to run away from it. Fifty years ago, and
    there has been mention of this from this podium tonight, the D-
    Day celebration reminded us we were a united nation, with a
    clear understanding of the imperative need of victory over the
    Nazi and Japanese aggressors.
        The Cold War period, once the dangers were widely
    apprehended and the policies containment set, the struggle of
    Communism in the Soviet Union clarified and simplified most
    critical foreign policies. There were voices of dissent, but by
    and large the leaders, the allies of the United States, had the
    clear policies and they stayed with it.
        That formula has then introduced successes unchanged today,
    simple in concept but difficult application. You must
    understand and define the American interests given the
    situation. Collect the relevant data, do some hard analyzing
    and establish strategic policies and then stick with them.
    Perseverance is pretty damn important in this business.
        Now, there is some difficulties in doing these things, and
    particularly in these days when we are seeking the television
    impact shots on the American public backing. But we have to
    recognize, and certainly everyone in this room and this
    organization recognizes that there is a cost for freedom and
    that cost is not paid as you go along. It should be encountably
    more costly as you go along.
        Leaders with a vision of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry
    Truman and Richard Nixon, or the diplomatic skills and
    consensus of the George Bush or Dwight Eisenhower are not in
    evidence today. If in an actual vision of America's future
    World War remains to be drawn, we certainly have little or no
    consensus today about our interest in the Baltics and around
    Somalia, North Korea, to name just a few places.
        I submit that it is more important than ever to strengthen
    the Foreign Service and fund it. Surely, to the extent that we
    are unable or unwilling to use force, because of public
    weariness or otherwise, our need for effective diplomacy
    becomes more critical.
        The diplomacy, like the armed forces, are but tools
    employed with vision and political, while they can help
    America's selected leaders advance the cause of democratic
    leaders.
        Henry L. Luce, in the 1940's, popularized the idea of the
    American Century. Over the past 50 years, despite some weaving,
    swerving and occasionally backsliding, Luce's vision has
    sustained American world leadership and it came to pass. With
    his prophesy fulfilled for half a century, also will be
    fulfilled with the next 50 years. Let us hope so and let us
    work for it. Thank you very much. [Applause]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, Ambassador Hinton. We
    are delighted that you were able to be with us this evening.
    Your remarks are greatly appreciated.
        Before I turn the microphone over to our Senior Vice
    Commander-in-Chief ``Gunner'' Kent, I would just like to
    request that after the concluding ceremonies that you stick
    around for the show from the Sun Spots. When they first began
    their career in entertainment and got their start at, where
    else, a VFW Post in the Philippines and Okinawa.
        I will turn the program back to Senior Vice Commander-in-
    Chief ``Gunner'' Kent.
        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: Thank you very much. I
    would like to thank everybody for a special Distinguished
    Banquet tonight and for your attention during the ceremonies.
        If everybody will please rise, we will now have the
    Benediction by the National Chaplain, Dr. Charles Edwards.
        [Whereupon, National Chaplain Edwards gave the
    Benediction.]
        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: Thank you very much,
    comrades and sisters. That concludes our Distinguished Guests
    Banquet. Remember, we do have a show. Please stay around.
                             FIRST BUSINESS SESSION

                        TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 23, 1994

        [The First Business Session of the 95th National Convention
    of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was called
    to order in the Barron Room of the Las Vegas Hilton Center, Las
    Vegas, Nevada, at 9:00 o'clock a.m., by Commander-in-Chief
    Cramer.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Sergeants-at-Arms, will you
    prepare the room for the posting of the colors.
        [National Sergeant-at-Arms George Sarver led the Convention
    in the Salute to the Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance and
    National Chaplain Reverend Charles W. Edwards, Jr., gave the
    Opening Prayer from the Ritual.]
        SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the
    Opening Ceremonies have been performed.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You may be seated. If you can
    quietly come in, we would like to start the proceedings. As
    people are coming in, let me take this opportunity to introduce
    the people that are sitting on the dias. I know you know most
    of them.
        First of all, I would like to introduce the Senior Vice
    Commander-in-Chief, ``Gunner'' Kent, from Arizona; our Junior
    Vice Commander-in-Chief, Paul Spera from Massachusetts; our
    Judge Advocate General, Jim Plick from New Jersey; our Surgeon
    General, Dr. Howard W. Bryant from Washington; our Chaplain,
    from Texas, Dr. Charles Edwards.
        Also the Chief of Staff from Iowa, Darrel ``Sarge'' Miller;
    and our Inspector General from Minnesota, Larry Ziebarth. Our
    Assistant Adjutant General for Administrative, John Senk;
    Quartermaster General Jim Bowden, and Assistant Quartermaster
    General Joe Ridgley.
        If I may, as long as people are quietly coming in, I would
    like to introduce the Past Commanders-in-Chief on the dias this
    morning, not in any particular order. They are Past Commander-
    in-Chief Eric Sandstrom; Past Commander-in-Chief and Director
    of our PAC, Bob Currieo; Past Commander-in-Chief Clifford
    Olson; Past Commander-in-Chief John Stang; Past Commander-in-
    Chief Norm Staab; Past Commander-in-Chief Billy Ray Cameron;
    Past Commander-in-Chief John Staum; Past Commander-in-Chief Bob
    Wallace; Past Commander-in-Chief Ray Soden; Past Commander-in-
    Chief Art Fellwock; Past Commander-in-Chief Thomas C. Walker;
    Past Commander-in-Chief Ed Hanson; our Adjutant General and
    Past Commander-in-Chief Howard Vander Clute, also Past
    Commander-in-Chief and Executive Director of our Washington
    office, Larry Rivers.
        I would like to begin the proceedings this morning by
    calling on the Chairman of the Credentials Committee, Richard
    Trombla.

                        REPORT OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE

        COMRADE RICHARD TROMBLA (Post 1174--Kansas): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, this is a temporary report of this
    Committee as of last night. Total delegates 14,769; Department
    Commanders 43; National Officers 10; Past Commanders-in-Chief
    23. That is for a grand total of 14,845 as of last night.
        Commander-in-Chief, this is a temporary report of this
    Committee at this time.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. I missed a
    distinguished guest on the dais, the Southern Conference
    candidate for Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, Jim Nier from
    Texas. I should have introduced Jim first.
        I would like to call on our Adjutant General for any
    announcements that there may be this morning.
        Convention announcements.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Next, I would like to call on
    the Chairman of the Committee on Convention Rules, Past
    Commander-in-Chief Cliff Olson.

                    REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CONVENTION RULES

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CLIFFORD OLSON: Thank you. Good
    morning, comrades. I just wanted to make sure you were all
    awake out there. On behalf of the Vice-Chairman of the
    Committee on Convention Rules, Eric Sandstrom and myself, I
    would like to thank Commander-in-Chief Cramer for this
    appointment, and I will try to make it quick.
        The Committee on Convention Rules to the 95th National
    Convention, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Las
    Vegas, Nevada, met Monday afternoon, August 22nd, and agreed to
    the following recommendations which are respectfully submitted
    for your consideration:
              1. That, with exceptions noted below, Demeter's
            Manual be recognized as parliamentary authority for
            this Convention.
              2. That when a delegate desires to make a motion or
            address the Convention, he shall rise, address the
            Chair as ``Comrade Commander-in-Chief,'' and after
            being recognized, shall state his name, Post number and
            Department, before proceeding.
              3. Debate shall be limited to ten minutes for each
            speaker.
              4. A delegate shall be permitted to speak but only
            twice on any one subject, or any pending resolution,
            except by consent of two-thirds of the voting strength
            of the Convention present; provided, that chairmen of
            Convention committees may speak as frequently as
            necessary in connection with reports of their
            committees; and in controversy the presiding officer
            shall not entertain any motion which will curtail
            further debate without affording the maker of the
            motion or a member of the particular group presenting
            the resolution an opportunity for final rebuttal.
              5. All resolutions offered by individual delegates
            must bear the endorsement of the Department Commander
            or Department Adjutant and must be submitted to the
            office of the Adjutant General for numbering and
            referral to committees.
              6. All resolutions offered on the floor at the
            Convention, or otherwise, shall be in writing and shall
            automatically, and without reading, be referred to the
            Adjutant General for assignment to the proper
            committee.
              7. Committee chairmen, in reporting on resolutions
            referred to their committee, shall first read those
            resolutions on which favorable action is recommended.
            Specific resolutions shall be set aside for individual
            action at the request of any delegate, the others being
            voted upon collectively. After action has been taken on
            all such resolutions, the chairman shall read the
            number and title of those resolutions which the
            committee has just disapproved. A resolution
            disapproved by the committee shall be automatically
            rejected unless a motion is made and seconded that it
            be approved, in which case it shall be brought up for
            debate and Convention action.
              8. This Convention will not consider any resolution
            dealing with race, creed or religion, or endorse anyone
            for public office. This Convention will not consider
            any resolution calling for the expenditure or
            appropriation of organization funds.
              9. This Convention will not consider any resolution
            endorsing legislation sponsored by any other veterans
            organization, or requesting us to join with any other
            organization in sponsoring legislation not expressly
            approved by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
            States.
              10. No person not a duly accredited delegate or
            member of the National Convention shall participate in
            debate, directly or indirectly, in a viva voce vote on
            any subject before the Convention.
              11. Unit rule of voting shall not be allowed in this
            Convention.
              12. On roll calls, the Chairman or acting Chairman of
            each delegation shall poll his delegation on the floor
            and shall announce the vote of his delegation.
              13. Delegations may arrive at a vote in any manner
            they see fit, but shall announce it in terms of full
            units and not in terms of a fractional part of a vote.
              14. When the report of the chairman of the delegation
            is not acceptable to all members of the delegation and
            a poll of the Department delegates is demanded by ten
            delegates of said Department, the Adjutant General
            shall poll the delegates, without discussion of
            question.
              15. Voting shall be by acclamation, except when a
            roll call be demanded by ten delegates representing
            Posts in ten separate Departments.
              16. Nominating speeches for the National Officers
            shall be limited to five minutes each. Not more than
            two seconding speeches shall be made for any candidate
            and such speeches shall not exceed two minutes each.
            Nominating andelection of National Officers will be
            held according to the National Constitution and By-Laws
            and Manual of Procedure, Article VI, Section 609.
              17. Delegates and persons recognized by the Chair
            shall be entitled to a respectful hearing and the Chair
            shall have the authority to clear the gallery or the
            floor or have the Sergeant-at-Arms escort from the
            floor any person or persons who may create any
            disturbances which interfere with the orderly procedure
            of the Convention.
              18. Consent of two-thirds of the voting strength of
            the Convention present is necessary for suspension of
            the rules of this Convention. That is proposed by Cliff
            Olson, Jr., Chairman and Vice-Chairman Eric Sandstrom.
        I move adoption, Comrade Commander-in-Chief.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. You have heard the
    motion. Is there a second? The microphones are on two sides.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ERIC SANDSTROM: Comrade Commander-
    in-Chief, I am Past Commander-in-Chief Eric Sandstrom from the
    State of Washington, and I second the motion.
         COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. Comrades, you have
    heard the motion and the second. Now, on the question. Hearing
    none, all those in favor will vote by the usual sign of
    ``aye''; those opposed. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.

     PRESENTATION OF VFW NEWS MEDIA AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION TO MR.
                                 JOSEPH GOULDEN

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The VFW's News Media Award has,
    over the past decade, become an increasingly important honor.
    In an era when journalistic integrity and objective reporting
    have been given way to textbook journalism, sensationalism and
    rampant editorializing, those members of the media who value
    truth and simply wish to inform the public need to be singled
    our for recognition.
        This year's recipient of the VFW News Media Award is just
    such an organization. Founded by veteran media critic and
    author Reed Irvine in 1969, Accuracy In Media or ``AIM'' has
    been a thorn in the mainstream media's side for nearly 25
    years.
        Accuracy in Media was created to combat the liberal bias
    infecting the nation's airwaves, newspapers and magazines. The
    mission of AIM is to foster accuracy and fairness in reporting,
    while investigating complaints of media error, distortion and
    bias and exposing them if the charges warrant.
        Most of AIM's ire focuses on TV and newspapers, but
    magazines do not escape the organization's scrutiny. AIM's
    Director of Media Analysis, Joseph Goulden, a winner of a 1971
    National Magazine Award and the author of 16 books, is dismayed
    by the prejudices he thinks distorts major magazines' coverage
    of issues like gay rights, the environment and the POW/MIA
    issue.
        In an effort to reward integrity and journalistic
    excellence, we are proud to present this year's News Media
    Award to Accuracy In Media.
        Here to accept the award is AIM's Director of Media
    Analysis, a U.S. Army veteran and respected military history
    author, James C. Goulden.
        ``Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, Gold Medal and
    Citation awarded to `Accuracy In Media' in special recognition
    of AIM's exceptional service to the American public through the
    fulfillment of its mission to foster accuracy and fairness in
    reporting by its assertive investigation of complaints of media
    error, distortion and bias and its expose of warranty charges
    and in sincere appreciation of AIM's continuing efforts to
    combat the liberal bias infecting our nation's airwaves,
    newspapers and magazines.'' This award is signed by myself and
    Adjutant General Vander Clute.
        Congratulations, Joe, in what you do for America.

                          RESPONSE--MR. JOSEPH GOULDEN

        MR. GOULDEN: I accept this award on behalf of the founder
    and Chairman, Reed Irvine, who is a Combat Marine in the Second
    World War. I fought a lot of those guys in the Pacific.
    Yesterday morning, as my wife and I came through the Pittsburgh
    airport, there was one of your delegation there, and a fellow
    that is even grayer than I had a sign on his cap that said,
    ``Remember Pearl Harbor.''
        That brought immediately to my mind something that is going
    on in Washington right now which our media has yet to pick up
    on, and it is the exhibit commemorating the 50th Anniversary of
    the bombing of Hiroshima. I looked at this fellow in the
    Pennsylvania delegation, and I went back to what the script
    that the Smithsonian had written with taxpayer money.
        Essentially, this exhibit said that we bombed Hiroshima,
    and actually, what these people were doing out there, the
    Japanese were defending their unique culture against the
    Western imperialism. This exhibit starts as if Pearl Harbor
    never existed as if and the Bataan death march never happened
    by the Japanese and the Asians, and it never occurred.
        We are getting cracked up on this Accuracy In Media, and I
    hope we can inspire the media to take another look at this
    version of history and of the truth. Our goal essentially is to
    do to media what they do so vigorously for everyone. That is
    Accuracy In Media is an independent watchdog and try to correct
    errors when we find them.
        A couple of issues I want to touch on briefly. In 1988, CBS
    News did a report called ``The Wall Within'', about six
    supposedly psychotic veterans, who were living as wild men in
    the Pacific Northwest. One of these men told Dan Rather, the
    interviewer, that he had personally skinned the lives of about
    50 Vietnamese civilians, men, women and children. He had the
    psychotic episode that drove him off to live outside of
    society.
        Reed Irvine was very suspicious of this report when it came
    out and he was trying to run down the identity of these
    barbarians. CBS News wouldn't turn the names over. They were
    shadowed interviews and we didn't know who they were. Finally,
    this story has been exposed to the work of the independent
    researcher by B. G. Birkett out of Dallas.
        We got the names and the records, and we found these men
    did not have combat experiences they claimed. They were Vietnam
    REMS, some who are now drawing physical disability, simply
    psychotic. They have never been in the front lines or never
    have had any episodes such as they claim.
        This goes back to something I recall from research I did a
    few years back on a book called ``The Best Years About America
    in 1945 to 1950.'' I was really struck then in the way the
    media picked up on this vet syndrome. Any veteran in the armed
    services, who had a couple of beers and got in a shuffle in a
    bar was a crazy veteran.
        The VFW and other organizations fought that false image
    very well and I think finally expunged it from the press. What
    happens, though, when CBS News is proven wrong in such a crazed
    veteran story, they were given the service records of these six
    people that they featured in this broadcast. CBS News' response
    through Dan Rather was, ``We stand by our story.'' CBS has not
    heard the last of this episode yet.
        Another issue which was stressed very strongly by AIM, and
    that is the POW/MIA issue. I will go back to one of our
    favorite persons, Dan Rather, who wrote a rather lengthy piece
    in National Review earlier this year criticizing the Clinton
    Administration for distorting normal relations with the
    Communist regime in Hanoi, jumping up and down on Bill Clinton
    for doing this.
        We went back and looked and saw exactly what Dan Rather
    suggested had been done in the way of reporting on the POW
    issue since the Clinton people came in office. In all of 1993,
    one story, one other brief mentioned period. We have been
    continuing all along the media voted the investigative press of
    this story, we could break it out in the open and find out what
    happened to those guys still missing from the four-year war
    era.
        The media are not in the habit of committing error. The
    Washington Post, as a number of other newspapers, has a person
    assigned the job of ombudsman, these are the guys that go
    through the complaints. Richard Carlwood, while he held that
    position with the Post, had this to say in print about your
    rights as a person who has been aggrieved by the media.
        ``You are not entitled to a letter to the editor, you will
    not be entitled to a paid advertisement. If we don't like it,
    we don't print it. To ask for equal time on the evening news or
    reporting newspaper is very often the base of the mood. You
    have no right to fair treatment, right to be quoted accurately
    or in context, or even quoted at all in the news reports,
    broadcasts or commentaries.''
        Now, that is a fairly civilized newspaper, and that is the
    attitude they take towards truth in accuracy. It has been a new
    show all. As was said in the introduction, a lot of people are
    getting disgusted with the media and their ability to report
    accurately and fairly. There was a poll I noticed recently in
    the National Research Center about tracking public opinion on
    various power groups in America in the last 20 years. In 1973,
    they asked American adults, ``What is your level of confidence
    in the media?'' Hardly any, 15 percent, had any confidence,
    hardly any confidence at all.
        In 1993, after 20 years of assertions, the figure was up to
    39 percent that had hardly any confidence at all in the media.
    That is four out of ten people don't believe what the media are
    telling them. By contrast, people put great confidence in the
    military. In 1993, 42 percent were confident versus only 11
    percent in the media. I think the media should be getting a
    message out of this, and not a very good message, that the
    people are not responding to distortion of the inaccuracies.
        I will conclude by saying this: AIM, Accuracy In Media, we
    stand ready to go to the defense of the military establishment
    and of the veterans when you are mistreated by the media. We
    salute you, and God bless every one of you men for what you
    have done for our country, and God's speed.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Joe, along with your award is
    this honorarium of $1,500. Thank you very much.

     INTRODUCTION--THE HONORABLE JESSE BROWN, SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades and Sisters, it is a
    special pleasure to introduce to you our next speaker.
        Sworn in on January 22nd by President Clinton as Secretary
    of Veterans Affairs, Jesse Brown has brought a new spirit and
    direction to the second largest Cabinet Department.
        A decorated combat veteran of Vietnam, he enlisted in the
    Marine Corps in 1963, and served in Vietnam from August, 1965,
    to December, 1965. As a rifleman with the 2nd Battalion, 9th
    Marines, 3rd Marine Division, he was wounded in a fire fight
    near Da Nang.
        Mr. Brown was formerly Executive Director of the Disabled
    American Veterans. Throughout his career, he has worked with
    and for veterans. His life has been truly dedicated to
    veterans' issues and concerns.
        He began his employment with the DAV in 1967 in Chicago,
    moving to the DAV Headquarters in Washington in 1973. There, he
    served in a variety of positions with increasing
    responsibility, including Supervisor of the National Appeals
    Office and Deputy National Service Director.
        He was appointed DAV Executive Director in 1988 and was
    responsible for overseeing DAV's National Service, Legislation,
    Employment, Volunteer Services and Communications Programs.
        Jesse Brown has served as Chairman of the Vietnam Civic
    Committee, and was a member of the White House Conference on
    Handicapped Individuals and the Chicago Mayor's Committee on
    Employment of the Handicapped.
        Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome a fellow VFW Life
    Member and a true advocate for veterans, the Secretary of
    Veterans Affairs, Jesse Brown.

       ADDRESS--THE HONORABLE JESSE BROWN, SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

        SECRETARY BROWN: Thank you so very much, Commander, for
    those very kind remarks. I was listening to George, our
    Sergeant-at-Arms out there, and I was wondering if he had
    aspirations for political office. He is very good at what he
    does. In fact, I wish I had him with me in Vietnam. He is
    outstanding.
        Commander-in-Chief Cramer, Distinguished Officers, Fellow
    Members of the VFW, Honored Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
        I do want you to know that I am so very, very happy to be
    here as we celebrate our 95th Convention. I want you to know
    that I am also making plans to attend our 150th National
    Convention. It is an honor as always to appear with Congressman
    Sonny Montgomery, the distinguished Chair of the House Veterans
    Affairs Committee, who is rightfully known as the champion for
    our veterans.
        He has proven time and time again that his feelings for our
    veterans and their families come from the heart. History, in my
    view, will probably never, never be able to fully measure the
    contributions this man has made to our nation and to those who
    have made such tremendous sacrifices and contributions on its
    behalf.
        I also should like to share with you an observation about
    this great organization. The fact is great organizations do not
    just happen. It is no accident that the VFW has been so
    outstanding for so long. Harry Truman once said in times when
    there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs
    when courageous skillful leaders seize the opportunity to
    change things and make them better. Things are better because
    of the VFW and its leadership.
        Commander-in-Chief George Cramer, Adjutant General Howard
    Vander Clute and Executive Director Larry Rivers do a wonderful
    job. They, and the rest of the excellent VFW staff, are there
    for you when you need them, and I want you to know that they
    are there for me, giving me advice and counsel.
        I personally can never, never forget the Veterans Service
    Organization that put me on the path in life that has led me to
    my highest hopes. There is a special place in my heart for our
    veterans organizations and that will never change.
        Some things have changed. For instance, the VA and the
    veterans organizations are working closely together on behalf
    of the veterans and their families. In the past year, together
    we have built a strong working relationship. I must tell you
    our good work together has not been without criticism.
        I will tell you, frankly, there have been some very strong
    accusations made against me. I have been accused of being too
    close to veterans organizations. I have been accused of
    defending their interests too strongly. I have been accused of
    being too responsive to their hopes and to their dreams.
        My friends, my fellow members, I say to you, the only jury
    that matters, I confess I am guilty. If it is a crime to work
    with those who have spent their lives helping our fellow
    veterans, I am guilty. If it is a crime to listen and be
    responsive to the needs of our disabled vets, I am guilty.
        If it is a crime to work hard for the families of veterans
    who died for world peace, I am guilty. Of course, as you and I
    know working hard and putting veterans first is not a crime. It
    is, I suggest to you, our moral obligation to care for those
    who have won the battle. I make no apologies to anyone. I stand
    with you and that shall never, never change.
        Last year, when I met with VFW leaders, they told me of
    your concerns. I heard that some things had happened at the VA
    for the first time. Over the past year, the VA veterans
    organizations working together have made important advancements
    on behalf of our veterans.
        They are advancements involving former prisoners of war,
    Vietnam vets, Persian Gulf vets, women veterans and veterans
    for our homeless. For the first time, we have trained all
    260,000 VA employees on how to treat our veterans, with dignity
    and respect when they come to our institutions.
        For the first time, the VA wrote to nearly two million
    veterans inviting them to refinance their home loans. This
    saved them $450 million a year in interest payments. We also
    wrote to 40,000 veterans suffering from the effects of Agent
    Orange. We informed them that the VA is now paying compensation
    for acne, for various forms of lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma,
    Hodgkin's disease, liver disorder, PTC and multi-myeloma and
    respiratory cancers.
        Of course, we have not forgotten about our Persian Gulf
    veterans. We are providing immediate medical care and engaging
    in extensive research. I believe very strongly that we have a
    moral obligation to compensate those with undiagnosed
    illnesses.
        I have told Congress so and I have written to all 535
    members asking them to support legislation to accomplish this
    goal. Because of Chairman Sonny Montgomery, who is here with us
    today, the House has done its job and now we are waiting on the
    Senate to act.
        For the first time, the VA has made helping homeless
    veterans a top priority. We have increased spending by $20
    million. We held the first National Summit and we established a
    new $5.5 million grant program for public and non-profit
    organizations.
        The VA is also addressing the concerns of women veterans.
    We have appointed a National Coordinator and have established
    comprehensive health centers. For the first time, we have
    established task forces to include the VFW to help us reduce
    our backlog and process our claims in a more timely manner.
        We have also made great progress on some other issues that
    I know that many of you are concerned about. That is the reason
    why we are going to compensate former prisoners of war who
    developed ischemic heart disease, secondary health problems.
        For the first time, veterans are represented in the
    development of health care reform. Your VA staff, and I say
    ``your VA staff'' because all 260,000 of them work for you. If
    it were not for you, the VA as an institution would not exist
    and they would not exist.
        So, therefore, I always refer to VA employees to include
    myself as your servant. They were deeply involved in helping
    formulate the health reform proposals. As a member of the
    Health Care Task Force, I must tell you quite frankly I was
    shocked at the number of people who wanted to take our Veterans
    Hospitals away from us.
        But we told them through your VA employees that this would
    be contrary to the moral obligation this nation has to those
    who have served and served honorably. We explained to them that
    we needed these hospitals to take care of the 670,000 who were
    wounded in World War II, the 100,000 that were wounded in
    Korea, the 300,000 that were wounded in Vietnam and the 500
    that were wounded in the Persian Gulf. And, of course, those
    who will become wounded in future wars.
        We explained that we needed these hospitals to provide
    nursing home-care for our older veterans, our World War I
    veterans and World War II veterans, our Korean veterans, and,
    of course, not too far beyond them are our Vietnam veterans. We
    might think of ourselves as young brats, but we are getting on
    up there. So, we need these hospitals to take care of our older
    veterans, to provide nursing home-care and to do research to
    improve the quality of care for all of our veterans.
        Also to back up our military hospitals in times of national
    emergency and, of course, to take care of all veterans who have
    served the nation and served it well. I want you to know that
    when we had finished negotiating, we walked away with a
    commitment that this nation's VA Hospitals will be maintained
    as a separate entity for our veterans. And I am excited about
    that.
        We have a commitment that our service-connected former
    prisoners of war and our low income veterans who pay nothing
    for their care, they will also be eligible for extra VA
    services not included in the national package, services such as
    long-term nursing home-care.
        On the health-care reform, we will open our doors to all
    veterans who want to get their care from the VA. For the first
    time in history, when a veteran comes to a VA Hospital, he or
    she will receive full, comprehensive care, everything that is
    needed to stay healthy.
        There will be no more questions about conditions that are
    not service-connected, but just service, just medical care, and
    that is as it should be. We have urged Congress to work very
    closely with the Chairman here to pass a bill that protects the
    best interest of all our veterans, those who have given so
    very, very much to our nation.
        We all know, quite frankly, that this is a time of great
    challenge for the VA's health-care delivery system. But I
    believe very, very strongly by looking in the depths of my
    heart that with the VFW's help, the VA will rise to accept that
    challenge.
        You may have heard that two VA employees were accused of
    illegally removing documents from veterans' files. I say to you
    that this is a betrayal of the trust that you have placed in
    them. I want you to know in this place at this time that anyone
    caught destroying your records will be prosecuted to the
    fullest extent of the law.
        There should be no guessing when it comes to Jesse Brown.
    Some people might refer to me as the honorable or the
    secretary. But the bottom line is Jesse Brown has been a
    national service officer for 27 years and he is going to die a
    national service officer.
        As a national service officer, I understand, and they must
    understand, that we need those records to establish claims for
    service connection, increased evaluation, educational benefits
    for our children and medical care for our veterans and their
    families. Therefore, we are not going to tolerate that kind of
    behavior. We are just not going to do it.
        As I look back at these and other issues, I feel that we
    can be proud of what we have accomplished together. I do not
    suggest that all of the VA's problems are solved. We continue
    to place and face many challenges, but we have proven that
    working together we can get things done. I know that this
    progress will continue.
        Recently, I was reminded of why we do what we do; why we
    have a moral obligation to help our veterans. I had the honor
    of attending ceremonies in France, marking the 50th Anniversary
    of the landings at Normandy. I was proud to see Junior Vice
    Commander-in-Chief Paul Spera and Adjutant General Howard
    Vander Clute there.
        I was so glad, very, very glad that the VFW was there
    representing our veterans who are World War II veterans. Paul,
    Howard and I knew that we were in a sacred place, 50 years
    after D-Day. I looked out at the sea which carried so many of
    our young men to an uncertain destiny.
        I looked at Omaha Beach, where every foot of sand was paid
    for with the mud of our veterans. I looked at the cliffs where
    the American Rangers achieved the impossible, and then I knew
    that in that sacred place that freedom is not free. There, in
    that sacred place, it became clear that 400,000 who died and
    700,000 who were wounded in World War II advanced the cause of
    freedom and world peace.
        This, my friends, is a story that has been played out many
    times and many places and in many wars, wars like Korea where
    35,000 died, and more than 100,000 were wounded, and wars like
    Vietnam where nearly 60,000 died and over 300,000 were wounded.
        During the span of our nation's history, over 40 million
    Americans have accepted the challenge to defend our nation's
    principles and our democratic institutions. They did so at a
    price. As a result, we must be certain that those who have
    fought to defend our freedom are not disadvantaged because of
    their service.
        There are those who may have forgotten why the VFW and the
    VA exist, why this nation has a sacred obligation to our
    veterans. Unlike many bureaucrats and politicians, when you and
    I think about veterans, we think about our friends, our
    buddies.
        We think about our mothers, our fathers, and we think about
    our sons and daughters. We think about the veteran that comes
    to the VA for care. We think about the mother and father whose
    son shall never, come home. We think about a young wife
    learning that her husband will be disabled for life.
        We think about the families and their hopes and dreams that
    will change forever. For these reasons, the VFW and VA
    understand the price of freedom. The VFW and VA understand the
    sacrifices that veterans and their families have made for our
    nation.
        The VFW and VA understand that we have a sacred obligation
    to care for those who have borne the battle, and that is why we
    do what we do. Together, I suggest to you, we will continue to
    fight to assure those that have served, those that have been
    wounded and disabled, and those that have died receive the
    respect and honor they have deserved from a grateful nation.
    So, thank you very, very much. God bless you all.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Secretary Jesse Brown.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I want you to know that on
    behalf of all of you going out and raising all the money for
    the Golden Age Games, that is one time we saw the Secretary
    smile this year, just a couple of months ago, when Larry Rivers
    and I went into the Secretary's office in Washington and
    presented him, on behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a
    check for $50,000.
        Mr. Secretary, I know you said you are going to make plans
    for the 150th Anniversary of this great organization and you
    said you were going to die a service officer. Mr. Secretary,
    you are a Life Member and General Order No. 1 says you cannot
    die. [Applause]

    PRESENTATION OF VFW HALL OF FAME AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION TO MR.
                                  PETER GRAVES

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Each year the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars Hall of Fame Award honors an individual from the
    field of entertainment who has made a significant contribution
    to America and her veterans. We are particularly delighted to
    honor this year's recipient this morning.
        Our honoree has combined an enormously successful film
    acting career, from the classic ``Stalag 17'' to the hilarious
    ``Airplane,'' with an equally rewarding TV career encompassing
    more than a half-dozen series, several major mini-series and
    numerous movies-for-television.
        Since his film debut in ``Rouge River,'' he has starred in
    a host of leading roles in such motion pictures as ``The Court-
    Martial of Billy Mitchell,'' ``A Rage to Live,'' ``The Raid,''
    ``The Ballad of Josie,'' ``The Long Grey Line,'' ``Texas Across
    the River,'' ``Five Man Army,'' ``Number One With a Gun,''
    ``Airplane II'' and others.
        His series credits include ``Court-Martial,'' ``Whiplash,''
    ``Fury'' and ``The Rebels,'' plus two Time-Life series,
    ``Discover: The World of Science,'' in national syndication and
    on PBS-TV.
        Additionally, he created the role of Palmer Kirby on ABC-
    TV's ``The Winds of War'' mini-series and reprised that role
    for ``War and Remembrance.''
        He continues with his hosting chores for the third season
    of Arts & Entertainment Network's popular ``Biography'' series.
        Despite a long and successful career on both the big and
    small screen our guest is most often remembered for his six
    seasons as the leader of an elite team of specialists fighting
    crime, corruption and radical foreign dictators on ``Mission
    Impossible.'' That role established him as a star of
    international importance, a status that continues undiminished.
        But we are here this morning to honor him for his real life
    role, that of a compassionate veteran.
        Enlisting in the United States Air Force after high school,
    he developed an appreciation for America's veterans that has
    continued throughout his career. Over the past year he has
    served as the National Chairman and Spokesman for the Salute to
    Hospitalized Veterans Program.
        Those who work with the program have developed a unique
    affection for our guest. To quote them, ``He has been a hands-
    on chairman, visiting the hospitals and establishing
    relationships with the veterans. On one occasion he passed up a
    TV guest appearance to be a part of the Veterans Winter Sports
    Clinic in crested Butte, Colorado. At that event, in spite of
    fatigue and altitude sickness, he invited the wheelchair-bound
    participants back to his room and enjoyed their company into
    the wee hours.
        In a word, he has been the very best chairman the
    Hospitalized Veterans could have asked for. In addition to his
    work with hospitalized veterans, he will shortly begin taping a
    documentary on the G.I. Bill. He was eager to do this
    documentary as it was the G.I. Bill that, following his Air
    Force duty, allowed him to pursue his education and training as
    an actor.
        It is with a great deal of pleasure that I now introduce a
    veteran, humanitarian, Chairman of the National Salute to
    Hospitalized Veterans, star of films and television, and this
    year's recipient of the VFW's Hall of Fame Award, Mr. Peter
    Graves.
        Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Hall of Fame
    Award, Gold Medal and Citation awarded to Peter Graves.
        ``In special recognition of his singularly successful film
    acting career and equally exceptional television career and his
    hosting for the third season of Arts & Entertainment Network's
    `Biography' series and in grateful appreciation for the
    countless hours of service he devoted to veterans as the 1994
    Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Chairman and for his plans to
    do a special documentary on the G.I. Bill which enabled him to
    enroll at the University of Minnesota as a drama major.''
        This citation is signed by myself today as Commander-in-
    Chief and by Howard Vander Clute, Adjutant General.
        Let me say along with this citation we have two checks for
    you, one for $2,500 for Citizens Assisting the Pacific Palisade
    Youth, and one for $2,500 for the Motion Picture and Television
    Fund. We would like to see you get ``Mission: Impossible'' back
    on TV.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to recipient Peter Graves.]

                           RESPONSE--MR. PETER GRAVES

        MR. PETER GRAVES: Thank you very much, Commander-in-Chief
    Cramer. Mr. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Ladies and
    Gentlemen:
        Boy, what a thrill to be here with you. It is a thrill to
    have these donations by your wonderful organization. The Motion
    Picture and Television Fund, I am sure you have all heard about
    it. It does wonderful work, including the motion picture
    country home and hospital, and all sorts of things for people
    in need in my business.
        The other to the Citizens Assisting Palisades Youth, that
    is my wife's favorite charity. She is one of the founders of it
    and works most diligently in its behalf. She was not able to be
    here with me today, but I know how deeply she thanks you for
    that.
        That is the best introduction I have ever had and the
    longest, I think. It made me think of something, a picture I
    forget about every once in a while, and I have done it and I
    should not. It was called ``The Long Grey Line.'' As many of
    you may remember, it is a story of West Point from the early
    days of this century on up through World War II, and a
    marvelous old guy, Marty Monker, who served there for something
    like 50 years. Probably many of you know about this.
        Well, I was in that film, and we made a great deal of it,
    most of it, at the United States Military Academy. It was
    directed by one of the great, great all-time directors, John
    Ford. Now, I am sure you have heard about him. He did ``She
    Wore A Yellow Ribbon,'' ``Stage Coach,'' and so many wonderful
    films.
        I played a young corporal in the Army, about 1900, who was
    courting or trying to court a young lady played by Maureen
    O'Hara. This is already easy work. Now, it comes along there is
    another fellow by the name of Tyrone Power who is a rival.
        We kind of mix it up every once in a while in vying for the
    affections and attentions of Maureen O'Hara. One of the scenes
    called for us to have a fight, a fist-fight in the stable yard.
    Now, of course, we filmed this in the mid-'50s and there were
    no longer any stables at West Point or no horses, fumes or
    whatever at that time.
        What the way old man Ford wanted, and he could be cranky
    when he wanted to, what he wanted was for us to fight in the
    stable yard in a pile of horse manure. So it came the day for
    this to take place, and the prop guys had done a super job.
    There wasn't any horse manure, but they had straw and mud and a
    mixture of things ten feet high that looked exactly like the
    real stuff, and on the screen you couldn't tell the difference.
        We showed up at 8:00 o'clock in the morning, and old man
    Ford said, ``What is that?'' They said, ``Mr. Ford, we can't
    get the real stuff, so we put together this straw and mud and
    all these things.'' He said, ``I want horse manure. I want it
    tomorrow morning at 8:00 o'clock.''
        Well, that day, trucks went out all over upstate New York
    to all the farms they could find looking for horse manure. By
    George, at 8:00 o'clock the next morning they had a pile of it
    about ten feet high. Even as big a star as Tyrone Power
    couldn't get out of this.
        Now, old man Ford loved it. We fought all day long in this
    pile of stuff. I think I spent the whole night in a bath after
    that. I couldn't come near Maureen O'Hara for several days.
        Ford was a brilliant director, but he could be very cranky
    at times. There was, as you remember, at West Point they had a
    football coach named Red Blake, one of the greatest coaches of
    all time. We had the whole cadet corps on parade one day for
    filming to use in the film. Of course, that is an impressive
    sight.
        Ford had arranged this. This was really a rehearsal for
    him. He always did what he wanted to do with his cameras and so
    forth. So, Red Blake was standing watching these cadets on
    parade, and when they finished, they passed by and Red Blake
    had tears in his eyes.
        He turns to Mr. Ford and he said, ``Mr. Ford, if you can
    just keep your cameras turning and you can get it just like
    that, it will be something.'' Ford said, ``Sometime I will tell
    you how to coach your damn football team.'' Well, that is life
    in the picture business.
        John Ford is gone from us now, but pictures and television
    continue and the needs of veterans continue and veterans'
    affairs and interests must be addressed. You all do so and you
    do it well and with diligence. I am proud to be among you. I
    thank you immensely for these honors you have give me today.

    PRESENTATION--VFW GOLD MEDAL OF MERIT AND CITATION TO THE HONORABLE G.
                            V. ``SONNY'' MONTGOMERY

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Ladies and gentlemen, it is my
    pleasure to introduce to you a friend of the VFW and our
    nation's veterans. A true patriot, he has given a lifetime of
    service to the nation in uniform and in the United States
    Congress.
        Now serving his fourteenth term in the U.S. House of
    Representatives, he joined the House Committee of Veterans
    Affairs in 1969. Two years later he was appointed to the Armed
    Services Committee. Service in these two positions has enabled
    him to stand vigil over the entitlements and services for our
    military personnel, our veterans and their families.
        Our honored guest assumed the chairmanship of the House
    Veterans Affairs Committee in 1981. For his leadership in the
    crusade for a permanent peacetime G.I. Bill, a new Bill, now
    known as the Montgomery G.I. Bill, was signed into law by the
    President on June 1, 1987.
        His effectiveness as Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs
    Committee can best be measured by the manner in which he has
    been able to protect and fine-tune veterans entitlements and
    services.
        A retired Major General of the Mississippi National Guard,
    his active and reserve service includes duty in World War II in
    the European Theater with the 12th Armored Division.
        It is my privilege to introduce a fellow comrade, a Life
    Member of VFW Post 79, in Meridian, Mississippi, a friend, and
    in the finest tradition of Southern grace, a true gentleman,
    the Honorable G. V. ``Sonny'' Montgomery.
        ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Gold Medal
    of Merit and this Citation awarded to G. V. `Sonny' Montgomery,
    United States Representative, District 3, Mississippi.
        ``In special recognition and sincere appreciation for his
    enduring efforts, singular knowledge, assertive leadership and
    exceptional service as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs
    Committee and senior member of the Armed Services Committee and
    his unwavering support for the men and women of the armed
    forces, our nation's veterans and their families through his
    vigilant fights to preserve and strengthen veterans
    entitlements, protect the interests of the members of the armed
    forces and especially his dedication to advance educational and
    training benefits for veterans as embodied in the Montgomery
    G.I. Bill.''
        This citation has been signed today by myself, as
    Commander-in-Chief, and by Howard Vander Clute, Adjutant
    General.
        Congratulations, Sonny, and thank you, Mr. Congressman, for
    what you do for our veterans.
                    RESPONSE--THE HONORABLE G. V. MONTGOMERY

        CONGRESSMAN MONTGOMERY: Good morning. I tell you it is a
    tough act to follow the Secretary and Peter Graves, but I will
    try. I have been watching the doors and there have not been
    many of you that have left, so thank you very much.
        Commander-in-Chief Cramer, please make General Order No. 2
    live forever. You gave the Secretary No. 1 and I would like to
    have No. 2 on behalf of a number of World War II veterans out
    there, also.
        To the other National Officers of the VFW and to Secretary
    Brown and to Mr. Graves, to Diane Evans, who will be on the
    program, other Distinguished Guests and my Fellow VFW Members:
        I am very proud. In fact, the first veterans organization I
    joined after I got home from Europe in 1946 was the VFW on 8th
    Street, I believe. In my remarks, I have got to do that to
    catch up with these other two fellows. I mentioned to Howard
    Vander Clute that it showed that I joined the VFW in 1976.
        I joined the VFW in 1947. I was one of the Post Officers in
    1948, and I am proud of that. As Secretary Brown mentioned, he
    could use the Sergeant-at-Arms George, who got order here this
    morning. We certainly could use him, Commander-in-Chief, in the
    Congress of the United States. [Applause] I see you agree with
    that.
        About six months ago, I went to my VFW State Convention in
    Jackson, Mississippi. I talked to my comrades in Mississippi. I
    said, ``I know you are doing well in your membership drive for
    1994.'' They said, ``No, Sonny, we are not doing very well. We
    are about at 80 percent.''
        So I and others gave them a challenge. We said, ``You have
    got six months before the Convention. Let's get busy.'' They
    did, Mr. Commander-in-Chief. They are now 103 percent. You have
    got them on the second row.
        Commander Byrd and Johnnie Sartor and others over there,
    thank you for the job that you did. I feel right at home here
    today. You say, ``Hello, Sonny'' and some of you say ``Hello,
    Senator.'' I am on the House side, but you can call me Senator.
    I don't mind.
        I wasn't sure whether we were going to make it or not. We
    were working on the Crime Bill in the House of Representatives.
    I told Jesse Brown we did pass the bill. It has gone over to
    the Senate side now. Even if we pass the Crime Bill, I don't
    believe I would go get in any dark alleys. I don't know what
    these people will do.
        Thank you very much to the VFW for your Medal of Merit and
    Citation. I am very proud to have this award. I hope next year
    if I am invited back that I can wear this medallion. It is a
    special award and I appreciate it very much.
        I do know that the record we have established in Congress
    for veterans would not be possible without the help that we
    have had from the VFW, and also I would like to mention the
    Ladies Auxiliary, what they have done, especially the VFW
    Ladies Auxiliary, which is so strong and does a tremendous job.
    I congratulate you with working with the VFW full membership.
        I am very pleased that the VFW has chosen the Beech
    Aerospace Services Corporation, a worldwide aircraft logistics
    training and support company to receive the Large Employer of
    the Year Award. I understand that this national award is given
    annually to a company for its outstanding policies and
    achievements in hiring, promoting and retraining veterans.
        The VFW has picked a good one. I know the company well,
    Commander-in-Chief. Its headquarters is in Madison,
    Mississippi. That is also in my congressional district. I don't
    think it had anything to do with winning this award. I am sorry
    that Dan Grafton will be here tomorrow. He is the Beechcraft
    President.
        He is a wonderful person and a great company, who employs
    about 600 people. They have got another contract to move up to
    900. I know a large part of that number will be veterans that
    they will hire, because they believe in this veterans
    preference, even though they are private enterprise. I sure
    wish the U.S. Post Office could honor veterans like Beech
    Aerospace has done and hire more veterans.
        I want to commend you, Commander-in-Chief Cramer, for
    inviting me to the 95th National Convention. The last year
    under your leadership, Commander, the VFW has accomplished much
    since you were elected at the last Convention. The last time I
    saw you, sir, was at the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day
    Ceremonies, and it was an unforgettable week.
        It is always a pleasure to be with my friend, Howard Vander
    Clute. Howard's record as your National Adjutant General speaks
    for itself. I had a nice visit with he and his wife last night.
    The organization has grown and prospered during the years he
    occupied this crucial position. Howard is retiring after this
    Convention, and we wish him well and we will miss you also,
    Howard.
        I want to thank Larry Rivers and his excellent staff for
    all they do on Capitol Hill. They really help us out in every
    piece of legislation that comes out of our Committee over
    there. The VFW, under Larry Rivers, has had something to do
    with what is in that Bill.
        They have helped shape, as I said, every piece of
    legislation that comes out of our Committee. Larry Rivers runs
    the best banquet in Washington honoring members of Congress and
    knows how to get us out on time every time. I value the
    friendship of both of these two gentlemen that I have
    mentioned, and they have done a great job for the VFW.
        Of course, I want to recognize the very able Secretary of
    Veterans Affairs, my good friend, Jesse Brown. Jesse, I
    appreciate your staying here. Most times in Washington, after
    you make a speech, you get up and leave. Thank you, Jesse, for
    staying. He is a good Secretary.
        I want him to hear this. He has firmly established himself
    as a champion of veterans. The best thing about it is that you
    veterans like him. He has taken a lot of heat. He has taken a
    lot of heat for what is called the Office of Management and
    Budget.
        They kind of tell the Congress what they would hope they
    would do to represent the administration. The White House has
    been on him, but he is still for issues for veterans. There is
    no doubt that he is the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and make
    no mistake about it. He stands up for us a lot of times. I see
    him up there dealing with legislation. Thank you again, Jesse
    Brown, for all you do.
        Let me thank all of the delegates for your outstanding work
    through the years. If we don't have strong Posts back in the
    different states, we can't do a job in Washington. You have to
    go see the members of Congress, and you the Senators if you are
    going to get things done.
        There are other organizations out there working against us
    trying to get these funds and we need your help. Please
    continue to work on veterans issues. I appreciate very much
    your stand for a strong national defense. This has been really
    an unforgettable year for our veterans.
        This year we celebrated the milestone in national and world
    history, the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, 1944, the
    military force, 175,000 Americans, British and Canadian troops
    launched the most massive sea and air assault ever attempted in
    the history of the world.
        The goal was to liberate Europe and restore freedom to
    those people. The invasion was in the beginning of the end of
    the war and pushing the deadlock out. The Speaker of the House
    authorized me to be chairman of the group, and we took 27
    members of the House to Normandy during the week of June 6th.
        While there, Commander-in-Chief Cramer, Secretary Brown and
    our delegation joined President Clinton and other heads of
    state to pay tribute to the brave men and women who
    participated in the invasion. This story is a powerful part of
    both our past and future.
        Many of you served in that historic military conflict. I
    went in about the fourth month after June 6th. How many of you
    did go into Europe--hold up your hands--in World War II? Don't
    be bashful. How many were in the Pacific Theater? I want to
    tell you we have not forgotten you either. We are going to have
    a celebration.
        General Kicklighter told me last night that we have already
    had several celebrations out in the Pacific and some more will
    be going on. Thank you for the job that you have done in World
    War II.
        Some of you also have great distinction in Korea, Vietnam,
    the Persian Gulf and other distant places. The delegates here
    have a common bond which makes this organization great. We
    believe in duty in mind, bravery in heart and purpose in
    spirit. You had it then, and please keep it.
        We need it more than ever to talk about patriotism and love
    of our country. The D-Day Celebrations reminded us of the
    courage and sacrifice that inspired President Roosevelt to sign
    into law two Bills 50 years ago, three weeks after the Normandy
    Invasion. They have been touched on this morning.
        On June 22nd of this year, Secretary Brown and I joined
    President Clinton in the 50th Anniversary celebration of the
    signing of the G.I. Bill of Rights, and with the help of the
    veterans organizations, Congress created the G.I. Bill to help
    veterans readjust to civilian life.
        Many people here today have benefitted from that Bill,
    either by education from the different wars or the home loans.
    Those that have benefitted by the G.I. Bill hold up your hand.
    It is most of the audience, Mr. Secretary, here today.
        I still live in the same home I financed under the G.I.
    Bill. I thought I had a four-percent interest, Mr. Secretary,
    but it was four and a quarter, but we will not worry about
    that. This G.I. Bill passed that long ago will probably be the
    greatest piece of legislation passed in this century. It moved
    America forward and you were a part of it.
        I am going to talk to you about the Veterans Preference
    Act. We celebrated the 50th Anniversary of this Preference Act.
    As a result of that, the legislation of the Federal Government
    is currently deleting the employee. The Federal Government all
    right. Most of the departments do hire veterans.
        They do hire our veterans under the Government Preference
    Act. Recognizing the value of this legislation, President
    Clinton said, ``This nation owes a great deal to our men and
    women who have worn our country's uniform. The prosperity and
    freedom we enjoy today are the priceless gifts of their service
    and commitment.''
        The President affirmed these remarks recently when he
    directed the Justice Department to drop an appeal of a ruling
    against the U.S. Postal Service. The Postal Service violated
    the Veterans Preference Act while implementing a reorganization
    plan.
        Secretary Brown asked the administration not to appeal the
    case. I asked the President of the United States not to appeal
    the case, and the VFW acted promptly and got in touch with the
    President. Now, it was not appealed. Let me share with you the
    response.
        We have had some critics and criticism who say the Veterans
    Preference Act makes it difficult for minorities and women to
    get some of the better jobs in the Federal Government. I am
    quick to tell them as Chairman of the Veterans Committee my job
    is to stand up for veterans, male and female of any race, creed
    or heritage. As long as I am Chairman, I am going to see that
    these veterans are protected.
        We have had many good years working with the VFW. I would
    like to mention a few of the things. We have done the best we
    could to protect and strengthen one of the best medical systems
    in the world. Yes, I know there are a lot of problems out
    there, and you see them because you go there in the hospitals
    and the out-patient clinics. We are trying to get that
    corrected, and we are working with the Secretary on that.
        We have protected and expanded the compensation of the VIC
    and pension programs. We have expanded and reformed the home
    loan program. We have re-established new programs for the
    homeless veterans. We have set up Vietnam veterans cancer
    centers and for post-traumatic stress disorders.
        We have provided special medical care and compensation for
    veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and we have established a new
    U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals. So we have had some help along
    the line by the staff that I have mentioned today.
        I would like to recognize my staff director, Mack Fleming,
    who is really a true veteran, and Carl Commentator also. I wish
    they would stand. They are on our Committee and do everything
    they can for veterans and the VFW knows it. You two stand up. I
    would appreciate it if you would give them a hand. [Applause]
        Mack Fleming helped make the speech, so I guess he didn't
    want to hear it anymore. We passed the 1995 VA Appropriations
    Bill. I will be brief on that. It is $37 billion to run the VA
    system that Jesse Brown has. It includes $16 billion for
    medical care, and that is $111 million more than the President
    requested.
        It is also $610 million more than we got in 1994. We are
    getting some more money now to run the Veterans Hospitals. In
    this appropriation, it has passed and these are the final
    figures. It includes $252 million in medical research, $41
    million more than proposed by this or the last administrations.
        I am sold on medical care in the VA system. They do a lot
    of good for the veterans. They don't get much credit for it.
    They have made a lot of us live longer and in less pain. When
    we get their good medical research, the accomplishments, we
    pass it on to the civilian sector. We have done a lot of
    things. If I had more time, I would just cover some of them.
    Medical research is certainly important in the VA.
        On general operating expenses, we have an increase of $44
    million. Now, $10 million of that will go to processing of
    claims and backlog of cases. I have talked to Secretary Brown
    about this. We have a problem. It takes too long to process the
    claims in cases, and we ought to do better and we will try.
        Under the administration's plan to reinvent government,
    which passed in Congress earlier this year, 252,000 federal
    employees must be cut from the payroll during the next five
    years. The VA's share of the reduction would be about 27,000
    people.
        Now, 25,000 of that total would come from the VA medical
    staff, 5,000 cut in medical personnel, professionals in the
    next five years. We quickly introduced a bill exempting the VA
    Hospitals from the personnel cuts. The House passed the bill in
    April over the opposition of the Administration.
        One hundred eighteen members of the House voted against the
    bill. That is one of the highest numbers we have ever had to
    oppose a veterans bill. I don't like to get any votes against
    my bills. I didn't like it a darn bit when they voted against
    that bill.
        Some of them are finding out about it back home. The bill
    is now pending in the Senate. You might work on the Senate.
    Don't see staff members in the Senate. Get a hold of the
    Senators and say, ``Listen, I want you to pass that bill over
    there'' and we will get something done.
        On August 8th, the House passed and sent to the Senate, our
    Bill 4386, the Persian Gulf War Benefits Act. This is for
    Persian Gulf veterans who are seriously ill. We have not been
    able to diagnose what is wrong with them. Therefore, there is
    no compensation that could be paid to them.
        Secretary Brown supports this legislation. It is not a
    budget buster. The Secretary will approve each case, but it
    will give compensation to some of these veterans. We don't know
    what is wrong with them and we need to get that bill moving in
    the Senate.
        Health-care reform, we will be very busy the remainder of
    the year and we will be since we have gotten the Crime Bill out
    of the way working on health-care reform. Mr. Cramer, I want to
    sincerely thank you and your staff, Jim Magill and others, for
    working so closely with us and the veterans organizations to
    come up with a workable bill.
        We are included in the general hard bill health care and we
    will be putting in the Senate bill the bipartisan health care
    bill. The veterans part of the health care pending before
    Congress could not be better. Veterans would come out real
    well. We do have health-care legislation.
        The bottom line is that in health-care reform the veteran
    will be given more options and different medical care than he
    or she is given now. Now, the Enola Gay, you know what the
    aircraft is. That is the one that is led by great pilots of the
    atomic bomb in World War II, and bringing the war to a close.
        I want to mention something that some of you VFW members
    know about and some of you don't know about it and should know
    about it. Next August, the Smithsonian Institute will have the
    exhibit in the Air Space Museum entitled ``The Last Act.''
        This museum is the most visited of any other museums any
    place else in Washington. ``The Last Act'' is the atomic bomb
    at the end of World War II. There is much controversy about it
    and the VFW leadership and I are working to see if we can get
    this changed.
        Those in charge of the exhibit are trying to show that
    President Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb was wrong.
    The exhibit would attempt to convey the message that Japan was
    not the aggressor in World War II. Now, I knew that would get
    your attention.
        When I first heard about it, I asked the Smithsonian
    officials to meet with the VFW and other veterans
    organizations. They did that. We have let everyone know we are
    concerned about this. Now, if something comes out like this,
    where it is a very explosive situation from veterans throughout
    the country, and I certainly hope that it will be.
        I am reminded of the deep sorrow that I felt when I was
    visiting the Island of Corregidor in 1987 and reflected on the
    horrors experienced at the hands of the Japanese by the
    American soldiers, forced to take part in the Bataan death
    march.
        I reminded them that President Truman's decision to drop
    the bomb saved hundreds of thousands of American lives and that
    the Pacific to be displayed otherwise should not be allowed. I
    know you are glad I am wrapping it up here. I have enjoyed it.
        I am very proud of our legislative record that we have
    worked with the organization over the last 28 years. We have
    been very fortunate to work with a number of VFW Commanders and
    VFW staff, and I have really relied on these VFW Commanders.
        Commander-in-Chief, I would like to restate the names of
    those here today that have really helped me and guided us in
    the past 14 or 15 years. They are Howard Vander Clute, Art
    Fellwock, Bob Currieo, Cliff Olson, Billy Ray Cameron, John
    Staum, Norman Staab, the late Earl Stock, Larry Rivers, Wally
    Hogan, Jim Kimery, Bob Wallace, Jack Carney and George Cramer.
        Also, I want to recognize another former National Commander
    who has been a great help to all of us, a source of strength to
    us. He is a former long-time Washington Executive Director of
    the National, Past Commander-in-Chief Cooper T. Holt. I wish
    these gentlemen would just stand up and let me thank them with
    you for the work they have done for us. [Applause]
        I am proud to be a member of the VFW because you are big
    and strong. When you talk in Washington, Congress listens. One
    of your areas of work is to do everything that you can for the
    veteran or his or her dependent. Another area that you are
    strong in, and there are few organizations that do this, you
    believe in a strong military defense.
        I hope you will continue to push for a strong military
    defense. We are cutting the military too much and too fast, and
    I am concerned about it.
        Now, listen to this. I want to thank the good Lord that the
    VFW does score members of Congress on how they vote on the
    military. Keep it up. We pay attention to it. God bless the VFW
    and God bless the USA.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Congressman Sonny Montgomery.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, Congressman
    Montgomery, not only for your diligent work over the many years
    on behalf of our nation's veterans, but I also want to thank
    you and your staff for always keeping the door open so we can
    discuss veterans issues.
        PRESENTATION OF VFW DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND
                      CITATION TO COMRADE WILLIAM RADIGAN

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: It is always a great pleasure
    when we have the opportunity to honor one of our own for a
    lifetime of distinguished service.
        The gentleman I wish to introduce has, for more than 42
    years, unselfishly given his time and energy to our great
    organization. He is a veteran of World War II, having served in
    the European Theater as a gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress in
    Italy from November, 1943, until November, 1945.
        For his service, he received the European, African Middle
    Eastern Service Medal, an Air Medal and the World War II
    Victory Medal.
        Returning at the end of World War II, he joined VFW Post
    3061 in Vermillion, South Dakota, in July, 1948. He is still a
    member of that Post.
        He became a mail carrier in 1946 and retired from the U.S.
    Postal Service 34 years later in 1980. While working full-time
    in 1952, he accepted the position as Adjutant/ Quartermaster of
    the Department of South Dakota.
        He is the father of eight sons and three daughters. One
    son, Major Randall Radigan, spent three years in Vietnam as a
    medical dust off pilot. Another son, William, Jr., has 26 years
    of service in the U.S. Air Force and is currently a major in
    Weisbaden, Germany.
        William, Sr., resides in Vermillion, where he is also a
    member of the American Legion, the Vermillion Fire Department
    and a member of the Vermillion City Council.
        Our purpose here today is to honor Comrade Radigan as he
    continues to perform as Adjutant/Quartermaster of South Dakota.
        Few men have given so much for so long to the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars. His outstanding record has created a standard by
    which those of us who continue the work can aspire.
        Please join me in a warm welcome for a veteran who has
    given much to make the VFW great, William J. Radigan, Sr., from
    the great State of South Dakota.
        Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Distinguished
    Service Medal and this Citation awarded to William J. Radigan,
    Sr.
        ``In sincere appreciation and grateful recognition of 42
    years of unselfish service to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
    the United States as a dedicated worker, able administrator and
    distinguished leader in fulfilling the duties and
    responsibilities of the office of State Adjutant and State
    Quartermaster of the Department of South Dakota Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States.''
        This citation has been signed today by myself as Commander-
    in-Chief and by Howard Vander Clute as the Adjutant General.
        Bill, you know many times we have honored those that
    retire, but I think it is important and very fitting and proper
    that we need to look at the people that give of their time for
    so many years and award them while they are still working for
    us. We really appreciate people like yourself.

                     RESPONSE--COMRADE WILLIAM RADIGAN, SR.

        COMRADE WILLIAM RADIGAN (Post 3061--South Dakota):
    Commander-in-Chief Cramer, the distinguished individuals on the
    podium, and to all the Post Commanders-in-Chief, and to you, my
    Comrades, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States:
        It would have helped if I had known this was going to
    happen. I am so honored and feel such an emotional high today
    that I don't think any of you could understand it if I tried to
    explain it to you. I think it is appropriate that today I
    extend some thanks to two ladies who have worked in our office
    through the 42 years, one for 11 and one for 31 years. Rena and
    Shirley Potts have been such a help to me.
        I am grateful to my wife who for 40 years before she left
    us worked so closely with me. I am grateful to all my comrades
    and sisters in the Department of South Dakota who made this all
    possible for me. When I took the job, I agreed to stay 18
    months, and then I was going to be on my way to other things.
        It has been a great trip and I am still active and I still
    enjoy it. This honor is something that few people get.
    Naturally, I am deeply, deeply moved. My appreciation is known
    only to me.
        As I look out in this room today, I think I would like to
    have you know something else about me. First, I have to thank
    my children who gave up some things, all 11 of them, so I could
    do this job. I want to thank my God for giving me the ability
    and the strength to do it, and then I want to say something to
    all of you.
        This is a great honor, and I don't belittle it, but there
    is a greater honor in this organization as far as I am
    concerned. I have known most of these men as they walk through
    their offices. It has been wonderful. Today, I have a privilege
    and an honor.
        I can walk out into this audience and it will make no
    difference what the man's military rank was, it will make no
    difference what position he holds in civilian life, it will
    make no difference what his financial status might be. The only
    thing that makes any difference today here is that all of you
    have offered service to the great United States of America and
    that you are eligible to belong to the Veterans of Foreign Wars
    of the United States.
        My greatest honor as long as I shall live will be that when
    I walk up to one of you I can shake your hand and call you
    ``comrade''. There is no greater honor. I am appreciative of
    what you have done for me today, Commander-in-Chief, and my
    friend George. I certainly appreciate it. I will cherish it all
    my life. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Comrade Radigan.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I would like to call on our
    Adjutant General for a few announcements. [Convention
    announcements.]

       PRESENTATION--VFW GOLD MEDAL OF MERIT AND CITATION TO LIEUTENANT
                     GENERAL WILLIAM G. PAGONIS, USA (RET.)

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: We are indeed very honored to
    have with us today the man responsible for two of the most
    significant logistical operations of the past decade, the
    dismantling of the Cold War infrastructure of the U.S. Army in
    Europe and total logistical operations for Desert Shield and
    Desert Storm, Retired Army Lieutenant General William G.
    ``Gus'' Pagonis.
         Based on his Desert Storm experience, he co-authored a
    book entitled ``Moving Mountains--Lessons in Leadership and
    Logistics from the Cold War.''
        To put the Desert Storm feat in perspective, one book
    reviewer described the situation as follows: ``Pagonis'
    logisticians and transporters moved 560,000 service personnel
    and their equipment to Saudi Arabia, the equivalent of
    relocating the entire City of Richmond, Virginia, and
    everything in it, halfway around the world; supplying and
    repositioning them over an area larger than half of the Eastern
    United States.''
        Today, he is a Senior Vice-President for Logistics for
    Sears, Roebuck & Company, the single point of contact for
    logistics for Sears.
        A native of Pennsylvania, General Pagonis served with the
    501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1970-'71.
    He is the recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor
    with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Combat Infantry Badge
    among others.
        For his contribution to the success of Operation Desert
    Storm, I am pleased to present the Commander-in-Chief's Gold
    Medal of Merit to a distinguished soldier and logistician,
    William G. ``Gus'' Pagonis. General Pagonis has indicated that
    he wishes to contribute the honorarium accompanying the Gold
    Medal of Merit Award to the VFW sponsorship of the Golden Age
    Games.
        Please welcome a great soldier, executive and Life Member
    of VFW Post 167 in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, William ``Gus''
    Pagonis.
        ``Veterans of Foreign Wars Gold Medal of Merit and Citation
    awarded to William G. Pagonis, Lieutenant General, United
    States Army, in recognition of over 29 years of distinguished
    service to his country in the United States Army, which
    included duty as the Commander of the 1097th Transportation
    Company in Vietnam and later as the Division Transportation
    Officer of the 101st Airborne Division during its deployment in
    Vietnam, and for his role as Commanding General, 22nd Theater
    Army Area Command, United States Central Command, Saudi Arabia,
    from August, 1990, to January, 1992, an assignment that
    required his taking full responsibility for logistics during
    Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
        ``His inspiring leadership manifests itself in the fact
    that Operation 'Desert Storm' was a dramatic military success
    with minimum loss of life of United States forces as a result
    of the proficiency of his command in providing food, shelter,
    fuel, arms, ammunition and other logistical support. His
    performance and his selfless devotion to the cause of this
    nation's vital interests in the Persian Gulf have thereby
    reflected great credit upon the highest tradition of the United
    States Army.''
        This citation is dated the 23rd day of August, 1994, and
    signed by myself as the Commander-in-Chief, and by Howard E.
    Vander Clute, Adjutant General.
        General Pagonis.

                RESPONSE--LIEUTENANT GENERAL WILLIAM G. PAGONIS

        LIEUTENANT GENERAL PAGONIS: Thank you very much. First of
    all, everybody knows that Generals don't do anything but the
    troops do. We end up getting a lot of credit when we should
    not. I will tell you that all of you who participated in the
    Gulf War or saw me on CNN, I looked a lot taller on television,
    but I am the same guy.
        Somebody asked me while I was here if it was going to be
    hard to go from a General to becoming a private citizen. I
    said, ``No, not as long as you serve the United States Army
    troops.'' I will tell you that I was ordered by General
    Schwarzkopf to serve for six months and I stayed there 18
    months.
        During the last six months, he came back over to say
    goodbye to the troops prior to his retirement. All the soldiers
    loved to get their picture taken with General Schwarzkopf. I
    was standing maybe 20 feet away, and this one trooper walked up
    to me and said, ``Sir, can I have my picture taken with you?''
    I said, ``Sure, don't you want to wait for the boss?'' He said,
    ``Yes, but your line is a lot shorter.''
        I must tell you that my entire 29 years in the Army I have
    always had soldiers keep me in my place, and you don't have to
    ever worry about getting big-headed. I have to tell you a
    couple of quick stories, because only this group would
    appreciate them.
        During the time I was overseeing Iraqi POW's, I became the
    Colonel Klink of the prison camps. I didn't realize that I was
    to run the prison. There were some great guys from New York,
    men and women who served in the Military Police. We captured
    70,000 prisoners in less than 48 hours, and the idea was to
    sacrifice about 70,000 troops and throw them into the battle,
    and these individuals had no food, water for days, and no
    shoes.
        They were petrified when the American soldiers and Marines
    captured them that they would be tortured and not taken care
    of. I don't have to tell people in this room, just the opposite
    occurred. Now, CNN didn't report any of the stuff, but just the
    opposite occurred.
        Soldiers gave their field jackets to the prisoners. They
    were given water, medical supplies, and many of them were ready
    to take up arms and fight against Hussein. This just showed the
    great tradition that the American soldiers, sailors, Marines
    and Air Force have always done a marvelous job.
        I would like to close with there are 520,000 service
    members, your sons, daughters, grandchildren, and many of you
    in this room served in the Gulf War. During the 18 months that
    I was there, it was 180 degrees different than anything I have
    ever been exposed to before.
        Women were allowed to drive. I had 15,000 female soldiers
    that drove trucks, forklifts right in the heat of battle. All
    of these kinds of customs were so different, yet we did not
    have one major or minor incident in the 18 months. That just
    shows how great these young Americans were.
        All we know is that soldiers, airmen, Marines, sailors are
    not like the 42-year-old veteran that Broderick Crawford was in
    the movie. They were 18 and 19-year-old Americans. I tell
    people anywhere I go I feel good about this United States,
    because these great Americans are still with us and are still
    serving their country.
        I am honored to be with you today among the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars, and it is an honor and privilege to have served
    in the military. I thank you so very much.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, in a few moments and
    throughout the remainder of the Convention, we will be taking
    up important business of our Committee Reports and acting on
    the Resolutions proposed for adoption by this Convention. I
    have asked the Committee Chairmen to use the following
    procedure in presenting the respective reports.
        First, the Committee Chairman will read the list of
    Resolutions which the Committee recommends to be adopted or
    adopted as amended. Following the reading of this list, the
    Chairman will move the adoption of those Resolutions. After
    that motion and the second, the Chair will ask if there are any
    of those Resolutions that the comrades want to set aside.
        Note will be taken of those Resolutions to be set aside and
    actions will be taken on those Resolutions which have not been
    set aside. After the vote on the Resolutions, which were not
    set aside, the Chair will take up those Resolutions which have
    been set aside for debate. They will be taken up in the order
    in which they have been set aside.
        Each Resolution will be voted on by the Convention as a
    motion to adopt. If the Committee has recommended referral of
    any Resolutions to any permanent Committee of the VFW for
    review, those motions will then be acted upon. After action is
    completed on the Resolutions recommended for adoption or for
    referral to a Standing Committee, the Chairman will read the
    list of those Resolutions in which the recommendation is
    rejection.
        After the list is read, you will have the opportunity to
    move for the adoption of any of those Resolutions. Each motion
    will be taken up and disposed of in order. No motion is made by
    any comrade. The Resolutions under our Convention Rules
    automatically are rejected by the Convention.
        The first Committee to report, I will call on Past
    Commander-in-Chief Bob Wallace to give the Report on the
    National By-Laws and Manual of Procedure.

    REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL BY-LAWS, MANUAL OF PROCEDURE AND RITUAL

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ROBERT WALLACE: Thank you, Comrade
    Commander. First of all, let me thank you for the appointment
    as Chairman of the By-Laws Committee and also let me thank you
    for giving me the Vice-Chairman who served this organization
    with distinction in 1974-'75 as Commander-in-Chief, continues
    to serve, John Stang, from the great State of Kansas, as well
    as the members that were appointed to this Committee.
        A special thanks to the Final Review Committee that you
    have set up this year and worked diligently to clean up any
    housekeeping on the By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual of
    the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        I want to recognize them. The Chairman Dwaine Wilson,
    members Ed Burnham, Jack Melban, John Gwizdak, Glen Gardner,
    George Riedel, Vernon Soukup, Frank Zenzer and Larry Maher. I
    want to also thank Jim Plick, our Judge Advocate General, for
    his advice and counsel. I want to thank John Senk, Tom Kissel
    and all those that served on the By-Laws Committee.
        The Committee met Sunday afternoon and the following is
    what we propose to you today. By-Law B-10 and By-Law B-5 have
    been pulled because they have typographical errors in them and
    will not be presented at this Convention. At this time, the
    Committee recommends the passage of B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-6, B-
    8, B-9, B-11, B-12, B-13 and B-14.
        Commander-in-Chief, I move approval of those By-Laws.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        COMRADE JUDGE BROWN (District G--California): Commander-in-
    Chief, I am Judge Brown, District G, California. I second it.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the question. Hearing nothing, all
    those in favor will signify by the usual sign of ``aye'';
    opposed. The ``ayes'' have it and it is so ordered.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALLACE: At this time I will go
    through the Manual of Procedure. The Committee recommends
    approval of M-1, M-2, M-3 and M-4. Comrade Commander-in-Chief,
    I move that we approve M-1, M-2, M-3 and M-4.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        COMRADE CARL AIELLO (Post 1645--Massachusetts): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I second the motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the question. Hearing nothing, all
    those in favor will signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; those
    opposed. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALLACE: M-5 was rejected by the
    Committee. The change in the Ritual, the Committee recommends
    passage of R-1, R-2 and R-3. Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I move
    approval of R-1, R-2 and R-3.
        COMRADE JUDGE BROWN (Post 7792--California): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, once again, you have
    heard the motion and second. On the question. Hearing nothing,
    all those in favor will signify by the usual sign of ``aye'';
    those opposed. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALLACE: Comrade Commander-in-
    Chief, if you have nothing else for me, I thank you and I thank
    the members of this Convention for their cooperation, and
    especially the members of this Committee. Thank you very much.
        COMRADE AL HEDGES (Post 9334--Department of Europe):
    Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I am Al Hedges from the Department
    of Europe. I would like to have B-16 set aside.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I think you are out of order.
    The motions have already been passed.
        COMRADE AL HEDGES (Post 9334--Department of Europe):
    Nothing was said about this, Commander-in-Chief.
        PARLIAMENTARIAN LAWRENCE MAHER (Post 7356--Missouri): Is
    this on the eligibility question? Do you wish to address the
    eligibility question, B-16, that was objected to in Committee?
    You would like to bring that up?
        COMRADE AL HEDGES (Post 9334--Department of Europe): I
    would like to bring it up, yes.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Okay. Go ahead.
        COMRADE AL HEDGES (Post 9334--Department of Europe):
    Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I would----
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Before you debate anything, it
    will have to be a motion to adopt.
        COMRADE AL HEDGES (Post 9334--Department of Europe): I make
    a motion that we adopt B-16.
        COMRADE CHARLES BODILY (Post 9342--Department of Europe): I
    second that motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Okay. Comrades, you have heard
    the motion and the second. On the question.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALLACE: On the question, Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, the reason the By-Laws Committee rejected
    B-16 is because it deletes the requirement for citizenship in
    the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        The primary organization of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
    the United States citizenship is a mandate to belong to this
    organization, and the By-Laws Committee feels that to belong to
    an Auxiliary unit the individuals should also be citizens of
    the United States of America.
        COMRADE AL HEDGES (Post 9334--Department of Europe):
    Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I believe I can address this body
    on this subject.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Go ahead. You are on the
    subject.
        COMRADE AL HEDGES (Post 9334--Department of Europe): I am
    not here to rehassle with this group. In modern times, we, in
    the VFW, have been seeking changes in other Resolutions that
    went through the Committees in the past couple of days or
    yesterday, or the day before that were calling for change.
        Section 1102, which you have announced, Comrade Past
    Commander-in-Chief Wallace, I would like to point out why we
    would like this done. I cherish my citizenship as much as any
    of you do. I am sure that all of the veterans around the world
    who are there by military assignment or by government
    assignment, or by work, when they go to these foreign countries
    around the world, while living there, they marry and some of
    these people are in these countries for many, many years. They
    obtain a wife.
        Now, this man is an American citizen. Many Europeans are
    wives, and that wife bears children for him, and they will
    become American citizens. I am an American citizen, but I do
    live overseas. I have a life to run. I have a wife who is very
    dear to me. She speaks English better than I do.
        The options that you give us, not you give us but the
    United States gives people for citizenship is three years with
    a waiver, five years otherwise. All right. That still means
    that when you take these foreign wives back to the states they
    are still not eligible for the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
        This is wrong. I have met some people in different areas
    that do have wives in the Ladies Auxiliary who are working on
    citizenship. The Ladies Auxiliary title means just that, Ladies
    Auxiliary. It doesn't say Ladies Auxiliary of Citizens. This
    woman performs all of her duties as the wife of an American
    citizen overseas.
        When that man joins the Veterans of Foreign Wars overseas,
    he is accepted as a U.S. citizen. Do you mean to tell me we are
    going to tell that man he is a second-class citizen because his
    wife just happened to be separately born in another country?
        I don't believe we really want to do that. We are not only
    from the Department of Europe, and I am not talking about
    Europe, I am not talking about retirees, I am talking about a
    large segment of the American citizenry that lives overseas and
    eligible to be Veterans of Foreign Wars members.
        I have also seen and addressed the people who said if my
    wife can't be a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies
    Auxiliary then I don't want to be there. That is not too often.
    But it does happen.
        In closing, I must say that I have been going to
    Conventions from Europe for the past 18 or 19 years. I have
    been spending my wedding anniversary here and my birthday. This
    is Friday. I will hit my sixty-eighth birthday. I sure would
    like to have a birthday present from you to take back to my
    wife and tell her, ``Honey, you can stand next to me in a
    VFW.'' Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The Chair recognizes Microphone
    No. 2.
        COMRADE JAMES CARLISLE (Post 10097--Florida): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I understand the Department of Europe's
    problem with this particular case, but how about the rest of
    the country? What would this cause in our state of Florida
    where we have non-citizens that have lived there for 25 or 30
    years who have been married to citizens and the only reason
    they are not citizens is because they don't want to be an
    American citizen?
        We certainly don't want them in our Ladies Auxiliary. I
    think that one of the big points here is the fact that the
    Ladies Auxiliary has not come to us and asked us to change
    this. I think that when they come to us, then we can sit down
    and study it further. This is why I am opposed to changing the
    By-Laws on this particular case. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        I recognize Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE PATRICK BUCKMAN (Post 9342--Department of Europe):
    I ask that the Resolution be read to the delegates in full,
    please.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALLACE: Many years ago they told
    me that the eyes would be the first to go, but that is not true
    with me. That was the second. This pertains to retired military
    people who reside in a foreign country.
        ``WHEREAS, the spouses of these members do not reside in
    the United States except when their spouses are re-assigned on
    military orders or who do not expect to reside in the United
    States for a sufficient time to qualify for naturalization of
    citizenship in the United States; and,
        ``WHEREAS, the spouses of these members have faithfully
    supported their husbands in all endeavors, both career and
    private business, and supported their husband's involvement in
    the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States by assisting
    in fund-raisers and other functions, although they are not
    currently eligible for membership in the Ladies Auxiliary of
    the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; and,
        ``WHEREAS, these spouses would be active members of the
    Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States were it not for the citizenship restriction and would be
    able to sustain Ladies Auxiliary Posts in overseas areas after
    native born American ladies went back to the United States due
    to reassignment of their husbands; and,
        ``WHEREAS, these spouses will not be eligible for
    naturalization of citizenship until they have resided in the
    United States for a minimum of three years with a waiver and
    have attended extensive classes on the American government and
    culture; and,
        ``WHEREAS, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States Ladies Auxiliary has the opportunity to assist these
    spouses in learning about the American government and culture
    so the spouses may pass their tests and be active members of
    the Ladies Auxiliary at the same time; and,
        ``WHEREAS, it is impossible for the Departments in Europe
    and the Pacific and Panama to sustain Ladies Auxiliary Posts
    without the National By-Laws being changed to allow for foreign
    wives as members of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States;
        ``THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the 17th Annual Convention
    of the Department of Europe, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States, that the National By-Laws be amended by deleting
    the citizenship requirement for membership in the Ladies
    Auxiliary, thusly amending Section 1102--Eligibility, by
    deleting the last sentence of the first paragraph and
    substituting in lieu thereof the following `members must be not
    less than 16 years old.' ''
        COMRADE AL HEDGES (Post 9334--Department of Europe):
    Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I wrote this Resolution. The reason
    why I wrote it the way it is written is because in the
    Department of Europe we have one Auxiliary in Elsein, Germany.
        Each year, usually in October, the Senior Vice-President of
    the National Organization of the Ladies Auxiliary visits
    Europe. She visits that Post in her travels. We are told every
    time they come over, yes, they, the Senior Vice-President,
    supports the idea of this Resolution
        On the 23rd of June, I submitted a letter to the National
    Organizations asking for their support or their indication of
    support to this Resolution. To date I have not received an
    answer from them. As far as the question of them coming to us,
    comrades, we are the parent organization. We set the rules.
        The ping-pong game is being played back and forth, and we
    don't want to shove it down their throat. Their game is,
    ``Well, we can't do anything until we do something over here.''
    Now, if you understand the ``Whereas'' on the three-year
    requirement of residency before you can even apply for
    citizenship, this is very important. It is five years without
    the waiver and three years with the waiver.
        The point here is if I start an Auxiliary in Europe, for
    instance, and my wife joins that Auxiliary, and she learns how
    to run the Auxiliary, and I come back to the States in three
    years, she transfers into that Auxiliary, two things will
    happen. One, you have got an active member in that supporting
    your Post, and, two, your Post will help her learn how the
    Americans really live to pass their naturalization test.
        That is the whole point of this Resolution, to make the
    Auxiliary and the VFW a stronger organization. That is why I
    ask for the support of this body to make this change. Thank
    you, Commander-in-Chief.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The Chair recognizes Microphone
    No. 2.
        COMRADE CHARLES CANNON (Post 5076--Texas): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I am on the Committee and I am here to
    oppose this. Number one, how can any person take an obligation
    to defend the United States as the Auxiliary does and not be a
    citizen? That is number one.
        Number two, wives don't always stay with husbands. They get
    a divorce. As long as the Ladies Auxiliary pays their dues,
    they can remain a member. So, I object to this By-Law change.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3. There is
    nobody there.
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE RON RUSAKIEWICZ (Post 9460--Connecticut): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, my name is Ron Rusakiewicz, a member of
    Post 9468, Stratford, Connecticut, and a member of the By-Laws
    Committee. Comrade Commander-in-Chief, and my good comrades, I
    want to tell you this particular By-Law amendment was debated
    very well on Sunday afternoon in the Committee meeting and was
    debated by a good many comrades from all over this country that
    were chosen to head that Committee and to work on that
    Committee and give recommendations to you here on this floor
    today.
        I want to tell you we have great sympathy for those
    Departments who would like to see this particular By-Law
    amendment passed. There were a few problems with it. When you
    get into it just a little bit deeper, the debate on it was part
    of the Ladies Auxiliary.
        The last By-Law in their By-Laws is that the By-Laws cannot
    conflict with the men's By-Laws. How could you possibly have a
    By-Law that says you can have someone in the organization
    without citizenship and yet still we cannot? We were looking to
    opening up Pandora's box.
        The second thing that was brought up, and it was brought up
    here on the floor again today, it simply said that when they
    join a Ladies Auxiliary let them become citizens. That wasn't
    explained very well on the floor. I am told that if you are a
    national of a certain country, and you either own a business or
    if you have any rights from that country whatsoever, obviously
    if you become a citizen of another country, you lose those. So,
    again, we have sympathy for the women, but in this case I don't
    think it can be you can have your cake and eat it, too.
        Finally, I think the most important point, as our good
    comrade on Microphone No. 2 said before, another member of the
    Committee, is that it is, in fact, important that the Ladies
    Auxiliary has never come to us, has never proposed the
    Resolution, nor have they ever proposed a By-Law amendment in
    this organization to change this.
        So why in God's good name are we trying to do that to them?
    I think this is simple. I think we want to keep it simple and I
    think we ought to defeat this By-Law amendment. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The Chair recognizes Microphone
    No. 3.
        COMRADE M. W. BRYANT (Post 35--Missouri): I move the
    previous question.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second? If there is
    no second, we will continue debate.
        Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE JUDGE BROWN (Post 7792--California): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, there has been a
    motion and a second to move the previous question. Under the
    Rules of the Convention, the proponent of the adoption of this
    Resolution has one more chance to speak.
        If there is no one at Microphone No. 3, I will recognize
    Microphone No. 1, one person, and then after that we will vote
    on moving the previous question.
        COMRADE AL HEDGES (Post 9334--Department of Europe):
    Comrade Commander-in-Chief, in answer to the question about the
    Ladies By-Laws, naturally, they can't change their By-Laws
    until we change ours, to start with. Their changes are
    predicated on what we do, not what they do.
        Secondly, we have got soldiers coming in these countries
    that are also non-citizens serving our country. Also they marry
    and the point is we are the ones that are losing in this
    battle. We are losing membership in both organizations.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The motion before us is to move
    the previous question or to stop debate. All those in favor
    will signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; all opposed. The
    ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        We will now vote on the motion to adopt this Resolution.
    Should you vote ``yes'', that means that the members of the
    Ladies Auxiliary would not have to be a citizen of the United
    States. If you vote ``nay'', or in the negative, it means that
    we uphold the By-Laws as they are today and members of the
    Ladies Auxiliary must be a citizen of the United States of
    America. Do you understand that?
        Okay. All those in favor of adopting the motion will
    signify by the sign of ``aye''; those opposed ``nay''. The
    Resolution is not adopted.
        Anything else? Comrade Commander-in-Chief Wallace, I will
    discharge your Committee. Thank you for your work.
        Next, the Chair would like to call on the Chairman of the
    Finance and Internal Organization Committee, Past Commander-in-
    Chief Art Fellwock.

            REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND INTERNAL ORGANIZATION

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ARTHUR FELLWOCK: Thank you very
    much, Commander-in-Chief. First of all, I want to thank you for
    the appointment to serve as Chairman of the Finance and -210-
    para. Internal Organization Committee. I also want to recognize
    the fact that the Committee was an outstanding Committee and we
    had a most able Vice-Chairman, and that being Joe Scerra, Past
    Commander-in-Chief from Massachusetts.
        My name is Art Fellwock and I am a member of VFW Post 1114
    in Evansville, Indiana, and a Past Commander-in-Chief. I will,
    first of all, read the Resolutions that the Committee adopted.
        Resolution No. 201, Amend Congressional Charter. The
    Committee voted to adopt this Resolution. I make a motion that
    we adopt Resolution No. 201, to Amend the Congressional
    Charter.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, there is a motion. Is
    there a second?
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE VERNON SOUKUP (Post 8081--Illinois): I second that
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Any questions? All those in
    favor of the motion will signify by saying ``aye''; those
    opposed. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF FELLWOCK: The Committee was in a
    negative mood, I think, because these are the ones the
    Committee voted to reject. I shall read them to you.
        No. 202, Life Membership Card Designating Commandership on
    all Levels of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        Resolution 203 was referred to the Americanism and
    Community Activities Committee.
        Resolution No. 204, Request for Reconsideration of 1994-'95
    Commander-in-Chief's Membership Program was rejected.
        Resolution No. 205, Sale of VFW Buddy Poppy, was rejected.
        No. 206, Amend Congressional Charter, was rejected in favor
    of 201 that you just passed.
        Resolution 207, 100th Anniversary 1999 National Convention,
    was rejected.
        No. 208, Eliminate Age Requirement for Sons of VFW, was
    referred to the Americanism and Community Activities Committee.
        Resolution No. 209, Safe Student Transportation Award, was
    rejected.
        No. 210, Post to Establish Fund to Support Korean War
    Association, was rejected.
        No. 211, Provide VFW Cancer Insurance Program, rejected.
        No. 212, Amend National Membership Program, rejected.
    Proposal No. 213, ``Buddy Poppy'', rejected.
        No. 214, Print Constitution, By-Laws, Ritual and Podium
    Edition in Loose-leaf Form, rejected.
        Proposal No. 215, Eliminate Age Restriction for Sons of the
    VFW. This was referred to the Americanism and Community
    Activities Committee.
        Resolution No. 216, Abolish the Political Action Committee
    Program, rejected.
        No. 217, Changing of Wording in Resolutions to By-Laws,
    Rules, Ritual and Manual of Procedure, rejected.
        Resolution No. 218, was rejected.
        Does anyone wish for any of these I read to be set aside at
    the present time?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE DON HEVER (Post 9433--Minnesota): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, the Department of Minnesota requests that
    we set aside Resolutions 217 and 218.
        PARLIAMENTARIAN LAWRENCE MAHER (Post 7356--Missouri):
    Comrade, you will have to take those up one at a time. Since
    they were rejected by the Committee, you will have to propose
    them as an affirmative motion. That motion will then have to be
    seconded.
        Do you understand, Comrade?
        COMRADE DON HEVER (Post 9433--Minnesota): Commander-in-
    Chief, the Department of Minnesota moves the adoption of
    Resolution No. 217.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        COMRADE RUSSELL VILLWOCK (Post 3579--Illinois): I second
    the motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the question? There is nothing on the
    question. All those in favor of adopting Resolution No. 217
    signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; those opposed ``nay''.
    The ``nays'' have it.
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE JOHN VRTJAK (Post 1612--Illinois): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I am Jack Vrtjak, Post 1612, Department of
    Illinois. I move that Resolution 213 entitled ``Buddy Poppy''
    be adopted.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        COMRADE ROBERT SMALL (Post 8322--Illinois): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the question.
        COMRADE JOHN VRTJAK (Post 1612--Illinois): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I would respectfully request that the
    Chairman read the entire Resolution. There are only a few
    ``Whereases'', and they are short. I wish the comrades would
    please pay attention before I debate this. Thank you.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF FELLWOCK: Resolution No. 213 is
    entitled ``Buddy Poppy''.
        ``WHEREAS, 'to assist worthy comrades, to perpetuate the
    memory and history of our dead, and to assist their widows and
    orphans'; and,
         ``WHEREAS, to carry out the intent of the above words
    found in Article I of the Constitution of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars; and,
        ``WHEREAS, at the 1923 Encampment of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States at Norfolk, Virginia, the
    `Buddy Poppy' was adopted to `Honor the Dead by Helping the
    Living'; and,
        ``WHEREAS, a certificate was issued on May 20, 1994,
    granting the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States all
    trademark rights in the name `Buddy' under the classification
    of Artificial Flowers; and,
        ``WHEREAS, the `Buddy Poppy' is a flower of remembrance to
    `Honor the Dead by Helping the Living' since the 1923
    Encampment; now, therefore,
        ``BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that the `Buddy
    Poppy' remain in its original shape and color with only the tag
    removal permitted when used in displays.''
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE JOHN VRTJAK (Post 1612--Illinois): Thank you,
    Commander-in-Chief. We are sorry that the maker of this motion
    could not be present--I beg your pardon, I yield to the maker
    of the motion.
        COMRADE JOHN BUETTNER (Post 1699--Illinois): Comrades, the
    Buddy Poppy is the emblem as much as our Cross of Malta. If you
    want to go over to the other side of that door, when do we let
    something that we are dedicated to be colored, painted,
    changed? We will not let it happen to the Cross of Malta.
        I say on this Resolution, leave the Buddy Poppy red like it
    belongs. Let us honor the dead by helping the living. That is
    our emblem of the Buddy Poppy. I am sure that none of us would
    paint one of them black or white, green, and go out and try to
    sell it to the public on the street and say this is our emblem
    of the Buddy Poppy.
        You must put red yesterday, this day, and I am sure all of
    us heard through our Chaplain say to honor the dead by helping
    the living. The red is our Buddy Poppy. It is used numerous
    times. So, Comrades, let's pass this Resolution and leave that
    Buddy Poppy red like it belongs. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2, anybody else
    at Microphone No. 2?
        Mr. Chairman, will you explain the Committee's reasoning on
    this?
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF FELLWOCK: The Committee's thinking
    on this was that it definitely would limit the use of Buddy
    Poppies and the creativity of the assemblers of the Buddy Poppy
    displays. I know all of you have seen some beautiful Buddy
    Poppy displays.
        There is a lot of momentum on that. It would work against
    the goals of our organization to promote the sale and use the
    Buddy Poppy to honor the dead by helping the living. We
    sincerely think that this would work against this in the sale
    of the Buddy Poppies. So, we, on the Committee, recommended
    that we reject this Resolution.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE JOHN BUETTNER (Post 1699--Illinois): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, on rebuttal, I also understand what they
    are saying, but, comrades, just a little real quick statement.
    Illinois has been real proud. We have won lots of awards on the
    National level.
        About 92 percent of our awards, and I mean they are great,
    like 26 percent over the last eight years. I have been Buddy
    Poppy Chairman for the last fourteen years in the Department of
    Illinois. The Department of Illinois does not color very many
    poppies in our state, but we get the awards. Incidentally, I
    see some plastic poppies out there in the displays and I think
    they should be out of there, and I don't think it hurts selling
    your poppies.
        We are interested in the Buddy Poppy and what we stand for,
    just what we are on our Cross of Malta. Again, comrades, I
    don't think not coloring the poppy will hurt our sales or our
    creativity. We can do it with the red poppy. Let's stick with
    it and keep it like it is. Thank you, comrades.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anything else?
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE RICK BARNELL (Post 6520--Illinois): I just want to
    speak and say if we are concerned about the situation with the
    Buddy Poppy displays, then let's change some of our entry
    forms, too. The instructions, basically, what the award is to
    be given on.
        Let's not change the Buddy Poppy. I am in agreement let's
    keep it red. Let's keep it in its form. Let's honor those
    veterans that have given it all.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anything else on debate? I will
    call for the motion. Should you vote ``yes'', that means that
    the Buddy Poppies will only be used in their red color. If you
    vote ``no'', it means that you will be able to use them as you
    are using them today, and you can change the color of the Buddy
    Poppy.
        All those in favor of adopting this Resolution will signify
    by the sign of ``aye''; those opposed ``nay''. Let me do that
    one more time. All those in favor of adopting the Resolution,
    signify by the sign of ``aye''; all those opposed say ``nay''.
        The Chair is confused. All those in favor of adopting the
    Resolution, please stand. Please be seated. All those opposed
    to adopting the Resolution, please stand. I don't believe the
    Chair is confused, I believe the motion haspassed and will be
    adopted.
        Past Commander-in-Chief Fellwock says because I am from
    Chicago we stuffed the ballot box early on this morning. Is
    there a Resolution somebody wants to set aside?
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE JOE SCOTT (Post 1333--New Jersey): I would like to
    have No. 205 set aside.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You want to move for passage?
        COMRADE JOE SCOTT (Post 1333--New Jersey): I move that we
    adopt or pass Resolution No. 205.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        COMRADE DENNIS WALL (Post 7164--New Jersey): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, Dennis Wall, Post 7164, New Jersey, seconds
    that motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second to adopt Resolution 205. On the question.
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE JOE SCOTT (Post 1333--New Jersey): I would like to
    have the Resolution read so that everyone in the room will know
    what they are voting on or voting for.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF FELLWOCK: For the sake of saving
    time, let me just read the ``Resolved''. I think it will get to
    the meat of what we want to talk about.
        ``BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that the sale of
    poppies by the National Organization of the same design to
    other organizations be stopped.''
        COMRADE JOE SCOTT (Post 1333--New Jersey): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, the sale of identical poppies, deleting the
    tag on the bottom that says ``Buddy Poppy.'' Now, I understand
    that Buddy Poppy, the wording is patented. The removal of that
    tag and placing a substitute tag with other organization's name
    on the Buddy Poppy, and pardon me, on the poppy of the same
    design, has deterred the sale of Buddy Poppies in our area.
        I am sure what happened in our area in New Jersey is going
    to go on. It will become a steamroller and other organizations
    around the country will do or adopt the same, providing they
    can still buy them through the National Headquarters.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The Chair recognizes Microphone
    No. 2.
        COMRADE HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New Jersey):
    Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Howard Vander Clute, Post 6467, New
    Jersey. I certainly don't like the idea to stand here and speak
    in opposition to two distinguished Department Officers from New
    Jersey. Perhaps I can shed some light on this issue.
        You might recall that eight or ten years ago we were faced,
    perhaps even longer than that, about 12 years ago we were faced
    with the situation that we had a manufacturer in New Jersey who
    was gouging us with prices to supply the parts to the National
    Organization.
        As a result, we were able to by taking our case to court
    negate the contract that we had with them, because we found
    that the conditions of the contract they had provided, many of
    the provisions were false. We were able then to provide a new
    manufacturer of parts.
        We even had this manufacturer design and produce a machine
    that makes the petals for us, and we have a veteran operating
    that machine five days a week, and they continue to do so. That
    company is in Kansas, by the way. We were able to control the
    price of poppies for a long period of time.
        In order to do so and in order to protect the investment of
    the manufacturer who designed the machinery, we had to give him
    a long-term contract. In order to meet the terms of that
    contract, we have contracted with other Veterans Service
    Organizations to provide them their poppies.
        Not all of them are exactly the same as ours. I think the
    reference here is to Catholic War Veterans. We produce annually
    less than 300,000 for the Catholic War Veterans, while we
    produce for ourselves 18 million. It is hard for me to imagine
    that this could affect the sales of Buddy Poppies that are
    conducted by Posts and Auxiliaries in the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars.
        Remember this, the most important part of this issue is
    that we have been successful in protecting the price of poppies
    for sale in the organization. You have not had a price rise in
    years, and it is simply because we can keep that machine
    running constantly and we can protect the investment of the
    contractor that produces the parts.
        Obviously, we want to continue doing what we are doing.
    Now, 300,000 poppies for the Catholic War Veterans does not
    significantly hurt the sales of VFW Buddy Poppies. We make them
    also for the DAV, and we have been trying to contract with the
    AmVets.
        They are not poppies, as you know, they are an entirely
    different flower. All of this business protects our investment
    and protects the price. Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE JOE SCOTT (Post 1333 - New Jersey): The objection
    is not money. The revenue that we receive, the Post receives
    from the Buddy Poppies, is used in the Relief Fund. Many of the
    Posts stand out there in the hot sun, in the rain at times, and
    offer the sale of Buddy Poppies.
        Many people will come up, and the public is not
    knowledgeable of the difference between the VFW Poppy, the DAV
    Poppy, and the Jewish War Veteran's Poppy, and whatever else.
    They see the same design. When the poor fellow, our member, is
    trying to collect the money for our VFW Poppy, they say, ``We
    have already given.'' They will display the poppy.
        Our member will go up to them and say, ``May I see the tag
    on that poppy?'' It was not a VFW poppy. You just went through
    a motion to keep it red, the poppy red. I agree that is great.
    Why can't we sell a different colored poppy if it is money we
    are worried about to the other organizations so that the public
    can distinguish the difference in the poppies?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE JOHN DeBOLD (Post 364--New York): I got here a
    little late from New York and when I walked in I just heard
    this Resolution before the floor. I said to myself I am
    definitely opposed to this. If you take it away, where is the
    money going to come from to support our guys in the hospitals?
        So, let's talk about reality. They have done away with the
    parade, and I don't want to do away with this. This is an
    important thing to have. Forget about the Jewish War Veterans.
    They should have these poppies and let's not abolish ours. We
    need it.
        If you are going to abolish it, we will have nothing for
    our hospital veterans. God Almighty, don't take it away. Caring
    begins at home. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3, anybody there?
        Microphone No. 1.
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE JAMES FERGUSON (Post 7686--New Mexico): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, it seems to me that we are arguing a moot
    point. After all, we are all veterans organizations, and I
    can't see any reason why 300,000 poppies are going to hurt the
    VFW in any way. I say we stay with the program we have at this
    time. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE WILLIAM RADIGAN (Post 3061--South Dakota): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I am Bill Radigan, Post 3061, South Dakota,
    Chairman of the 1993-'94 Buddy Poppy Committee. Our Committee
    reviewed this. We are all aware of what they were doing.
        I think that all of us have the feeling that the first
    thing you consider are the veterans. These other organizations,
    basically, use the money for the same things we do, and it
    really doesn't make an awful lot of difference who they benefit
    from.
        They are veterans, they need us, and we can help these
    other organizations who probably couldn't have a program unless
    we helped them. I think it behooves all of us to stand up and
    be veterans and to say if we can help you, the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars are ready to do it.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anybody else?
        Microphone No. 1. The rules of the Convention say that a
    delegate can only speak twice on the question. I think you have
    already spoken twice.
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE TOM ADKINS (Post 6423--Kentucky): As long as we are
    producing these poppies, if they start interfering in our
    business, we could surely stop producing them. It is real
    simple. If it gets to become a problem, we eliminate them
    getting the poppies.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there anything else? We will
    now vote on the motion. If you vote ``aye'' on the motion, that
    means we stop the sale of our poppies to other organizations.
    If you vote ``nay'', it is business as usual and we continue
    with what we have been doing.
        All those in favor of adopting Resolution 205 will signify
    by the usual sign of ``aye''; those opposed ``nay''. The Chair
    is not in doubt. The motion fails.
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE DONALD HEVER (Post 9433--Minnesota): I move
    adoption of Resolution No. 218 and request the Chairman to read
    it.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Just make the motion. Is there a
    second?
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE DONALD GATES (Post 141--Minnesota): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You have heard the motion and
    the second to adopt Resolution No. 218. Don, would you like to
    hear the Resolution in its entirety?
        COMRADE DONALD HEVER (Post 9433--Minnesota): Yes, please.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF FELLWOCK: The Resolution is as
    follows:
        ``WHEREAS, resolutions presented to the resolutions
    committee at the various VFW conventions should be presented by
    a proponent of the resolution; and
        ``WHEREAS, the thoughts that brought about the resolution
    are best related by the author or at least by the Post, County
    Council, District or Department from which the resolution
    originated; and,
        ``WHEREAS, the chairman of the committee that hears the
    resolutions could impose restrictions on speakers who are not
    members of the committee; now, therefore
        ``BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States that the VFW
    Post, County Council, District or Department that proposes a
    resolution will be able to speak on the resolutions committee
    that will hear the resolution and give its recommendation to
    the VFW District, Department or National Convention for which
    the committee was convened.''
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE DONALD HEVER (Post 9433--Minnesota): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, last year in the City of Dallas, I attended
    the National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual Committee
    Meeting. Last year, as it was this year at that same meeting,
    the Chairman would not allow anyone outside of the Committee to
    speak on Resolutions taken to that Committee.
        I felt that that was absolutely outrageous last year,
    considering one Department in our organization presented to
    that Committee no less than nine Resolutions. That Department
    was not represented on that Committee. By the ruling of the
    Chairman that Department could not speak to that Committee.
        The one thing that the By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and
    Ritual Committee deals with is the By-Laws, and it is my
    understanding that in the Committee it would take a simple
    majority to recommend approval or rejection to the floor. On
    the floor, it requires a two-thirds motion.
        If I am mistaken about that, please correct me. I felt that
    it was only right that the members of the Committee should be
    given the full knowledge, the full thoughts of the meaning
    behind a Resolution that is brought up, and I felt that is only
    right and proper.
        I want to also personally thank Art Fellwock from Indiana,
    Chairman, and Joe Scerra, Vice-Chairman from Massachusetts, for
    their graciousness in allowing me at that Committee to speak.
    This Resolution was presented and they allowed me to speak.
        I knew that I was going to come to the floor and speak, but
    I necessarily wouldn't be able to speak at that Committee
    meeting. I feel that the knowledge of the information available
    that came about from the Resolution, the thought behind it
    should be presented to the Committee where they could ponder
    it, they could debate it, and that is what I really feel that
    the good, honest open debate should be, should be available.
        The way it is set up right now, it can be denied at a
    Committee meeting. That is with the thought that each Committee
    has members from every Department or nearly every Department
    that was brought up, and I refer to the Committee on Veterans
    Benefits, Veterans Service, where the Department of Oregon had
    a Resolution and where the Department of Oregon is not
    represented, at least not in this booklet. That is all I have.
    Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The Chair would like to ask the
    Chairman of the Committee to explain the reasoning behind the
    Committee's decision.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF FELLWOCK: The Committee discussed
    this in quite length, and I can say that Don knows, and he
    recognizes the fact that yesterday during our Committee Meeting
    I allowed Don to speak, a non-member of our Committee. On most
    Committees in the VFW, we do allow participation after the
    Committee members have spoken, allow other VFW members to speak
    on the Resolution.
        We have done this many times. The VFW National Organization
    tries to put on every Committee someone from that state, every
    state. So, someone from that state, where that Resolution
    originated, can speak for that Resolution. Now, we try to do
    that all the time.
        However, at times we must have discipline. I refer to last
    year that you will recall I was Chairman of the National
    Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, and we had threats from
    outsiders that were going to come in and disrupt our meetings
    and disrupt the POW/MIA.
        So, we maintained a very stringentness that only Committee
    members could speak because we wanted no one to disrupt our
    meeting of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I am saying for most
    of the time all of the Committee Chairmen are very lenient.
    They let most everybody speak.
        However, we have to have some rules and regulations and
    some disciplines so that, by golly, if someone intends to
    disrupt our meetings at any time we have some disciplines that
    we can enforce that policy. This is why the Committee
    recommended rejection of this Resolution. They can always come
    to the floor here and speak.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anybody wish to speak? If not,
    go ahead at Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE DONALD HEVER (Post 9433--Minnesota): I fully
    realize and understand Past Commander-in-Chief Fellwock's
    feeling there that we must maintain order. There is no question
    about that. We can't have chaos in running your meeting. I
    certainly also am very confident that every Past Commander-in-
    Chief has held the gavel on many, many occasions and many
    various levels, and they certainly would be well experienced to
    take care of whatever would be out of order and order could be
    maintained.
        The fact still remains that there is a possibility that the
    Department that will present the Resolution to this body, at
    any National Convention, will not be represented on this
    Committee. The same would apply to your Departments. You might
    have some Resolutions coming out of your Districts or Posts.
        If you want that Resolution read, a real good way of doing
    that is have a proponent on the Committee to make the motion to
    adopt. You will have somebody there to adopt it. Who is going
    to do it? Yesterday they were only looking for a motion to
    reject.
        Whatever minutes I have left, I want to personally thank
    the comrades that stood up at that Committee meeting and backed
    my thinking here as far as the Resolution. Thank you very much.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New Jersey):
    Comrade Commander-in-Chief, first of all, I think that Past
    Commander-in-Chief Fellwock made an excellent point when he
    said you must have good discipline. I think there is another
    element here, too.
        The Commander-in-Chief has the authority to appoint and
    does the best he can to cover all of the Committees with the
    experienced comrades who know the process of the National
    Convention. Most all of you have been to many Conventions. This
    is simply a recommendation from the Committee to the members of
    the Convention.
        The debate occurs here on the floor. No one that I know of,
    any Past Commander-in-Chief that has served before, has denied
    any comrade the right to speak on a Resolution or a By-Laws
    amendment on this floor, and to articulate the reasons why that
    Department, that District, that Post presented that thought
    through that Resolution and/or By-Laws amendment.
        There are two things here. It is only a recommendation to
    the Convention, and with the benefit of those who serve on the
    Committee. They are not biased when they are assigned to
    consider these Resolutions and/or Amendments, and simply bring
    the facts to the floor.
        The debate occurs here. No one is being denied nor has
    anybody ever been denied that right. This is the most
    democratic organization I have ever seen, and our By-Laws are
    in place to support it as a democratic organization.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anyone else? I will now bring
    the motion to a vote. The motion is to adopt the Resolution
    which would allow the proposer or author of any Resolution to
    speak in front of the Committee, even though he or she is not a
    member of the Committee. If you reject the motion or the
    Resolution, the Committee just gets to debate the Resolution in
    the Committee Meeting, which is the way it has always been.
        All those in favor of adopting the Resolution will signify
    by saying ``aye''; all those opposed ``nay''. The ``nays'' have
    it.
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE DONALD GATES (Post 141--Minnesota): I move the
    adoption of Resolution No. 209.
        COMRADE DONALD HEVER (Post 9433--Minnesota): I second it.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second to adopt Resolution No. 209. Now, on the
    question, I recognize Microphone No. 2, Donald Gates from
    Minnesota.
        COMRADE DONALD GATES (Post 141--Minnesota): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I am not even going to ask to have the
    Resolution read, unless somebody else does. I wrote the thing.
    If there are errors in it as communicated to me by the
    Committee, the errors fall on my shoulder. It is the Safe
    Student Transportation Award.
        I understand the reason for its non-recommendation was the
    fact that it would incorporate a new program and new finances,
    and all the other associated baggage that goes with the
    creation of a new program. It was actually meant to be another
    facet of the existing safety program. I would ask that it be
    considered as such.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anyone else? Hearing none, all
    those in favor of adopting this Resolution will signify by the
    sign of ``aye''; all those opposed. The ``nays'' have it.
    Anything else?
        If there is nothing else on Finance and Internal
    Organization, Past Commander-in-Chief Fellwock, I discharge you
    and your Committee and thank you for doing a great job.
      INTRODUCTION--DIANE CARLSON EVANS, VIETNAM WOMEN'S MEMORIAL PROJECT

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: In our nation's capital on
    Veterans Day, 1993, after nearly a decade of work, the Vietnam
    Women's Memorial was dedicated on the grounds of the Vietnam
    Veterans Memorial. This historic event would never have
    happened had it not been for the tireless dedication of our
    next guest.
        Diane Carlson Evans served as an Army Nurse in Vietnam in
    1968 and 1969. That experience provided the motivation for
    launching the efforts that resulted in the Vietnam Women's
    Memorial.
        Please welcome a member of VFW Post 4393 in Eau Claire,
    Wisconsin, Diane Carlson Evans.
        Before you say anything, Diane, on behalf of the Veterans
    of Foreign Wars of the United States, it is my pleasure to
    present to you a check in the amount of $2,500 for the Ladies
    Memorial, which brings our total contribution over $100,000.

                         REMARKS BY DIANE CARLSON EVANS

        COMRADE DIANE EVANS (Post 4393--Wisconsin): Thank you,
    Commander-in-Chief Cramer. I am a Life Member of the VFW, but
    it is Northfield, Minnesota.
        Commander-in-Chief Cramer, my Fellow Veterans and Members
    of the Auxiliary, Friends of the VFW:
        This is truly a moment I have waited for for ten years to
    be able to come before you and say thank you, thank you,
    members, from all across America of the VFW for helping us
    build a Vietnam Memorial for Women in Washington, D.C. Our
    years of hard work paid off.
        My very special thanks to Paul Spera that sat with us on
    the platform last fall to represent the Commander-in-Chief and
    the VFW at the dedication, and my very special thanks to Cooper
    T. Holt, who early on was very helpful with the Vietnam Women's
    Memorial as our National Adjutant.
        A special thanks to Howard Vander Clute, Larry Rivers and
    every single National Commander since 1985, beginning with
    Billy Ray Cameron, who some of you may remember in 1985 when I
    came before this delegation for help. We all kept our eye on
    this mission and with sheer grit and a lot of determination,
    which is what it takes when we are fighting for issues for
    veterans, we now are a lasting legacy for all future
    generations and a beautiful tribute to the quiet soldiers of
    the Vietnam War, the women. Silence is no longer a hiding place
    for these women. Thousands came to the dedication last fall.
        They were thanked by a grateful nation, they were thanked
    by the Chair of the Joint Chiefs, General Shalikashvili, and
    they were thanked by other veteran that hugged them. At last
    the men and women that served beside each other during that
    turbulent history of our Vietnam War are together in time and
    place forever.
        The figure of the statue, portraying a wounded male soldier
    and women that served in varying roles, was designed by Santa
    Fe Sculptor Glenna Goodaker. This monument will always be a
    reminder that America is great because of the men and women
    working together side by side.
        There is now a sense of calm, healing and completion at the
    Vietnam Women's Memorial, not unlike the calm that thousands of
    women brought to the wounded and the dying during the Vietnam
    War. The remaining cost of the design, construction and the
    landscaping of the Memorial, the debt that we still have is
    still $300,000.
        So, we thank you for this check for $2,500, which will go
    to help retire that debt. We continue to look to you for your
    financial support. To fund the project's continuing mission of
    education, research and identifying the women who served,
    Senator Warner and Senator Murkowski, and Congressmen Morella
    and Lambert introduced the Vietnam Women's Coin Act of 1994
    with minting of coins for 1995.
        The coin design will be emblematic of the Vietnam Women's
    Memorial. Thanks for your help in contacting legislators to co-
    sponsor this bill. It did pass unanimously last fall in the
    Senate. However, with 236 co-sponsors in the House, our bill is
    being held up in the Subcommittee, chaired by Joe Kennedy.
        I have flyers here at the Convention. On your way out,
    please pick up a flyer or stop by our booth. The co-sponsors,
    who have signed on are starred on these flyers. I would ask
    that each of you go back to your state and try to get at least
    300 to 400 co-sponsors so we can prove to Mr. Joe Kennedy that
    this coin is needed and wanted by the people of America.
        On behalf of the Vietnam Memorial Women's Project, I extend
    to you all of our internal thanks. You did the right thing in
    1985 and every year since when you decided to help, and you
    will all know that when you visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
    in Washington, D.C.
        In the words of Sculptor Glenna Goodaker who said that my
    hand can shape the clay which might touch the heart and heal
    the wounds of those who served, it fills me with humility and
    deep satisfaction and I can only hope that future generations
    that view the sculpture will stand in tribute to the women who
    served.
        Now, congratulations to the VFW and to the first woman
    Surgeon General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Yes, this is
    wonderful. Thank you very much.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Next, I would like to call on
    the Chairman of the Americanism and Community Activities
    Committee, Past Commander-in-Chief John Staum.

          REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON AMERICANISM AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN STAUM: Good afternoon. It is
    12:15. I will try to make this as quick as possible. One thing
    I do want to say, yesterday morning I had the privilege of
    introducing General Davis to you for his comments regarding the
    Korean War Memorial.
        General Davis' comments to me in private were that he was
    never more impressed by the reception he received from you and
    the courtesies received here. At the Memorial Service, I sat
    next to him and he was deeply moved. Coming from a medal honor
    recipient, he is probably one of the most decorated veterans in
    the United States. He has a new respect and a new love for the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars. I think we will see him around here
    many more times participating.
        Yesterday afternoon, we had the Committee on Americanism
    and Community Activities meeting. We had a number of
    Resolutions, and at this time I will read the Resolutions that
    were recommended for adoption by the Committee.
        Resolution No. 101, U.S. Flag Desecration, recommended for
    adoption.
        Resolution No. 102, to Support and Promote Voice of
    Democracy Scholarship Program, recommended for adoption.
        Resolution No. 103, Cooperation with National and State
    Organizations to Promote Youth, Safety and Patriotic Programs,
    recommended for adoption.
        Resolution No. 104, Oppose any Action to Change our
    National Anthem, recommended for adoption.
        Resolution No. 105, Oppose any Effort That Would Ban the
    Pledge of Allegiance in Public Schools, recommended for
    adoption.
        Resolution No. 106, Censor/Remove Henry B. Gonzalez for
    Remarks on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives,
    recommended for adoption.
        No. 107, English as the Official Language of the United
    States of America, recommended for adoption.
        No. 108, Proper Respect to our National Anthem, No. 108 and
    117 regarding Memorial Day, and we recommended No. 111 simply
    because it was the most concise and the best of the three
    Proposed Resolutions. That is to return Memorial Day to May
    30th. We recommended that No. 111 be adopted.
        Resolution No. 112, National Flag Celebration Week, with a
    Further Be It Resolved that the President sign a Proclamation
    supporting National Flag Week. That was recommended as adopted.
        Commander-in-Chief, I move that the body accept the
    recommendations of the Committee.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE ROBERT STOUT (Post 8398--California): I second that
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the question, is there any
    discussion?
        COMRADE EARNEST MUDD (Post 8541--Texas): I move that
    Resolution No. 106 be set aside.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anything else? No. 106 will be
    set aside. We are voting on the recommendations of the
    Committee on the rest. All those in favor will signify by the
    usual sign of ``aye''; those opposed. The ``ayes'' have it. It
    is so ordered.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF STAUM: We will take up 106. Let me
    look in the book. This was discussed on the Committee floor,
    Ernie. Let me make a couple of comments here. I think I know
    what you want to say. It calls for the official censor of
    Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez from Texas for the comments made
    about the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance on the U.S.
    House of Representatives.
        This is the staff's recommendation, by the way. Our
    national censorship could be viewed as a local problem and
    inappropriate. The staff did recommend rejection. However, the
    Committee felt very strongly that veterans should be able to
    speak out against something like this.
        Now, I could read the whole Resolution. It is very long and
    it is quite inflammatory. However, Ernie, go ahead and talk,
    please.
        COMRADE EARNEST MUDD (Post 8541--Texas): I make a motion
    that Resolution No. 106 be rejected.
        PARLIAMENTARIAN LAWRENCE MAHER (Post 7356--Missouri): There
    is a motion on the floor to adopt the Resolution. You have
    asked it be set aside for debate. You can debate that motion at
    this time, but the motion before the floor is to adopt the
    Resolution.
        COMRADE EARNEST MUDD (Post 8541--Texas): I am prepared to
    debate it. I thought somebody had to second it to let me talk.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF STAUM: It has been seconded. Go
    ahead and talk.
        COMRADE EARNEST MUDD (Post 8541--Texas): Comrades, this is
    my Congressman from the 20th District of Texas. I understand a
    lot about him. He has been in Congress for 39 years, something
    like that. He has got a lot of points that you don't know.
        Some of you watch him on TV and some of you don't. When you
    take things out of context and you start glaring them in front
    of the media, they make a lot of to-do about it. We don't
    approve of some of these. Several of us have spoken to him
    personally about these remarks he makes.
        But if you take something out of context, you can make it
    mean anything. Let me say this, he has the right of freedom of
    speech. You cannot deny his freedom of speech as it has been
    proven many, many times.
        Number two, I don't think it is in the purview of this body
    to censor any Congressman, because the censor of a Congressman
    has to be done by that body and done with the Speaker of the
    House presiding.
        Number three, if you are going to do this, then I request
    that we put a list of all Congressmen before this body and let
    us decide whether we as a body of Veterans of Foreign Wars
    should even censor them or not censor them. Many Congressmen
    have made remarks that are derogatory and against what our
    thinking is.
        I move this Resolution No. 106 be rejected.
        PARLIAMENTARIAN LAWRENCE MAHER (Post 7356--Missouri): That
    is out of order.
        COMRADE EARNEST MUDD (Post 8541--Texas): That is my
    recommendation, and whatever words you want, that is okay. I
    don't like them talking about my Congressman.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there anyone else?
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE WALTER LUKSTA (Post 9115--Illinois): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I am Walter Luksta from the Department of
    Illinois, Post 9115. As a point of order, I don't have a copy
    of the written Rules of the Convention, but is there any
    contradiction between the Rules of the Convention that we have
    adopted and this Resolution?
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF STAUM: As far as I hear it, no.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE JAMES FERGUSON (Post 7686--New Mexico): If I may,
    Commander-in-Chief, I was at the meeting where we talked about
    this, and personally I offered to hang the man. I think that
    maybe if you read the Endorsement Act of what the Congressman
    said about us or about the members in the Pledge of Allegiance,
    I think that some of the rest of the people in here might get
    as upset as we were at that meeting. Thank you, Commander-in-
    Chief.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF STAUM: Do you want to hear it read?
    I will read the portion from the Congressional Record dated
    June 14, 1993, Page H3502. By the way, this was submitted by
    the Department of Washington.
        ``Nothing is sadder to see than the harried instinct in
    taking the Pledge of Allegiance here in the House of
    Representatives. What is that pledge? That pledge was not
    around until just about three decades, three and one-half or
    four decades ago. Here we are, we have taken an oath and that
    oath is to the Constitution, not to the flag. The flag is a
    symbol, and here we are like a good little herd reminiscent of
    the hypocrisy,'' and it goes on.
        That is what the Congressman said. I am quoting out of the
    Congressional Record. This is why the members of the Committee
    felt that we should adopt this Resolution.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE EARNEST MUDD (Post 8541--Texas): Comrades, if you
    take that and take just part of it, I would be with you and
    willing to run somebody out of town on that. When you look at
    what could be said about things that are happening in Congress
    and remarks made against it, I don't think that is a reason to
    ask for censorship of a Congressman.
        We have five military bases in the District. He fights to
    keep them open. He fights to keep the people employed. He
    fights, and we are not losing anything in San Antonio because
    of his being in there. He is on very important Committees in
    Congress.
        He is very well respected. He is controversial. I will tell
    you this. If you don't have a Congressman up there a little bit
    controversial once in a while, what do you send him up there to
    be, to be a ``yes'' man up there? That is why on some of these
    things the present President tries to put through. We need
    controversial Congressmen.
        I say, comrades, I don't think this body should take a
    stand against a Congressman of the United States. I, for one,
    am a 46-year member of this veterans organization, and I don't
    recall it ever being put on the floor where we voted to censure
    a Congressman.
        I may be wrong, but I would challenge the Judge Advocate or
    Parliamentarian to give us a ruling on that. Thank you.
        COMRADE DAVID GREANEY (Post 7420--California): I move the
    question.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: We need a second.
        COMRADE GERALD GILGENBACH (Post 8847--Ohio): I second that
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Okay. Before we vote on the
    motion, I will allow one person to speak against the
    recommendation of the Committee. If anyone wants to do that,
    please do so
        Microphone No. 1, there is nobody.
        COMRADE GEORGE BERTHIAUME (Post 969--Washington): Did you
    say who wanted to speak in favor of it or against it?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Against the motion. Did I say in
    favor of it?
        COMRADE GEORGE BERTHIAUME (Post 969--Washington): All I
    have heard is people speak against. I would assume you would
    allow someone to speak in favor of it.
        PARLIAMENTARIAN LAWRENCE MAHER (Post 7356--Missouri): When
    somebody moves the question, the opponents, under the
    Convention Rules, have the last word. If there is anybody out
    there, a single proponent that wishes to speak against the
    motion, he has his say now.
        COMRADE GEORGE BERTHIAUME (Post 969--Washington): That
    would be myself. The entire reason behind the Department of
    Washington doing this is that we feel that any time any Senator
    or Congressman gets----
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Corky, you are in favor of the
    motion, right?
        COMRADE GEORGE BERTHIAUME (Post 969--Washington): I am
    opposed to it.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The motion is to adopt.
        COMRADE GEORGE BERTHIAUME (Post 969--Washington): The
    motion is to pass?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Yes.
        COMRADE GEORGE BERTHIAUME (Post 969--Washington): My
    apologies. The motion is to approve 106. I am in favor of it.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The motion on the floor right
    now is to move the previous question. All those in favor will
    signify by the sign of ``aye''; all opposed ``no''. The
    ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        Now, we are going to move the previous question. To vote
    ``yes'' means to adopt the Resolution and to vote ``no'' means
    to reject the Resolution. All those in favor to adopt the
    Resolution, which means censor the Congressman. Now, to say
    ``no'' means we don't censor the Congressman.
        All those in favor will signify by the usual sign of
    ``aye''; those opposed ``no''. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so
    ordered.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF STAUM: The following Resolutions
    were rejected by the Committee.
        Resolution No. 108, which is entitled ``Memorial Day'' and
    that was rejected in favor of No. 111.
        No. 109, Proper Respect to our National Anthem, that was
    rejected.
        No. 110, regarding Hunter Safety, was rejected.
        No. 113, A Tribute to the Flag, that was rejected.
        No. 114, in Celebration of America Week, that was rejected.
        No. 115, ``Meet You At The Poll'', that was rejected.
        No. 116, ``Flag Etiquette'', that was rejected.
        No. 117, Support Senate Resolution No. 132, Return Memorial
    Day to May 30th, and that was rejected in favor of Resolution
    111.
        We also received, and I don't think printed in your books,
    Resolutions No. 203, No. 208 and 215, and those were all
    dealing with Sons of the VFW and the age requirements, and
    those three Resolutions were rejected.
        That is the Report of the Committee, Comrade Commander-in-
    Chief.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE WILLIAM HAAS (Post 7980--Illinois): In regard to
    what the Commander-in-Chief said about rejection of 203, and
    the others, the Sons of the VFW----
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Before you debate it, somebody
    will have to make a motion to adopt.
        COMRADE WILLIAM HAAS (Post 7980--Illinois): I would like to
    make a motion that that be adopted, restrictions on the Sons of
    VFW, with the age be removed.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You are talking about multiple
    Resolutions now, right? You will have to do each one.
        COMRADE WILLIAM HAAS (Post 7980--Illinois): The one that
    restricts.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Which Resolution would you like
    passed? You have to make a motion to adopt one Resolution at a
    time. We would like to know who you are and where you are from.
        COMRADE WILLIAM HAAS (Post 7980--Illinois): I am William
    Haas from Post 7980, Illinois. Resolution 203, I don't know the
    context or the Resolution or Resolved part of it.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You are still debating the
    motion. Are you going to make a motion to adopt No. 203?
        COMRADE WILLIAM HAAS (Post 7980--Illinois): I am. However,
    I----
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Make the motion to adopt No.
    203.
        COMRADE WILLIAM HAAS (Post 7980--Illinois): I move adoption
    of Resolution No. 203.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        COMRADE RUSSELL VILLWOCK (Post 3579--Illinois): I will
    second that motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second to adopt Resolution No. 203. Now, on the
    question.
        I will recognize Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE WILLIAM HAAS (Post 7980--Illinois): I come before
    you to speak in regards to this, the age restriction on the
    Sons of the VFW. Commander-in-Chief Cramer, it was my privilege
    to serve you as State Director in 1983. We have got these young
    men in our organization as the Sons of the VFW and we teach
    them loyalty, patriotism, citizenship and consideration for
    welfare of others.
        Along with this, they also learn our ways and help us in
    raising funds and do the duties and obligations set forth for
    us and them. Then the age of 16 or 18 comes along and we put
    them in a button. We no longer have any use for them. It is
    ridiculous, in my opinion, with all of us advancing in age.
        Those in World War II, in particular, are in the area of 70
    or more who can easily use the talents and the abilities that
    we have taught to these young people in our efforts to
    accomplish our duties and obligations. My son was Past State
    Commander of the Sons of the VFW. His sisters are members of
    the Auxiliary.
        They are still vibrant and helpful in doing it just as my
    son and many other sons and grandsons could be in the Sons of
    the VFW. I also carried it to New Orleans and it didn't even
    receive consideration. One of the individuals is up on the
    roster now. We were flatly turned down.
        Now, the thing that I would like to remind you is that when
    my sons or my grandsons reach age 16 or 18, it doesn't mean
    that they are not my sons or grandsons anymore. They are
    forever, so long as the good Lord will let them breathe and
    live.
        I ask you today to consider extending this age and let's
    make use of these people that we have taught and made good
    citizens. Let's make them apply this to things we have taught
    them. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I would like to ask the Chairman
    of the Committee to explain the reasoning of the Committee.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF STAUM: I think in your book you
    will find this under Financial and Internal Organization.
    However, it was sent over to our Committee. Resolution 203, the
    recommendation that came down, 203 would eliminate the age
    restriction on the long-standing youth program called Sons of
    the VFW.
        This Resolution would eliminate the current youth activity
    and create a Men's Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
    The staff recommended rejection.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE ROBERT FONTENOT (Post 6394--California): I am the
    State Chairman of the Youth Activities and the Sons of the VFW.
    I wholeheartedly support the comrade that got up and spoke on
    the extension of the age, because once these kids become 16
    years old, then we kick them out, back into the community.
        It seems like to me we are sending a bad message to the
    youth of our country when we get them into our organization and
    get them started, to train them, and then kick them right back
    out when they become 16 years old and we can no longer use
    them.
        I belong to the American Legion and the DAV also. They all
    have no age limit. They do all right. I can't see how we can
    continue trying to get former Sons of the VFW, and when they
    get 16 years old we send them back to the community and we no
    longer use them.
        That is, do you think we are going to get the other
    youngsters to join with us and when they become 16 if we are
    not going to use them anymore? I think that we are sending a
    bad message with the age limit. Thank you very much.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF STAUM: Can I read something else, a
    recommendation? The Resolution, as I said, Resolution 208 also
    dealt with this problem. Let me read that. Maybe it will clear
    up the 16-year-old bit. Resolution 208 would eliminate the 16-
    year age restriction for the Sons of the VFW in favor of no age
    restriction.
        It is the same as Resolution No. 203 and also no age
    restriction at 16 is inaccurate inasmuch as 18 years of age has
    always been the limit for the Sons' program. The Sons of the
    VFW is not a feeder program for the VFW organization. The Sons
    of the VFW was a youth program that was established to give
    young men an opportunity to work side by side with their
    fathers as they do beneficial activities within their
    communities.
        The Junior Girls unit was established for a similar purpose
    and is used as a feeder program for any young woman wanting to
    participate in the Ladies Auxiliary. They also recommended
    Resolution 208 be rejected.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE AL BUBECKI (Post 4425--Florida): I am speaking in
    favor of the motion, because I believe that the VFW needs all
    the help it can get. Getting these young people to continue to
    help us after the age of 16 is a worthwhile project, not only
    in the way of getting help but also in educating them. I am in
    favor of the motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE BENNY BACHAND (Post 4287--Florida): Commander-in-
    Chief and Delegates to this Convention: As you know, I have the
    opportunity to serve you as the Assistant Adjutant General and
    to see that the programs work every day, as does Gordon Thorson
    in the arena of Youth Activities.
        It was our recommendation to reject for the similar reasons
    that Past Commander-in-Chief John Staum recommended to you.
    Obviously, this is not an Auxiliary and one in which we would
    have to think long and hard about if we wanted to form another
    Auxiliary.
        The truth of the matter is that over the 10,000 Posts that
    we have in this organization, only roughly 40 Posts have Sons
    of the VFW units. One of the things we must be very careful
    about is that, as all of you know, regarding the Flying
    Squadrons this last year, the IRS is attacking us in every
    venue. We have to make sure that we are careful to keep our tax
    exempt status.
        I want to warn the people here in this Convention that we
    are under closer scrutiny by the IRS to protect our exemption
    under 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. It would not be wise
    to try to attempt to broaden the past for participation at our
    canteens. That is the problem we are faced with. We recommend
    rejection of this Resolution. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there anybody else at
    Microphone No. 3?
        COMRADE STEVE JACOBS (Post 6944--California): Comrades,
    Benny said we have 40 units. The reason is because they don't
    stay in the units. I am a Life Chairman of the Youth Activities
    in the State of California. I am a Past Department Chairman and
    what we need to do is keep those kids.
        I understand the canteen problem. You know, as the
    Commander-in-Chief said about the age, we need to keep these
    kids involved. The Auxiliary started out the same way, and it
    was the Junior Girls, and now they can belong to this
    organization.
        We all know when we go out with poppies and do parades and
    do everything else, it is good to have young men. They are our
    sons and our grandsons that could be side by side with us
    forever. I think we need to adopt this motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE LAWRENCE MARTELL (Post 10131--Florida): I move the
    previous question.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        COMRADE NORMAN GAOVETTE (Post 8681--Florida): I second that
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: There is a motion and a second
    to move the previous question. I believe one person can speak
    in favor of the adoption. Is there anyone that would like to
    speak? Is there anybody at Microphone No. 2?
        COMRADE RAY SODEN (Post 2149--Illinois): I rise to support
    the Resolution that we extend the age limit of our Sons of the
    VFW. I stand before you with very much pride in the fact that I
    wrote the original Resolution that started the Sons of Veterans
    of Foreign Wars in the National Organization.
        One reason why we only have 40 units, and I am going to say
    this as straight as I can say it, is because the National
    Organization has not promoted it to extend it beyond what its
    original intention was supposed to be. We have to have some
    continuity.
        Comrades, we have the Dads of the VFW who are in the
    Department of Indiana, and Evansville is one of the greatest
    supporters of their activities and run a lot of their
    functions. There is no reason that my son, who is a Past
    Commander of the Sons of the VFW, could not have the
    opportunity as he has done voluntarily to stand side by side on
    Poppy Day to help shake the can, to help raise money as he has
    done for many years, or to participate and help around the Post
    with any activity that we have.
        We need all the support that we can get. If you have ten
    percent of your Post's membership coming out to help, or
    participate in the meeting, you have a great attendance. You
    have a great participation, believe me. So, we do need all the
    help we can get.
        So, we have the Junior Girls unit and the mobility of it
    because of their By-Laws. That allows them to join the
    Auxiliary. We hope and pray to God that our sons and our
    grandsons never have the opportunity to become eligible for
    this organization.
        We want peace in the world. That is what we are telling
    everybody. So, let's let them participate on some level and
    join with us hand in hand in promoting Americanism and
    promoting youth activities to working with our Junior units.
        My son, a Past Commander of the Sons of the VFW, would be
    willing to work with the units, would be able to communicate
    with them and help on all of our programs. Let's add another
    little arm of strength and utilize that vitality of youth and
    let's put them to work. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, Ray. Let me just
    clarify one thing. There is a dad's organization, but they are
    not part of the VFW.
        Before I move the previous question, because we are
    encountering so many problems nationwide now with the Internal
    Revenue Service affecting our membership today, I would like to
    call on our attorney from Kansas City, Larry Maher, to explain
    some of the situations that we have.
        COMRADE LAWRENCE MAHER (Post 7356--Missouri): I am just
    going to explain one situation it impacts that which you are
    about to do here. The Internal Revenue, the Baltimore District
    Office, has taken a position that all of the Auxiliary units,
    to the extent they can use the club, have to be counted against
    the 75-percent requirement for (c)(19) qualification.
        If you had all of the members of the Sons of the VFW
    together with the members of the Posts, and you don't have 75-
    percent eligible veterans of the VFW, you could lose your
    501(c)(19) exemption. That is the position they are taking. We
    don't agree with it. We are going to fight them over it.
        But understand, if you expand the eligibility beyond 16, it
    looks an awful lot like you are making them eligible to go into
    that club, and that is precisely what the IRS wants you to do.
    Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The motion before us is to move
    the previous question. All those in favor will signify by the
    usual sign of ``aye''; all those opposed. The ``ayes'' have it.
    It is so ordered.
        The motion in front of us now is to adopt Resolution 203,
    To Lift the Age Limit of the Sons of the VFW. If you vote
    ``yes'', we don't have any age restriction. If you vote ``no'',
    we retain the rules as they are today. All those in favor will
    signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; those opposed ``no''. The
    ``nays'' have it.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF STAUM: Commander-in-Chief, that is
    the end of our report and we ask that the Committee be
    discharged.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. John, you and your
    Committee are discharged for the rest of the Convention.
        I would like to call on our Adjutant General to make a
    couple of announcements.
        [Convention announcements.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I would like to call on our
    Assistant Adjutant General Benny Bachand to give a briefing on
    this evening's Patriotic Rally.
        COMRADE BENNY BACHAND (Post 4287--Florida): Thank you,
    Commander-in-Chief. As all of you know by now, the VFW will
    have a Patriotic Rally this evening in the Las Vegas Convention
    Center. Buses will run from the Bally to the Convention Center,
    and then they will continue to run after the program.
        Those Department Commanders, Auxiliary Presidents and those
    units that are in the parade portion will have to assemble by
    4:30 in M-1. The doors to the Convention Center will open at
    5:00 o'clock. The program will start at 5:30. Then the parade
    starts.
        We will have a tribute to America, a program that will last
    approximately one hour and 15 minutes. I will assure all of you
    that by 8:00 o'clock this evening this program will be done,
    and I hope to see all of you here because I think we have an
    exciting program for you this evening at the Las Vegas
    Convention Center.
        Thank you, Chief.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, Benny. Let me just
    say we are attempting something different this year instead of
    just walking down the street with hot weather and a parade.
    Benny has put another great program together here.
        I want to tell you something. Last night, after the
    banquet, in which we had about 3,000 attending, better than
    half of the people left the hall. Those who left, you missed a
    tremendous show for about an hour and one-half. I want to thank
    Benny and Joe Ross for getting those people together for us.

                          WINNERS OF INSURANCE DRAWING

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The final order of business is
    to bring up our Insurance Director, Bob Crow for today's
    insurance drawing. While he is coming up here, I know there
    must be an officer from the Big Ten Conference around here, and
    I want you to know you have a small 50-pound box for yourself
    to pick up in the Conference Room in the Business Center.
        COMRADE ROBERT CROW: Thank you, Chief. Again, this year we
    are going to have a cash drawing, and this is sponsored by
    Combined Insurance Company of America. They are currently our
    underwriters of all our individual health, life and accident
    programs.
        At this time I would like to have Past Commander-in- Chief
    Jim Kimery to go ahead and draw six tickets. We are going to
    have six drawings today. They will be for $25, $50, $100, and
    then $25, $50 and $100. That will be the order of the drawings.
        Tomorrow we will have three more drawings, and they will be
    for $25, $50 and $100. Then on Thursday, we will have four
    drawings. They will be for $25, $50, $100, and then a grand
    prize winner of $1,000. I will see if I can get the tickets and
    we will read off the winners.
        The names will be listed down in the Insurance Booth in the
    display area. If the individuals are not here to pick up their
    money, we will send it to them after the Convention. The winner
    of the first $25 is Jack Adkins, Post 3404, Missouri.
        The $50 winner is Phillip G. Phistry, Post 10124, New
    Mexico. The $100 winner is Kenneth Mueller, Post 6401, Kansas.
        The second three drawings, the $25 winner is Elmer
    Talkington, Post 10386, Arizona. The $50 winner is Charles
    Horne, Post 9969, Oklahoma. And the last $100 winner is Frank
    J. Landerway, Post 3641, Colorado. If any of these gentlemen
    are here, or if you know the gentlemen, they can stop by and
    pick up their money after the meeting.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: All right. I will now recess
    this meeting until 9:00 o'clock tomorrow morning. I will see
    you at the Patriotic Rally tonight. Thank you for a great
    attendance.
        [Whereupon, the session was recessed at 12:55 o'clock p.m.]
                            SECOND BUSINESS SESSION

                       WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 24, 1994

        [The Second Business Session of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States, held in the Barron Room of the Las
    Vegas Hilton Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, was called to order at
    9:00 o'clock a.m., with Commander-in-Chief George R. Cramer,
    presiding.]
        COMMANER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrade Sergeant-at-Arms, prepare
    the room for the Pledge to the Flag.
        [The National Sergeant-at-Arms lead the Convention in the
    Salute to the Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance.]
        [The Opening Prayer was given by the National Chaplain
    Reverend Charles W. Edwards, Jr.]
        NATIONAL SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrade Commander-in-
    Chief, the Opening Ceremonies have been performed.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Good morning. I hope you all had
    an enjoyable afternoon as you keep the silver state smiling.
    Those who attended the Patriotic Rally last night, did you
    enjoy it?
        First of all, the members of the General Resolutions
    Committee, I would like for you to meet with Past Commander-in-
    Chief Jack Carney outside the second set of glass doors for a
    Resolution that was proposed yesterday. We would like to get
    you together briefly so you can over that Resolution if you
    would, please.
        I would like to call on the Chairman of the Credentials
    Committee, Richard Trombla, for his report.

                        REPORT OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE

        COMRADE RICHARD TROMBLA (Post 1174--Kansas): I am Richard
    Trombal, Department of Kansas, Chairman of the Credentials
    Committee. This is a temporary report as of last night. We have
    16,263 delegates; Department Commanders 44; National Officers
    10; Past Commanders-in-Chief 25. That is for a grand total of
    16,342. This is a temporary report, Commander-in-Chief.

    INTRODUCTION OF EILEEN FULTON, MARCH OF DIMES NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON AND
                       HONORARY MEMBER, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Our next guest has one of the
    most recognizable faces in the world today. As the forerunner
    for television vixens such as Susan Lucci, Joan Collins and
    Donna Mills, she will shortly celebrate her 35th Anniversary as
    the infamous ``Lisa'' on CBS-TV's award-winning drama ``As The
    World Turns.''
        Although best known as ``Queen of the Soaps,'' she is a
    dramatic actress, songstress and comedienne who has appeared
    both on and off Broadway in the ``Fantasticks,'' ``Summer of
    the Seventeenth Doll,'' ``Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' with Hal
    Holbrook, and in ``Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?''
        On the big screen she played the lead role in ``Girl of the
    Night,'' an adaptation of Harold Greenwald's novel ``The Call
    Girl.''
        She is an accomplished cabaret performer and song stylist,
    receiving nationwide rave reviews for her one-woman show
    featuring her powerful soprano voice. She recently released a
    new CD and cassette entitled ``First Kiss,'' featuring a
    collection of beloved romantic standards and torch songs.
        She is currently dividing her time between ``As the World
    Turns,'' Broadway, Regional Theater, singing and writing her
    autobiography, and several murder mysteries. She is also
    writing her memoir ``Diva Darling'', which will be available in
    May, 1995, to coincide with her 35th Anniversary on ``As The
    World Turns.''
        Although she has one of the busiest schedules of any
    performer, she finds time for those disabled and less
    fortunate. She has served as Chairperson of the New York
    Metropolitan Committee for UNICEF, co-hosted cerebral palsy
    telethons, worked for the Lupus Foundation and Martha's Table,
    a Washington, D.C. organization to benefit homeless mothers and
    children, and hosted the March of Dimes International Telethon.
        She comes to us today as the National Spokesperson for the
    March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.
        Please rise and welcome the ``Queen of the Soaps'',
    actress, authoress, singer and humanitarian, Miss Eileen
    Fulton. [Applause]

                            RESPONSE--EILEEN FULTON

        MS. FULTON: Thank you very much. Thank you for such a
    speech. I want to meet this wonderful person that we are
    talking about. I know there are a lot of you out there who have
    not seen me on ``As The World Turns,'' so I am going to catch
    you up on my character for 35 years.
        My name, Lisa Miller Hughes Eldridge Hughes Shay Coleman,
    almost Hadley, McCall, now Mitchell, and now looking, and she
    is looking. I have only had six husbands, but I have had
    seventy some odd, very odd, lovers. I have just has a ball on
    that show. That is why I stay with it.
        We used to be live, and I don't mean that we are dead now,
    but you understand that we did the show live. I have a couple
    of little stories I would like to share with you, because that
    was the most horrific time for me.
        We had on our show, and we do a lot of things about doctors
    and lawyers, but we had a young man, an actor, to come on for
    one day and he had to play the part of a specialist. He had to
    come in and diagnose a patient who was dying off of
    diverticultis.
        The young actor came in and he said, ``Okay. I can do this;
    I can do this. `Gentlemen, I am here to tell you that your
    patient is dying of divicu--what is that word? That she, no, no
    diverticulitis. He said, yes, difticlus. I can't get that.
    Well, when we would do the show, I am coming through the door,
    so perhaps you will just stop the cameras and then if I don't
    say it right the first time I cold have another chance.''
        They said, ``You will never have another chance. This is
    live. Twenty-three million people will be watching you.'' That
    is the wrong thing to say to an actor who is scared to death.
    ``Twenty-three million people? Diverticu--how do you say
    that?''
        Well, one of the actors on the show was very clever and
    very kind. He read this commercial that goes bum, bum, bum,
    bum, bum dippety-do and bum, bum, and diverticulitis. I think
    you got it, diverticulitis. Yes, he got it.
        We all went about doing, ``Diverticulities, I think you
    have got it.'' He said, ``That will help me remember.'' All day
    he was practicing and getting that right, and he said, ``I have
    got it. I know how to say it. When I come on the air, I will
    say diverticultis. I have got it.''
        On the air, he was all just full of himself. He had on his
    nice suit. He painted on his mustache and he came through the
    door in front of 23 million people and he says, ``A gentleman,
    the patient is dying of diverticulties. I think he has got
    it.''
        Another cute little story, I had to walk around and say it
    three months. I had to walk around and say, ``I am pregnant and
    I don't know how it happened.''I had had four husbands and two
    children, and I didn't know how it happened? Oh, come on now.
        So, I walked around saying, ``I am pregnant and I don't
    know how it happened. How have I gotten pregnant? How did it
    happen? I don't know. I am so pregnant. How did it happen?''
    Finally, a lady from Birmingham, Alabama, sent me a letter. She
    enclosed a pamphlet from the Planned Parenthood. She said,
    ``This is how it happened. Get on with it.''
        This life has been full of stories like hers and I could
    stay up here all day and tell you about these, but the real
    reason I am here is to thank you especially for the March of
    Dimes for all the wonderful work that you are doing. I have
    worked with the March of Dimes for quite some time.
        I didn't realize what the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary have
    done for the March of Dimes. I am so impressed. I want to thank
    you. You have helped with your time, with your support, your
    energy, your love, your kindness. You have marched in the Walk
    of America, you have gone door-to-door for the Mothers March.
        You know what you have done. It is wonderful. I think it is
    time that the rest of the world knew what you did. And why
    should I be amazed? You are my heroes. You have saved our
    country more than once and now you are saving lives. You are
    helping prevent birth defects.
        I would like to tell you just a quick story of something,
    and I would like to personalize one thing that you did do. I
    think this is totally amazing. In Brownsville, Texas, in 1990,
    there was a couple, Teresa and Ramon Salazar. They looked
    forward so much to having a family.
        Teresa had two miscarriages. The third time she went full
    term and she was so excited because she was going to have this
    baby. At that very time in 1990, there was discovered that in
    Brownsville alone children were being born with neural tube
    defect.
        That is a birth defect affecting the brain and the spine.
    In five years, 68 babies in Brownsville alone had died or had
    this birth defect. This is a major epidemic. In Texas, the
    Department of Health, with the help of the March of Dimes and
    their expertise, came in to see what was causing it.
        The cause, we are not sure, but they did come up with a
    wonderful discovery. This is because of your money and your
    support and devotion that you have given. They found that
    Vitamin B can help save at least 50 to 70 percent of the
    children born and keep 50 to 70 percent of the children--do you
    understand what I am trying to say--can prevent 50 to 70
    percent of the children born with this. I think this is
    wonderful.
        Well, Teresa wanted another baby. She went to the doctor.
    The doctor put her on vitamins, the Vitamin B, and that is
    folic acid. She went for prenatal care and when their baby was
    born she gave birth to as healthy baby. I thank you for making
    this possible for her.
        I think some of you were there at the Wayne Newton Show the
    other night. Didn't I see some of you at the Wayne Newton Show?
    I saw you, yes. I was impressed by what Wayne said. It kind of
    reminds me of you. Wayne said, when he was thanking his
    audience, and he is a very gracious man, he said, ``You can
    give your money; a man's money is his money. When you give
    time, you give a part of your life.''
        That is what you have done. You have given your money and
    your support, but you are also giving your time. You are giving
    a part of your life. The March of Dimes thanks you and so do I.
    Thank you very much.
        We do have our awards now. I have got the mike and it is my
    show. (Laughter) we are going to give our awards. We have four.
    The first one, I will read to you what it says on this
    beautiful plaque. It is from the March of Dimes Birth Defects
    Foundation.
        ``Because you cared enough to support the campaign for
    healthier babies, more of America's babies will get a healthy
    start in life.'' This award goes to Plymouth, Wisconsin, Post
    5612, VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary, for outstanding support of
    the March of Dimes Mission, 1993-'94. Congratulations.
        The next one, again, ``Because you cared enough to support
    the campaign of Care for Babies, more American babies will be
    born healthy and have a healthy start in life.'' This goes to
    VFW Post 1, Department of Michigan, and the Ladies Auxiliary,
    in financial support of the March of Dimes, 1993-'94.
        This award goes to North Dakota VFW and the Ladies
    Auxiliary No. 2 for the financial support of the March of Dimes
    mission for '93-'94. Congratulations. They were first last year
    and many years before, and you will be first again.
    Congratulations.
        Ms. Eillen Fulton. You-all have been so marvelous and you
    are so quiet, and we are standing up here and having our
    pictures taken. This is the last award.
        To the National Headquarters of the VFW and the Ladies
    Auxiliary for continued support of the March of Dimes Mission,
    1993-'94. Here we go. Congratulations. Thank you again for your
    help and your support. You are wonderful.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER. Tank you, Eileen. Accepting the
    award for the national organization are the two people that
    should be because they do so much for us, our Director of
    Community Activities, Mike Gormalley and, of course, our
    Assistant Adjutant General for Programs, Benny Bachand.

       PRESENTATION OF THE J. EDGAR HOOVER AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: On May 13, 1994, in a
    candlelight ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers
    Memorial in Washington, D.C., the name of Detective Evelyn Gort
    was added to the names of those officers who died in the line
    of duty.
        It was early in the morning in Coconut Grove, Florida, last
    October 30 when Detective Gort of the Metro-Dade Police
    Department, off duty and in the company of a friend, were
    approached by a man with a gun who attempted to rob them.
        As her friend handed over three dollars and the keys to his
    car, Detective Gort pulled her handgun and exchanged shots with
    the gunman before being fatally wounded.
        The gunman fled on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice. He
    was later dropped off at a hospital where police arrested him
    after determining that the bullets taken from his body had been
    fired from Detective Gort's gun. His accomplice has since been
    apprehended by police. Both men have extensive arrest records.
        The recipient of many commendations, Detective Gort was
    recognized not only by her peers but those of the community
    whom she served as a dedicated and respected law enforcement
    professional.
        On three separate occasions, Detective Gort was commended
    by the Director of the Metro-Dade Police Department for her
    investigative skills leading to arrests in major fraud and
    embezzlement cases.
        Following her death, Detective Evelyn Gort received the
    Police Department's Gold Medal of Valor which stated her
    actions were well above and beyond the call of duty and were
    performed in the true spirit of the law enforcement Code of
    Ethics.
        The life of Evelyn Gort, 34 years of age, mother of two
    daughters, and an law enforcement career of seven years has
    ended. What has not come to an end is her memory.
        Today the Veterans of Foreign Wars honor her memory and pay
    tribute to her and the men and women in law enforcement who so
    unselfishly serve their communities.
        Accepting the VFW J. Edgar Hoover Award for Detective
    Evelyn Gort are her mother, Mrs. Ofelia Gonzalez, and her
    sister, Mayra Fausett.
        ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, J. Edgar
    Hoover Gold Medal and Citation awarded posthumously to
    Detective Evelyn Gort, Metropolitan Dade County Police
    Department.
        ``In special recognition of her exceptional career as a
    distinguished law enforcement officer as evidenced by her many
    commendations for dedicated and devotion to law enforcement,
    including the Gold Medal of Valor, distinguished officer of the
    month awards and employee excellence awards and in grateful
    appreciation for her professional excellence, personal bravery
    and courage in the face of great personal danger above and
    beyond the call of duty and in the true spirit of the law
    enforcement code of ethics for which she sacrificed her life
    resulting in the survival of her fellow officer and the
    increased safety of the public of Dade County.''
        The citation is signed today by me as Commander-in-Chief,
    and attested to by our Adjutant General, Howard Vander Clute.
    Of course, along with this award goes an honorarium of $1,500.

                          RESPONSE--MS. MAYRA FAUSETT

        MS. FAUSETT: For myself and for my family, I would like to
    thank all of your from the bottom of our hearts. You are our
    heroes. So many of you have died to make this world a better
    place as my sister did. She is my hero. She was a wonderful
    human being.
        When someone dies, often you always have to say something
    nice about them. In my sister's case, there was nothing but
    something nice. She was a person that cared more about the
    people that she served than about herself. She gave of herself
    24 hours a day.
        She gave her life to save another human being. She will
    always be with us and she will always be a memory of the Metro-
    Dade-Police Force. We are so grateful for all the things that
    you have done and that everyone has done. You have made these
    ten months a little easier. Thank you.

      PRESENTATION OF VFW EMERGENCY SERVICE AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Each day, countless brave men
    and women, members of the Emergency Services in our
    communities, put their lives at risk fighting fires, providing
    rescue service, civil disaster assistance or rendering
    emergency medical care to save lives.
        The Veterans of Foreign War Emergency Services Gold Medal
    Award seeks to focus national attention on the deeds and
    sacrifices of those who so nobly meet the emergency needs of
    our nation's communities.
        Our recipient this year is a 22-year veteran of the North
    St. Paul, Minnesota Fire Department. In addition to his
    accomplishments in providing medical training and safety
    education to his community, he has been recognized by the
    citizens of North St. Paul for his dedication to the well-being
    of others, both on and off duty.
        As an example, the State Police of Minnesota presented
    their Lifesaver Award to him for saving the life of a four-year
    old boy after the car in which the child was riding crashed
    into a boat trailer at high speed. His CPR efforts restored the
    child's breathing and pulse and the boy survived.
        We are honored today to present the VFW Emergency Services
    Award to a fine example of all who serve their communities in
    emergency services with dedication, concern, and at times,
    sacrifice, Captain Thomas Korlin, North St. Paul, Minnesota,
    Fire Department.
        Please give a warm welcome to Captain Korlin. [Applause]
        ``The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
    Emergency Services Award, Gold Medal and Citation awarded to
    Captain Thomas Korlin, North St. Paul Fire Department.
        ``In special recognition of his distinguished career
    spanning twenty-two years of exceptional service as a
    firefighter, engineer, tactical and training officer and
    medical officer for the Fire Department's Ambulance Service and
    in sincere appreciation for his selfless and dedicated service
    protecting life and property at great personal risk and his
    C.P.R. teaching and training of fire and ambulance personnel
    and his fellow employees.''
        This citation has been signed by myself, of course, as
    Commander-in-Chief, and attested to by our Adjutant General. It
    also includes an honorarium of $1,500.
        Captain Korlin, I understand there are five members of your
    Fire Department out in the audience with us. I am sure they
    would like to be standing up here to help you accept this
    award.

                          RESPONSE--MR. THOMAS KORLIN

        MR. KORLIN: Good morning, gentlemen. I would just like to
    inform you of one fact in anticipation of this morning. It is
    unreal for me because I am not much of a public speaker. I
    assert myself on a medical emergency call, and a fire, and I am
    here at this time very nervous.
        I will start with when I received the letter from Mr.
    LeFebvre's office in Washington, D.C. I was asked to be the
    first recipient of this award. Needless to say, I was
    flabbergasted in receiving this award, because I wasn't even
    aware of the fact that I was nominated.
        Being here to receive the award is a great honor, but it is
    honor enough in itself to know that your peers think that much
    of you to give you this nomination. I would like to especially
    take this opportunity to thank Commander of Post 1450 in St.
    Paul who was going to be here present this morning but was
    unable to attend. He called me Sunday morning and made me aware
    of the fact he was in an automobile accident and will be unable
    to attend.
        Also my Fire Chief and members of my Department, which I
    did not know were coming. I just met them maybe about a half
    hour ago. They are here. I would like to introduce them to you,
    if I may. They are Mr. Mike Chungman, Retired; Dominic
    Singotti, Captain of the Fire Department; Jerry Burnham,
    firefighter, and our illustrious Chief, David Six, and Honorary
    Member in Rio Grande, California, Mr. David Athey. Thank you,
    gentlemen, for being here.
        To just give you a little past history, after graduating
    from high school I joined the Navy and served aboard the U.S.S.
    Carrier Independence. I got married to my wife, Nancy, in 1968.
    We have two children, a son 19 and a daughter 17 years of age.
        I have always enjoyed helping people, especially those that
    are in some kind of need. So, in 1972, I joined the North St.
    Paul Fire Department. Today, I am a Captain. I am the oldest
    continuous active Emergency Medical Technician in the State of
    Minnesota. As I mentioned before, I am also a C.P.R. American
    Red Cross Instructor.
        A little history of our city. The city of North St. Paul
    has population of approximately 1,000 people. We are just in
    the suburbs of St. Paul. We have a 40-member Fire Department
    who are all volunteer except for our Chief, and we respond to
    approximately 300 fires a year.
        We man two ambulances and we respond to approximately 600
    mercy medical service calls during that year. That gives me
    ample time to do what I really like to do most. However, there
    are times even being a volunteer you feel like throwing in the
    towel.
        One I can always remember being in the back of my mind
    forever was an incident back in November, 1985. My wife and I
    had a few couples over at the house for the evening. One of
    these members, a gentleman was an Emergency Medical Technician
    and a firefighter.
        He was on call for an ambulance that night. It was a
    typical November evening, and we had just received about six to
    eight inches of snow. When the ambulance call came in that a
    pedestrian had been struck, he arrived on the scene rapidly and
    found a 13-year-old lad, who I will call Mike, lying in the
    snow-covered street with an extreme head trauma, no pulse or
    respiration.
        He was loaded in the ambulance for C.P.R. and artificial
    resuscitation where it was done by an individual that was at my
    house, who I will call Harvey. Excuse me for a minute. My
    friend, Harvey, said the young man loaded in the back of the
    ambulance had braces on his teeth.
        Subsequently it dawned on him that the individual, the
    young man he was working on, was his own son. Harvey, in turn,
    did C.P.R. on his little boy and took him to the emergency
    hospital, and they worked very diligently on Mike to save his
    young life, but they did not.
        The doctors came out of the hospital ER room and approached
    the emergency crew and informed them that there was nothing
    more they could do, and they were going to be notifying
    immediately the parents. Harvey turned and told them that there
    was no need for that, because he was his father.
        Another incident that I recall is that a young lad was run
    over accidentally in his driveway. I answered the call, and I
    was the first person on the scene. What took place was that the
    mother was washing the car and abruptly left momentarily.
        When she came back, she found that the car had rolled out
    of the driveway. The young lad was standing in the middle of
    the driveway. I got there and there was no pulse, no breathing,
    no obvious trauma to the young guy. I immediately started
    C.P.R. resuscitations on the boy.
        Again, I carried the young man to the ambulance and brought
    him to our nearest trauma center. En route to the trauma
    center, I got breathing restored in the individual, but I never
    got a pulse back on him. Needless to say, he in turn died.
        But as fate would have it, a week later, the family and I
    were up north on vacation. Coming back on the interstate, it
    was typical road construction in Minnesota during the
    summertime and the traffic was backed up probably five or six
    miles, stop and go.
        I had made the comment to my wife at that time that note of
    the traffic. Just right at the time I witnessed a car slam into
    the back of another vehicle traveling about 65 miles an hour,
    and the other vehicle was at a dead stop. Unknowingly, somehow
    I got my first aid kit out of the trunk of the car and ran down
    there to the interstate, probably 100 yards or so, where I
    found a four-year-old lad, no pulse, no breathing, and he had
    severe head trauma.
        I in turn administered C.P.R. and artificial resuscitation
    to the young boy. Because of the distance that the ambulance
    had to travel, I stayed with the young lad for about 15
    minutes. Needless to day, I did restore his breathing and his
    pulse again.
        The young boy was in critical condition for several months,
    but he made it and he is alive today. That child's respiration
    and healthy life was enough work for me. Needless to say, I
    received the Minnesota State Highway Patrol Lifesaver's Award
    for that year. The following year I received the Firefighter
    Award and Emergency Medical Technician State Award. Now, this
    one.
        I would like to thank the VFW especially for recognizing
    the efforts of our nation's firefighters. As far as I know, the
    VFW is the only organization that does.
        Last but not least, I would like to thank my family,
    especially my wife Nancy. They may not have been at the fires,
    but they have done a lot of sacrifices, so I would like to
    thank my family. Thank you, gentlemen, for this prestigious
    award.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Mr. Thomas Korlin.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Captain, once again, we thank
    you, and we thank the people of your profession for helping to
    save lives.

       PRESENTATION OF THE VFW AVIATION AND SPACE AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND
                                    CITATION

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: NASA's successful servicing of
    the Hubble Space Telescope represents one of the most extensive
    and difficult servicing missions ever attempted.
        After finding and retrieving the bus-size Hubble Space
    Telescope, the team of astronauts aboard the space shuttle
    Endeavor completed the servicing and repairs needed to
    refurbish the telescope.
        With more space walks than any other mission, their success
    represented the culmination of incredible efforts by both the
    scientific and NASA community.
        We are honored to have with us today mission specialist Tom
    Akers who, prior to the Hubble Space Telescope mission, had
    flown two previous flights in which he, as part of a three-
    member crew, captured the stranded Intelsat satellite and on a
    second space walk evaluated space station construction
    techniques.
        Colonel Akers joined the Air Force in 1979, following four
    years as the high school principal in his hometown of Eminence,
    Missouri.
        Selected for the astronaut program in 1987, Colonel Akers
    is a veteran of three space flights.
        We are honored to present the VFW Aviation and Space Award
    to the scientific and NASA community for its combined
    contribution toward enhancing our understanding of space.
        Please join me in welcoming Lieutenant Colonel Tom Akers,
    who will accept the award on behalf of NASA and the community
    of scientists which contributed to the success of the Hubble
    Space Telescope servicing mission.
        ``The Veterans of Foreign Wars Aviation and Space Award,
    Gold Medal and Citation, awarded to The Crew of STS-61,
    National Aeronautics Space Administration.
        ``In special recognition of exceptional contributions in
    the field of space evidencing, the dedication, knowledge,
    professionalism and courage of the crew in accomplishing its
    difficult and challenging servicing mission to the Hubble Space
    Telescope, demonstrating the versatility and resourcefulness of
    men and women in space.''
        This has been signed by myself, the Commander-in-Chief,
    today, and attested to by Howard E. Vander Clute, Adjutant
    General. With this award goes an honorarium of $1,500.
        Congratulations, Colonel Akers.

                         RESPONSE--COLONEL THOMAS AKERS

        COLONEL AKERS: Thank you, George, It is an honor to be here
    today to represent the rest of my NASA STS-61 crew and also the
    entire NASA team who put together the mission that resulted in
    us repairing the Hubble Space Telescope just this past
    December.
        I think it is entirely appropriate, and I am very pleased
    that the VFW chose to include not just the STS-61 crew members,
    seven of us, but also the entire NASA team because, indeed, it
    was the epitome of a team effort of what we accomplished last
    December some 300 million miles in space in Europe.
        In fact, we like to tell people that we think that mission
    was so successful for three reasons. Number one, we had good
    hardware; number two, we had good preparation; and number
    three, we had good people.
        The good hardware included not only the excellent space
    shuttle that worked faultlessly. It included the Hubble Space
    Telescope that had been designed several years before and
    deployed in space in the spring of 1990, and it was designed
    for space walkers like myself to go out and work on them.
        That hardware also included over 200 tools that we had in
    the space shuttle's cargo bay to work on the telescope with.
    The good preparation also included the work of a lot of good
    people. We trained for over a year and one-half. Most of our
    training was underwater in a very large swimming pool down in
    Houston, Texas, where all of us astronauts live, and also
    several trips over to Huntsville, Alabama, to the Marshall
    Flight Space Center where we also trained in a larger pool.
        Each of us who went outside on that mission had over 200
    hours of training underwater. All that good preparation wasn't
    just training for us, it was training for the ground team. For
    each of the seven astronauts up in space, we had literally
    hundreds of people on the ground who were watching while we
    were working in space making sure that we didn't miss anything
    or do anything incorrectly.
        Finally, of course, what makes every good team is good
    people. I think we have some of the best people in the country
    working in NASA, and I am very proud to be a part of that team.
    As you all know, everyone accomplishes a lot more by teamwork.
        We like to spread the word that for astronauts there are
    thousands of scientists, technicians, engineers, custodians and
    secretaries that all go together to make up the NASA team, not
    just the ones at NASA doing the work on the mission, but the
    scientific information that that Hubble Space Telescope is
    sending back.
        That data that you have seen in the media, and certainly in
    the past month or so, you have seen what a great job the Hubble
    Telescope is now doing helping us to learn about the outer
    edges of our universe.
        Again, I would like to thank you for this award. I think it
    is also very appropriate that the $1,500 honorarium has been
    donated to the NASA Scholarship Fund, and it will help some
    young men and women as they pursue their future going to
    college and, hopefully, they will be around to help us in NASA
    to solve some of the problems we are going to encounter in the
    future as we build a space station and hope to send someone to
    Mars during my lifetime. Thank you.

          REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For this report, I would like to
    call on the Chairman of the National Security and Foreign
    Affairs Committee, Past Commander-in-Chief Ray Soden.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF SODEN: Thank you very much,
    Commander-in-Chief. To all of the outstanding delegates at this
    Convention, I would like at this time to thank the Commander-
    in-Chief for giving me an outstanding group of comrades to work
    with on the National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee.
        Serving alongside with me is an outstanding Past Commander-
    in-Chief, Pat Carr, from the great State of Louisiana. Billy
    Ray Cameron, Past Commander-in-Chief from North Carolina,
    served as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on POW/MIA.
    Unfortunately, Billy Ray heads up the Emergency Services for
    the State of North Carolina and had to return home because of
    flooding problems.
        So, in his place the Vice-Chairman, Russell Rieke, from the
    Department of Illinois, will be giving the report of the
    Subcommittee on POW/MIA. I would like to thank Ted Steadman,
    our Director, for all of his able assistance and kindness he
    have given us during our meeting.
        Most of all, Chief, I want to thank you for presenting to
    us an outstanding group of comrades dedicated to serving the
    organization, who served on the National Security and Foreign
    Affairs Committee. At this time I would like to present those
    Resolutions that were adopted.
        No. 403, The Lessons of the Cold War.
        No. 404, Limit Foreign Ownership of U.S. Businesses and
    Properties.
        No. 405, Stop Illegal Immigration at the Border.
        No. 406, Continue Castro's Isolation Until he is Removed.
        No. 407, Punish Terrorists Now.
        No. 408, Strategic Defense Should be a Strategic Priority.
        No. 409, The Future is Brighter in Central America.
        No. 410, Add the B-2 Bomber to our Arsenal.
        No. 411, Protect our Technology and Industrial Base.
        No. 412, Oppose Lifting the Defense Department Ban on
    Homosexuals in the Armed Forces.
        No. 414, Maintain an Effective U.S. Coast Guard.
        No. 415, Standing Firm for Freedom.
        No. 416, National Strategy of Peace Through Strength.
        No. 417, A Common Sense Military Balance in Europe.
        No. 419, Military Service; an Honored Profession.
        No. 420, Start for Start Treaties I and II.
        No. 421, Strengthen Intelligence Services to Prevent
    Strategic Surprise.
        No. 422, Limit U.S. Role in Yugoslav Civil War.
        No. 423, Support for the Republic of Korea.
        No. 424, Support for the Republic of China on Taiwan.
        No. 427, Grant the AFEM to Veterans of El Salvador.
        No. 430, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Navy Medal
    Augmentation Team Operation Urgent Fury. That is Grenada.
        No. 432, Surrender of U.S. Sovereignty.
        No. 433, Supporting a Korean Service Medal.
        No. 437, Oppose U.S. Forces Under foreign Command and
    Reveal Contents of Presidential Decision Directive 25.
        No. 440, No Women in Combat.
        No. 441, Demand Iraq Account for Kuwaiti Missing.
        No. 442, Support for United States Naval Training.
        No. 443, Support Retention of Selective Service.
        No. 444, Support for the U.S. Army School of the Americas.
        No. 445, Support for the Reconfiguration of Merchant
    Marines.
        No. 447, Security of the Panama Canal.
        No. 448, Merchant Marine Academy Tuition.
        Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I move these be adopted by this
    Convention.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE TED EATON (Post 2104--Massachusetts): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. Now, on the question. Hearing nothing,
    all those in favor will signify by the usual sign of ``aye'';
    all those opposed. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF SODEN: Now, I will read those that
    were rejected.
        No. 425, Support the Exclusion of Iraqi POW's.
        No. 428, Oppose U.S. Forces Under Foreign Command.
        No. 434, Uphold Current Ban on Homosexuals Serving in the
    Active, Reserve and National Guard Forces of the United States.
        No. 436, No to U.S. Military Intervention in Haiti.
        No. 438, Congress Urged to Re-examine All-Volunteer
    Military Services.
        Those are the ones that were rejected, comrades.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE LEO RELLER (Post 2366--Indiana): I move that we
    adopt Resolution No. 436.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE LEWIS WEISHEIT (Post 1114--Indiana): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You have heard the motion and
    the second. On the question.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF SODEN: That is the Resolution of No
    U.S. Military Intervention in Haiti.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: On the question.
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE PETER PUENTES (Post 10209--Florida): We should
    oppose the military intervention in Haiti, because Haiti is not
    Panama or Grenada, or there is no interest for the United
    States citizens that are at risk at Haiti. Also military
    intervention will not solve Haiti's political problems, which
    has been shown in previous years. We should adopt Resolution
    436, and I implore the comrades to adopt it. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE LEO RELLER (Post 2366--Indiana): This Resolution is
    very dear to the Commander-in-Chief. He has already sent three
    warnings to the White House in regards to intervention in
    Haiti. If we reject this, we will undercut his warnings.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anything else? Anything else?
    Comrades, you have heard the motion to adopt Resolution 436.
    All those in favor will signify by the usual sign of ``aye'';
    opposed ``no''. I guess we will have to do it again. All those
    in favor will signify by the sign of ``aye''; all those opposed
    ``no''.
        Well, good morning. Please, let's hear it one more time.
    All those in favor, please stand. Now, those opposed, please
    stand. I think it is close, but I think the ``ayes'' have it.
    The Resolution is adopted.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF SODEN: You win a few and you lose a
    few, you know. At this time, my comrades, I would like to
    present to you the Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on POW/
    MIA, who will report in the absence of the Chairman, Past
    Department Commander of Illinois, Russell Rieke.

                         REPORT OF POW/MIA SUBCOMMITTEE

        COMRADE RUSSELL RIEKE (Post 5694--Illinois): First of all,
    let me say to our Commander-in-Chief George Cramer, from the
    bottom of my heart I would like to thank you for we adopt these
    Resolutions.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE TERRY McKINNEY (Post 886--Illinois): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the question. Hearing nothing, all
    those in favor will signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; those
    opposed. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        COMRADE RUSSELL RIEKE (Post 5694--Illinois): The following
    Resolutions were rejected by the Committee.
        Resolution 429, we rejected 429 because it was, in essence,
    the same as Resolution No. 401.
        No. 431 was rejected because it was the same as 401 and
    429.
        Resolution 439 was rejected in favor of Resolution 418 but,
    in essence, was the same.
        Comrade Commander-in-Chief, they are automatically rejected
    if there is no one wishing to make a motion.
        I have two other things. In yesterday's paper was a news
    article about missing Vietnam veterans. ``The remains of three
    pilots shot down in the Vietnam War have been recovered and
    identified. The Pentagon has said they are Air Force Captain
    Leslie Boye, Air Force Major John Peter from Tusla, Oklahoma,
    and Navy Captain Hubert Modeen of Middleboro, Massachusetts.
        ``The remains of 335 Americans have been identified since
    the end of the war, and there are still 2,229 missing. If you
    would, sometime today stop off and see the representatives of
    our Joint Task--Full Force Accounting, and the Central
    Identification Lab.
        They have set up a booth in the display area, and we
    encourage you to visit and see how they work to try to recover
    our MIA's and our POW's. Believe you me, I stand before you,
    and I saw what the JTFFA in Stoney Beach are doing for us or
    the POW/MIA's in Vietnam. They are doing an outstanding job.
        Comrade Commander-in-Chief, that concludes my report.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, Russ, for your work
    on the Committee. I also want to thank you for what you have
    done as the Vice-Chairman of the POW/MIA Committee. This is the
    first time that our Chair Officers over the past four years
    have had the opportunity to travel either on their own or with
    members of the State Department to investigate this issue, both
    in the United States and abroad.
        This is the first time that we have thought it was
    necessary that a member of the troops, all of you, have the
    opportunity to go as well and get first-hand information. So,
    you don't have to believe what we are telling you. I think Russ
    got that firsthand information. I want to thank you, Russ, for
    taking the time from your schedule to travel overseas for us.
        I would like to call back the Chairman of that Committee,
    who is also the chairman of the PAC and also PAC Director.
        COMRADE FRED VonHINKEN (Post 4159--Michigan): Commander-in-
    Chief, I believe you went right from discussion and action on
    Resolution 436. I have a comrade here that has been standing to
    speak on another Resolution. You went right into the POW/MIA
    Subcommittee Report. This comrade has been standing here
    waiting.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: We saw people over there, but I
    didn't see anyone raise their hand at the microphone. I will
    tell you what I will do. I will go back, if you have something
    to say. I will give you that opportunity. What I would request,
    if you want to make a motion or something on a Resolution,
    please then go to the microphone. Don't just stand there so we
    don't know what is going on.
        The Chair recognizes the comrade at Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE DENISE NICHOLS (Post 4171--Colorado): Excuse me,
    sir. I did talk to the Sergeant-at-Arms. We skipped over
    Resolution 425. I understand that one was turned down. I am
    Denise Nichols, a Desert Storm veteran. I would like to know
    the reason why 425 was rejected by the Committee.
        I would like to make a motion that that Resolution be
    adopted.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: First of all, you are making a
    motion that Resolution 425 be adopted?
        COMRADE DENISE NICHOLS (Post 4171--Colorado): Yes, sir.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second? Is there a
    second? Please go to the microphone.
        COMRADE RONALD RUSAKIEWICZ (Post 9460--Connecticut): I will
    second that motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: There is a motion and a second
    to adopt Resolution No. 425. On the question.
        Mr. Chairman, do you want to let us know what the
    Resolution is?
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF SODEN: Resolution No. 425 is
    Support the Exclusion of Iraqi POW's. Do you want the
    Resolution read in its entirety, or just want the ``Be It
    Resolved''?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Just the ``Be It Resolved.''
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF SODEN: ``Be It Resolved, by the
    95th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States, that we support the bipartisan request from the
    members of the U.S. House of Representatives and urge the
    Secretary of State, Secretary of Health and Human Services and
    the President to withdraw the refugee status to be granted to
    these former Iraqi soldiers.''
        The rationale behind the rejection was the fact of
    erroneous information that we had received. I will call on our
    Director Ken Steadman to explain the erroneous information.
        COMRADE KENNETH STEADMAN (Director of National Security and
    Foreign Affairs): Comrades, if you will recall at our last
    Convention in Dallas, we acted on this Resolution based on the
    information that we had then and, indeed, I wrote the
    Resolution in the hours just before our Committee meeting.
        However, shortly after that, when the Resolution reached
    Washington and got to the Secretary of State's desk, Junior
    Vice Commander-in-Chief Paul Spera and I went to the State
    Department to address this particular issue at which time we
    were informed, given the data which proved that the Iraqi's,
    which we had reported as being POW's and brought here as
    refugees, were, in fact, line bosses, individuals who had
    deserted the Iraqi Army and had crossed over to the coalition
    forces and provided the coalition forces with the information
    which was a value to them in defeating Iraq and the recapture
    of Kuwait.
        It was either those, a large number of them were Kurds, who
    had rebelled, if you will recall, up in Northern Iraq and were
    also rebelling down in the South. All of these people had been
    erroneous lumped in as POW's. That was the original mistake.
        I compounded it for you. I made the mistake at the
    Convention last year of reporting them as Iraqi POW's. They
    were, in fact, legitimate Iraqi refugees who were brought here,
    about 2,000 of them. I did report that, I think it was in
    October or November, when the Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief,
    Spera asked me to put out a paper, which I did to all
    Departments, explaining the error of that Resolution.
        Unfortunately, that Resolution was picked up again this
    year. So, it again contains erroneous information which I
    originally put out. I apologize and I thank you for hearing me
    out.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE DENISE NICHOLS (Post 4171--Colorado): I am the one
    that originally brought that back up. I would like to report to
    the Convention that some of our Desert Storm veterans have gone
    to testify in Washington, D.C., which one of these Iraqi POW's
    is now located in his own hometown.
        After the publicity of his testimony, he was called by this
    Iraqi POW and kind of laughed at. He was told, ``Well, I am
    sorry you are sick, sir, but I am being taken care of by your
    government. I have food stamps, I have got welfare'' and the
    whole list of things that our government is providing. ``I am
    really sorry you are sick.''
        It didn't end there. After he testified again, the Iraqi
    POW has called him and threatened his family and the Desert
    Storm veteran. He has had to put his family in hiding, sir, so
    I really think we ought to do something about the Iraqi POW's
    that were brought to this country that are receiving better
    care than our sick Desert Storm vets and are now making
    threats.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Before I ask for any other
    comment, in my own mind, if I understand what is going on here,
    if we adopt this Resolution it keeps the Iraqi refugees out. If
    we don't adopt it, it allows them to come in. I have to agree
    with you. I think we ought to take care of our own people first
    before we worry about the rest of the world.
        Microphone No. 3.
        JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF PAUL SPERA (Post 144--
    Massachusetts): Just for clarification, comrades. As Comrade
    Steadman said, when you passed that Resolution last year, we
    went to the State Department and we brought the matter to them,
    and they gave us certain information which indicated that the
    individuals that were allowed into this country were not, in
    fact, Iraqi POW's.
        We also got information, as Ken just stated, that some of
    them are Kurds, some were individuals who deserted and came to
    our side. Just so that you understand how we operate, we did
    not accept that information at face value. Ken Steadman has a
    wide mentor of individuals within the Defense Department and
    the State Department, and he was instructed to contact that
    network and gather as much information as he could.
        Based on that information that he received, opposition came
    up to this Resolution. I am only telling you this, not to say
    that we should not pass the Resolution, but to let you know
    that when you do pass something like this we will follow up on
    it and we investigate it independently as well as we can.
        With that in mind, I will join with the Commander-in-Chief
    in recommending that we pass this Resolution, because we have a
    lot of problems with our own people here that we need to take
    care of and maybe stop letting all the refugees in to begin
    with.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE JOHN DeBOLD (Post 364--New York): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I concur with your thoughts with regard to
    taking care of our own. As I said yesterday, and I will say it
    again until the day I die, charity begins at home and no place
    else.
        Right today, they are picking up the people that want to
    leave Cuba. What are they doing with them? They are bringing
    them to Guantanamo Bay and we have to support them also. I
    believe that----
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrade, we are on a motion.
    This is unrelated.
        COMRADE JOHN DeBOLD (Post 364--New York): You are talking
    about taking care of our own. They pick up the people from Cuba
    and take them to Guantanamo Bay and we are supporting them so--
    --
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrade, you are out of order.
    Anything else on the question?
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE KEITH BROWN (Post 4695--Texas): I think that we are
    addressing the issue of POW's. Those other individuals who left
    their armies and came over to our side are not POW's. So, I
    support the ban of POW's.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anything else? If not, all those
    in favor of adopting Resolution 425 will signify by the sign of
    ``aye''; those opposed. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE RONALD RUSAKIEWICZ (Post 9460--Connecticut): I
    don't believe the great Chairman of this Committee has yet
    reported on 113 as either being approved or rejected. That was
    Concerning the Granting of Asylum or Residence, Temporary or
    Permanent, in the United States or its Territories to any
    Leader, President, Monarch or Dictator.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is that No. 413, Ron?
        COMRADE RONALD RUSAKIEWICZ (Post 9460--Connecticut): Excuse
    me, Resolution 413. I apologize.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF SODEN: I did not read that
    particular Resolution. Resolution No. 413 is Concerning the
    Granting of Asylum or Residence, Temporary or Permanent, in the
    United States or its Territories to any Leader, President,
    Monarch or Dictator. We will move adoption of that Resolution.
        COMRADE RONALD RUSAKIEWICZ (Post 9460--Connecticut): We
    agree.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Ron, did you say you want to
    second that motion?
        COMRADE RONALD RUSAKIEWICZ (Post 9460--Connecticut): Yes, I
    would. That is exactly what I said. Ron Rusakiewicz, Post 9460,
    Stratford, Connecticut, seconds that motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. Comrades, you have
    heard the motion and the second. On the question. Hearing none,
    all those in favor will signify by the usual sign of ``aye'';
    those opposed. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        Anything else that we may have missed? If not, I would like
    to call back up our Chairman of the PAC Committee and also the
    Director of our PAC Office.

                       PRESENTATION BY THE PAC COMMITTEE

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF SODEN: That is what happens when
    you are looking at those slot machines popping all night long.
    Comrade Commander-in-Chief, this morning it gives me a great
    deal of pleasure, on behalf of the PAC Board, the Director and
    myself to present this to you for your support that you have
    given the PAC.
        This is presented to George R. Cramer, Commander-in-Chief,
    Veterans of Foreign Wars, in appreciation for your support to
    the VFW-PAC 1993-94.
        Chief, I really want to sincerely thank you for allowing me
    the privilege to serve this year as the PAC Chairman. I present
    this to you with our most profound thanks.
        Chief, I just want to add one thing. Bob Currieo has served
    as Director of the PAC for five years. He will be leaving that
    position to assume a new position with our organization. I
    sincerely would like each and every one of you to join with me
    in thanking Bob for the outstanding leadership and direction he
    has given to the Political Action Committee.
        Bob, thank you very, very much. [Applause]
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BOB CURRIEO: Thank you.

           INTRODUCTION--HARRY G. SUMMERS, JR., COWLES HISTORY GROUP

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: At the 92nd VFW National
    Convention, the VFW presented its prestigious VFW News Media
    Award to a distinguished author and journalist.
        Retired Army Colonel Harry G. Summers, a syndicated
    columnist, editor and author of the ``Korean War Almanac'', has
    served on the faculties of the U.S. Army War College and the
    U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
        Beginning as an Infantry Squad Leader in the Korean War, he
    rose through the ranks, building a distinguished military
    career, as a Battalion and Corps Operations Officer in the
    Vietnam War and later as a negotiator in meetings with the Viet
    Cong and North Vietnamese.
        His articles on strategy and his commentary on military
    issues have appeared in syndicated columns across the nation
    and in such renowned military journals as ``Army, Military
    Review'' and ``The Naval Institute Proceedings.''
        Colonel Summers is a nationally-syndicated columnist and
    editor of ``Vietnam'' magazine. Harry Summers knows of what he
    writes. He served with the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th
    Infantry Division in Korea, 1950-51, and in Vietnam with the
    2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, 1966-67.
        Among his decorations and awards are the Combat Infantry
    Badge for both Korea and Vietnam, the Silver Star, the Bronze
    Star for Valor, and two Purple Hearts. He is a member of VFW
    Post 8065 in Bowie, Maryland.
        Comrades and sisters, ladies and gentlemen, will you please
    join me in welcoming a distinguished journalist and soldier,
    Colonel Harry G. Summers, Jr.

                      REMARKS BY COLONEL HARRY G. SUMMERS

        COMRADE HARRY SUMMERS (Post 8065--Maryland): I was
    impressed at the dinner the other night when the Past Commander
    was speaking and someone in the wings said, ``Cut to the
    chase.'' Well, it is pretty easy to cut to the chase when you
    are talking about the future of the United States military and
    the future of the United States.
        As you know, we are in disarray. We are in disarray not so
    much on the fighting ability of our armed forces because we
    probably have the best armed forces we have ever had. I had the
    great opportunity to interview General Fred Franks. Some of you
    may know he led the 7th Corps attack in the Gulf.
        He lost a leg in Vietnam, and he left and spent 22 months
    in the hospital, and came back with an artificial leg, and he
    led the attack in the Gulf War. He is a great soldier. He is
    head of the Army Training Doctrine Command at the present time.
    He couldn't say enough good things about the soldiers that we
    have today.
        As an Army Colonel to be named the General in charge of war
    strategy at the Marine Corps University, to sort of test the
    thesis, you can tell a Marine but you can't tell him much. I
    must say I am very impressed with the Marine Corps in
    everything they do, including education. They are a great group
    of students.
        Anyway, the military we have today is in great shape. The
    challenge is keeping it in great shape. Even the President has
    said that we probably have cut as far as we can go, and I think
    that is certainly true. We are now probably at the rock bottom
    if we are going to protect the United States and defend its
    interests in the world.
        I think it was particularly apropos this vote just a few
    moments ago on the Resolution to oppose invasion of Haiti. One
    of the things that has come back to the great truth is that the
    United States was called 160 years ago a treatarian military.
    What does it mean?
        It means 160 years ago that the military no longer belongs
    to the king, it no longer belongs to the chief executive, it
    belongs to the people. The people have learned from the French
    Revolution and our people have learned from the American
    Revolution.
        The American military belongs to the American people. It
    belongs in particular to the American people who know something
    about it, you, sitting in the audience. The people who know
    what the military is, certainly in its ranks know what it could
    do and what it can't do.
        As General Shalikashvili recently said concerning Bosnia,
    ``You just can't build a democracy on the point of a bayonet.''
    The Iraqi military is the one telling people that. One of the
    strange things we have had since the end of the Cold War, for
    the want of a better name, we can call it intervention doves.
        People don't know a damn thing about the military and will
    be against the military intervention and every intervention we
    have ever had, and now are screaming to invade Bosnia, invade
    Haiti, invade wherever. I mean, it is absolutely amazing.
        Being from Maryland, and the people from Maryland will
    probably appreciate this, the strangeness of the political
    climate now. When Barbara Mikulski ran for the Senate last
    time, she has been opposed to the military and in the beginning
    she had a Schwarzkopf of Maryland. I thought you can't beat
    that, I must say.
        The idea that the intervention of doves is somehow the
    military can do everything. They can build nations, they can do
    this and that and the other, and Haiti at least being one. Of
    course, President Clinton ran on precisely that platform, the
    platform that the military of the future, the primary job would
    be peace keeping, the primary job would be intervention under
    the U.N. auspices, would be intervention in all the troubled
    spots around the world.
        We have got troubled spots around the world. We always have
    had and we always will be. The interesting thing is when the
    Presidential Directive 13, which was the alkaline of this new
    military under U.N. command in intervening around the world, he
    ran into a fire storm from whom, the American people, who said
    no way.
        It really should not have surprised me being from Arkansas,
    I must say. The last time I was at the Embassy in Saigon in
    1975, I must say a terse moment, my counterpart said, ``How can
    you do this? How can you abandon an ally in time of need?'' I
    said rather cynically, ``Look, I am from Ohio and I must say
    not only Ohians don't give a damn about Vietnam, they are not
    too keen on New York and San Francisco, either, when it comes
    down to it.'' I think that has generally been true.
        One of the last speakers said Americans should take care of
    Americans first. That is hardly a new idea. George Washington
    said this in his Farewell Address, the idea that Americans
    should look to Americans first. I think that is generally true,
    and the idea that the United States somehow is going to be the
    world's policeman or the world's nanny is just not going to get
    it.
        It is not going to get it, because the military doesn't
    belong to the President, the military belongs to you. You are
    the people who determine whether or not it is going to succeed.
    Now, if you sought this vote, it is not that lopsided, it is a
    concern we are concerned about humanitarian need and helping
    people in need.
        We primarily are concerned with taking care of ourselves. I
    think that is the way it should be. That is the way it is going
    to be. As we look to the foreign policy and military policy of
    the United States, what is in terrible disarray now is this
    whole idea that President Clinton campaigned on that military
    is going to be the world peace keepers and to look after all
    the ills of the world.
        The American people have said we don't want our sons and
    daughters doing that. We don't want to see them committed in
    all these places around the world. The interesting thing to me
    was that after all this luster, we are going to do this and do
    that, Senator Byrd from West Virginia stands up in the Senate
    last year and said get the troops out of Somalia by 31 December
    or I am going to get off this war.
        An interesting aside, he said, ``I want to send them the
    basic high school civic lesson that we have three branches of
    Government and the Congress controls the purse strings.''
    Wouldn't you think an Oxford Rhodes Scholar would understand
    that and it wouldn't have to be explained to him?
        I am not picking on Clinton but all the presidential
    administrations, especially the imperial eunuchs that surround
    him and the things they do. He said, ``I am going to give them
    a wake-up call.'' The Senate just did it again, as you know,
    and said that the Resolution on the U.N. Resolution on Haiti
    was not going to cut it. That was not sufficient basis for the
    President to use it. The House of Representatives had already
    passed that.
        I guess one of the best messages today is that the people
    are back in charge. The American people, and the people forget
    this, the American people gave it to us on faith in Vietnam for
    31 months. They supported the war overwhelmingly for 31 months,
    the same period of time for the Invasion of North Africa, the
    VEA in Europe.
        After 31 months, they said either win the damn thing or get
    the hell out. When the administration was not able to do
    either, that was the end of the public support for the war.
    They are not going to be this patient in the future. We see it
    with Bangladesh, we see it with Somalia, with Bosnia, and we
    are seeing it now in Haiti.
        The American people's patience on this sort of thing is
    very, very short. That is sort of the bad news about the
    defense of the United States today. When it comes to the peace
    side of the question, we are floundering because as Ambassador
    Hinton said the other day, we don't know what the hell we are
    doing. We have no plan.
        The good news is that we are where it counts, and we were
    where it counts in World War II, Northeast Asia and the Middle
    East where we have true vital interests. Its interest is so
    vital that we will go to war for you and have gone to war for
    you in World War I and World War II in Europe, and the war in
    Asia in World War II, and Korea and Vietnam.
        In those areas, where we have true vital interests, the
    President has been remarkably firm. That has not shown. I must
    say he has not much credit for it. President Carter came in the
    campaign for withdrawal of forces from North Asia and was told
    by the Soviet Union and China and Japan that was not a very
    smart idea since it was destablizing all of Southeast Asia.
    President Clinton has continued to station 100,000 troops in
    the Western Pacific.
        The question comes, will we defend Korea? Those of you who
    are Korean veterans know it was an academic question. We are
    going to defend Korea as long as that division sits there. The
    President has also said you were in a dread fall in Europe on
    NATO, whether or not NATO would survive.
        The President did guarantee the floor of 100,000 troops for
    NATO for several years. As we have had since 1949, we have
    enabled Presidents in the Gulf, and they are still there. The
    good news is that we are really where it counts, where vital
    interests are truly involved our defense is still pretty
    strong.
        In these areas, the touchy areas of the world, the
    humanitarian areas of the world, the other ideal that the
    United States is the world's savior, there is no consensus
    among the American people that we ought to do that. The first
    thing that the President has got to do, or any President has
    got to do, is to go out to you and convince you that it is
    worth putting your sons' and daughters' lives at risk.
        If you can't do that, we are not going to do it. That is
    the great secret, it seems to me, in the American military is
    that it does really belong to the American people. We take a
    real interest in what it is doing. At the end of the Vietnam
    War, as you may remember, there was a lot of that.
        It said if we can't get rid of the draft, then we would
    have this great mass of people out there of volunteers. The
    people that said that they didn't know who they were and didn't
    even know anybody who knew who they were. We could just commit
    them anywhere, to do anything and we could get away with it.
        When we talk about Foreign Legion, well, they learned in
    Beirut that doesn't happen. Nobody asked whether it was 240
    soldiers or Marines killed at Beirut or whether they were
    draftees or enlistees. They were Americans and in the defense
    of their country. That was the key question.
        We saw it again in Bangladesh when they drug those bodies
    through the street. Nobody asked whether they were draftees or
    enlistees. They were people who put their lives on the line for
    the United States.
        One of the great blessings is that the American military,
    as I said earlier, belongs to the American people. That is your
    job and my job as a member of the VFW as well, to make sure
    that the President never forgets that, never forgets who the
    military belongs to. It belongs to you and it is your support
    that makes it what it is today. Thank you very much.
             PRESENTATION OF LIFE MEMBERSHIP TO MAJOR BUDDY MERRITT

         COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Last night, the VFW held its
    first annual Patriotic Rally. Much of the success of the rally
    can be contributed to ``the tribute to America'' by Major Buddy
    Merritt who produced and directed this tribute because of his
    love for this organization at a greatly reduced cost to
    himself.
         His grandfather, Dr. Virgil Samuel, was VFW Surgeon
    General during the World War I, and he has performed at VFW
    functions at the Southern Conference. Major Merritt is a
    veteran of the United States Navy where he served in the Cuban
    blockade and received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
         He is currently a member of the Army National Guard and
    was a helicopter pilot. He most recently went to the Persian
    Gulf with the Department of Defense and worked with the armed
    forces radio and television network where he provided moral
    support to our troops.
         Major Merritt, to show you our appreciation for what you
    do to promote Americanism and good will, it is my pleasure on
    behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States to
    present to you your Life Membership in the VFW.

                        RESPONSE BY MAJOR BUDDY MERRITT

         COLONEL MERRITT: I am really humbled by this. My
    grandfather was Surgeon General during World War I at the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars, and my great-great-grandfather was a
    Brigadier General who fought at Gettysburg and commanded the
    Iron Brigade at the Gettysburg battle.
         I am the namesake of both of those gentlemen. I carry that
    in my blood. We had a little conversation at the hospitality
    suite last night. In that conversation I said to the gentleman
    I was speaking with, ``You know, probably in this room right
    now are men and women whose ancestors are like mine. Maybe they
    weren't Generals, maybe they were Sergeants, maybe they were
    Privates, maybe they fought at Gettysburg or maybe they fought
    in the American Revolution.''
         ``I think that one of the things that makes America great
    is that their blood flows in their veins.'' Maybe that is why I
    love you and the VFW. I can't tell you how highly I regard
    this. God bless you and I thank you very, very much.
         COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you for the great rally
    last night.
         I would like to call on Cleve Cox, Adjutant Quartermaster
    of North Carolina.

              PRESENTATION TO ADJUTANT GENERAL HOWARD VANDER CLUTE

         COMRADE CLEVE COX (Department of North Carolina): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief and Fellow Delegates:
         I would like to ask Mr. Vander Clute if he would come
    forward, please. Last April at the Adjutant Quartermasters'
    Conference we decided to provide to you plaques from each of
    the Conferences upon your retirement. This force represents
    each Conference, with Bill Radigan from the Big Ten, Jack Mack
    from the Western Conference, Bill McArthur from the Eastern
    Conference, and me from the Southern Conference.
         I might add at this time I am the junior member with 30
    years. Radigan has 42 years and Jack has 36 years and McArthur
    with 33.
         ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE: I am the junior member.
         COMRADE CLEVE COX (Department of North Carolina): Howard
    says he is the junior member. Since I am making the first
    presentation, I would like to ask all the Quartermasters from
    the Southern Conference to stand, please. Howard, in addition
    to this plaque, I am also very proud to present this check from
    the Adjutant Quartermasters which represent the monies that
    were left over from the purchase of the plaques.
         I understand that you and Susan are planning a trip to
    Europe next spring, and perhaps this check will make the trip
    more enjoyable.
         Now, Bill McArthur representing the Eastern Conference.
         COMRADE BILL McARTHUR: I would like all the Adjutant
    Quartermasters from the Eastern Conference to please rise. I am
    representing them in presenting this section. It is a four-
    section plaque. I am representing the East. Of course, since
    Howard is from the East, Howard and I go back a long way. To
    me, he has been an outstanding Adjutant General.
         I didn't think he was going to be one. He certainly proved
    me wrong. He was a terrific Adjutant General.
         COMRADE JACK MACK (Department of Utah): I am the Adjutant
    Quartermaster from the Western Conference, and I would like for
    all the Adjutant Quartermasters of the Western Conference to
    please stand up because all of you guys contributed to this
    award.
         COMRADE BILL RADIGAN (Post 3061--South Dakota): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief and Comrades: I would ask the Adjutant/
    Quartermasters of the Big Ten Conference to stand and join with
    me as I make this presentation to a great individual who has
    served our organization well.
         Will all the Big Ten Adjutant/Quartermasters please rise.
    Howard, it is my pleasure to present you with this plaque. Now,
    comrades, my colleagues, the Department Adjutant Quartermasters
    have given me a great honor here today. I have been selected to
    present the final plaque from us to Howard.
         It is also an honor but is bothering me a bit. This man
    has served us very well. Those of us who have been Adjutant/
    Quartermasters during his term of office know that there are
    three things always true about this gentleman. One thing is
    when you call and tell his secretary you have a problem, he
    will not forsake you. He will answer you. He will call you back
    and discuss it with you.
         Number two, we all know when we have a problem that they
    may get sticky and they may get difficult and maybe a lot of
    conversation and there may be some feelings. Number three, we
    all know when it is all over, this comrade will walk up to us,
    shake our hand and tell us we have got to go on with the
    business of running this organization.
        He made it very plain to us in the years that he served us,
    nearly 14, that we were Lieutenants and he was on our side.
    Howard, I don't think there is anyone in this audience that has
    served under you as an Adjutant/Quartermaster that doesn't feel
    that way and that we hate to see you go, but we want you to
    know that we realize you had an awesome job, you had tremendous
    responsibilities.
        We think you handled them well and you treated us fairly. I
    would like every individual in here who has during Howard's
    term of office been either a Department Adjutant or a
    Department Quartermaster to stand as we present this plaque to
    him, which I am going to take the privilege to read.
        ``Howard E. Vander Clute, Jr., presented in appreciation of
    your many years of support and assistance as the Adjutant
    General. From your friends, State Adjutants and Quartermasters,
    August, 1994.''
        I have had fewer honors and privileges that have affected
    me more, Howard. I am glad I got to present this to you in
    recognition of all you have done for our great organization. We
    all thank you.

                RESPONSE BY ADJUTANT GENERAL HOWARD VANDER CLUTE

        ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE: To receive such an honor
    from distinguished Adjutant/Quartermasters representing each of
    the conferences is an honor that, first, I didn't expect, and
    secondly, I desire to share it with others.
        Number one, I hate to have attention directed away from the
    Commander-in-Chief as he conducts this Convention, because I
    know how important it is to him and to all of you. I thank you
    for allowing this to occur, Commander-in-Chief, this morning.
        I have a high regard and a deep respect for all of those
    members of this organization that serve, first of all, as
    Department Adjutant-Quartermasters, because I know the
    hardships they must endure in that position. In most instances,
    they are understaffed, simply because there is not that kind of
    revenue in the Departments to provide for the staff that is
    necessary.
        Secondly, I suspect that most or probably most are under-
    compensated for what they do. It is a 24-hour job attending to
    the business of this organization, in each of our individual
    Departments, and to stand here and receive recognition from
    four Department Quartermasters who have service far beyond that
    which I have rendered to this organization, believe me, I have
    deeply felt emotion that I perhaps cannot explain.
        As I stand here this morning and tell you again as I told
    you Monday when many of you were in attendance, that was an
    emotional high for me. I have been on an emotional high this
    entire week. Please let me repeat to you once again that my
    service to this organization was exciting, was memorable, was
    something that I will never forget.
        My entire adult life has been spent in the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars and my life is long from being over, and I expect
    to dedicate the rest of my life, compensated or not
    compensated, because there are so many of you out there who
    work so hard for this organization with very little recognition
    and very little compensation, only the self-satisfaction of
    knowing that you are working for your country, you are working
    for your fellow veteran and for his survivors. That should be
    self-satisfaction enough for all of us.
        However, I had the addition of being compensated for what I
    did. I initially had the privilege of going many places to
    represent you, which I was proud to do. I have been proud to
    serve every Commander-in-Chief that I have served.
        I think this organization has been most fortunate to,
    first, have those Adjutant/Quartermasters working for us in the
    field, such as they have, and secondly, the kind of quality of
    leadership that we have been blessed with over the years. Thank
    you very, very much.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Adjutant General Vander Clute.]

    PRESENTATION OF VFW ARMED FORCES AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION TO THE
                       JOINT TASK FORCE--FULL ACCOUNTING

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The Veterans of Foreign Wars has
    been in the forefront of the POW/MIA issue for the last two
    decades, demanding that it remain the highest national
    priority.
        The VFW was the first to call for an independent public
    commission to look into all allegations and give the true facts
    to families, veterans and the American public. Resolution of
    this important issue will not be made in Washington but in the
    field.
        For the past two years, we have been most fortunate to have
    with us U.S. Major General Thomas Needham, Commander of Joint
    Task Force--Full Accounting.
        Working out of his headquarters in Hawaii and with tams
    throughout Southeast Asia, he is the point man of an important
    mission. His job is to determine the fate of and make as full
    an accounting as possible of Americans still unaccounted for
    from the Vietnam War.
        Because of the tireless efforts of General Needham and his
    dedicated staff, the VFW is presenting to Joint Task Force--
    Full Accounting this year's Armed Forces Award.
        Ladies and gentlemen, a special welcome for General Thomas
    Needham.
        ``The Veterans of Foreign Wars Armed Forces Award, Gold
    Medal and Citation awarded to Thomas H. Needham, Major General,
    United States Army, and the Men and Women of Joint Task Force--
    Full Accounting.''
        ``In special recognition of General Needham's leadership
    and devotion to duty and the dedication of those men and women
    of Joint Task Force--Full Accounting, who have endured exposure
    to disease, inhospitable climates and torturous terrain in
    pursuit of their mission to fully account for our missing
    comrades in Southeast Asia thus fulfilling our government's
    initiative to attain the fullest possible accounting of our
    missing men and that this issue will remain for all of us a
    non-negotiable matter of honor.''
        This has been signed today by me as Commander-in-Chief, and
    attested to by Adjutant General Vander Clute.
        General Needham, I personally want to thank you and the
    young men and women of Joint Task Force--Full Accounting for
    what you have done to try to get an accounting of all our
    missing people.
                           RESPONSE--GENERAL NEEDHAM

        GENERAL NEEDHAM: Commander-in-Chief Cramer, Senior Vice
    Commander-in-Chief Kent, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Spera,
    our Distinguished Guests, Members of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars, Ladies and Gentlemen:
        Thank you for this generous introduction and welcome. I am
    deeply honored to finally stand before you today. As the
    President said so well during the 50th Anniversary of D-Day
    earlier this summer, you are those who when you were young
    saved the world. You are also those who responded whenever your
    country called.
        In addition, the list of previous recipients of this award
    is most impressive. To be perfectly honest, I feel unworthy to
    be listed among them. However, I am most pleased to accept this
    award not as a recognition of what I have done, but rather as
    an acknowledgement of the magnificent work and the untold
    sacrifices made by the men and women of the Joint Task Force--
    Full Accounting and the Central Identification Lab in Hawaii
    and the United States Pacific Command.
        A few of you know the full story of the efforts your
    Government has made to resolve the Vietnam POW/MIA issue.
    Fortunately, some of you have just recently, as of last month,
    seen our troops in action, have visited some of the isolated
    sites that the Joint Task Force--Full Accounting routinely
    inhabit.
        You have seen some of the unbelievable terrain and some of
    you have seen the hardship these members endure on a daily
    basis. This is something that I have been trying to communicate
    at every opportunity that I have had. So, if you will indulge
    me for a few moments while I take this opportunity to brag on
    the men and women assigned to the Joint Task Force--Full
    Accounting.
        The Joint Task Force--Full Accounting's undertaking is
    massive, it is intense, it is even more importantly working.
    The Task Force team has just one goal in mind and that is to
    answer truthfully the foremost questions directed by such as
    yourself that family members have on their mind.
        What happened to those Americans still unaccounted for? If
    they died, where are their remains? Each member of the Task
    Force, from senior officer to the junior enlisted person, feels
    a close kinship with you and with the family members. In a
    sense, they work for you and they know it.
        This provides an almost unbelievable motivation, a greater
    motivation than I have experienced in 33 years in uniform.
    Working under intense pressure and extremely dangerous
    environments and arduous conditions, these men and women,
    military and civilian, are performing magnificently and they
    never complain.
        I must be honest they have achieved much more than we
    thought possible two years ago. The answers, the facts are
    passed on to you and, most importantly, to the families are
    truthful. But more than 8,000 occasions in the past 30 months,
    the Task Force has passed on meaningful data to family members
    about their loved ones.
        The Joint Task Force--Full Accounting teams have
    investigated more than 1,500 cases in China, Vietnam, Laos and
    Cambodia, and more than 180 sites, both fresh and burial sites
    in those four countries, have been excavated. More than 240
    sets of remains, with the potential of being those unaccounted
    for Americans, have been returned to U.S. soil.
        The intense investigation of the priority structure the
    cases. Those cases, where we believe that the U.S. individual
    was alive at the time of the loss have been investigated. Those
    members have been reduced from 135 to 55. The remains of 38
    individuals also have been identified and returned to their
    families.
        The truth about the Joint Task Force--Full Accounting and
    its work is once we were granted the kind of access to the
    counties necessary, we aggressively reacted and pursued every
    opportunity to gain insight and information about the more than
    2,000 Americans still unaccounted for as a result of the
    Vietnam War.
        More families know more about their loved ones today, and
    that is a real measure of our success. The effort has not been
    easy, inexpensive or risk-free. The Task Force team members are
    working in some of the most difficult terrain in the world.
    They routinely deal with exposure to disease, very arduous
    circumstances and, yes, even hostile fire.
        They spend 200 days a year separated from their families
    and they get little notice. To rectify that somewhat, I have
    brought along with me a representative group of dedicated,
    committed, hard-working troops who comprise the Joint Task
    Force--Full Accounting and the Central Identification Lab.
        These folks are the ones that deserve your applause and
    recognition. I would ask them over to my left to stand as I
    read their name. Please stand up on the stage so you can see
    them.
        First, Major Roger Overture with the United States Air
    Force; Master Sergeant Scott Marx, United States Air Force;
    Sergeant First Class Steve Thompson, United States Army; Mr.
    Ray Spock, Department of the Navy, civilian; Captain Kenneth
    Regis, United States Army, Central Identification Laboratory.
        These folks are the ones that do the work and represent the
    350 personnel assigned to the Joint Task Force--Full Account
    and Central Identification Lab that every day of the year are
    working. I not only thank them in your behalf, but I thank them
    for the service they have given to our country. Thank you very
    much.
        So, if you will allow me, I will accept this award in their
    behalf. General Vessey, who was awarded the Presidential Medal
    of Freedom two years ago for his service as a presidential
    emissary to Vietnam regarding the POW/MIA issue said he wished
    he could cut the medal into 150 pieces to share it with the
    Joint Task Force--Full Accounting.
        At that time I was appreciative, but not knowing how
    precisely he felt, but today on behalf of the Joint Task
    Force--Full Accounting, the Central Identification Lab and the
    men and women of the Pacific Commands who are working in
    Hawaii, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, I thank you for
    this honor and ask that you never forget the sacrifice and
    their devotion to duty.
        Keep supporting our government as it works to resolve this
    extremely difficult and emotional POW/MIA issue. Thank you very
    much.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, General Needham. We
    personally thank your young men and women who work with you at
    the JTFFA.
        I would like to call next on the Veterans Service Committee
    Chairman, Past Commander-in-Chief Cooper T. Holt, for his
    report.

                    REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON VETERANS SERVICE

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOLT: Thank you, Commander-in-Chief
    Cramer. Commander, I have certain comments I wish to express at
    this time. I would like to thank you for appointing me as
    Chairman of our Veterans Service Resolutions Committee. I want
    you to know I have truly enjoyed the challenge and all our
    Committee members, all 145 of them, were extremely active in
    all deliberations.
        I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Washington
    office staff for their cooperation and expertise. Of course, I
    speak of Jim Magill, Director of our VFW National Legislative
    Service, Fred Juarbe, Director of our VFW National Veterans
    Service and other staff members, Commander-in-Chief, who made
    our job much easier, including Bill Dozier, Field
    Representative from the National Veterans Service, Jay Boone,
    Appeals Consultant of the National Veterans Service, John
    Dublin, Field Representative of the National Veterans Service,
    William Bradshaw, Senior Field Representative of National
    Veterans Service, and Jimmy Lee Wallace, who has been my right
    hand and Special Assistant of National Veterans Service.
        Sid Daniels, Director of National Veterans Employment, Ted
    Simco, Field Representative of National Services. Robert Mahan,
    Assistant Director of National Legislative Services, Jim
    Jewell, Field, Representative of the National Veterans Service,
    and Rodney Graham, Military, National Veterans Service.
        My comrades, all these individuals are seated on the
    platform and I would appreciate it if you would give them a
    hand. They have done a fine job for you. [Applause]
        Delegates to this Convention, our Committee on Veterans
    Service Resolutions considered 125 Resolutions. The Committee
    members were divided into four separate subcommittees. The
    Subcommittee 1, VA Medical Programs, Ray O'Neill, from
    Michigan, served as the Chairman. Bill Kirsop from Florida
    served as Vice-Chairman.
        Subcommittee 2, Veterans Benefits and Entitlements, Richard
    Branson from Georgia served as its Chairman, and Carlo DiGrazia
    from Illinois served as Vice-Chairman.
        Subcommittee 3, from National Employment, Tony Iuo served
    as Chairman and Gary Kurpius from Alaska served as Vice-
    Chairman. Our Subcommittee 4, on Other Benefits, Alfred Simmons
    from Maryland served as Chairman, and Tom Hanson from Minnesota
    served as Vice-Chairman.
        Comrades, all of these Committee members, at least to my
    opinion, served with distinction. They performed their duties
    over and above the call of duty. Commander-in-Chief, you also
    appointed Harvey ``Bulldog'' Smith from Georgia as Vice-
    Chairman of our Committee, truly an energetic VFW member.
        ``Bulldog'' certainly gave of his time and efforts toward
    the successful conclusion of our Committee work. He is a credit
    to our VFW, he is dedicated to our cause, and I certainly
    enjoyed working with him. ``Bulldog'', take a bow, please. Give
    him a hand. [Applause]
        Now, Commander-in-Chief, with your permission I will begin
    the report of our Committee by reading those Resolution numbers
    that were approved by our Committee, and secondly, I will
    submit to the delegates attending this Convention the
    Resolutions that were approved, as amended.
        Finally, I will submit the Resolutions that were
    recommended for rejection or were rejected in favor of other
    Convention Resolutions. We have a booklet for those of you who
    are trying to keep up with us on the Resolution actions.
        Now, for the first group. Those Resolutions that were
    approved by Committee action, and if any delegate would like
    any of these Resolutions to be set aside, please make a note of
    the Resolution number and request such action after I complete
    the report of this particular group of Resolutions.
        If you are ready, I am ready, and we shall take off. These
    are the Resolutions that have been recommended for approval:
    Nos. 601, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 612, 616,
    617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628,
    631, 633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 642, 643, 645,
    646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 659, 660,
    661, 662, 665, 667, 668, 673, 676, 678, 680, 686, 688, 689,
    690, 691, 693, 694, 701, 702, 703, 709, 712, 713, 716, 720 and
    724 which is not in your packet, and the title of that is VA
    Grave Markers.
        They have been recommended for approval. Now, those are the
    ones that the Committee has recommended approval of. Are there
    any set asides? Are there any set asides?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE JOHN LUTZ (Post 6640--Louisiana): I would like to
    have set aside Resolution 650.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOLT: Are there any more set
    asides? Commander, I move that all the Resolutions recommended
    for approval by your Committee, except the one set aside, be
    accepted by the delegates attending this 95th National
    Convention.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, there is a motion. Is
    there a second?
        Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE TORCHY DAMES (Post 2260--Wisconsin): Commander-in-
    Chief, I will second that motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion. On the question. Hearing nothing, all those in favor
    will signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; opposed ``no''. The
    ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE JOHN LUTZ (Post 6640--Louisiana): Comrades, I am
    currently stationed at Travis Air Force Base and I am Operating
    Supervisor of the David Grant Medical Center. I am also in a
    joint planning venture group with the DOD and the VA. I would
    like to make a few remarks about Resolution No. 650. What is
    most important is perhaps the bottom line.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOLT: Excuse me. Let me tell you
    that Resolution 650 is Health Reform Regarding VA and DOD
    Health Care, for those of you that don't know what he is
    talking about.
        Go ahead, sir.
        COMRADE JOHN LUTZ (Post 6640--Louisiana): My name is John
    Lutz, Post 6640, Louisiana. I am currently on active duty at
    Travis Air Force Base. The bottom line is this. The VA and the
    DOD joint ventures is not the complete picture. When you speak
    of health care reform in the VA and the DOD, it cannot be in a
    vacuum with health-care reform that we hear and talk about
    every single day and the dialogue that is going on currently in
    Washington.
        We have to realize that it is our responsibility, just as
    William Bennett said the other day, to take it upon ourselves
    to educate ourselves. What is it that is happening, what is
    required? Having been a part of the joint planning group at
    Travis, I can tell you that it is a much more complex problem
    and what we really need is an understanding.
        What I would like to do very quickly is just give you,
    comrades, a quick education on what health care reform means to
    the VA and the DOD and civilians. The bottom line, the VA and
    the DOD have been mandated by Waashington to compete against
    the civilian counterparts. You think about that.
        As the beginning of this Resolution 650 says, that the VA
    Health Care System is the largest health-care system in the
    country with 172 hospitals and an operating budget of $15
    billion. According to Representative Montgomery, it will soon
    be $16 billion a year, the system that accesses 10 percent of
    the 60 million plus veterans in this country.
        In the DOD, we have never done much with cost containment,
    particularly as well as our civilian counterparts. In other
    words, what I am telling you is that the lean green machines
    are not in the VA or the DOD. If we are given a mandate to
    compete against them, it will probably be a slaughter.
        For myself, on active duty, I was never guaranteed health
    care for the past 17 years for my wife or my children. It has
    always been conditional on space availability. When I retire in
    a few years, as a retiree, it will be conditional. It will not
    be a guarantee. It will be only on space availability.
        Keep in mind what I am saying as far as competing against
    civilian counterparts. These men tell us we have an over-
    abundance of beds in our----
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrade Lutz, the Chair is
    becoming confused. One, I am not sure if you are speaking in
    favor or against this Resolution. Two, I think that you are
    introducing subjects into what you are saying that are not
    pertinent to this current Resolution.
        COMRADE JOHN LUTZ (Post 6640--Louisiana): Comrade, this is
    the closest thing I saw in 650 of what you have on your agenda
    where I can address what actually is happening in the field in
    a VA-DOD facility. I am here to tell you that, yes, it is
    working.
        We are trying to make it work very well. But it is just a
    small part of the picture and that it would behoove the VFW and
    all the comrades here to understand that there is really a much
    greater concern personally.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrade, are you speaking in
    opposition to this?
        COMRADE JOHN LUTZ (Post 6640--Louisiana): I am not. I am
    supporting it, but I am saying it does not cover the full
    picture.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: In that case, you were out of
    order. I will have to ask you to stop. Now, what I need to do
    is to have somebody make a motion to adopt Resolution 650.
        COMRADE JOHN LUTZ (Post 6640--Louisiana): I will make the
    motion to adopt.
        COMRADE DEWAIN WEST (Post 2874--Wisconsin): I will second
    that motion, if there is a motion on the floor.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the motion. All those in favor will
    signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; those opposed ``no''. The
    ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOLT: For the second group, those
    Resolutions that were approved, as amended, again, I will read
    the Resolution number and if any delegate would like any of the
    Resolutions to be set aside, please make a note of the
    Resolution number and request action after I complete the
    report of this group of Resolutions.
        These are the Resolutions approved, as amended. I will tell
    you most of them really include dotting the I, and crossing the
    T and trying to make the Resolution read better. These are the
    Resolutions approved, as amended. They are Nos. 611, 613, 614,
    615, 632, 641, 644, 656, 657, 658, 663, 666, 672, 679, 687,
    699, 700, 704, 711, 714, 721.
        We have a 725 that is not in your packet. It is entitled
    Amended Tax Returns for Military Retirees. Now, those are the
    Resolutions relative to approved as amended. Are there any set
    asides? Are there any set asides?
        Commander-in-Chief, this concludes the Resolutions that the
    Committee recommended be approved as amended. At this time I
    would like to ask the delegates if there are any Resolutions in
    the group to be set aside?
        I heard none, therefore, I move that all Resolutions
    recommended for approval, as amended, except the set asides,
    which we have none, be accepted by the delegates attending this
    95th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE JOHN SAUNDERS (Post 4809--Virginia): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and second. On the question. Hearing nothing, all those
    in favor will signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; those
    opposed ``no''. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOLT: I will get into the rejected
    ones. Finally, for the last group of those Resolutions that
    were recommended for rejection or rejected in favor of other
    Committee Resolutions. According to the Convention Rules that
    you adopted, I must read the number and the title of these
    particular Resolutions.
        Here we go on the rejected Resolutions, or rejected, as
    amended. No. 602, Approve One-Member Decision at the Board of
    Veterans Appeals. It was rejected simply because it is already
    accomplished by Public Law 103-221.
        No. 629, Tinnitus. That was rejected because it is
    accomplished by proposed regulatory changes already.
        No. 630, Herbicide Exposure, rejected in favor of
    Resolution No. 630.
        No. 664, Veterans' Re-employment Rights Protection,
    rejected in favor of Resolution No. 680.
        No. 669, Guarantee Full-Strength Chaplain Service, rejected
    in favor of Resolution No. 666.
        No. 670, Military Funerals, rejected in favor of Resolution
    721.
        Resolution 671, Establish a Federal Legislative Chairman in
    all 50 States, rejected because the Committee felt that it was
    a duplicated service provided by individual Departments and the
    VFW Action Corps.
        No. 674, Remove Means Tests, rejected because we feel it is
    contrary to the VFW position on eligibility reform.
        No. 675, National Fund Expenditures Saved From Reduction of
    Defense Expenditures be Dedicated and Expended to Provide
    Needed Benefits and Services to the Nation's Veterans and their
    Families, rejected in favor of Resolution 613.
        No. 677, Military Hospital Closures. This was rejected in
    favor of Resolution 610.
        Resolution 681, Prevent VA Functions Being Further
    Splintered. This was rejected in favor of Resolution 625.
        Resolution 682, Nursing Home at VA Hospital Fort Harrison.
    This was rejected because we feel that is a local issue.
        Resolution 683, Need for Another VA Domiciliary Facility.
    This was rejected again because we feel it is a local issue.
        No. 684, Reinstate the VA Transportation System. This was
    rejected, not germane to the VA programs.
        No. 685, Elimination of the VA Pauper's Oath for Hospital
    Admission. This was rejected again because it is contrary to
    the VFW policy on eligibility reform.
        No. 692, Civil Service Employment Practices
    Standardization, rejected because we feel that it requires
    further development.
        No. 695, Entitlements and Benefits of Retired U.S. Military
    Personnel. This was rejected because the Committee feels that
    it creates another special category of veterans.
        No. 696, Reinstatement of U.S. Veterans Employment Rights
    and Entitlements Affected by CINCUSNAVEUR Policy. This was
    rejected because we feel that it needs further development.
        No. 697, Veterans Federal Employment Preference by General
    Accounting Office a Priority. This was rejected because it
    requires further development, in our opinion.
        No. 698, Commissary and Post Exchange Privileges for U.S.
    Military Retirees Residing Overseas, rejected in favor of
    Resolution 689.
        Resolution 705, Funding for VA Hospitals, rejected in favor
    of Resolution 608.
        Resolution 706, Maintain Hospital and Commissary
    Facilities, rejected in favor of Resolution 610.
        Resolution 707, Enforce Compliance of Veterans Preference
    Laws, rejected, in our opinion, because it requires further
    development,
        Resolution 708, Abolish the Means Test as a Criteria for VA
    Medical Services, rejected because the Committee feels it is
    contrary to VFW eligibility reform.
        No. 710, Guaranteed U.S. Armed Forces Medical Support for
    Retirees, rejected in favor of Resolution 609.
        No. 715, Rebuilding/Reinstatement of Complete Inpatient/
    Outpatient Services at Sepulvedva V.A.M.C., rejected because it
    is unsafe, in our opinion, to reveal and not cost effective.
        No. 717, Eliminate Social Security Law Inequities Known as
    ``The Notch'', rejected in favor of Resolution 639.
        No. 718, Establish a New U.S. Department of Veterans
    Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Northern Virginia, rejected again
    because we feel it is a local issue.
        No. 719, To Help the Victims of Agent Orange and other
    Defoliants, rejected in favor of Resolution 660.
        I have two Resolutions that are not in the packet, and
    again we recommend rejection.
        No. 722, The Gulf War Veterans Blood Ban, rejected. The
    Committee felt it was not VFW policy to dictate medical
    determinations.
        No. 723 is not in the packet and it is entitled ``VA Grave
    Markers,'' rejected in favor of Resolution 724.
        Commander, this concludes the Resolutions that are
    recommended for rejection by your Committee. I again ask the
    delegates if there are any Resolutions from this group which
    they wish to set aside.
        Back to No. 630, Herbicide Exposure, we rejected it in
    favor of 660. That is 630. We rejected it in favor of No. 660.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    Resolutions of the Committee to reject, which will
    automatically be done unless you make a motion to adopt.
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE ERNEST GLYNN (Post 7327--Virginia): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I wish Resolution 717 be set aside.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You will have to make a motion
    to adopt Resolution 717.
        COMRADE ERNEST GLYNN (Post 7327--Virginia): I make a motion
    to adopt Resolution 717.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE RICHARD PIGNONE (Post 3173--California): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I am Richard Pignone, Post 3173, Commander
    of the Department of California, seconds that motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second to adopt Resolution 717. On the question.
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE ERNEST GLYNN (Post 7327--Virginia): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I wish to inform my comrades about this
    very important question. You have no Resolution in my humble
    opinion before this Convention today more important to every
    man, woman and child in America than the Social Security
    ``Notch Law''.
        In the law originally of 1937, one percent of the wages, up
    to $3,000, was deducted. This has been amended through the four
    decades of this operation so that now 7.65 percent from
    employers and 7.65 percent from employees, a total of 15.3
    percent, and this money has been more than adequate to
    carefully fund the Social Security operation.
        However, in 1977, the Social Security ``Notch Law'' was
    erroneously conceived to be going bankrupt in the year 2020.
    Therefore, those persons born after 1 January, 1917, and later
    amended through the year 1921 and 1926, were cheated out of
    their earned employment benefits, otherwise known as Social
    Security ``Notch Law'', to the total of $2,200 and more.
        Currently, there is more money in the Social Security
    ``Notch Law'' than is needed to pay-as-you-go basis. Resolution
    No. 639, which was adopted by your Committee, and I respect the
    operations of that Committee, it is not definitely positive. I
    offer these to be positive, be done by the 16,000 delegates to
    this Convention, because the Social Security Administration, as
    of August 15, 1994, was established as an independent agency.
        By that action, 12 persons have now been nominated to a
    Commission of outside experts that will meet in Washington,
    D.C., on the 16th of December. I am on the Speaker's list for
    that to tell them that we think that here in this Convention
    that the Social Security ``Notch Law'' should be amended to do
    three things: restore the benefits of those in the ``Notch
    Law'' four percent, 1917 through 1926, to those that were
    existing in turn to entitlements before that 1977 law went into
    effect.
        Secondly, those government agencies, those state agencies,
    those persons, those individuals who made the loan from the
    Social Security ``Notch Law'', escrow account, should be
    invited to pay back the money they borrowed from that. If you
    make me a loan, Comrade Commander-in-Chief, and I say I am
    going to pay it back, by George, I think you have a right to
    expect me to pay it back.
        I think that we should have a right to ask the General
    Accounting Office to say who done those wrongs, where they are,
    and invite them now to pay that back and put it into the fund
    before we start cheating people in the sundown of their life
    out of the money they thought they were going to have, the
    money that they were planning to give to their children.
        Comrade Commander-in-Chief, if we have the integrity of
    this great organization totally strong, if we have the
    integrity, and if we have the courage to go forward with this
    and say we feel this way, not only for the members of our
    organization and our sisters in the Auxiliary, let us do the
    honorable thing and quit cheating those people by the Federal
    Government.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrade, I think we got your
    point. I will give you two minutes to summarize what you are
    trying to say.
        COMRADE ERNEST GLYNN (Post 7327--Virginia): All right. Two
    minutes in summary, let's restore what they said they were
    going to have. Let's have an actuary to complete what they will
    have to pay and be on a pay-as-you-go basis. From the actuaries
    that I have been told are in the Congressional Record, people
    who are actually in the field as actuaries, say that five
    percent from the employer and five percent from the employee, a
    total of ten percent, is adequate.
        Let's go back on that, and two years from now let's take
    the crystal ball and let's throw away the broken mirrors, and
    let's go on the actual facts that are reported at that time and
    say whether we need it or whether we don't need it, not when
    somebody is running for office.
        Remember, 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives
    and one-third of the members of the Senate stand for election
    between now and November of this year. Give them the message
    when they ask for your vote to do something for us and quit
    cheating us, and send down the word. I heartily thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: My comrade, I think we all agree
    with you and the reason, as you so strongly put it, the reason
    that the Committee rejected this Resolution was in favor of
    Resolution No. 639, which they felt had a stronger message than
    Resolution No. 717.
        I will call on the Chairman to speak to that at this time.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOLT: I am not the speaker, I just
    agree with everything that the comrade said. We just got a
    better Resolution. That is all.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anything else? The motion is to
    adopt 717. As I said, we have passed 639, which is already
    stronger. So all those in favor of adopting Resolution 717 will
    signify by the sign of ``aye''; those opposed ``no''. The
    ``nays'' have it. It is so ordered.
        Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE JIM LINEBERGER (Post 4103--California): I make a
    motion to adopt Resolution No. 722.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: There is a motion on the floor.
    Is there a second?
        COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 6061--Colorado): I second the
    motion. Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I understand there will be
    an amendment offered. I suggest it be offered and we take it
    with the amended Resolution.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, there is a motion and
    a second on the floor. Let me ask you, are you making a motion
    to amend what he just said or what?
        COMRADE JIM LINEBERGER (Post 4103--California): Yes, I am.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Go ahead and make your motion to
    amend.
        COMRADE DENISE NICHOLS (Post 4171--Colorado): Commander-in-
    Chief, I am Denise Nichols, Post 4171, Colorado. Our amendment,
    if you have the Resolution, if you will read it first, then I
    will offer the amendment.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Go ahead and read it.
        COMRADE JIM LINEBERGER (Post 4103--California): What I am
    going to do, Commander-in-Chief, is read the original
    Resolution first, and I will attempt to read the proposed
    amendment that was handed to us earlier.
        Resolution No. 722, Gulf War Veterans Blood Ban.
        ``WHEREAS, in 1991, a coalition of nations led by the
    United States participated in Operation Desert Shield Storm to
    liberate the nation of Kuwait from Iraqi armed forces; and
        ``WHEREAS, upon return home from the Southwest Asia Theater
    of Operations, many veterans began to experience a moderate
    amount of severe health problems, commonly known as Gulf War
    Syndrome; and
        ``WHEREAS, the cause of the veterans health problems may
    result in multiple exposures to smoke, pollution, pesticides,
    chemical and biological weapons, experimental vaccines,
    depleted uranium and leishmaniasis; and
        ``WHEREAS, as several hundred veterans have died of Gulf
    War Syndrome and many spouses, children and family members of
    Persian Gulf veterans are also experiencing symptoms of the
    Gulf War Syndrome;
        ``NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National
    Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
    that we support national and state legislation to ban blood,
    plasma, tissue, sperm, egg and organ donations from Persian
    Gulf veterans, and that the ban should remain in place until
    such time that medical research can prove without a shadow of a
    doubt that the Gulf War Syndrome is not a communicable
    illness.''
        Now, the proposed amendment, I am just going to attempt to
    read the ``Be It Resolved.''
        ``BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support
    national and state legislation to seek and support the
    immediate testing of Desert Storm veterans for biologic,
    chemical and radiation exposure; and
        ``BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars
    of the United States supports a national policy and efforts to
    protect the public from exposure to the Persian Gulf War
    veterans based on the findings of test results, and that the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States support
    reinstating a ban on blood and body donations from this group
    of veterans until all medical and health questions on
    biological exposure are answered.''
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: That is the amendment that you
    are speaking about. Is there a second to the amendment?
        COMRADE JOHN SPORTSMAN (Post 6747--California): I second
    the amendment as read.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You have heard the amendment to
    the motion. Now, on the question. This is on the amendment.
    Does someone want to say something on the amendment?
        Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE DENISE NICHOLS (Post 4171--Colorado): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I am a nurse and I have a Master's Degree.
    I have served in Desert Storm. I have been very active in this
    issue over the past year and one-half, and have made many trips
    to Washington at the National Institute of Health and Senator
    Riegle's hearings.
        Senator Riegle has produced a report about this that was
    released on May 24th. It is quite large. His work is not done.
    I can't tell you some of the things I know from him, because we
    have to let the Senator handle this from the best possible way.
        He addressed the issues of biological chemical
    contamination. He felt that the Vietnam vet that is his staffer
    on this, who served in Vietnam who wrote this report, they
    definitely feel that we probably had a biological chemical
    exposure. They are calling us the toxic cocktail veterans.
        We have people that are showing symptoms that did not go
    over there. We have people that dealt with our equipment when
    it came back from the Gulf that never went over there. A
    Vietnam veteran out of Sharp Army Depot that dealt with our
    equipment is having problems.
        I can tell you more, but I am kind of held back because
    Senator Riegle's staffers asked me to hold back a little bit.
    Also, we have veterans' families, the spouses reporting
    problems. We have the children being born, which you are
    already aware, similar to Agent Orange problems, with birth
    defects, health problems.
        I have a daughter who will turn eight on November 4th,
    Election Day. She was four when I left. Guys, I am a little
    worried she is showing some of the symptoms I first
    experienced. I am trying to remain calm, professional about it.
    This is not an unusual story across the nation.
        I spend a lot of money on phone bills talking to vets and
    trying to support them and all hope that things will move
    ahead. We need the VFW to champion our cause. You are comrades
    from previous wars who have bits and pieces from radiation from
    Agent Orange.
        We need your expertise to help us champion this cause. We
    are very concerned about the public health. We don't want to
    contaminate you by you getting blood or by you having an organ
    that may be donated by a vet. A lot of our vets are not as
    fully informed as the ones of us that are going to Washington
    and speak out.
        We are standing out there and being brave. We are putting
    our lives out there again, and we need you behind us. I
    remember the motto of this organization and the Malta Cross,
    ``To Honor our Dead is for us to Serve the Living.'' Let's do
    it now and protect the public.
        Redbook just had an extremely excellent article come out
    this September. This brand new article, we have had it on major
    news shows, we have had it on major magazines. What more can we
    do to get the issue out there? We are the ones suffering. We
    are asking you to support us.
        I can go on and on. I will tell you that we had no
    biological warning devices, we had no protection from that
    equipment. On February 9th, Senator Riegle released, and
    included on the May 24th report, pages upon pages of biological
    agents that this country alone, not to mention France, England
    or any other country, had sent to Iraq up until eight days
    before Sadam Hussein invaded Kuwait.
        We had no detection equipment, no protective gear for them.
    Let's do the right thing. Please, VFW comrades, support me in
    this. I want to protect you and your loved ones. I want to get
    the answers from the Desert Storm vets. We have got to work at
    maximum speed if this is a biological issue.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. Before we go into any
    further debate, I would like to call on the Chairman of the
    Committee to explain the Committee's reasons for rejection.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOLT: On the subject we are
    debating now, she is doing an excellent job of it, No. 722, the
    Gulf War Veteran Blood Ban, we rejected it. The Committee
    rejected it simply because it is not VFW policy to dictate
    medical determination.
        Now, furthermore, we all know on the Committee that this
    Resolution came from the Department of California, adopted at
    their Convention. It was assigned to the Medical Group
    Subcommittee 1. The subcommittee recommended, after a lot of
    study, rejection of this Resolution as it is not VFW policy to
    dictate medical determinations.
        This determination, in our opinion, is in the purview of
    the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, the
    National Institute of Health and the American Medical
    Association. It is also noted in Committee deliberations that
    the discussions phase of this Resolution, if approved as
    written, a Persian Gulf veteran would be barred from donating,
    for example, an organ, kidney, et cetera, to a family member
    who might perish without such donation.
        The ``Be It Resolved'' also states that medical research be
    able to ``prove without a shadow of a doubt'' that Gulf War
    Syndrome is not a communicable disease or illness. There is
    absolutely no absolutes in medical research.
        Commander-in-Chief, that is the reason for the Committee's
    action.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE RICHARD PIGNONE (Post 3173--California): I rise in
    favor of this proposal by the lady. The only thing I can see
    wrong with it is that they are the ones that are carrying this
    disease. They are trying to tell us, comrades, not to use their
    blood, not to use their parts in order to protect us.
        This thing has been going on down in Washington, D.C. It
    may not be our policy, but we are signing up these young people
    and we have got to show them that we stand by them. If they are
    asking us to help in this cause, I see no reason that we
    shouldn't, because it will affect us if we say go ahead and
    give us their blood and give us their body parts and our
    children and our families can suffer.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE JIM LINEBERGER (Post 4103--California): I am Jim
    Lineberger, once again, Post 4103, South San Francisco and
    District Manager of District No. 12, Northern California. It
    was through my District and the Department of California that
    this Resolution was presented.
        Before getting into my reasons for your support of this
    Resolution, I would like to say at the outset that over the
    past couple of days, those of us who have been directly
    concerned and involved in this Resolution have approached many
    Departments, State Departments at this Convention.
        I want to thank you very, very much for your courtesies,
    for your understandings and I hope, comrades, when it comes
    down to the vote that you will support California because we do
    feel very, very strongly about this issue. Now, the matter at
    hand, in fact, in my District, the Department of California, I
    have over 1,500 Desert Storm and Persian Gulf veterans who are
    members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        They have come to the Department of California by way of
    the 12th District and said this is something that is sorely
    needed. We don't profess to be physicians, chemists or anything
    of the sort. We are interested in humanitarian aspects of this.
        We are simply trying, as Commander Pignone pointed out, to
    carry out the wishes of those in our ranks who are personally
    acquainted with this problem. I would also like to advise that
    in the last three days I have had an opportunity to speak
    personally with the closest aide and advisor to Congressman
    Montgomery.
        I want to say this, that the House of Representatives and
    the Congress of the United States has appropriated $56 million
    to look into this problem. This Bill has now been approved by
    the House. It has been passed on to the Senate. It will no
    doubt be decided by a Committee of the Senate and the House.
        We know that there are a lot of Desert Storm and Persian
    Gulf veterans out there. We want to protect them and we want to
    protect you. There will be others speaking on this Resolution.
    Please give us your support and your consideration. We thank
    you so much for your attention.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE JOHN BURNS (Post 2097--Connecticut): I wish to
    speak in favor of the motion. It was many years ago when the
    State of Connecticut brought a Resolution on Agent Orange
    defoliant and it is the National Officers on the Committee that
    voted against it.
        With a lengthy debate on the floor, we were the first
    veterans organization to go on record favoring legislation for
    Agent Orange. I wish we would be the first organization going
    on record in favor of this Resolution.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE FLOYD VOLKER (Post 1660--California): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, my name is Floyd Volker, Post 1660,
    Sacramento, California, District 17. First of all, the
    amendment does not dictate to the Veterans of Foreign Wars
    about taking this on personally and making themselves
    vulnerable.
        What it does is it takes our veterans that come to us for
    help, and what we are doing is supporting the legislative
    branch and getting behind them to get that blood tested. To
    answer the question that our young men that came back from the
    Persian Gulf, and some of them don't even talk about it, we are
    answering their pertinent question, that they want to be tested
    and they want to be known.
        That is the main point here. They are just asking for it.
    We didn't know how to do it. We came here and we talked to the
    experts. A lot of the Commanders are behind it. Let's make the
    VFW support it and get that money appropriated and get the men
    in to be tested for the specific things we are asking for.
    Thank you very much.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE RICHARD FITZGERALD (Post 7721--Florida): I stand to
    support this with a very free statement of an adage taught to
    me many years ago, that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound
    of cure. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anyone else?
        Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE DEAN LUNDHOLM (Post 5888--California): I am the one
    that wrote the original Resolution. I will have to apologize
    for not knowing what the VFW policy is. We have not been in the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars very long. We are begging for your
    help to know why we are sick, why our spouses are sick, why our
    children are sick.
        Do they want to pay us off with compensation? Yes, we need
    compensation. My only income is $100 a month in food stamps,
    which I have got to sit there in Safeway and be degraded every
    time I use them. Yes, it is a little personal issue. Yes, it is
    a little touchy issue.
        These wounds are fresh and salt doesn't help. We want to
    protect the American people. That is what we signed up to do.
    We want the VFW to be the crusaders in this battle, regardless
    of what their past policy has been.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you.
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE JOHN STEPHENSON (Post 3031--Arkansas): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I am a Vietnam veteran and I would like to
    speak in favor of this. The CDC years ago, or not even that
    long ago, came out and took millions of our taxpayers' dollars
    only to turn around and tell the government they weren't
    qualified to do a study on Agent Orange.
        If they are not qualified to do a study on Agent Orange,
    they sure are not qualified to do one on the Gulf problem. We
    need the medical people to find out what in the world is wrong
    with this problem and get it corrected now.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE CLYDE DAVIS (Post 1604--Illinois): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, Clyde Davis, Post 1604, Department of
    Illinois. I move the previous question.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. Is there a second to
    move the question?
        Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE FRANZ WEDEMANN (Post 2828--California): I second
    it.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, there is a motion and
    a second to get on with the vote. We are just voting on the
    amendment first, to get the amendment on the floor for a vote.
    All those in favor will say ``aye''; those opposed ``no''. The
    ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        We will now vote on the amended Resolution. It was
    incorporated with the ``Therefore, Be It Resolved.'' All those
    in favor of the amended Resolution, as it was read here,
    signify by the sign of--we have stopped debate already.
        COMRADE JACK VRTJAK (Post 1612--Illinois): The motion was
    to put the question. We should have been voting on putting the
    question, not voting on the amendment. We should be voting on
    the amendment as the second vote.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: We were now voting on the
    amended motion, is that correct? You-all are starting to
    confuse me. I thought this motion was to adopt the Resolution,
    as amended, correct? All those in favor of adopting the
    Resolution as amended, as it was amended, signify by the sign
    of ``aye''; all those opposed to the contrary. The ``ayes''
    have it. It is so ordered.
        No. 720 has been adopted as amended. Are there any further
    motions to adopt Resolutions that were suggested for rejection?
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE DOMINIC RAMONO (Post 7330--Connecticut): Commander,
    under a personal privilege, I was on the floor prior to the
    count of the vote on the Social Security ``Notch Law'',
    Resolution 717. I would like to speak in favor of 717, because
    there was only one speaker.
        Irregardless of that, whether I get recognized to speak
    after the vote, I am here to question the vote. It was a voice
    vote. It seemed like the ``ayes'' have it, and I am asking for
    reconsideration of that vote.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The Chair was not in doubt. That
    Resolution 717 was rejected. If you want to move for
    reconsideration, you have to be on the prevailing side.
        COMRADE DOMINIC RAMONO (Post 7330--Connecticut): I am
    asking for a recall.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You did not vote in favor of
    rejection, right? Then you cannot do that. Is there anyone
    else, someone who would like to perhaps make a motion to adopt
    a Resolution that we rejected on Veterans Service? There is
    nothing.
        Are you done, Mr. Chairman?
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOLT: Yes.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To you
    and your Committee, you are now discharged.
        I would like to call on the Director of Parades, Bob Brady,
    for his awards.
        COMRADE GLENN TUCKER (Post 7327--Virginia): Comrade
    Commander, I rise for a point of personal privilege, if you
    please.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: State your rank, serial number
    and state your point.
        COMRADE GLENN TUCKER (Post 7327--Virginia): I am from Post
    7327, Springfield. I stood at this microphone purposely to ask
    that Resolution No. 718 be set aside so that I could bring
    something before this Convention. It is a separate Resolution
    and it has not been discussed here on the Convention floor.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Are you making a motion?
        COMRADE GLENN TUCKER (Post 7327--Virginia): I make a motion
    to grant us that privilege.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: To adopt 718, is that what you
    are saying?
        COMRADE GLENN TUCKER (Post 7327--Virginia): Yes, 718, a
    motion to adopt.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        COMRADE DOMINIC RAMONO (Post 7330--Connecticut): I second
    it.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I will take the second. But if
    you don't mind, I would like a point of personal privilege
    since I introduced somebody to do some awards, I will not
    forget you. I want you to do these awards. Some of these units
    have early flights this afternoon, and we would like to give
    them their awards before they leave. We will bring this right
    back after the awards.

              NATIONAL MARCHING UNITS AND PARADE COMMITTEE WINNERS

        COMRADE ROBERT BRADY (Post 7090--Pennsylvania): Commander-
    in-Chief, our awards to the units that won during the period of
    our contest that started Monday through Wednesday are as
    follows:
        The winner of our Senior VFW Color Guard was Aurora Silver
    Rifles, VFW Post 2629, Aurora, Ohio.
        The Senior Ladies VFW Auxiliary Color Guard was District 6
    VFW Ladies Auxiliary Department of Arkansas.
        The winner of our Junior ROTC Color Guard, Regulation
    Drill, was won by the male unit from Upson Lee High School,
    NJROTC, VFW Post 6447, Thomaston, Georgia. Accepting for them
    will be the Department Commander since this unit had to fly
    home yesterday.
        The winner of our Junior ROTC Armed Drill Team was from
    Griffing High School, Male, Army JROTC, sponsored by VFW Post
    5448 and 8480, Griffin, Georgia.
        The winner of our Junior ROTC Unarmed Drill Team was the
    female unit from Basix High School, VFW Post 3848, Henderson,
    Nevada. This is a Marine Corps Junior ROTC Unit.
        The winner of the Junior Open Field Contest, from Rubidoux
    High School, Air Force Junior ROTC, VFW Post 8632, Riverside,
    California. Rubidoux is also declared the National Champion
    Overall Junior ROTC Unit as they achieved the highest scores
    during the period of our contests.
        The Best All-Girl Junior ROTC Color Guard was the All-Girl
    Unit representing Griffin High School Army Junior ROTC, VFW
    Posts 5448 and 8480, from Griffin, Georgia.
        This is the Best All-Girl Junior ROTC Rifle Drill Team.
    This was won by Upson Lee High School Junior ROTC, VFW Post
    6447, Thomaston, Georgia. Accepting is the Department
    Commander.
        A Special Judge's Award goes to the Top Hats, VFW Post 92,
    New Kensington, Pennsylvania.
        At the Patriotic Rally last evening, the Best Appearing
    Senior Men's VFW Color Guard, the Silent Sixteens, VFW Post
    6933, Darien, Connecticut.
        Last night at the Patriotic Rally, the Best Appearing
    Senior Ladies VFW Auxiliary Color Guard was the Happy Dayettes,
    VFW Post 7591 Auxiliary, Madison, Wisconsin. Do we have a
    representative from Wisconsin that will accept, please?
        Assisting us this morning was the First Sergeant Dusalle of
    the Eighth Division. Thank you for your attention and that is
    the extent of my report, Commander-in-Chief. For those of you
    who might be interested, the Ritual Team contest will begin at
    2:00 o'clock. We have three teams. The contest will be held in
    this hotel in Ballroom B. Thank you.

         REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON VETERANS SERVICE RESOLUTIONS (CONT'D.)

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Now, if the maker of the motion
    is still here, the one that set aside 718, are you still here?
    Let me say that in checking with the Sergeant-at-Arms at the
    microphone, you were present at the time we asked for any
    additional Resolutions to be either set aside or to be voted
    upon and have been rejected.
        Because I have already discharged the Committee and because
    I think that we have given you ample time to respond to
    anything, I am going to rule your motion out of order. I will
    do this, I will give you two minutes to say anything you want
    pertaining to that Resolution as a point of personal privilege.
        That is only to speak about it. We will not take any action
    on it. I am sure that you are going to speak for two minutes.
    The microphone is now on.
        COMRADE GLENN TUCKER (Post 7327--Virginia): I rise to ask
    that reconsideration be given even though the Committee may
    have been discharged. We have asked repeatedly in these
    Conventions for----
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Sir, the motion was rejected. To
    bring it up under reconsideration, you would have to be on the
    prevailing side of the rejection. I do not think you are. Do
    you have anything else?
        COMRADE GLENN TUCKER (Post 7327--Virginia): No, I couldn't
    because there was a little confusion at this podium. I do wish
    to speak on this Resolution. That is one of the things I came
    to this Convention for.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I will give you two minutes; you
    have used 20 seconds.
        COMRADE GLENN TUCKER (Post 7327--Virginia): 220,000 now
    veterans live in the 50-mile radius of the Washington Monument.
    We have been promised a VA medical facility to serve those war
    wounds, disease and injuries, created or aggravated by a
    military service. No such facility exists.
        We are told we can go to Baltimore, Martinburg, Richmond or
    Irving Street. Those are areas of high crime, those are areas
    where it is a financial hardship for the individual veterans to
    go or ask a member of his family to transport him there. It is
    risky to be in the District of Columbia after dark. We no
    longer have the financial resources to pay for our own medical
    attention.
        We have asked in this Resolution to have a medical
    facility, to be owned and operated by the U.S. Department of
    Veterans of Foreign Affairs, be established in the vacant
    facilities now available in the federal domain in that area
    before they hand it out to private industry or for breeding and
    development of those people who are interested in making a fast
    buck.
        I ask this Convention, I ask your Committee, I ask everyone
    in the Veterans of Foreign Wars to consider the need, the
    hardship and the physical problem these persons have. There are
    more than 150,000 veterans over the age of 65 that live in my
    own County of Fairfax, Virginia.
        Now, 880,000 people live there. The criteria established in
    1960 is out of date and must be revised. The VA knows that.
    They say, ``Well, Glenn, you have the requirements''----
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, my comrade. I have
    given you two minutes and I believe the delegation at this
    Convention have already voiced their opinion on this
    Resolution.
        I next call on the Chairman of the General Resolutions
    Committee, Past Commander-in-Chief Jack Carney.

                   REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON GENERAL RESOLUTIONS

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN CARNEY: Boy, it is refreshing
    to follow the Veterans Service Committee. It is great. I would
    like at this time to recognize the Committee, and certainly I
    want to give recognition to our Vice-Chairman Norman G. Staab
    from Kansas.
        Certainly, Commander-in-Chief, I want to thank you very
    much for appointing such a professional, knowledgeable and
    dedicated Committee as this General Resolutions Committee. I
    will now present the Resolutions that have been approved for
    you at this time.
        Resolution No. 301. Resolution 303 was amended. Resolution
    304, Resolution 309, Resolution 310, Resolution 311, Resolution
    319, Resolution 320, Resolution 322, Resolution 323, as
    amended; Resolution No. 324, Resolution No. 325, Resolution
    327, Resolution 329, Resolution 330, Resolution 331, and a new
    Resolution that was presented to our Committee this morning,
    Resolution 332, National Convention Parade Alternatives. These
    are the ones that we recommend approval.
        Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I move that these Resolutions
    be approved.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE DAVID GREANEY (Post 7420--California): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. Are there any Resolutions that you would
    like to have set aside?
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE PHIL ANDERSON (Post 284--Washington, D.C.): I would
    like to set aside Resolution 310.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anything else?
        Microphone No. 2, I am not sure if you want to be
    recognized or just exercising.
        COMRADE JOSEPH RELLS (Post 856--Texas): The last
    Resolution, 332 that was brought in this morning, can we have
    that read? I am not familiar with it.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: I will read the ``Be It
    Resolved.''
        ``BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that a Patriotic
    Rally be held as an alternative to the Annual Military Parade
    at the 96th National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona; and
        ``BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Council of
    Administration be empowered to decide annually if a military
    parade or an alternative form of patriotic salute will be held
    during the next National Convention and that such decision be
    made at the October meeting of the National Council of
    Administration and promptly promulgated throughout the
    organization in the General Orders and the VFW Magazine.''
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anything else? We will now vote
    on the question. All those in favor of the Committee's
    recommendation for the Resolutions to be adopted, with the
    exception of Resolution 310, will signify by the usual sign of
    ``aye''; those opposed ``no''. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so
    ordered.
        Now, would somebody like to bring up Resolution 310 for
    debate?
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE PHIL ANDERSON (Post 284--Washington, D.C.):
    Resolution 310 is, in fact, a political instrument involving a
    sensitive and highly political issue. It is not germane to the
    long-standing policy and principles of the VFW. In order to
    maintain our political neutrality, I move rejection of
    Resolution No. 310. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The motion is out of order. We
    understand your debate. We already have a motion on the floor
    to accept. You should be debating why you don't want it
    accepted. Anything else?
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE CLAUDIO PEDERY (Post 5471--Washington, D.C.):
    Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I would like to give you a brief
    background why I am opposed. We revolted against Great
    Britain's taxation without representation. Ladies and
    gentlemen, we pay tax in the District of Columbia, but we don't
    have representation in the Congress. We don't have a delegate.
    Comrades and Commander-in-Chief, we need that. We would like to
    oppose that opposition.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Do you suggest that this
    Resolution not be accepted? Let me read the ``Be It Resolved.''
        It says, ``BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention
    of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we
    oppose statehood as an unconstitutional approach and ask our
    Representatives in Congress to strongly defeat any act that
    they may be confronted with in the future.''
        Anybody else?
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE PHIL ANDERSON (Post 284--Washington, D.C.): We
    oppose that, Commander-in-Chief. I guess we have 700,000 people
    in the District of Columbia. Many of us are Veterans of Foreign
    Wars. Why don't you help us defeat this Resolution? We need
    also representation in Congress. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. Anyone else?
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE STAN KOLNIAK (Post 2238--Louisiana): I speak in
    favor of the Resolution. Could we have that Resolution read in
    its entirety? I think that it would explain many of the issues
    that would be questionable to the comrades present.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: ``WHEREAS, the majority of
    the citizens in this beloved Republic honor and adhere to the
    United States Constitution; and
        ``WHEREAS, a certain segment of politicians in Congress and
    the news media are promoting efforts to establish another state
    forum our Federal District of Columbia; and
        ``WHEREAS, granting statehood to the nation's capital is
    inconsistent with Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the
    Constitution which designates a neutral district outside the
    boundaries of any State where the capital city is to be
    located; and
        ``WHEREAS, if the District of Columbia were to be granted
    statehood, the specific terms of Maryland's secession of 1791
    would be violated inasmuch as the State of Maryland seated land
    to fulfill the land requirement of the federal district serving
    as the national seat of government and not for any other
    purpose; and
        ``WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 3, Clause 1 of the
    Constitution states that no new state shall be formed or
    erected within the jurisdiction of any other State; and
        ``WHEREAS, if the call for lack of representation was real,
    then an alternative consideration could be to retrocede the
    District of Columbia back to the State of Maryland, save a
    reduced Federal Enclave, and those current citizens that were
    seated into Maryland would enjoy a full and equal voice in
    national affairs; and
        ``WHEREAS, this ten-mile square area lacks the economic
    base to support a state and does not contain an independent
    economy to sustain its own government furthermore shows its
    impractical application, so be it now, therefore,
        ``BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States that we oppose
    statehood as an unconstitutional approach and ask our
    Representatives in Congress to strongly defeat any act that
    they may be confronted with in the future.''
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE THOMAS PIERCE (Post 9566--Massachusetts): While I
    agree with all of the statements that were just made as part of
    that Resolution and I don't disagree with the gentleman who was
    in favor of not defeating this Resolution, I do think that it
    ought to be defeated.
        I think that the reason it should be defeated, it is a
    political problem, and I don't think that the VFW wants to be
    entering into political problems that don't have to deal with
    veterans.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE JOHN LEWIS (Post 4061--Colorado): I move the
    question.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Let me do one thing before I
    accept Microphone No. 3's motion. The gentleman asked at
    Microphone No. 1 that the Resolution be read first. He didn't
    have an opportunity to speak on the motion. I will allow
    Microphone No. 1 to speak.
        COMRADE STAN KOLNIAK (Post 2238--Louisiana): Thank you,
    Chief. First of all, comrades, this is not a political
    question. The political question is on the other side of the
    proposal to make a statehood out of federal territory. This is
    unconstitutional.
        You cannot form a state from a federal enclave. This
    proposal of statehood of being made by a single vote of
    Congress. That is not correct. It cannot be. I think that it is
    a Resolution that pretty well bears out the reasons for it. It
    is a Constitutional question.
        The support of the Resolution, as voted in the Committee,
    was to mainly retain what we had today, period. In addition,
    just think of our own state. What type of industries and how
    many industries does it have? They are many and various. D.C.
    does not.
        In other words, would you concur in voting a statehood for
    very large city? I mean, that area is not even as large as the
    county that you live in. What is that going to open up? In
    addition, the 23rd Amendment that was voted on is contrary to
    statehood.
        In other words, that amendment was voted and delegated
    three votes, delegate votes, electoral votes. They acknowledged
    in their amendment, if you look up the history of that, that
    amendment acknowledges the existence of a federal enclave and
    no state could be formed from it.
        So, I mean there are many areas. Our forefathers brought
    about and created this seat of government, period. Are we going
    to turn around and stand against them? Not in any way unless we
    retain the status of what we have today as being the seat of
    government from the federal government. And in addition some of
    these people mentioned, you know, they don't have negative
    voices, and so on. Maryland voted and gave us this seat. If
    they want any kind of voting privileges, they can always
    recede.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The Chair will now accept the
    motion made from Microphone No. 3 to move the previous
    question. Is there a second to move the previous question?
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE RUSSELL VILLWOCK (Post 3579--Illinois): I second
    the motion to move the previous question.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. Comrades, all those
    in favor of moving the previous question will signify by the
    sign of ``aye''; those opposed ``no''. The ``ayes'' have it. It
    is so ordered.
        We will now have the motion before us. The motion is to
    adopt this Resolution, which keeps the District of Columbia the
    way it is today. If you vote ``yes'', that is the way it is. If
    you vote ``no'', what you are saying is that you want the
    District of Columbia to become a state.
        All those in favor of adopting the motion will signify by
    the sign of ``aye''; those opposed ``no''. The ``ayes'' have
    it. It is so ordered.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: The Committee has
    recommended rejection of the following Resolutions:
        Resolution 302, Resolution 305; Resolutions 306, 307, 308,
    312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 321, 326, 328.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Unless someone moves to adopt
    one of these rejected Resolutions, they will be rejected.
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE LARRY BENDER (Post 788--Iowa): I make a motion that
    General Resolution No. 302 be approved.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: There is a motion. Is there a
    second?
        COMRADE ROBERT MATHIESEN (Post 8486--Iowa): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You have heard the motion and
    the second. Now, on the question.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: Comrade Commander-in-Chief,
    the Committee recognizes the fact of the POW/MIA stamp and they
    also recognize the fact that on November 24, 1970, a stamp was
    issued in recognition of the POW/MIA and that the Resolutions
    that have been introduced to this Convention have not been all-
    inclusive of World War II and Korea. For that reason, the
    Committee defeated the Resolution.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE LARRY BENDER (Post 788--Iowa): I will make this
    short. Resolution No. 302 does not encompass all. It does not
    take anybody out. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and delegates to
    this Convention have always been the champion of the POW/MIA
    issue.
        Unless we forget our comrades now, there have been reissues
    of other stamps in the past and there will be in the future. To
    remain to keep this issue before our assistants, I ask this
    motion be adopted.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Anything else? Any further
    discussion? All those in favor of adopting Resolution 302 will
    signify by the sign of ``aye''; all those opposed ``no''. The
    ``nays'' have it.
        Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for your work and the
    work of the Committee. Unfortunately, I can't discharge you.
    You have to get your full eight hours of day. You get all the
    catch-alls that might come up right now.
        Next I would like to call on Howard Vander Clute to give
    the Report on the Buddy Poppy Display Winners.

                  PRESENTATION OF BUDDY POPPY DISPLAY WINNERS

        ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE: This concerns the Buddy
    Poppy Display Winners. Let me tell you that we have 83 displays
    in the contest this year. That is the highest number of poppy
    displays that we have had in recent reporting at our National
    Conventions.
        Let me tell you that 50 percent of those 83 displays used
    painted and/or dyed poppies in the display. I just bring this
    to your attention because of the action of this Convention
    yesterday.
        Public Promotion of Poppy Sales, this is Category 1,
    window, booth, parade or Post displays, sales promotion, in 3rd
    Place is Wichita Memorial Post & Auxiliary 3115, Wichita,
    Kansas.
        In 2nd Place is Grand-Mesa Post & Auxiliary 9221,
    Cedaredge, Colorado.
        In 1st Place, naturally, Reddy-McClellan Post & Auxiliary
    8789, Bowie, Texas.
        In Category 2, Memorial or Inspirational Display, for
    example, wreaths, memorial tablets or plaques, patriotic or
    devotional themes, in 3rd Place is Howard M. Black Post and
    Auxiliary 1508, Lake Elsinore, California.
        In 2nd place, Casper Memorial Post and Auxiliary 9439,
    Casper, Wyoming.
        In 1st Place, naturally, Cole-Miers Post and Auxiliary
    3619, DeRidder, Louisiana.
        Category 3, Artistic or Decorative Use of Poppies. This is,
    for example, Post Home displays, table centerpieces, corsages,
    pictures, plaques, models, scenes, hats and novelty pieces,
    almost anything other than the two before mentioned are in this
    category.
        In 3rd Place, General W.W. Atterbury Post and Auxiliary
    3420, Newark, Delaware.
        In 2nd Place, Klemenic Nail Smith Post & Auxiliary 4663,
    Clifton, Colorado.
        And in 1st Place, naturally, South Portland Post and
    Auxiliary 832, South Portland, Maine.
        In Category 4, Memorial or Inspiration Displays by Junior
    Girls Units and Sons of the VFW Units.
        In 3rd Place was Wallis-Witcher Junior Girls Unit, VFW Post
    3031, Rogers, Arkansas.
        In 2nd Place, Collinsville Memorial Junior Girls Unit, VFW
    Post 5691, Collinsville, Illinois.
        In 1st Place, naturally, Category No. 4, is Richard J.
    Gross Sons Unit, VFW Post 8896, East Berlin, Pennsylvania.
        Honorable Mention, in Category 1, is Harper Erdman Post and
    Auxiliary 1548, Libby, Montana, and Chief Pontiac Post and
    Auxiliary 1699, Cahokia, Illinois.
        For Category No. 2, Honorable Mention goes to Hoevel-
    Barnett Post and Auxiliary 1341, Bull Shoals, Arkansas, and
    Paul McVey Post and Auxiliary 1592, Charleston, Illinois.
        In Category 3, Honorable Mention goes to Roscoe Post and
    Auxiliary 2955, Roscoe, Illinois, and Grandview Memorial Post
    and Auxiliary 8100, Grandview Missouri.
        Category No. 4, Honorable Mention goes to Olan Forest Smith
    Junior Girls Unit, VFW Post 8577, Copperas Cove, Texas, and
    Robert V. Lindsey Junior Girls Unit, VFW Post 10041, Bethel,
    Alaska.
        The awards for Directors, Joseph Monfort Post and Auxiliary
    9400, Sunnyslope, Arizona; Billy Krowse Post and Auxiliary
    9969, Del City, Oklahoma; Heart of the Lakes Post and Auxiliary
    1008, Waterford, Michigan; and Manheim Post and Auxiliary 5956,
    Manheim, Pennsylvania.
        Sergeant-at-Arms, will you escort the Commander-in-Chief to
    the front of the podium for special recognition to the over one
    million sales of poppies.
        The Over One Million Club was established several years ago
    to pay special recognition to the Departments whose poppy sales
    equaled and/or exceeded one million. This year's recipients
    are: Illinois, who led the nation in sales, with 1,211,000.
        They were followed by the Department of California, with
    1,193,500. Next was the Lone Star State of Texas, with
    1,109,500. Then the Department of Minnesota, with 1,013,185.
    And, finally, the Buckeye State of Ohio, with poppy sales of
    1,000,208. Congratulations to those that exceeded one million.
    This helps us, obviously, make our commitment to at least our
    manufacturer of approximately 18 million poppy sales annually.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Before we go into the Closing
    Ceremonies, is there anything else to be brought up before this
    Convention?
        I recognize Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): Comrade Commander-
    in-Chief, I move that we reconsider Resolution 213 that was
    passed by the delegates in yesterday's session.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Glen, what I have to do is to
    ask you if you were on the prevailing side when that happened?
        COMRADE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): I voted ``yes''.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        COMRADE RONALD RUSAKIEWICZ (Post 9460--Connecticut): I did
    vote on the prevailing side and I know of no other Resolution
    that needs to be reconsidered more than this. I second the
    motion for reconsideration.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You have heard the motion and
    the second. Is this the one on poppies?
        COMRADE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): Yes, sir.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The motion on the floor is to
    reconsider the decision about the color of the poppies being
    used in the displays. Now, on the question.
        DELEGATE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): If I may, sir,
    read the ``Resolved'' part of Resolution 213 as it was passed
    yesterday.
        ``BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that the `Buddy
    Poppy' remain in its original shape and color with only the tag
    removal permitted when used in displays.''
        COMRADE JOHN BUETTNER (Post 1699--Illinois): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I am asking for a motion that takes
    precedence over this one. It is a precedence over the motion.
    You must take a vote on the reconsideration.
        PARLIAMENTARIAN LAWRENCE MAHER (Post 7356--Missouri): He is
    debating the motion. As I understand it, the comrade from Texas
    is debating that.
        COMRADE JOHN BUETTNER (Post 1699--Illinois): When a motion
    for reconsideration is put before the delegation and seconded,
    it must be voted on before it is debated. There is no debate on
    the reconsideration before the vote.
        PARLIAMENTARIAN LAWRENCE MAHER (Post 7356--Missouri): I
    respectfully disagree. You can debate the motion to reconsider.
    He is debating the motion to reconsider. After the debate on
    the motion to reconsider, if the motion to reconsider is
    approved, then we will return to the main motion and debate the
    main motion and pass or fail on that basis.
        The motion to reconsider is debatable. As I understand it,
    the comrade from Texas is debating the motion to reconsider,
    and if anyone wants to get up and oppose the motion to
    reconsider, they may get up and debate that.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Continue, please, Microphone No.
    2.
        DELEGATE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): Thank you.
    Commander-in-Chief, I stand here, my comrades, asking that we
    reconsider Resolution 213, because I feel that the action of
    this Convention would, as it stands, greatly tie the hands of
    those that work so hard each and every day to put together the
    Buddy Poppy displays.
        We have now congratulated the Posts and Auxiliaries for the
    presentation of the flags to those that place and received
    Honorable Mention. On Resolution 213, most of these displays
    that have received awards today would not even qualify to be
    judged at next year's National Convention.
        Under Resolution 213, the Posts and Auxiliaries will use
    less poppies and more background material and we don't want
    that to happen. We want the poppy to be used in the displays. I
    think also, comrades, that this Resolution would create a
    decrease in the ordering of Buddy Poppies by the Posts and the
    Auxiliaries.
        We have had a decrease the last two years on the National
    level. The decrease in poppies doesn't sound like much, but you
    have got to remember that the revenue from these poppies goes
    to support National Service, the Department service funds.
        They go to support the National Home, and also goes to help
    the veterans in the hospitals that are putting these poppies
    together. I think that this Resolution also is contradictory
    due to the fact that the Resolution says if you can put a
    display together, you cannot color the poppy, but we can take
    off the tag that identifies it as a Veterans of Foreign Wars
    Buddy Poppy.
        That is ridiculous. If we are going to have this display,
    we have got to allow these comrades and sisters to have the
    freedom to continue to use the poppies and use and use it as it
    best portrays and puts together the displays they would like to
    have brought before this Convention. Thank you, Commander-in-
    Chief.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, Glen. Let me just say
    before I call on the next microphone, I don't know how many
    people had the opportunity to see many of the displays that are
    in the hall or have witnessed many of the displays over the
    past Conventions.
        I noticed that this year's Convention, as in prior years,
    many displays have the American flag in them. I wonder how we
    are going to display the American flag in all red.
        Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE RAY ORTMANN (Post 6498--Wisconsin): The entire body
    was here yesterday. The hall was full. We discussed it. I rise
    and object to reconsideration at this time. We talked when the
    hall was full, and now we have got a small nucleus in here and
    that is not right.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE RONALD RUSAKIEWICZ (Post 9460--Connecticut): I want
    to thank the good comrades for staying to take care of the
    business of this organization. If the hall is not full, that is
    not our fault. Comrade Commander-in-Chief and my good comrades,
    I would like to see this Resolution rejected.
        We need to reject this and reject it for a number of
    reasons. Number one, when the Posts and Auxiliaries buy their
    poppies they become the property of that Post and Auxiliary.
    Our Post buys 22,000 poppies. If we have 2,000 or 3,000 left
    over, we will make a display, and then we take the rest of them
    and we throw them out.
        So, we buy 22,000 more poppies next year. That is the
    purpose of the program. We say in the Buddy Poppy Program that
    the amount of poppies used in the display does not allow you to
    win an award or not. You see all the displays that say 2,000
    poppies. How many are there?
        Can you imagine if we are going to take away this
    Resolution, if we don't reject it, the ingenuity, the artistic
    ability, the creative work of the ladies and men who build
    these great patriotic displays, we all come here and at our
    State Conventions to view in awe; that will be gone.
        What is there now to look at? A red sky or a red sea or red
    grass. That is what this Resolution says. You will not be able
    to artistically use the poppies in the way you want to at the
    Posts. We revere our poppy and if we drop it on the floor we
    pick it up and we may even dust it off a little bit.
        We care about it. We probably revere it as much as we do
    our American flag, because it is the symbol of our hospitalized
    veterans and the veterans who won the wars. I think in this
    particular instance, if we don't defeat the Resolution, what we
    are really doing is we are giving more control or more
    protection to the Buddy Poppy than the United States gives to
    our flag.
        Comrades, we need to reject this and go on with having a
    great Convention in the Veterans of Foreign Wars with those
    poppy displays.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I would suggest and I would
    appreciate what has been said so far, that when people get up
    to speak on the reconsideration, that you speak on why we
    should or should not reconsider the motion.
        I now call on Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE JOHN BUETTNER (Post 1699--Illinois): I am speaking
    against this. Comrades, when the Chaplain finished his prayer
    this morning, he said ``Honor the Dead by Helping the Living.''
    The VFW has three emblems, the American Flag, the Cross of
    Malta and the Buddy Poppy.
        Since 1923, at the Enclave in Valley Forge when they
    adopted the poppy, they also honored the dead by helping the
    living. That is what it stood for. A certificate has been
    issued that the words ``Buddy Poppy'' cannot be used in any
    real or artificial flower by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        We have our poppy displays. And to the gentleman from
    Texas, I will say one thing. I talked to Comrade Senk out
    there. Walk out there and look at a couple of your 1st Place
    ones. They are beautiful painted all kinds of color. But,
    comrades, you should not worry about the sale of poppies. They
    are plastic poppies we have had for three years.
        So I don't go with our coloring. Illinois will go along
    with you on this. Right today, Illinois received four awards
    out there. I am proud of our state. We had 96 poppy displays in
    our Department Convention, using over 100,000 poppies this
    year.
        We are not against in Illinois telling them you can't,
    because National says you can't. We try to keep our competition
    with them. Over all the years I have been involved, since 1969,
    the Department of Illinois is far above and ahead of any other
    state to receive awards at the Convention without colored
    poppies.
        We don't need an artistic display, we don't need any
    professional show of floral displays. We need a Buddy Poppy
    display and a Buddy Poppy is a red poppy. As we go down the
    line, with all of the things you want to think about, there is
    no way that these men that put these together, I don't think
    anybody in our hospital will be very happy if we went and told
    them that I am going to buy 100,000 of these poppies but I am
    going to go out there and color 50,000 or 60,000 all different
    colors so they can look real pretty.
        Comrades, we do make displays that are beautiful with red
    and they will not hurt the sale of Buddy Poppies. It hasn't
    hurt the sale of poppies in the State of Illinois. We almost
    prohibit color, but very few do. I think we better revert to
    our original motion as we did yesterday and stand by our
    convictions and honor the dead by helping the living.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New Jersey): I had
    one thing in mind to speak about when I came down here, but
    after listening to the comrades that came before me I have
    something else I want to express.
        First of all, let me make it very clear that I am speaking
    in favor of reconsideration. In regards to what a comrade said
    earlier relative to the attendance this morning and the vote
    that was taken yesterday, I would simply say that these are the
    dedicated, interested working members of this organization who
    have the fortitude to remain until all of the business at this
    Convention is conducted. I have complete confidence they can
    make an appropriate decision on this matter if it is
    reconsidered. That is number one.
        Number two is we expect to sell 18 million poppies every
    year, and although as was pointed out there may be still some
    of the old craft plastic-coated poppies used in displays and
    painted, that is fine by me, because what we are doing is
    simply utilizing poppies and that they will purchase more.
        Number three is this organization, with your money and your
    indulgence, each year spends about $6 million of its annual
    budget on Veterans Service and community service, substantially
    over $6 million. The sale of Buddy Poppies, the revenue from
    that contributes, as you know, to Veterans Service, which has
    been pointed out before by the comrade from Connecticut and
    others who have spoken.
        That doesn't bother me one bit to go in there and look at
    those beautiful displays. Those displays are generally for our
    own use and to compete in a contest so they can be displayed
    here at our National Convention. We don't paint poppies and go
    out and sell them. That doesn't happen.
        We are simply using it as a means to promote the sales. If
    this makes an attractive display and allows the members of this
    organization, and particularly the members of the Ladies
    Auxiliary, and as you heard, the Junior Girls and the Sons of
    the VFW are to be used, their artistic talent and abilities to
    create these kinds of displays because they have an interest in
    the program, and it helps them understand why we sell the
    poppies in the first place.
        For heaven's sake, we are grown men. We understand that we
    need the revenue from the sale of poppies. What is wrong with
    allowing our organization to express itself memorially as they
    do by painting the poppies? The sale of poppies is what counts.
    We don't go out and sell them in any other color. I support
    reconsideration of this Resolution.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE M. R. GAOVETTE (Post 8681--Florida): I am in full
    support of reconsideration of Resolution 213. You know,
    comrades, if you stop and think, our Ladies Auxiliary, the
    backbone of this organization, does an awful lot of work for
    us.
        One of the few places they get to work is working in these
    Buddy Poppy displays. Now, do we want to take that away from
    them? The old saying is if it works, why fix it.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE WILLIAM RADIGAN (Post 3061--South Dakota): I am
    Bill Radigan, Post 3061, South Dakota, Chairman of the 1993-'94
    National Buddy Poppy Committee. I rise before you today in
    support of reconsideration of this motion. I think it is very
    important to the National Organization and every Post and
    Auxiliary within the organization.
        It is becoming more and more apparent to all of us that
    work in this program, and I have for many years like many of
    you, we have Posts and Auxiliaries that cannot go out on the
    street and sell poppies. It is so difficult for them, and it is
    so dangerous.
        In some places, they can't get into, and they can't get
    permission to sell. They can't get permission to go out on the
    streets. We have to provide them some kind of avenue to take
    part in this program. My comrades, I ask and I tell you there
    is nothing in the regulations that we have that say if they
    want to stay all red with their poppy display, they can stay
    all red.
        But our rules and regulations provide that they cannot use
    colored poppies. I would rather they use colored poppies than
    tissue paper. We have had great displays made out of poppies,
    made out of only poppies. I think we ought to be very serious
    when we consider telling people that maybe we will accept your
    display if you have four or five red poppies and a lot of
    tissue paper, instead of thousands of poppies in the display. I
    am for the thousands of poppies. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE RICHARD PIGNONE (Post 3173--California): I rise in
    favor of the motion. One of the things we must do and Howard is
    correct in what he said, and I am happy that he said them so I
    don't have to say it; I will say this, that one of the things
    why we get the poppies is to get out into the public and sell
    them out there.
        We wouldn't be able to if we colored them. They are red
    when we buy them, and we should have them red when we sell
    them. We do have it like that. I get out myself and sell
    poppies. The purpose and the reason for the Buddy Poppy is to
    meet the public and have the public look at me, that I am a
    veteran, I helped give you the freedom to buy the poppy or not
    to buy the poppy. That is the reason for it.
        What Howard said is if you have some left over and you want
    to make your display, you can color it whatever color you want.
    The main purpose is to get out there and ask for donations. We
    should not be selling them. We have to ask for donations. If we
    sell them, the IRS says give us your taxes. So donations is
    what we need. Thank you very much.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE PETER PUENTES (Post 10209--Florida): I move the
    previous question.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        COMRADE WILLIAM DOUGLAS (Post 1710--Arizona): I will second
    that motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The motion and the second is to
    move the previous question. All those in favor will signify by
    the sign of ``aye''; all those opposed. The ``ayes'' have it.
    It is so ordered.
        We will now vote on the motion. The motion is to reconsider
    the Resolution that you adopted to restrict the colors of the
    poppies. If you vote for this motion, it means that you can go
    in and reconsider what you have done. All those in favor of
    reconsidering will signify by the sign of ``aye''; all those
    opposed ``no''. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        Microphone No. 2.
        DELEGATE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): I move that we
    reject Resolution No. 213.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE RONALD RUSAKIEWICZ (Post 9460--Connecticut): I
    second that motion.
        PARLIAMENTARIAN LAWRENCE MAHER (Post 7356--Missouri): I am
    not certain that we need a motion at this time. We are
    reconsidering the Resolution that came through the Committee
    from the Department of Illinois, and that Resolution is to
    restrict the red Buddy Poppies.
        As I understand it, that is the Resolution that is before
    the house. We will debate that Resolution now and vote it up or
    down at the end of that debate.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Does anybody want to debate the
    motion that is in front of us to accept this Resolution 213?
    What you will have to do, if you want to accept this motion, as
    you previously did, if you want to keep it the way it is, to
    keep the color of the poppies in the red form only, you will
    vote ``yes'' again.
        If you are saying that the poppy displays that you allow
    people to color them, then you would vote ``no''. Does
    everybody understand that, ``yes'' for red poppies in the
    display and ``no'' to color the poppies in the display? Is
    there any more discussion?
        Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New Jersey): Again,
    we now have before us the question, as I understand, being
    returned to this body as a result of reconsideration. If I am
    correct, the Resolution that we are considering is to restrict
    the color of the Buddy Poppy to red.
        We can no longer paint them or dye them, or change the
    color for the purpose of displays. Is that correct, sir?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: That is correct.
        COMRADE HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New Jersey): Then,
    I urge the delegates in the interest of promoting the sale of
    Buddy Poppies, in the interest of helping disabled veterans, in
    the interest of making a substantial contribution to our
    National Home annually from sale of these poppies, and in the
    best interest of this organization to defeat the motion, to
    defeat the question that restricts us from coloring poppies.
    Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE RICHARD PIGNONE (Post 3173--California): I move in
    the same direction that Comrade Howard moved. I am in favor of
    the same thing. I want to bring it out so we can paint the
    Buddy Poppy, do what we want after the fact of selling them on
    the street. I am against the motion. I am in favor of rejecting
    the proposal.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE RONALD RUSAKIEWICZ (Post 9460--Connecticut): I
    think we have heard a real good discussion by both sides of
    this, and I move the previous question.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        DELEGATE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: What I will do, before we vote
    on the motion, I will let the maker of the Resolution speak for
    one last time.
        COMRADE JOHN BUETTNER (Post 1699--Illinois): I think today
    is going to be a black day. When does this organization take an
    emblem, and just listen to me, gentlemen, take an emblem we
    have dedicated ourselves to in Flanders Field and save the
    dollars we might lose so we can do anything we want to?
        Maybe next year, let's take the Cross of Malta and sell it
    out on the public street. We don't need it anymore. Comrades, I
    assure you I am not angry with you, I will continue to make a
    poppy display. I have since 1969. I think I have got a rack
    full of trophies and there has never been a colored one that
    will compare with the people that still are using plastic that
    were used five years ago. We are dedicated to our poppy
    program. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. I will call for the
    motion. All those in favor will say ``aye''; all those opposed.
    The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        The motion, if you vote ``yes'', is to keep the poppies
    only red, or if you vote ``no'', you want to color them as you
    have been doing. All those in favor will signify by the sign of
    ``aye''; all opposed ``no''. The Resolution is defeated.
        Does anyone else want to bring up something?
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE EARNEST MUDD (Post 2541--Texas): This body
    yesterday adopted Resolution 106. I would like this Resolution
    to be reconsidered.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: First of all, if you are making
    a motion to reconsider, were you on the prevailing side?
        COMRADE EARNEST MUDD (Post 2541--Texas): No, I was not on
    the prevailing side.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Get somebody on the prevailing
    side to make the motion to reconsider. If I am not mistaken,
    that Resolution has to do with something about a Congressman,
    is that correct?
        COMRADE EARNEST MUDD (Post 2541--Texas): Resolution 106,
    proposed by the Department of Washington State, is to censor
    and remove Henry B. Gonzalez.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: To reconsider, somebody on the
    prevailing side must move for reconsideration.
        Microphone No. 1. There is no one there.
        Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE TED CONNELL (Post 9192--Texas): I voted correctly,
    and I wish to make a motion that we reconsider.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second? Whoever
    seconds the motion must be on the prevailing side or can
    anybody second it? I guess you can second your own motion,
    Ernie.
        COMRADE CHARLES CANON (Post 5076--Texas): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You have heard the motion and
    the second to reconsider Resolution 106. Now, on the question,
    is there any discussion?
        COMRADE EARNEST MUDD (Post 2541--Texas): I wish to express
    why I am asking for reconsideration. I have discussed this
    further with more people throughout our organization, various
    states and leaders of this organization, to explain that we
    have already taken care of this matter in his Washington
    office.
        This was done, the Resolution was because he made a
    statement on June 14, 1993. We apprised him of this and in his
    office in Washington, D.C. We have taken care of our own
    matter. If that is what you want done, the way you do it with
    other things is you write a letter to him or call him, and that
    is the way you take care of these things with Congressmen.
        To ask this body to censor a Congressman, I think is very
    erroneous and would be setting a precedence, something we have
    never done and something that when the Commander-in-Chief goes
    before Congress and presents a Resolution of this body, I would
    like for someone to say yes, we are representing you on
    Resolution 106, and if you say something wrong we are going to
    censor you. That wouldn't look too good, although it might be
    right on our side.
        The other thing is this was infuriated by the Chairman of
    the Committee reading one ``Whereas'' and a fiery statement. If
    I am wrong, hang me from this ceiling. I can explain what this
    page in the Congressional Record is. If I explained it to you,
    you might understand something that I tried to put across
    yesterday, that we should not censor this Congressman.
        Right now we have less than five percent of our membership
    that is attending this Convention in here now. We have the
    Pledge of Allegiance here. We say a prayer. Congressman
    Gonzalez, when he made that statement, was talking about pork
    barrel spending in the House on the Resolution.
        He made a statement they opened the Congress every day with
    a prayer. They pay a Chaplain a tremendous amount of money to
    come in and give a two-sentence prayer. He is paid for that and
    no other obligation, and nothing else. He is saying that is
    pork barreling.
        He says, likewise, since we have less than five percent of
    the membership when all this takes place, likewise, they have
    five percent of the Congress in there when they open the
    business of the Congress. Some of his Congressmen, he said the
    only time they are there is when they are called in to give the
    Pledge of Allegiance for our glorious flag.
        That is the only time they are there, and less than five
    percent of the Congressmen are in there, and later come in and
    do business for our great nation. He made the statement that is
    significant as when they are walking down the street and say
    ``Heil Hitler, heil Hitler.''
        That is the way he made that remark. Gentlemen, that was
    not derogatory towards the flag of our country He is a very
    good Congressman and supports the veterans. That is the reason
    for my reconsideration.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New Jersey):
    Essentially, I agree with reconsideration. I speak on behalf of
    those comrades from the Department of Texas who are trying to
    restore that motion to this floor. I think, first of all, that
    for an action, and this is an institution because that is what
    we have been called, this is an American institution of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars and many in this room have shed blood
    to protect the Constitution of the United States and allow
    anyone to express their views about our institutions or about
    our government as long as it doesn't indicate an attempt to
    overthrow the government.
        Number one, I also agree that we obviously do not have the
    power to instruct the Speaker of the House to censor. It
    doesn't occur that way in the rules of the Congress of the
    United States. It seem to me that it would satisfy perhaps the
    delegates here today if we wrote to the Speaker and said that
    we take his remarks as a personal affront to this organization,
    and simply let him know that that kind of conduct from a
    Congressman on the floor of the United States House of
    Representatives is inappropriate to members who have served in
    the armed forces of the United States.
        I hope we can get this Resolution reconsidered and perhaps
    be amended so that we can say the delegates desire to deliver a
    message to the Congress that was an affront to an organization
    such as this.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1, did you have
    somebody there?
        COMRADE BOB SADLER (Post 1189--Oklahoma): I stand in favor
    of reconsideration of this question and suggest very strongly,
    as I would in my own state, that Texas take care of their own
    politicians.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE TED CONNELL (Post 9192--Texas): I clipped a quote
    today from this newspaper in the city, an editorial by Sammy
    Grady which says, ``Except for child molesters and church
    robbers, con men who prey on widows, no group is more scorned
    than the politicians in Washington, D.C.''
        Henry Gonzalez is obnoxious, is despicable, all of the
    things I personally campaigned against him in the beginning and
    each time that he has had an opponent since then. But this is
    not the way of a great organization to take care of a problem
    that is in San Antonio, Texas.
        Gonzalez should be relieved of his duties, but it must be
    done by the voters in his District. Therefore, I speak for
    reconsideration.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. You know, let me take
    a point of personal privilege here. I sometimes wonder what you
    said, Past Commander-in-Chief Connell, I sometimes wonder when
    we send a message like this what we would do to our own
    organization because you have got to remember he still is a lot
    stronger than we are. I hate to think of what his repercussions
    could be to this organization.
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE RICHARD PIGNONE (Post 3173--California): I am in
    favor to bring it back on the floor for the simple reason of
    what Howard said and what Ernie has said, to bring it back and
    have amendments made to the motion and let the State of Texas
    take care of the problem with Congressman Gonzalez.
        He is not totally a bad man, but he offends us. He offended
    the American flag. I believe we should let Texas take care of
    that in their own District. Thank you.
        COMRADE PETER PUENTES (Post 10209--Florida): I move the
    previous question.
        COMRADE RUSSELL VILLWOCK (Post 3579--llinois): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Does anyone else want to speak
    in favor of reconsideration one more time? All those in favor
    of moving the previous question will signify by the sign of
    ``aye''; those opposed. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        Now, the motion we are voting on is the motion to
    reconsider. All those in favor will signify by ``aye''; those
    opposed ``no''. All those in favor of reconsidering the motion
    will signify by the sign of ``aye''; those opposed ``no''. The
    ``ayes'' have it and it is so ordered. Now, we can debate the
    Resolution.
        Microphone No. 1.
        DELEGATE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): I stand,
    Commander-in-Chief, in opposition to this Resolution. I would
    ask the delegates to defeat this Resolution as has been stated
    and allow us, those in Texas that have to deal with Henry
    Gonzalez on a monthly basis or daily basis, to take care of our
    problems.
        Whether you like it or not, let me tell you, my comrades,
    as Past Commander-in-Chief Ted C. Connell has said, Henry B.
    Gonzalez has been on Capitol Hill for 30 years. He is a
    powerful individual. He only sits on the Appropriations
    Committee. We don't need anything from Appropriations, no more
    than the VA budget and everything else that we want.
        He is only the Chairman of the Banking Committee. The guy
    doesn't have any money, he only owns half interest in 42 banks
    in Texas. You know, we can't stand here and censor all these
    Congressmen that we don't like. As Howard said, we don't have
    the authority to censor them.
        We have got to deal with them in a businesslike manner. We
    have got to deal with them in the way we can deal with them. My
    comrades, I, as many of you, have had discussions with
    Congressmen, pro and con, in the way they support issues.
        We don't ever agree with them on everything. If we start
    trying to censor every Congressmen that does something we don't
    like, then we are going to have to be on this Convention floor
    maybe three weeks. I would encourage you delegates to reject
    this Resolution.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: What you are saying is that what
    the Resolution says, you are trying to say that not only the
    VFW but the veterans of this nation could suffer some very
    strategic financial grief in the future. Is that what you are
    trying to tell us there?
        DELEGATE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): Yes.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE EARNEST MUDD (Post 2541--Texas): I will second that
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I don't believe that anybody
    made another motion.
        COMRADE TED C. CONNELL (Post 9192--Texas): Did you not take
    the motion to defeat?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The motion is to approve and you
    voiced your opinion against it. He did not make a motion. The
    motion is already on the floor. What he suggested is everybody
    should vote ``no'' instead of ``yes''.
        COMRADE TED CONNELL (Post 9192--Texas): You have no motion
    on the floor.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: There is a motion to adopt the
    Resolution as it is. We are going under reconsideration.
    Comrade Gardner suggested that we vote ``no''.
        COMRADE HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New Jersey):
    Commander-in-Chief, let me go back to my earlier remarks.
    Please let me return to my original remarks relative to an
    amendment. I think the delegates expressed themselves
    yesterday, and I think that the sentiment of most of us who
    belong to this organization remains the same.
        But we recognize that the action that we took was not in
    our best interest. That has been brought to our attention by
    the Department of Texas. I am going to suggest that we amend,
    if you will accept an amendment, the Resolution that was placed
    on the floor.
        I have not written this. I will have to extemporaneously
    give this. I think we can get a sense of this Convention. I
    offer this as an amendment:
        ``BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we
    correspond with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of
    the United States to express the sense of this Convention that
    his remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives in
    reference to the Pledge of Allegiance are a personal affront to
    the members of this organization who have served honorably to
    preserve the nation,'' and simply let everyone know that those
    kinds of remarks are not appropriate on the floor of the House
    of Representatives.
        That will delete all the other language in here that is
    very strong and also asks us to do things that are not possible
    for us to do. I move that as an amendment.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second to the
    amendment?
        COMRADE JOE SCOTT (Post 1330--New Jersey): I second the
    amendment.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    amendment and the second to the Resolution.
        On the question, the Chair recognizes Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE RODNEY WILKINSON (Post 2539--Mississippi): There
    are two things I would like to say. Number one, next year it
    might be your Congressman or my Congressman. Think about it
    when you come to this vote. Number two, we may not like what
    every man says, but every man in here fought for his right to
    say it. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE RONALD RUSAKIEWICZ (Post 9460--Connecticut): With
    all due respect to my good friend Howard Vander Clute in trying
    to fix something we already agree should be in Texas' hands and
    let them fix it. As I understand the Resolution, the
    ``Whereases'' are very inflammatory as well.
        I noticed in the amendment that our Past Commander-in-Chief
    Vander Clute proposed there was nothing to strike anything from
    the original Resolution. I would urge everyone in this great
    Convention to simply reject this Resolution and put it back in
    the hands of Texas where it belongs and let them clean it up.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE TED CONNELL (Post 9192--Texas): Let me urge my
    comrades to defeat this Resolution and let us handle it.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE RICHARD PIGNONE (Post 3173--California): I move
    that we dress up the Resolution, the previous Resolution and
    the amendment, and I second the amendment to the Resolution
    that Howard Vander Clute made.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I am not sure what you said. Any
    further discussion? You said move and we have a motion on the
    floor.
        COMRADE RICHARD PIGNONE (Post 3173--California): That is
    what he said, he would amend it and take out the other
    amenities in there.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You are speaking in favor of the
    amendment and you don't want to have a motion?
        COMRADE RICHARD PIGNONE (Post 3173--California): Right.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you.
        Microphone No. 1.
        COMRADE BOB LOFTUS (Post 4643--Florida): I stand to defeat
    this Resolution. When the people elect our Congressman, we go
    back to the polls and we put them back in. Why should we go
    ahead? I agree with Texas. Let them clean up their own house.
    When we have our problems, we are the ones that talk to them. I
    speak in favor of defeating this.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE RUSSELL VILLWOCK (Post 3579--Illinois): I move the
    previous question.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Is there a second?
        Microphone No. 3.
        COMRADE GERALD BURKEL (Post 5373--Wisconsin): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second to move the previous question. All those
    in favor will signify by the sign of ``aye''; all opposed
    ``no''. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        Now, on the amendment to the motion, first of all, to add
    this to the Resolution, what Howard suggested, we didn't have a
    second so the amendment is gone. What we are back to now is the
    original motion to adopt Resolution 106 as it was presented.
        COMRADE RICHARD PIGNONE (Post 3173--California): I did
    second that amendment.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The amendment has been seconded.
    We are now really going back to the amendment that Howard
    proposed to add what he said into the original Resolution. All
    in favor of adding this into the Resolution, what Howard said,
    will signify by the sign of ``aye''; opposed ``no''. The
    amendment is defeated.
        Now, all those in favor of the original Resolution, the way
    it was presented to censor the Congressman, will signify by the
    sign of ``aye''. I don't believe the Chair is going to be in
    doubt on this. Those opposed will say ``no''. The Resolution is
    defeated.

                          WINNERS OF INSURANCE DRAWING

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: If there is nothing else, I
    would like to call on the Director of the Insurance Program to
    bring us the drawings for today's lucky winners.
        COMRADE ROBERT CROW: Thank you, Commander-in-Chief. I would
    like to thank Jack Carney for doing the drawing today. The
    winner of the $25 drawing is Joseph Koch, Post 1564,
    Pennsylvania. The $50 winner is Donald Mason, Post 3547,
    Nevada, and the $100 winner is Genesio Benenuto, Post 5933, New
    York.
        Tomorrow, we will draw a little bit earlier so you have an
    opportunity to have any winners pick up the money. We will be
    open until the close of the day, and tomorrow they will be open
    until about 12:00 or 1:00 o'clock.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, please rise and salute
    the flag of our nation.
        [Whereupon, the Salute to the Colors was given at this
    time.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: This Convention is recessed
    until 9:00 o'clock tomorrow morning. Thank you for your
    indulgence.
        [Whereupon, the session was recessed at 1:35 o'clock p.m.]
                             THIRD BUSINESS SESSION

                       THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 25, 1994

        [The Third Business Session of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
    of the United States, held in the Barron Room of the Las Vegas
    Hilton Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, was called to order at 9:00
    o'clock a.m., with Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Allen F.
    Kent, presiding.]

                                 CALL TO ORDER

        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: Sergeant-at-Arms, you
    will prepare the room and Salute the Colors.
        [Whereupon, Sergeant-at-Arms Sarver led the Convention in
    the Salute to the Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance.]
        [Whereupon, National Chaplain Reverend Charles W. Edwards,
    Jr., gave the Opening Prayer.]

                        REPORT OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE

        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: You may be seated. At
    this time we will have the Report of the Credentials Committee
    by the Chairman, Richard Trombla.
        COMRADE RICHARD TROMBLA (Post 1174--Kansas): Comrade Senior
    Vice Commander-in-Chief, I am Richard Trombla from the
    Department of Kansas, Post 1174, and Chairman of the following
    National Council Members report to the Credentials Committee:
    District 11, District 16, District A and District G.
        Comrades, this is a temporary report of the Credentials
    Committee. As of last night, the total delegate strength was
    16,862. The Department Commanders 52; National Officers 10;
    Past Commanders-in-Chief 25. That is a grand total of 16,954.
    Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, this is a temporary report of
    this Committee at this time.

       INTRODUCTION--GENERAL WILMA VAUGHT, PRESIDENT, WOMEN IN MILITARY
                 SERVICE FOR AMERICA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, INC.

        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: Ladies and gentlemen,
    in 1986, Congress authorized the construction of a Memorial in
    Washington, D.C., that would be a lasting tribute to the women
    who have served or are serving in our nation's armed forces.
        Nearly two million women have served in the U.S. military,
    from the American Revolution through the Persian Gulf War. For
    that reason, it is fitting that such a Memorial receive the
    support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        This morning we are pleased to have with us the
    distinguished President of the Women in Military Service for
    America Foundation, Retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma
    Vaught.
        Prior to her retirement from active duty, General Vaught
    served as the senior woman military representative to the
    Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services from 1982
    to 1985.
        General Vaught became eligible for the VFW while serving
    with the Military Assistance Command, U.S. Air Force, Saigon
    Vietnam in 1968 and '69. She is a member of VFW Post 346, in
    Washington, D.C.
        Please join me in a very warm VFW welcome for the President
    of the Women in Military Service for America, Brigadier General
    Wilma Vaught.

                         REMARKS--GENERAL WILMA VAUGHT

        GENERAL VAUGHT: I am deeply honored to be here with you
    again this year. I think this is my third year, and
    particularly I am honored to be a member of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars. You know, I was one of the 7,500 military women
    that served in Southeast Asia, and I was proud of our armed
    services then and I remain proud today of each person who has
    served and each person who is serving.
        I know that you feel as I do that some of our troops today
    in some of the humanitarian missions have a difficult task
    before them. They need to be in our prayers and our thoughts.
    Before I say anything about the Memorial, there is something I
    do want to say, and I understand that a number of people have
    been honoring Howard Vander Clute, who has been a friend of
    ours over a period of time. We want to do that, too.
        You have been a great friend. We are going to give you
    something here today. That is the Women in Military Service
    Memorial Coin. Just because I have given you one, Howard, I
    want you to know that doesn't let you off the hook in buying
    one. We present this with our deep appreciation. [Applause]
        You know, we have been in a period of remembering recently
    and paying tribute to our service people, past and present, and
    we will soon be doing more of those as we recognize the Battle
    of the Bulge coming up on May 8th.
        This past November we observed the seventy-fifth
    anniversary of World War I, and then the great celebrations in
    honor of D-Day, and what a memorable moment that was. As we
    think about these remembrances, I want to think a bit about the
    history of the women who served and that we are going to
    document and preserve that history and make it visible through
    the Women's Memorial.
        As your about to be Commander-in-Chief Kent said, women
    served in every one of America's wars, every single one. And
    sometimes it was with great difficulty, sometimes there was
    only one or two in some of the early wars, but they were there.
    Their stories are a multi-faceted story of honor, of humor,
    joy, of their veteran's status or service not being recognized
    after they got out, accomplishment of the struggle for
    acceptance, of discrimination and of progress.
        Within the last month, in terms of progress, the Army has
    just opened 30,000 new jobs for women. Interestingly, as I
    travel around the country, I find few people that know about
    the history of women in the military, including those of us who
    are serving or have served.
        That is going to change when we get the Women in Military
    Service Memorial built, because we are going to capture that
    history. We have a unique mandate from the Congress, because we
    are going to recognize the living, the dead, all services, the
    officers, the enlisted, yesterday's, today's and tomorrow's
    women.
        It is unique in another way because we are building this
    Memorial at the main gate of Arlington Cemetery, which has some
    existing structures there, and those structures will become a
    part of the Memorial.
        We have an incredibly beautiful design. It will have at the
    top of our tablet with quotations of the women that served, and
    that will serve as the skyline, and an Educational Center where
    we have exhibits, where we have the computer registrations of
    the women who served. You are going to be proud to have been a
    part of that as a member of the VFW in supporting us where it
    counts because only money builds memorials.
        We have made enormous progress since I spoke to you last
    year. We have got a federal grant of $9.5 million to cover the
    repair and restoration work. We have a coin authorized for
    500,000, like the one that I just gave Howard. We have
    1,440,000 of those sold now, which gives us up to $11 million
    to build the Memorial.
        We still have more than I like to think about yet to sell,
    about 3.6 million. We need to sell every one of those coins if
    we are going to break ground in the spring. For those of you
    who may still work for the federal government, we are in a
    combined federal campaign. Think of us when that starts this
    fall.
        Six states have donated money. We sell things. I never
    dreamed in retirement I would be out selling bumper stickers,
    T-shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, and all those things that
    you folks sell and all the rest of us do. Shortly, thanks to
    Commander-in-Chief George Cramer and the Council this past
    year, there is going to be a letter going out from the VFW to
    each Post with a brochure telling you about the Memorial.
        I hope when you get that, you do one or all of the
    following. Number one, if you have any women veterans who are
    members of your Post, I hope you will make sure they are
    registered. If not, I hope you will register them for the
    Memorial.
        Second, something you need to do is to honor your wife or
    spouse, because let me tell you, they have supported the United
    States simply by doing that and they have received not as much
    recognition for being a wife as they should.
        Third, you should just send a donation. I ask you to do
    that now, because we need it to make our ground breaking time
    the spring of this coming year. I just want to tell you we
    don't discriminate, we take money from anybody.
        The VFW to date has given us about $35,600 from 41 states.
    California leads with $4,710, followed by Maryland with $3,960.
    Those two states make up about a third of the amount of money
    we have received from the VFW. The Women's Auxiliary has
    donated $103,000 and the name of the VFW Auxiliary will be
    listed inside the Education Center of the Memorial.
        As I think about the Memorial and what it means to women, I
    think of a woman named Cindy Bowden, a Specialist of the U.S.
    Army. I just want to close with her story. On February 28th,
    1991, just hours after the seizure had been declared at Desert
    Storm, Specialist Cindy Bowden was rendering first aid to the
    surrendering Iraqi soldiers which killed her Platoon Commander
    and several others.
        Cindy immediately took her rifle in an attempt to defend
    her comrades. A second explosion mortally wounded her. In her
    last letter home, Cindy wrote: ``Dear Mom and Dad, I hope you
    never have to open this letter, because it means something has
    happened to me. This is my final goodbye to both of you. Do not
    only mourn for me, mourn for all of us who have given our lives
    so that others may live free.''
        I am confident that you served for the same reason that I
    spent 28 and one-half years. We served so that others could
    remain free. The Women's Memorial at Arlington National
    Cemetery will enshrine the generations of women like Cindy, who
    have served and given the generations to follow a heritage and
    tradition, special and honorable as those have held dear
    through time.
        Believe me, we are counting on the VFW to help us make our
    ground breaking this spring so that the maximum number of World
    War II and Korean women veterans will be alive to see it done.
    Thank you.
        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: On behalf of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United Stats, I would like to
    present you this check for $2,500.
        GENERAL VAUGHT: We don't discriminate. We will take it.

           PRESENTATION OF JAMES C. GATES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: The James C. Gates
    Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to an
    individual or organization that has made extraordinary
    contributions in advancing veterans' employment opportunities.
    This year we are honored to present this prestigious award to
    James R. Edge.
        Jim, as he is called by friends, began his career in
    employment with the Vermont Department of Employment and
    Training three years ago. He currently holds the position of
    Local Veterans Employment Representative.
        Since joining the Employment Service in 1991, Jim has used
    his organizational skills, his office computer and the print
    and electronic media to serve hundreds of unemployed veterans.
    Through his individual efforts, Jim has heightened the
    awareness of employers in his community to the many qualified
    veterans in the area. Here are just a few of his
    accomplishments.
        He started a ``Veterans Newsletter'' to introduce himself
    and co-workers to veterans who were searching for work. He
    later formed ``Veterans Network'', the first support group for
    unemployed veterans in Vermont and possibly the nation.
        Jim was the first job developer in Vermont to capitalize on
    the placement enhancing potential of personal computers and fax
    machines.
        He produces video resumes of unemployed veterans which are
    later aired over local broadcast channels.
        He helped establish a veterans transitional housing project
    to address the plight of homeless veterans in Rutland, Vermont.
        Jim is an extremely energetic, innovative and productive
    employment representative whose efforts have increased the
    employment of veterans in his state and brought tremendous
    pride to all of us.
        He is a veteran of the Korean War and served with the 1st
    Calvary Division in Vietnam. Please join me in recognizing our
    1994 James C. Gates Distinguished Service Award recipient,
    James R. Edge.
        This citation reads as follows: ``Veterans of Foreign Wars
    of the United States, James C. Gates, Distinguished Employment
    Service Award presented to James R. Edge, Local Employment
    Representative, Rutland, Vermont.
        ``In special recognition of extraordinary achievement and
    exceptional leadership in advancing employment opportunities
    for our nation's veterans and distinguished service in
    promoting the goals and objectives of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States.''
        This has been signed by George R. Cramer, Commander-in-
    Chief, and attested to by Howard E. Vander Clute, Adjutant
    General.
                            RESPONSE--MR. JAMES EDGE

        MR. JAMES EDGE: Good morning. My name is Jim Edge and I am
    a veteran. I would like to thank you for this wonderful award,
    and thank you for having me here. I would like to acknowledge
    that I would not be here, and the things I have accomplished
    would not have been possible without the help of a bunch of
    caring veterans and wonderful support throughout the State of
    Vermont and Rutland, Vermont, where I am from.
        I am pleased to accept this award on behalf of all the
    veterans providers throughout the country who care enough to
    make a difference in the lives of veterans. Still there is lots
    of work to be done, and I would like to take this opportunity
    to say a few words about something that is very important to
    me, and that is every veteran have a home and have a job.
        I do mean all veterans, not just homeless veterans. I mean
    the unemployed and the underemployed. I think the plight of our
    nation of homeless veteran is a national disgrace. Let's not
    forget about the working poor who just manage to scrape by
    seeing that his family is fed and they are living from hand to
    mouth.
        I am very nervous and I didn't think I would be. I believe
    that the VFW and the Legion and the DAV, and the AmVets have
    all done wonderful jobs for veterans. We have spent a lot of
    money, and we help our communities. I think that, however, we
    need to remember that charity begins at home.
        Our government is cutting back on veterans entitlement
    employment every day. They are looking for ways to cut back. We
    need to take care of our own. I think that it is great that we
    have a baseball team or we help finance a school band trip, or
    we help finance a town park.
        How can we call ourselves a veterans organization when
    there are veterans sleeping under bridges or in bus terminals,
    or vet families in substandard housing just managing to get by?
    When these men and women were called to serve their country,
    they didn't look for draft deferments, they didn't run to
    Canada, they didn't have daddy call the Congress for them, they
    stepped forward and did their duty.
        Now, they are having problems and if we don't help them,
    shame on us. I know some of you are saying we do help these
    people, and you are right, we do. Unfortunately, it is a very
    small percentage of them. A far larger percentage are ashamed
    of the situation, they are proud people, and some of them don't
    know how to reach out for help.
        The only way I have become aware with them is after working
    with them over a period of time. They learn to trust me and
    they let me know what their real situation is, that they don't
    have a home or whatever.
        All I am asking of you is this: when you get back home, in
    your city or town, look around and see how you can help
    veterans that are down and out in your area. See what is
    needed. Maybe a veterans' shelter, maybe a training
    opportunity, maybe soliciting some jobs or help those in your
    Post.
        Maybe just start a local veterans fund so a man or woman
    can have a pair of boots or clothes so he can go to work. It
    could be someones needs like the price of a haircut or a tank
    of gas to get a job interview. If we don't take care of our
    veterans, who will? All I ask is when you get back home, look
    around, ask questions, find out what these veterans need, and
    do it.
        With God's help, someday there will not be a hungry or
    unemployed veteran in the United States, and that will be a
    proud day for all of us. Thank you.
        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: Jim, on behalf of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, we would like to
    also present you with this check for $1,000.
        MR. JAMES EDGE: Thank you very much.

                          WINNERS OF INSURANCE DRAWING

        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: At this time I will
    call on Bob Crow to do the Insurance Drawings so we can get rid
    of the rest of this money.
        COMRADE BOB CROW: Thank you, sir. I am going to have the
    distinguished Past Commander-in-Chief Joe Scerra to do the
    drawing. As soon as we have drawn the four tickets, the first
    one, that will be for $25, then $50, $100, and the last one
    will be for $1,000.
        Any of the prizes which are not picked up at the insurance
    booth by around 12:00 o'clock or 1:00 o'clock today will be
    mailed to the winners at their home within a week or so. That
    is once we get back and get a check cut. If any of you know the
    $1,000 winner and he is not here and he is still in the area,
    you might want to contact him and see if he wants to stop by
    and pick up the money.
        Before I read the names, I would like to again thank the
    insurance company, Combined Insurance of America, for donating
    all the prizes, the cash prizes we have given out this week.
        The $25 winner is Kasper Kebel, Post 1117, Illinois.
        The $50 winner is Lawrence Tholen, Post 2864, Kansas.
        The $100 winner is Kenneth A. Buckley, Post 9400, Arizona.
        Now, the $1,000 winner is William D. Ferguson, Post 9143,
    Georgia. Thank you, gentlemen.

      PRESENTATION--NATIONAL LARGE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR TO MR. DANIEL A.
                                    GRAFTON

        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: Each year, the VFW
    presents a national award to both a large and small company.
    These companies' policies and achievements in hiring, promoting
    and training of veterans is exemplary.
        This year we are honored to recognize Beech Aerospace
    Services, Inc., of Madison, Mississippi, as the National Large
    Employer of the Year. Beech Aerospace Services is a major
    defense contractor providing maintenance and logistics support
    for over 1,100 military aircraft at 200 locations worldwide. At
    the time of nomination, the company numbered 1,486 employees of
    which 55 percent were veterans. Sixteen percent of the
    employees are disabled veterans.
        As a government contractor and responsible corporate
    neighbor, Beech Aerospace is committed to a policy of non-
    discrimination in employment. It is further committed to
    affirmative action for persons with a handicap and for disabled
    and Vietnam era veterans.
        The company reviews its personnel processes annually to
    ensure that procedures provide thorough consideration of
    applicant's qualifications for job vacancies filled by hirings
    or promotion; and for all training opportunities.
        Beech Aerospace's demonstrated efforts and firm commitment
    to a progressive policy encouraging the hiring of qualified
    veterans is indeed exemplary. The company justly merits honor
    and recognition by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States.
        Here with us to accept the award, is Beech Aerospace
    President and an Air Force veteran, Daniel A. Grafton.
        The citation reads as follows: ``Veterans of Foreign Wars
    of the United States, National Large Employer of the Year Award
    presented to Beech Aerospace, Madison, Mississippi.
        ``In special recognition and grateful appreciation for
    meritorious service in effecting a very comprehensive policy
    toward the recruitment, employment and promotion of veterans.
        ``In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
    the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States, this 25th day of August, 1994.''
        This has been signed by George R. Cramer, Commander-in-
    Chief, and attested to by Howard Vander Clute, Adjutant
    General.

                          RESPONSE--MR. DANIEL GRAFTON

        MR. DANIEL GRAFTON: Thank you, Senior Vice Commander-in-
    Chief Kent. Speaking for the men and women of Beech Aerospace
    Services, I thank you for honoring us as the 1994 Veterans of
    Foreign Wars Employer of the Year in the category of Large
    Companies.
        Beech Aerospace Services is an aircraft logistics and
    training support company headquartered in Madison, Mississippi,
    and employs more than 2,600 people worldwide, of which 63
    percent are veterans. We oversee and manage more than 1,100
    military and government aircraft, at over 200 plus sites, and
    are recognized as a leader in our marketplace.
        This award is truly appreciated and makes us stand very
    tall. Also I would like to thank the Mississippi State
    Employment Security Division for nominating us, to Commander
    Dan Patterson of VFW Post 6473, Salem, Mississippi, and their
    consideration and support.
        The State Commission knows our policy, knows our
    requirements, and knows to send us a veteran first when a
    position is open. It knows that veterans fit our business in
    bringing qualities of employees we are looking for. Our policy
    has always been to assure careful, thorough and systematic
    consideration of the job qualifications of veteran applicants.
        There is a considerable pool of talented veterans out
    there. Some 17.8 million veterans are under the age of 65. We
    believe this policy is not only best for the veteran and our
    country, but it provides our company with the trained and
    talented professionals who are team players with good work
    habits.
        It is a win-win situation for all of us. However, recent
    statistics showed that the veteran population was continuing to
    decline through the year 2010 by an average annual rate of one
    and one-half percent. This continuing declining of the number
    of veterans, especially under the age of 45, which are some 6.3
    million currently, is a direct result of the downsizing of the
    military.
        As the pool gets smaller, it makes filling our work with
    qualified workers more difficult. We will not lessen our
    resolve to actively pursue him or her first. The commitment of
    your more than two million members and 760,000 Ladies Auxiliary
    members to protect veterans entitlements, support national
    security measures, and exercise influence on national
    legislative actions affecting veterans is commendable and vital
    to the veterans' interests.
        Beech Aerospace Services thanks you for all that you do for
    our country and thank you for this prestigious award. It is an
    honor for all of our employees, but especially for our own
    1,571 veterans. Thank you.
        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: In addition, we would
    like to present you with a check for $1,000.
        MR. DANIEL GRAFTON: Thank you. I would like to donate this
    check to VFW Post 6473 for education of the employers in the
    area to hire veterans.
        [Whereupon, Commander-in-Chief Cramer assumed the Chair at
    this time.]

                      VISIT OF LADIES AUXILIARY DELEGATION

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Sergeant-at-Arms, will you
    escort the National President of the Ladies Auxiliary to my
    station, please.
        My comrades, will you give a nice warm round of applause to
    the National President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Juanita Crowe.
        Comrades, as you know, I just had the opportunity to
    represent all of you at the ladies' meeting just a little while
    ago and en route I had a telephone call and some more faxes I
    had to pick up. At this time, it gives me indeed a great
    pleasure to have the opportunity to introduce to you a lady I
    have gotten to know very well over the last three years, a lady
    that has been very helpful to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
    the United States and helping the Ladies Auxiliary to be very
    helpful to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
        From the volunteer state of Tennessee, our National
    President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, Juanita Crowe.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation.]
        LADIES AUXILIARY PRESIDENT JUANITA CROWE: Thank you,
    Commander-in-Chief. It is certainly my privilege to be standing
    here before the greatest organization in the world, the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
        Commander-in-Chief Cramer, National Officers and VFW
    Members:
        Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to greet
    you one more time as the National President of the Ladies
    Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The 1993-'94 year
    has been a very interesting and challenging year for the Ladies
    Auxiliary and the VFW.
        I am very proud to say that our Auxiliary set many records
    this year. We donated $46 million conducting our community
    service programs and, of course, we also topped $3 million for
    the sixth year in a row for our Cancer Aid and Research
    Program.
        We owe that assist also to you, because without your help
    and support we couldn't have made it. You know in cancer we do
    help our cancer-stricken members, but we also donate a large
    majority of this money to research, which helps all mankind. I
    am also proud that we now have an Auxiliary Museum which
    officially opened July 29th in the VFW National Headquarters. I
    invite you to see it the next time you are in Kansas City.
        Your Commander-in-Chief just donated $2,500--well, he had
    an envelope. Where is Jim Bowden? He had an envelope, but he
    didn't have anything in it, but he said that if I would see
    you, Jim, that he was sure you would honor his signature on a
    blank envelope for $2,500 to the National Museum. The Ladies
    Auxiliary certainly appreciates that, comrades.
        My thanks to all of you for your assistance to the
    Auxiliary during the past year, and also to me personally. I
    know that many of you play a very key role in making my
    official visits to your states so enjoyable. I did enjoy every
    state that I was in.
        I wish I could write a book, and then I thought about it,
    and then nobody would believe what was in it anyway. Then I
    thought I might make about a million dollars if I told
    everything that I know. So I will just say ``thank you'' and
    forget the whole thing.
        I particularly want to thank you, George and Linda, for
    everything that you have done for me personally and for our
    Auxiliary and for making this year so memorable. It has
    certainly been my pleasure to serve with you. As a token of my
    appreciation, I would like to present you with this flag set
    and hope that you will have time when you return home to enjoy
    your new stereo that is there waiting for you.
        It has been a good year and a great Convention, and I look
    forward now--where is the Tennessee delegation? Are they here?
    I look forward to getting back to my home state of Tennessee. I
    thought I would have time to rest a little bit, but they say we
    have got in Tennessee what is known as a reverse drawing that
    we make money for our community service, and they said you have
    got to work the reverse drawing. I said okay.
        I will help there, and then I am going to rest. They said,
    ``No, we have got to have 1,000 hot dogs for the Special
    Olympics in September.'' I was hoping it would be on Gunner's
    homecoming and I could get out of it, but it didn't happen that
    way.
        Before I sit down, I want to present a lady that has
    certainly made my year very, very enjoyable. Sometimes--no, I
    will not tell it. Anyway, my Chief of Staff, a wonderful lady,
    a lady that has certainly, and I mean this sincerely, made my
    job a lot easier. That is, from the great State of Texas,
    Barbara Gulick.
        Commander, thank you again for all the hospitality. It has
    been a pleasure serving with you. [Applause]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Madam President, once again I
    want to thank you for your support and the support of the
    Ladies Auxiliary. I thank you for the lovely Flag Set that you
    gave to me, and I want to thank you for the stereo that you
    also gave to me. You did tell me I could stay home and listen
    to it for a while and, Madam President, your order will be
    obeyed.
        Let's have a nice hand for Juanita Crowe, National
    President of the Ladies Auxiliary.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged ovation.]

    PRESENTATION OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION TO
                     PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN M. CARNEY

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Only a handful of men have risen
    to the VFW's highest office. Those with that distinction have
    shown us the finest in dedication, leadership and commitment.
        Our next guest, Immediate Past Commander-in-Chief John M.
    ``Jack'' Carney, is no exception.
        A naval hospital corpsman, he was attached to the 1st
    Marine Division during the Korea War. He joined the VFW in 1958
    and has served his fellow veterans for more than 45 years in
    nearly every office a member can hold.
        As Commander-in-Chief in 1992-'93, Jack took on a variety
    of sensitive issues in support of America's veterans. His first
    effort was to call for the resignation of former Secretary of
    Veterans Affairs Edward Derwinski. Derwinski departed that
    office a few weeks later.
        Jack was a major force in bringing recognition to veterans
    of the Cold War in Korea and his call for North Korea's
    assistance in resolving that war's MIA situation continues to
    result in increased cooperation by that government.
        His efforts brought increased attention to the maladies
    suffered by veterans of the Persian Gulf War, victims of Agent
    Orange and atomic veterans.
        His motto during his year as Commander-in-Chief was ``Stand
    Up, Speak Out.'' For him, standing up and speaking out for
    veterans is not just a motto, it is a way of life.
        Please join me in giving a warm VFW welcome to our
    Immediate Past Commander-in-Chief John M. ``Jack'' Carney from
    the great State of Florida.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of
    the United States Distinguished Service Medal'' and this
    Citation awarded to John M. Carney, Commander-in-Chief, 1992-
    '93.
        ``In sincere appreciation and special recognition of his
    total dedication and commitment to the highest ideals of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and his
    continuing efforts in support of its programs and purposes.
    Through his exceptional and enthusiastic leadership during the
    1992-'93 administrative year the Veterans of Foreign Wars
    demonstrated its commitment and readiness to serve our nation
    and its war veterans, including veterans of the Cold War in
    complete affirmation of his mission for the VFW to `Stand Up,
    Speak Out'.''
        Of course, this citation has been signed by me today as the
    Commander-in-Chief and attested to by our Adjutant General
    Howard Vander Clute. To both Jack and Joanne, I want to say it
    is an honor and privilege for me to present this Distinguished
    Service Medal, and not only that but it was equally as
    rewarding to have the opportunity to serve on your team.
    Congratulations, Jack.

                 RESPONSE--PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN CARNEY

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: Thank you, Commander-in-
    Chief. This is indeed a great honor. You know, when you are the
    Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the 2.2
    million men and women that are dedicated to the highest
    principles of this nation, you are supposed to inspire,
    motivate and be a part of the team.
        You know something, I thought a little different. The
    motivation, the inspiration, the time to do something is
    because of each and every one of you. Your personal involvement
    with me and our team, your personal shake of the hand, a pat on
    the back, to meet me at the airport or to greet me in your
    Posts, inspired me, motivated me.
        Your exchange of ideas with me just gave me that much more
    willingness to make sure that my job was your job, my ability
    was your ability, and my willingness to stand up and speak out
    was because of each and every one of you. I think this honor
    this morning is your honor. I accept this award with Joanne on
    behalf of each and every one of you, and the men that could not
    be here.
        Because of you and because of your caring, and because of
    you willingness to welcome Jack Carney into your hearts, Joanne
    and I are very proud to accept this award.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: If I may, I would like to take
    this opportunity and the privilege of the Chair to maybe read
    to you a little fax I intercepted this morning. I have been
    inundated with faxes since I arrived here last Thursday. Larry
    Rivers kind of told our Council a couple of days ago what was
    happening out here. So, you know what is going on.
        It says, ``People should flood the Las Vegas Hilton,'' and
    it gives the fax number, ``addressed to George Cramer, VFW,
    Commander-in-Chief, because these faxes cost him $3 per page.
    Send letters of complaints to him but don't duplicate the
    complaints and make sure you call the Washington office
    tomorrow, and hopefully if you are planning to resign from the
    VFW and give them your card number and Post number.''
        Let me tell you, this all stems from the fact we gave the
    young men and women of the JTFFA that prestigious award
    yesterday. Believe you me, think about this yourself. If you
    were to give three years of your life to a commitment to a
    project like that, where you would be away from your family for
    six weeks at a time, and then return for two weekends, or
    possibly ten days, and then go out for another six weeks and
    repeat that month after month and year after year for three
    years, that is why we gave those people those awards.
        All these faxes say, and they are very repetitious, they
    complain that General Needham shredded evidence on the POW/MIA
    issue. He did not shred any evidence that was not already in
    the computer or on file. That is a fact. All he did is
    consolidate all of the records involved worldwide into the POW/
    MIA in the JTFFA.
        I think he was smart in doing that. Why have records in
    Bangkok, Washington, Hawaii and all over? Bring them into your
    central office so everybody knows what is going on. That is all
    that gentleman did. Let me tell you, I have been inundated with
    telephone calls, first of all, since I got here, and I even got
    one at 1:00 o'clock this morning, where people said they were
    going to protest what we did. That is great.
        I asked every one of those individuals who called me, and
    there is more than one, what VFW Post they belong to. Every one
    of those people said they did not belong to any VFW Post, but
    they were offered money to stand around and hold up a sign by
    some individual.
        I have also received calls from people that say they are
    family members of POW/MIA people. Well, you know, the Vietnam
    War has been over for about 20 years. The Korean War has been
    over about 40 years and World War II has been over for 50
    years. So, I asked the individuals, if your loved one
    disapproved some 20 years ago, what did you do 20 years ago or
    more when you got that letter from the Department of Defense,
    the Department of the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps,
    when you received that letter that your loved one was missing?
        They all said, ``Well, nothing.'' I said, ``What did you
    say within the first 10 years that your loved one was
    missing?'' They said, ``Well, nothing.'' I said, ``When did you
    get involved in the POW/MIA issue?'' They said, ``Well, four or
    five years ago.'' I said, ``The VFW has been involved in this
    issue for two decades, 20 years.''
        Excuse me, my friends, but if I had a loved one missing I
    would be on my Congressman's door the next day. I wouldn't wait
    15 years to do something about it and to put my name in lights
    just so I could get involved in the issue.
              PRESENTATION OF VFW SMALL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: This year, we are greatly
    honored to present the prestigious VFW National Small Employer
    of the Year Award to Lear Siegler, Management Services
    Corporation, also called LSI. LSI's policies and achievements
    in hiring, promoting and training of veterans is noteworthy.
        The company operates at several sites across the United
    States and overseas. Today, however, we focus attention on LSI
    at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, which specializes in the repair and
    refurbishment of combat aircraft, vehicles and engineering
    equipment.
        LSI started its Fort Campbell operation in June, 1992. One
    of its top priorities, from the beginning, was to make maximum
    use of the State Employment Service Systems in the area to meet
    its work force needs.
        The local Job Service Office in Clarksville, Tennessee, was
    of great assistance to LSI in responding to its initial
    personnel requirement of 117 highly qualified workers. The
    veterans representatives at the Job Service Office screened,
    processed, and referred dozens of qualified applicants who
    possessed years of experience with military vehicles and
    equipment, all veterans.
        It is particularly noteworthy that the company decided to
    recruit its workers through the Public Job Service as many
    newly separated veterans seek initial employment after military
    service through the veterans program operated by the State
    Employment Service.
        To date, with 117 employees on board, LSI has maintained an
    average of 92.5 employees per year since its start-up. 98.3
    percent of its work force are veterans, including 15 percent
    who are disabled.
        It is important to note LSI placed its confidence in the
    Tennessee Department of Employment Security. This relationship
    made it possible for a substantial number of qualified veterans
    to be referred to meaningful jobs.
        Receiving the award for Small Employer of the Year is LSI's
    Plant Manager and a Vietnam veteran himself, George Whitmill.
        ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States National
    Small Employer of the Year Award presented to UNC Lear Siegler,
    Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
        ``In special recognition and grateful appreciation for
    meritorious service in effecting a very comprehensive policy
    toward the recruitment, employment and promotion of veterans.''
        This has been signed by myself this day as Commander-in-
    Chief, and attested to by Howard E. Vander Clute, Adjutant
    General. Along with this award goes an honorarium of $1,000.
    George, congratulations.

                       RESPONSE--COMRADE GEORGE WHITMILL

        COMRADE WHITMILL: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Thank
    you, Tennessee. If I get a little tongue-tied, I will blame it
    on the Tennessee delegation last night. Thank you very much for
    this award.
        UNC Lear Siegler and those of us at the Fort Campbell Site
    0311 truly are grateful for this recognition. I am very honored
    to be here today. I would like to also thank the membership of
    Local Clarksville, Tennessee, Post 4895 for their support, and
    the employees for their fine work.
        It is the quality of their work that has established a very
    positive reputation for Fort Campbell. That reputation
    significantly contributes to keeping our company and our Fort
    Campbell site in business. There is no substitute for providing
    quality to the customer as our formidable success. This is the
    first and most essential element.
        I would like to say I am proud to be a veteran and a member
    of the VFW. I find that is an organization with a great history
    and noble purpose. The company I work for, UNC Lear Siegler,
    perhaps known to many of you as LSI, was established in 1961 to
    provide aircraft maintenance and related services to the U.S.
    military.
        LSI's affiliation with the military has expanded over the
    years to encompass ground equipment, logistics operations,
    engineering and communications equipment support. Our parent
    company, UNC Base Services recently acquired LSI and the
    company is known today as UNC Lear Siegler.
        We started working at our Fort Campbell site in June, 1992,
    repairing vehicles and engineering equipment returning from
    Desert Storm. Within a few weeks our requirements grew to 117
    members. Employees with experienced Army experience on
    equipment was needed quickly to respond to the 101st Division's
    needs.
        Fortunately, the Fort Campbell area, with thousands of
    veterans, has an abundance of the skill and knowledge we
    needed. Mr. Bobby Williams, the local Job Service Office in
    Clarksville, Tennessee, was able to meet the challenge of
    dozens of applicants possessing years of experience.
        They were veterans. These were the people with experience
    that was needed, and they were also people that were not afraid
    of hard work, and who had met and passed the test of maturity
    and willingness. Our business was not to achieve goals or
    comply with company policies or to win awards, we just made
    good sense.
        It proves to have been the right decision. We were
    extremely fortunate to have found a pool of personnel with
    skills and experiences that we needed on such short notice.
    With that, I would like to thank Mr. Williams and the
    Clarksville Job Service Office.
        Once again, I would like to thank the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars for their recognition and the opportunity to be here with
    you today in Las Vegas. Thank you very much.

          PRESENTATION OF THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE AWARD

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: We are deeply honored to
    recognize the Anchorage office of the Alaska Employment Service
    for our National Local Office of the Public Employment Service
    Award.
        The Anchorage office has excelled in providing services to
    employers and veterans alike, particularly Vietnam era veterans
    who comprise nearly half of the 70,000 veterans in the state.
    The unit's commitment to service is a total effort. They
    promote veterans service at every opportunity.
        In addition to exceeding performance standards for placing
    veterans in jobs, the Anchorage veterans unit continues to
    distinguish itself by developing innovative programs to assist
    veterans.
        The Anchorage office is currently the home of the only
    state employment service agency in the nation that assists
    veterans preparing for Postal Service exams. Since the program
    started in 1989, over 1,200 veterans have taken the class.
        The veterans units continues to conduct an Outreach Program
    to the veterans community through a television program called
    ``Alaska Veterans: Update.''
        In 1993, the veterans unit provided crucial leadership in
    the multi-agency planning of the first stand down for homeless
    veterans in Alaska.
        The veterans units continues to provide regular transition
    assistance services to active duty military personnel, at-large
    and small installations alike, including distant sites in the
    Aleutian Island chain, some 1,500 miles away.
        These accomplishments clearly identify the Anchorage office
    as one that has excelled in service to veterans and one that
    justly merits recognition by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
    the United States.
        Here to accept the award is the team leader, James Mason.
        ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States National
    Employment Service Office Award'' presented to Alaska
    Employment Service, Anchorage Local Office, Anchorage, Alaska.
        ``In special recognition and appreciation for meritorious,
    professional employment service rendered to veterans.''
        Of course, this has been signed today by myself as
    Commander-in-Chief and attested to by Adjutant General Howard
    Vander Clute.
        Mr. Mason, we certainly want to thank you and congratulate
    you for receiving this award. Along with this award goes an
    honorarium of $1,000.

                           RESPONSE--MR. JAMES MASON

        MR. MASON: Good morning. Commander-in-Chief Cramer,
    Distinguished Guests and Friends:
        It is indeed an honor for me to accept this award on behalf
    of the Alaska Employment Service, Anchorage Office. This
    prestigious honor is one that we will long cherish. The local
    staff in Anchorage has not always found it easy to serve those
    veterans.
        Sometimes they find them needing some assistance, caring
    and concern, or sometimes just a friendly hand up as opposed to
    a mere hand-out. As veterans representatives, our staff has
    worked to find ways to service veterans. We have been able to
    successfully inaugurate approximately ten mandated programs,
    and with the assistance of the local employment staff we have
    been available to service veterans population locally of
    approximately 30,000.
        To maximize our efforts, we have had veterans
    representatives in other stations on two military bases and the
    VA Regional Clinic, and the Anchorage Vets Center. We conduct
    post-employment workshops and do a weekly statewide veterans'
    television program.
        We have our program workshop for sailors, Marines and
    airmen serving at those industries from one end of Alaska to
    the other. I am also very proud to report that with the support
    of the scenic agencies in the area it has been outstanding,
    particularly those that have sent the donations, such as the
    VFW, the American Legion and the DAV and other agencies, plus
    the Alaska Vocational Rehabilitation Center, the VA itself and
    other federal agencies.
        I wish to thank the State Department of Labor and the State
    Director of Employment and Training, Mr. Dan Travis, and the
    Director of the Alaska Women's Training, Judy Knight, and
    especially our local area manager, Mr. Jerry Padro, for their
    support and insight and in the freedom that allows my staff to
    create activity to accomplish our mission, which is to promote
    economic ability by responding to the needs of both the
    employers and veterans seeking jobs.
        Last but not least, I would be remiss if I did not extend
    our sincere thanks to the Nominating Service Officer who made
    this recognition possible, and that is the VFW Service Officer,
    Mr. Gary Hurbers.
        I would like to make one final announcement. This $1,000
    award is going to be donated to the Alaska 1994 Stand Down,
    which is a homeless veterans campaign.

     PRESENTATION BY DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, U.S. SAVINGS BOND DIVISION

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For many years, the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars has promoted the purchase of U.S. Savings Bonds as
    an effective savings tool and a way to keep America strong.
        In keeping with that VFW priority, I am pleased to
    introduce the Manager of the Office of National Organization
    and Federal Programs, U.S. Savings Bond Division, Department of
    the U.S. Treasury, Mr. Kenneth J. Burch.

                          RESPONSE--MR. KENNETH BURCH

        MR. KENNETH BURCH: Thank you. Commander-in-Chief Cramer,
    Executive Officers, National person Benny Bachand, Members and
    Guests:
        It is my pleasure to be here today representing the
    Department of the Treasury, Secretary Lloyd Bentsen, and the
    Savings Bonds program. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States has a very important influence on the lives of
    veterans and their families.
        That is why I would like to be here today to share some
    thoughts about savings and savings bonds with you. One of the
    foundations of our economic strength is savings. The more we
    save, the better our individual futures will be; the better
    America's future will be as well.
        Savings, as you know, builds capital. Capital builds
    business and industry. Unfortunately, Americans have not been
    very good savers. We have, in fact, one of the lowest levels of
    savings in any Western industrialized nation. So, one thing
    that you as community leaders should be concerned with is
    encouraging everyone to save and save more regularly.
        The savings bonds are of continuing importance to America
    because they make it easy to save. Not only are bonds sold in
    every nation in the land, but they are also offered to millions
    of employees to have the Payroll Savings Plan where they work.
        The Payroll Savings Plan is becoming more and more popular
    each year through small, regular allotments where an employee
    can build a collection of savings bonds over time that is truly
    impressive. The single decision to join the Payroll Savings
    Plan gets you started, and then the employee can just sit back
    and watch their savings grow.
        There are other reasons beyond the ease of purchase to buy
    savings bonds. The foremost among them is savings bonds today
    are truly a decent investment. A buyer of bonds gets a
    guaranteed rate of four percent, which compared to similar
    investments, such as savings accounts, checking accounts, CD's,
    money markets, you look today out there, you go in your bank,
    the rates are pretty low.
        The savings bonds are very competitive. Once the bonds are
    held for five years, they receive market base rates. That means
    that bonds will be competitive under any conceivable economic
    situation. The current market base right now is 4.7 percent.
    That is 4.7 percent, up from 4.25 percent in the past six-month
    period. All indications are the next six months cycle or market
    base can go up over 5 percent.
        There are still other advantages which you may be
    interested in about savings bonds, including safety. Bonds are
    backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. If
    lost or stolen, they will be replaced free of charge by the
    United States Government.
        They are also exempt from state and local income tax, which
    sets them apart from other investments. Perhaps the biggest
    plus of buyers is the added tax rate. The bonds purchased are
    used for educational purposes. Education today, as you know, is
    very expensive for your children and your grandchildren.
        Those buyers who need income and certain other limitations,
    and most Americans do, savings bonds can be completely tax
    free. Currently, the value of U.S. savings bonds held by
    Americans today is $178 billion. Last month, $687 million worth
    of savings bonds were purchased.
        All in all, buying bonds today makes a stronger economy and
    well into the future. I know all of you will take this message
    back home. Tell your members about savings bonds and they more
    they know, the more likely they are to be a part of the
    program.
        I know that you will give savings bonds your full support
    as you have in the past. With your help, the program will
    continue to grow, helping other generations of Americans to a
    better, more secure future.
        It is now my pleasure to make a presentation to the
    National Organization's Chairman for Savings Bonds Program,
    Benny Bachand, for his continuing support of the Savings Bond
    Program.
        Over the past few years, Benny has volunteered his time in
    spreading the word about savings bonds to over 100 of the
    nation's top national organizations. Thank you-all for your
    support. I look forward to working with all of you in the years
    to come.
        COMRADE BENNY BACHAND: Thanks and buy bonds.

      PRESENTATION OF VFW OUTSTANDING VA HEALTH CARE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
                                     AWARD

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: The National Hospital Committee
    of the Veterans of Foreign Wars has established an award
    recognizing the Outstanding VA Health Care Provider of the
    Year. This year's recipient is Mr. Charles ``Chuck'' Bouley, a
    Vietnam veteran, and a physician's assistant at the Audie
    Murphy Memorial VA Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
        Chuck is a 21-year Army veteran. He served in Vietnam in
    1970 and '71 with the 85th Evacuation Hospital at Phu Bai.
        In the past year, while undergoing chemotherapy treatments,
    and with a real ``commitment to service,'' Mr. Bouley continued
    to work because he knew his veterans depended on him, even
    though he was feeling the effects of chemotherapy treatments.
        Despite his illness, and with determination and dedication
    to the veterans of the Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Medical
    Center, he worked tirelessly to alleviate many backlogs.
        As the VA looks at ways to improve its service to veterans,
    the dedicated and professional efforts of employees such as
    Chuck Bouley serve as an inspiration to all.
        Please join me in welcoming Mr. Charles ``Chuck'' Bouley,
    recipient of the VFW Outstanding VA Health Care Provider of the
    Year Award.
        ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Outstanding
    Health Care Provider Award, 1993-'94, presented to Charles
    ``Chuck'' Bouley, Physician's Assistant.
        ``In special recognition of his singular achievements in
    support of the programs and purposes of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States as the Outstanding VA Health Care
    Provider of the Year, 1993-'94.''
        This award is dated today, the 25th day of August, and
    signed by myself as the Commander-in-Chief, and attested to by
    Adjutant General Howard E. Vander Clute. Thank you for what you
    do for our nation's veterans.

                          RESPONSE--MR. CHARLES BOULEY

        MR. BOULEY: Commander-in-Chief Cramer, Fellow Veterans,
    Distinguished Guests:
        I want to thank all of you for this distinguished award. I
    want to thank Don Donnelly from Post 880, Statesville, Texas,
    and all of the Texas veterans. I want to thank my wife for her
    continued support. Again, thank you very much.

      PRESENTATION OF VFW OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AWARD

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: This year we are honored to
    present the VFW's Outstanding Community Health Care Provider of
    the Year Award to Dr. Murray T. Pritchard of West Plains,
    Missouri.
        Dr. Pritchard began a lifetime of providing quality health
    care to his fellow veterans during World War II when he was
    with the 119th Medical Battalion attached to the 168th Infantry
    in the 35th Division. Captured in North Africa, he was held in
    Stalag 3B in Frankfurt until he was liberated in March, 1945.
    Returning to the United States, Pritchard continued in the
    medical field.
        He joined the staff of the John J. Pershing VA Medical
    Center in 1973 where he worked in the Outpatient Department
    until he retired in 1985. His care and compassion made him a
    favorite of the staff and patients.
        Not content with retirement, he returned to work in the new
    Mobile Clinic at the Poplar Bluff, Missouri, VA Medical Center.
        The VA Mobile Clinic travels in a special bus to five sites
    in rural South Central Missouri and North Central Arkansas
    providing health care to veterans. Dr. Pritchard is on the road
    four days a week with a team. He has a reputation as a
    physician who really listens to and cares about each veteran he
    treats.
        In September, 1992, Dr. Pritchard accompanied the VA Mobile
    Clinic to Florida where they spent two weeks treating Hurricane
    Andrew victims.
        Please join me in welcoming a World War II veteran of North
    Africa, a former POW, a Life Member of VFW Post 1828 in West
    Plains, Missouri, and a caring physician and humanitarian, Dr.
    Murray T. Pritchard.
        ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Outstanding
    Community Health Care Provider Award, 1993-'94, presented to
    Murray T. Pritchard, Doctor of Osteopathy.
        ``In special recognition of his singular achievements in
    support of the programs and purposes of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States as the Outstanding Community Health
    Care Provider of the Year, 1993-'94.''
        This has been signed this date by myself as the Commander-
    in-Chief and attested to by Howard E. Vander Clute, our
    Adjutant General.

                       RESPONSE--DR. MURRAY T. PRITCHARD

        COMRADE PRITCHARD: Thank you, Commander-in-Chief, and thank
    you all fellow members of the VFW. I want to explain a little
    further about our mobile clinic. There are six such mobile
    clinics being used in the United States. We were lucky enough
    to have one.
        This is a pilot program, and it has been going on for two
    years, and there have been statistics being compiled to see if
    it is feasible. We think it is going to be, because we have
    been very successful with our mobile clinic.
        I would also like to have my wife to stand, who is the
    chief volunteer on this mobile clinic. She has been very
    faithful in helping the veterans to be ushered in and to be
    shown where to go for treatment. We have on our staff a
    physician, a physician's assistant, a registered nurse, a
    coordinator and a driver who is the expert on the computer and
    fax system.
        Our team has been very successful, and we have at times
    seen as many as 200 patients in a three-day period in one
    location. Sometimes we have to have a special nurse to help us
    in these busy locations. We are very much indebted to the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        Each one of our stations is at a VFW Center. We have a
    place for these older veterans to come and to rest until they
    are processed. They are in the shelter where it is either air
    conditioned, if it is needed, or we have heat for them. It is
    very comfortable.
        These patients, many of them, are not able to go to the VA
    Hospital. They are older and they are sick. Some are crippled
    and some are blind. These are the ones that we are serving the
    greatest need to.
        I would like to add one more thing. These Veterans of
    Foreign Wars volunteers and the people who are working with us
    are really great. They have made the greatest contribution to
    the success of our mobile clinic. Thank you.

          PRESENTATION OF VFW OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: This is the first year the VFW
    Hospital Committee has established an award recognizing the
    outstanding VA Volunteer of the Year.
        The first recipient of this award is Comrade Daniel W.
    Moore, a Life Member of the Anthony T. Calista Post 5579,
    Gibbstown, New Jersey.
        Comrade Moore's many volunteer activities include bingo
    parties for patients of the Nursing Home Care Unit at the
    Elsmere VA Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware, off-shore
    fishing trips for patients on charter fishing boats, and his
    countless hours in support of the annual VAVS Carnival.
        Moore has become a regular on Christmas Eve, dressing up in
    his Santa Claus suit and passing out cookies and soft drinks to
    all the patients at the Medical Center.
        Moore is a Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving in 1950
    and 1951, and again in 1953. He returned to active duty in
    1955, retiring in 1973.
        Because of his consistent and unselfish efforts, he has not
    only contributed to the quality of life and well-being of his
    fellow veterans, but has enhanced the reputation of the VFW and
    VFW Post 5579, known by all the patients as the best volunteer
    group at the Elsmere VA Medical Center.
        Please join me in welcoming Comrade Daniel W. Moore, the
    1994 VFW Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
        ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Outstanding
    Volunteer Award, 1993-'94, presented to Daniel W. Moore.
        ``In special recognition of his singular achievements in
    support of the programs and purposes of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States as the outstanding volunteer of the
    year, 1993-'94.''
        The citation is dated today and signed by myself as the
    Commander-in-Chief and, of course, attested to by the Adjutant
    General, Howard E. Vander Clute.
        Having the opportunity to have worked as a volunteer in a
    hospital, I think besides this award one of the most rewarding
    things is to go up to a patient and see how appreciative they
    are of the VFW volunteers that are out there in making their
    life a little more enjoyable. Dan, the first recipient, I
    congratulate you. I hope your success rubs off on the rest of
    our membership.

                         RESPONSE--MR. DANIEL W. MOORE

        COMRADE DANIEL MOORE (Post 5579--New Jersey): Thank you,
    Commander-in-Chief. Comrades, being a volunteer is not without
    compensation. I personally receive an emotional high every time
    I go to the hospital and do something for these guys.
        Their eyes light up when they know somebody cares. It is my
    humble opinion there is no program which the VFW has which is
    any more important than the hospital volunteer program.
    Remember, comrades, they are our people, they are veterans, and
    if we don't look out for them who in the heck will? Thank you.

                 PRESENTATION OF VFW POST SERVICE OFFICER AWARD

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: This is the third year that the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars has recognized one of its own, the
    Outstanding National Post Service Officer. The Post Service
    Officer is the crucial first link for veterans and their
    dependents at the ``grass roots'' level.
        This award is presented annually to the VFW Post Service
    Officer who attains the highest percentage of claims assistance
    referrals. These are referrals made on behalf of veterans,
    their dependents, and survivors to the appropriate Department
    Service Officer for processing within the Veterans Benefits
    Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
        The recipient of this award is Comrade John J. Speckman.
    Comrade Speckman is Post Service Officer for VFW Post 5890 in
    Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
        Speckman is an Army veteran of World War II. He served
    nearly three and one-half years in the South Pacific with the
    27th Infantry Division, 165th Infantry Regiment on Makin,
    Eniwetok, Saipan and Okinawa.
        This award testifies to the commitment of Comrade Speckman
    to his duties as a Post Service Officer. He has reached out to
    members of his Post and Ladies Auxiliary. He has gone the extra
    mile on their behalf.
        His service to others is in the finest tradition of our VFW
    commitment to ``Honor the Dead by Helping the Living.'' It is
    for that reason that we formally recognize him today.
        In addition to Mr. Speckman's awards, VFW Post 5890, Rio
    Rancho, New Mexico, will receive a plaque recognizing Mr.
    Speckman's accomplishments.
        Please join me in welcoming Comrade John J. Speckman.
        ``Veterans of Foreign Wars National Outstanding Post
    Service Officer Award presented to John J. Speckman, Rio Rancho
    Post 5890, Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
        ``In special recognition for having achieved an exceptional
    record of service to VFW members and their families, marked by
    a spirit of dedication, compassion, selflessness and faithful
    adherence to the VFW principle `Honor the Dead by Helping the
    Living'.''
        This citation is signed this day by myself as Commander-in-
    Chief, and attested to by Howard E. Vander Clute, Adjutant
    General.
        Before I give you this plaque, Howard, do you want to put
    his cap on his head, please? John, congratulations and thank
    you for your assistance in helping veterans.

                       RESPONSE--COMRADE JOHN J. SPECKMAN

        COMRADE SPECKMAN (Post 5890--New Mexico): Comrades, I
    gratefully accept this plaque as the Outstanding Service
    Officer, and I want to give thanks to our State Service
    Officer, Comrade Charlie Nasser.
        I started in New York many, many years ago at the
    Department Post, Beachhead Post. I see a lot of these guys from
    Illinois here because I used to be in 335, and I retired to New
    Mexico. Now, I have all this time, I am pleased to dedicate it
    to something worthwhile.
        I urge any of the Service Officers to really continue
    giving your help to these elderly fellows, because a lot of
    guys would love to be here today that just can't do it. You
    should really get your kicks out of seeing them when you see
    them places. Thank you, gentlemen.

       INTRODUCTION--MR. MIKE LYNCH, GENERAL MANAGER, HELP HOSPITALIZED
                                    VETERANS

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Since its inception in 1971, the
    Help Hospitalized Veterans Project has delivered more than 13
    million arts and crafts kits to veterans in more than 260 VA
    and military hospitals. This effort represents more than $100
    million in donations to this worthwhile effort.
        Recently Help Hospitalized Veterans became a priority with
    the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Here to discuss that relationship
    is the General Manager of Help Hospitalized Veterans, Mr. Mike
    Lynch.
                          REMARKS--COMRADE MIKE LYNCH

        COMRADE MIKE LYNCH: I first want to thank the VFW for
    allowing the Help Hospitalized Veterans organization to be a
    part of your National Convention. Particularly, I would like to
    thank Commander-in-Chief Cramer and Mr. Vander Clute for their
    evaluating our program and allowing us to be a part of this
    worthwhile effort.
        Before I continue on, I have got to share a personal moment
    with you-all. Raised in Houston, Texas, as a child, and as a
    teen, my mother and my father allowed me and took me to many
    events of the VFW, the dances and the various charity fund-
    raising efforts that Post 8930 in Houston did when I was a kid.
        I have got to tell you that if my father was alive today
    and could see his son addressing my father's comrades, he would
    be very proud. I, too, am now a comrade, being a Vietnam
    veteran, and very proud to be a part and a member of the VFW
    after being recruited in Kansas City.
        For those of you who do not know what HHV is, Help
    Hospitalized Veterans, I will give you a quick insight on who
    we are. We are a national known profit group that was
    formulated in 1971 to distribute arts and crafts kits to
    hospitalized veteran patients throughout the country, in VA and
    military hospitals.
        This program is designed to allow the veteran's mind to get
    off of his problems while being hospitalized. These kits are an
    escape. As one Chief of Recreation Services told me, these kits
    are not to kill time but to make time live while I am
    hospitalized.
        It is true, if you have ever been in the hospital, there is
    nothing that you can do, and you can go stir crazy. It is worse
    than walking a perimeter or being on guard duty for hours.
        On June 13th of this year, with the permission of the
    National VFW Headquarters, we were allowed to mail to all Posts
    a videotape describing the program, along with a couple of
    posters and a letter from myself and a letter from Mr. Vander
    Clute explaining and requesting support from Posts nationwide.
        I am pleased and very proud to say as of this date we have
    received contributions in excess of $50,000 representing over
    600 Posts that are currently participating in the HHV Craft Kit
    Program. What this means is this has allowed us to distribute
    an additional 12,500 craft kits to our comrades that are
    hospitalized across this country.
        So, on behalf of HHV Board of Directors, it is an honor for
    me to present to the VFW this token of our appreciation, and
    the appreciation of thousands of hospitalized veterans served
    by VFW members everywhere. Thank you for all you have done and
    enjoy the rest of your Convention. God bless you all.

                    INTRODUCTION OF PAST COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: At this time I would like to
    take the opportunity to introduce once again the comrades who
    have led this organization the first 95 years of its life. If I
    may, I will start with the past Commanders-in- Chief that are
    on the dais, and if you would, please hold your applause until
    I have introduced all of them and then you can respond.
        Past Commander-in-Chief and Executive Director of our
    Washington office, Larry Rivers; Past Commander-in-Chief and
    Director of PAC, Bob Currieo. You gentlemen will remain
    standing. Past Commander-in-Chief Norm Staab; Past Commander-
    in-Chief Art Fellwock; Past Commander-in-Chief Cliff Olson;
    Past Commander-in-Chief Joe Scerra; Past Commander-in-Chief Ted
    C. Connell; Past Commander-in-Chief Jack Carney.
        Past Commander-in-Chief Bob Wallace; Past Commander- in-
    Chief Bob Merrill; Past Commander-in-Chief Cooper T. Holt; Past
    Commander-in-Chief John Mahan; Past Commander-in-Chief Bob
    Hanson; Past Commander-in-Chief Rich Holman; Past Commander-in-
    Chief Ray Gallagher; Past Commander-in-Chief Pat Carr; Past
    Commander-in-Chief Ray Soden; Past Commander-in-Chief John
    Stang; Past Commander-in-Chief Thomas Walker; Past Commander-
    in-Chief R. D. ``Bulldog'' Smith; Past Commander-in-Chief John
    Wasylik; Past Commander-in-Chief Eric Sandstrom.
        Sitting on the dais is Past Commander-in-Chief and Adjutant
    General, Howard Vander Clute. Also Past Commander-in- Chief
    Billy Ray Cameron was here but called home because of his
    employment.Past Commander-in-Chief John Staum; Past Commander-
    in-Chief Wally Hogan; Past Commander-in-Chief Jim Kimery. I
    think that is all of them. How about a nice hand for all of
    them. [Applause]
        I would now like to call on our Adjutant General Vander
    Clute for any announcements that we may need today.
        ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE: Department Commanders, 1993-
    1994, those of you who just left office recently in June, a 30-
    minute get together at the sports bar in the Hilton at 1:00
    o'clock. That is signed by Charlie Shewmaker, Past Commander of
    the Department of Kansas.
        The Department Commanders for 1992-'93 will meet out in the
    hall to your left immediately following the close of this
    meeting.
        Comrades, the Commander-in-Chief has given me the privilege
    this morning to introduce hard-working members of this
    Convention Corporation, but before I do that I want to say that
    I have been through fourteen of these Conventions as the
    Adjutant General.
        I remarked to our Commander-in-Chief this morning, I can't
    remember any Convention that was conducted quite so well as he
    has done. He has moved the Convention, he has given everyone an
    opportunity to express themselves on Resolutions that were
    being debated on the floor.
        He also, as he should do or as any Chair should do,
    explained the Resolutions in the parliamentary procedure that
    was necessary to have the debate run smoothly, and to have the
    process of adoption or rejection go very quickly. I think that
    you-all agree with me that he has indeed conducted a very fair
    and very democratic and a very expeditious Convention. Perhaps
    you would like to acknowledge him for that.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation to Commander-in-Chief Cramer.]

                   RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SERGEANTS-AT-ARMS

        ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE: Comrades, also because I
    suspect that it is within the domain of the Adjutant General to
    manage the Sergeant-at-Arms at our National Convention, I have
    been given this opportunity. Maintaining order and discipline
    at a National Convention is essential for its expeditious
    conducting.
        Sometimes the Sergeant-at-Arms and Assistant Sergeants-at-
    Arms are asked to do things that perhaps can be perceived by
    delegates as being abrasive to their comfort and ease. But it
    is necessary to seat people. It is necessary to see there is
    not an undertone or perhaps even an overtone at a National
    Convention.
        So, sometimes I know that you may lose your patience with
    them or not entirely understand what their duties are. But in
    all fairness to those of the ranks of Sergeant-at-Arms and
    Assistant Sergeants-at-Arms, you must understand they come here
    and spend every day on the floor of this Convention.
        When you leave here to go and engage in some of the revelry
    of the Convention, which we all enjoy to do, they generally
    have another assignment. Sometimes their assignment, along with
    the National Officer, will last long into the evening.
        Then they are expected to again be on the floor of the
    Convention by 8:00 o'clock to begin the process of the day,
    conducting a disciplined Convention. Comrades, this morning I
    know that now that perhaps you have thought about that, you can
    appreciate the work and industry they do in performing their
    duties.
        I want to introduce to you them this morning. The National
    Sergeant-at-Arms, George F. Sarver, of Post 402, Pennsylvania.
    The Assistant Sergeants-at-Arms are Carl C. Aiello, Post 1645,
    Massachusetts; Barry Hoffman, Post 6240, Kansas; William F.
    Miller, Post 4206, Florida; Nicholas Polansky, Post 2083,
    Connecticut; Joseph P. Schirmers, Post 4847, Minnesota, and
    Fred H. VonHinken, Post 4159, Michigan. I have saved this
    comrade for last, Walter W. Hamilton, Post 7420, California.
         In conjunction with the introduction of Walt Hamilton, he
    submitted a letter at this Convention asking to be relieved of
    his duties as Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms. He has expressed in
    this letter, and I will not read it all to you, but he has
    expressed in the letter his appreciation to the many
    Commanders-in-Chief, Past Commanders-in-Chief who continue to
    appoint him to this position.
         He certainly has performed in the highest tradition of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars during this time. The reason for his
    withdrawal, I suspect, as you all know, he is a candidate for
    Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief in the Western Conference and
    he, I suspect, will have other concerns that he must attend to
    while seeking this office.
         My comrades, I express my appreciation to the Sergeant-at-
    Arms and Assistant Sergeants-at-Arms every day after the
    session. During the session, I am probably barking at the
    Sergeants-at-Arms constantly. But I know and I appreciate what
    they have done to help to conduct these Conventions.
         Join with me, please, once again, and give them the
    appropriate round of applause.
         [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation.]
         COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: While the Sergeant-at- Arms
    leaves the stage, we will go into nominations for 1994-'95
    officers. If you are going to nominate somebody and would like
    to come up to the dais, please do so. I think that you would
    like to do that.
         Sergeant-at-Arms, will you escort our Representatives for
    our National Home, please.

                     VISIT OF NATIONAL HOME REPRESENTATIVES

         COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, it gives me great
    pleasure to introduce the President of the National Home, Past
    National President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Alice Hutto.
         NATIONAL HOME PRESIDENT HUTTO: Thank you very much,
    Commander-in-Chief. Good morning, Commander-in-Chief, National
    Officers, Distinguished Guests, and most importantly, you
    Comrades in the audience:
         I just want to take this opportunity to thank each and
    every one of you for your love, your support, your compassion
    and your dedication to the National VFW Home. We appreciate it
    so much.
         Now, I would like to introduce to you your elected
    trustees. They are Allen Jones from Pennsylvania, Ed Sanders
    from Indiana, Hal Webber from South Dakota. I don't think Hal
    is here. His wife had surgery. Also George Smith from New York,
    Robert Keys from Arkansas, Bob Houston from Michigan. Also the
    Commander-in-Chief George Cramer, our able Adjutant
    Quartermaster Jim Bowden and Howard Vander Clute, Adjutant
    General.
         Again, I just want to say thank you. You know, our
    National Home is alive and very well, and it is all because of
    you and your continued support. For that we thank you so much.
         Now, I would like to present to you our excellent
    Executive Director, Susan Shoultz, who is doing an excellent
    job at our National Home for us, as well as running the Home.
         MS. SUSAN SHOULTZ: Good morning. To our Commander- in-
    Chief, Officers and Guests, and to you the membership of the
    VFW:
         There is much excitement and anticipation at the VFW
    National Home. We look forward to 1995 and the 70th Anniversary
    of our operation. The Home was created in 1925 to care for the
    widows and orphans of the men who fought for their country.
         Since then, over 1,500 children have spent growing up
    years in the National Home. As the world in which we live has
    changed and new generations of young people have to go out to
    work to defend their way of life, the National Home has
    remained steadfast and ready to care for the families of these
    courageous individuals.
         It is an unfortunate reality that after 70 years there are
    children and grandchildren of the membership that continue to
    need a home during their growing up years. During these past
    several months, the referrals of children to the National Home
    have doubled over the previous year. This means we will have
    achieved our goal of operating at full capacity during 1995.
         As we look forward into the future, it is becoming
    increasingly clear that the National Home will need to continue
    to exist to provide for children a safe and loving home and set
    a value that will ready them for responsibilities of adulthood.
         Equally important, the National Home will continue to
    exist as a living memorial which serves to honor you and your
    service to this great country of ours. Don't forget the
    children. We do not let them forget you.
         Now, I would like to introduce to you our 1994-'95 Buddy
    Poppy Child, Sharon Zaddock.

                     REMARKS BY 1994-'95 BUDDY POPPY CHILD

         BUDDY POPPY CHILD ZADDOCK: Good morning. Welcome to Las
    Vegas. I am glad to be here. My name is Sharon Zaddock. I am
    the Buddy Poppy girl for 1994-'95. In September, I will be
    going in the fifth grade. I have been living at the VFW
    National Home with my mother, my older sister and my younger
    brother for four years.
         We live in the Maine Cottage, which I think is cool. The
    home has given me the chance to be involved in a lot of
    activities. I have been in gymnastics for four years. My older
    sister is jealous because she cannot do cartwheels better than
    I. I have taken piano lessons for two years. At my main
    recital, I did one song by myself and one with my other sister.
    I learned a lot about the songs. I had a lot of fun, too.
         Finally, the National Home has been a great teacher, too.
    I have taken care of rabbits for two years under the 4-H
    program at the National Home. I have learned a lot about
    rabbits. This year, when I learned about rabbits, I was a
    Judge. I am getting real nervous.
         The best part of going to the fair is seeing the horses. I
    really love horses. Each year I keep bugging and bugging and
    bugging my mom to buy me one. But does she? No. This past
    summer I played softball. I guess you could say this is the
    first time I had a person that actually pitched to me. I guess
    you could say our team was disabled because we lost every game.
    But we are the most improved team.
         We have Michigan Day and Ohio Day and I help with the
    carnival games. I like it because I get to meet a lot of new
    people. After I am done, I go and play with the other kids.
    There is so much to do there. We play games and watch videos.
    We get to do arts and crafts.
         I like to play basketball and volleyball, and then the
    other side has to catch it or else you get a point. Last year I
    was lunch room helper and I served the food and cleared off the
    tables. I also helped the kids to solve their problems like,
    unfortunately, it has happened with my brother.
         I started trying karate lessons for self-defense only.
    This is one of my favorite karate moves. It is called the star
    step. I am a junior in Girl Scouts. My mom said she liked me
    being in the Girl Scouts because she knows she will get Girl
    Scout Cookies each year.
        I like horses, stuffed animals and dogs. I have got a dog.
    In my spare time, I like to read poems and I would like to
    share one with you. It is, ``Beware of a Dog.''
        ``Beware of a cat, beware of a mouse, beware of a bat for
    being lost or anything in this girl's house.''
        This apartment has given my mother the opportunity to have
    a job and save for a down payment on our own home. Next year we
    will be ready to move out. Thank you one more time. Have a
    wonderful time at the Convention and thank you.
        NATIONAL HOME PRESIDENT HUTTO: On behalf of the Board of
    Trustees and employees of the National Home, George, we would
    like to present you with this small token.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you, Alice, Sue and
    Sharon. Rush Limbaugh and Oprah Winfrey, look out. The
    competition is on the horizon. How about a big round of
    applause for the National Home Representatives. By the way, I
    am sure that Sharon would like to, if she has not already,
    start a collection of pins. Should you have some, give them to
    her.

                             NOMINATION OF OFFICERS

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: We will now go into the
    nominations for 1994-'95 officers for the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States. For the purpose of nominating our
    next Commander-in-Chief, the Chair recognizes from Post 9972,
    Sierra Vista, Arizona, Past Commander-in-Chief James R. ``Bob''
    Currieo.

                        NOMINATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BOB CURRIEO: Thank you, Commander-
    in-Chief. National Officers, Comrades to this great Convention,
    it is a privilege to come before you this morning to place in
    nomination for Commander-in-Chief a man who has certainly paid
    his dues in our organization.
        He has served in the Post, District and Department of
    Arizona, has achieved the high honor of All-American Post
    Commander and Department Commander. He has served our
    organization in various National offices, and in the past two
    years has distinguished himself as our Junior Vice and Senior
    Vice Commander-in-Chief, traveling to the four corners of this
    great nation of ours and to many, many nations overseas, and
    the troubled spots that confront our country.
        He has traveled on four different occasions to Vietnam in
    quest of answers to the troubling MIA issue. He is a retired
    Marine, who had served more than 20 years in the Corps,
    retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer. He has dedicated service
    to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        He is a no-nonsense leader, who believes firmly in the
    motto of his beloved sword, always faithful, always faithful to
    himself and always faithful to his comrades, and always
    faithful to the veterans of this nation. He will help host our
    Association in the 21st Century, beginning another 100 years of
    success for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        It is an honor to place in nomination for the office of
    Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States, the name of Allen F. ``Gunner'' Kent from the
    Department of Arizona.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For the purpose of a second, the
    Chair recognizes from Post 1710, Phoenix, Arizona, Department
    Commander of Arizona, William Douglas.
        COMRADE WILLIAM DOUGLAS (Post 1710--Arizona): Commander-in-
    Chief, National Officers and Delegates:
        I rise to second the nomination of Allen F. Kent for the
    office of Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
    the United States.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Are there any other nominations
    for Commander-in-Chief for the ensuing year? Is there any other
    nomination once, twice, three times? The nominations will
    remain open until tomorrow morning.
        For the purpose of nominating the Senior Vice Commander-in-
    Chief for the year 1994-'95, the Chair recognizes from Post
    905, Gardner, Massachusetts, Past Commander-in-Chief Joe
    Scerra.

                  NOMINATION OF SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOSEPH SCERRA: Commander-in-Chief
    George R. Cramer, National Officers, Past Commanders-in-Chief
    and Delegates to the 95th National Convention:
        I have the great honor and privilege to place in nomination
    before this Convention a dedicated and outstanding comrade.
    Unanimously endorsed by the Eastern States Conference, the
    Department of Massachusetts, and all other conferences for
    elevation to Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief.
        I nominated and you elected this distinguished comrade
    almost a year ago as our Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief. His
    service to you and our organization has been exemplary and in
    the highest tradition of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States.
        As our Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, with full knowledge
    of the objectives, aims and mandates of our membership, he
    accomplished every duty, commitment and assignment given him
    with great competency. Endowed with a great degree of ability
    to articulate explicitly the sensing of the needs of our
    membership and organization. This year, with more than ordinary
    ability, effectively represented our organization on local,
    state and national levels.
        I predicted a year ago that this dedicated and extremely
    well-qualified officer would be a valued assistant to the
    Commander-in-Chief and Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, with the
    splendid ability to fully inform and motivate our membership.
        He has fulfilled this prediction to the extent that the
    welcome mat has again been exhibited wherever he has been.
        Paul Spera has served our membership and organization with
    the highest degree of accomplishment and dedication in all his
    endeavors during the year 1993-'94, and he has faithfully
    discharged the duties of Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief.
        Eminently qualified and competent with a history of
    superior service to our organization, and unquestioned
    leadership ability, I, with pride, on behalf of the Eastern
    States Conference and the Department of Massachusetts, place in
    nomination Comrade Paul A. Spera, a Life Member of North End
    Post 144 for the high office of Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief
    for 1994-'95. Thank you very much.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For the purpose of a second, the
    Chair will recognize, from Post 8699, in Boston, Massachusetts,
    Past Commander-in-Chief, Clifford G. Olson.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CLIFFORD OLSON: Thank you. Good
    morning, comrades. I was just talking with some of the people
    with respect to the officers next year and I find that we don't
    have one Navy man left. This is your last chance to cheer for
    the Navy.
        Comrades, I stood before you last year in our Convention
    and stated that I would never come to this rostrum and nominate
    or endorse a candidacy of a man I didn't feel was worthy or
    qualified to hold an office, whatever that office may be.
        Last year I was proud to second the nomination of Paul
    Spera for the office of Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief. You and
    I have not been disappointed with his actions. I don't have to
    reiterate what Past Commander-in-Chief Scerra has put before
    you. I stand here proudly without fear to second the nomination
    of Paul A. Spera for Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Also for the purpose of a
    second, from Post 2346, in Saugus, Massachusetts, the
    Department Commander, Stanley T. King.
        COMRADE STANLEY KING (Post 2346--Massachusetts): National
    Commander-in-Chief Cramer, National Officers and Delegates:
        I stand before you with personal pride to second the
    nomination of Paul A. Spera. A little history, in 1982-'83,
    Paul Spera was the Department Commander of Massachusetts and
    did an excellent job. I was very proud and honored to serve as
    the Post Commander of the largest Post at that time in
    Massachusetts, and my Post worked diligently and hard and made
    the All-State Team of Paul Spera.
        I have been serving with Paul for a number of years. It is
    a great privilege and with pride to say that my Department, the
    Department of Massachusetts, stands behind Paul Spera for this
    office of Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief. We are with him, we
    have been with him, and we will continue to be with him.
        We are proud of Paul and proud of the Department of
    Massachusetts. We could say something about the Navy not being
    alive. We are alive in Massachusetts. The Senior Commander and
    the Junior Commander are all from the Navy.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Are there any other nominations
    for the office of Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief? Any other
    nominations once, any other nominations twice, and any other
    nominations three times? The nominations will remain open until
    tomorrow morning.

                  NOMINATION OF JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For the purpose of nominating
    the 1994-'95 Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, from Post 9192, in Killeen,
    Texas, the Chair recognizes Past Commander-in-Chief Ted C.
    Connell.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CONNELL: Commander-in-Chief, my
    Comrades: I stand before you a proud delegate from Post 9192. I
    am proud to have been chosen to nominate a great American for
    the high office of Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief. Jim Nier has
    been an All-American District Commander, an All-American State
    Commander.
        He entered the Army in 1959 and served for 22 years. He
    served both in Vietnam and Korea. He returned to the United
    States and while stationed in Maryland attended night school
    where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Business and his
    Master's Degree, both by attending night school while serving
    full-time duty.
        After that, he was assigned as an instructor at the Command
    Sergeant Major's Academy in El Paso where he retired. I know of
    no individual that would be better qualified for this job.
    Being only the third member of the Texas delegation to have
    been nominated and served in this high job, without further
    ado, I give to you the name of Jim Nier for Junior Vice
    Commander-in-Chief. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For the purpose of a second, the
    Chair will recognize from Post 5359, in Dawson Springs,
    Kentucky, Past Department Commander Joel Hurley.
        COMRADE JOEL HURLEY (Post 5359--Kentucky): It looks like we
    have got a few more than the Southern Conference Commanders
    here, but we are glad to have them up here, too. On behalf of
    the State Commanders of the Southern Conference who served in
    1989-1990 with the Junior Vice Commander designee, and under
    the leadership of the great Chief, Wally Hogan, we proudly
    second the nomination of Jim Nier from the great State of Texas
    for Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief for 1994-'95.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Are there any other nominations
    for Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief? Any other nominations for
    Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief once; any other nominations for
    Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief twice; any other nominations for
    Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief three times? The nominations
    will remain open until tomorrow morning.
        For the purpose of nominating the Quartermaster General for
    the year 1994-'95, the Chair will recognize from Post 6240, in
    Russell, Kansas, Past Commander-in-Chief Norman Staab.

                      NOMINATION OF QUARTERMASTER GENERAL

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NORMAN STAAB: Commander-in-Chief
    George Cramer, National Officers and Delegates to this
    Convention:
        It is with a great amount of pride that I have the
    privilege to nominate a distinguished member of our
    organization, a fellow Kansan, to the high and prestigious
    office of Quartermaster General, James D.``Jim'' Bowden. Jim
    Bowden is a lifetime resident of the State of Kansas, and he
    has grown up in Emporia, southwest of Kansas City.
        He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business
    Administration from Emporia State University in 1966. Jim
    served his country in the United States Army and was stationed
    in South Vietnam in 1969. Jim was attracted to the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars, joining the staff at the National Headquarters in
    1970 as Manager of Accounting.
        Six years later he was promoted to head the VFW Emblem and
    Supply Department, where in nine years gross sales nearly
    doubled, reaching over $4 million by 1985. At that time, Jim's
    record at the VFW stood out such that he was asked to step up
    and fulfill the responsibilities as Assistant Quartermaster
    General.
        Six years later, on April 16, 1991, after nearly 21 years
    at the National Headquarters, Jim was installed as the
    Quartermaster General, only the fourth Quartermaster General in
    the history of this fine organization.
        In the short time he has been Quartermaster General, a
    reliable friend has made itself apparent. Jim believes strongly
    and persistently in the day-to-day influence of this
    organization's finances and readily demonstrates that belief
    that has been confronting its use as it becomes necessary.
        Unselfishly and without compromise of what he believes is
    best for the VFW, while constantly keeping abreast of the
    economic news, he is bringing sound financial principles to a
    legitimate long-range plan that will keep the VFW not just
    above water but resting on a solid rock of a financial
    foundation.
        This diligence and deep concern for the future comes with
    the initiative that he has put in place, makes Jim the kind of
    comrade that we need for financial help, the one to lead us
    into the 21st Century and make the Veterans of Foreign Wars as
    the driving force it needs to accomplish our honorable goals.
        I proudly nominate James D. Bowden, Life Member of Post
    869, Kansas City, Kansas, as Quartermaster General for 1994-
    '95.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For the purpose of a second, the
    Chair will recognize from Post 864, in Brookline,
    Massachusetts, Department Quartermaster Bill McCarthy.
        COMRADE WILLIAM McCARTHY (Post 864--Massachusetts): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, on behalf of Bill Radigan of South Dakota
    in the Big Ten, William Cox of North Carolina, representing the
    Southern Conference, and Darrell Bencken from the State of
    Kansas, representing the Western Conference, we are more than
    proud to represent the rest of the Adjutant/Quartermasters in
    nominating a man that we deal with on a daily basis. We think
    he is outstanding and, in fact, we know he is an outstanding
    Quartermaster General, Jim Bowden. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Are there any other nominations
    for Quartermaster General? Any other nominations once; any
    other nominations twice; any other nominations three times? The
    nominations will remain open until tomorrow.
        For the purpose of nominating the Judge Advocate General
    for the year 1994-'95, the Chair will recognize from Post 4643,
    Satellite Beach, Florida, Immediate Past Commander-in-Chief
    Jack Carney.

                      NOMINATION OF JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN CARNEY: Thank you, Commander-
    in-Chief. Commander-in-Chief, National Officers, Past
    Commanders-in-Chief, Delegates to this great Convention:
        It is indeed an honor and a pleasure for me from the
    Department of Florida, and our candidate has been endorsed by
    the Southern Conference, I am pleased to nominate Charles
    Whiteacre. Charlie has had many distinguished credits to his
    history.
        I am pleased to tell you he has been an attorney-at-law for
    38 years. He attended Boston University, a graduate of the
    University of Miami, and he is a member of the Florida Bar
    until he just recently retired. He was City Judge in Hialeah, a
    Mayor of Hialeah, Florida, and I could go on and on and tell
    you about his personal involvement in politics.
        However, he is a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars and served as Post Commander, District Commander. He has
    been State Judge Advocate, State Junior Vice Commander, State
    Senior Vice Commander and State Commander. He was also
    President of the National Convention Corporation in 1958, and
    then again selected in 1970.
        He has held many National Committees with the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars. He has served his state and his National
    Organization with full energy and enthusiasm on behalf of the
    veterans of this country. I am pleased to place in nomination
    for Judge Advocate General for 1994-'95, Charles Whiteacre from
    Florida.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For the purpose of a second, the
    Chair will recognize from Post 10131, in Cape Canaveral,
    Florida, State Commander Larry Martell.
        COMRADE LARRY MARTELL (Post 10131--Florida): It is a great
    pleasure that I come before this august body to second the
    nomination of Charles Whiteacre from Florida. We call him the
    Judge. Believe me, comrades, he is the Judge. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Also for the purpose of
    seconding the nomination, from Post 1289, in Chattanooga,
    Tennessee, Past Commander-in-Chief Cooper T. Holt.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOLT: Thank you, Commander-in-
    Chief. My comrades, I am indeed honored to have the privilege
    and the high honor of seconding the nomination of Charlie
    Whiteacre from the great State of Florida for the high and
    important office of National Judge Advocate General.
        I want you to know that I have known Charlie Whiteacre for
    well over 40 years. Over this long period of time, I have
    always known Charlie to be a man of action, a man of action on
    the Post level, where he served as Judge Advocate, to Junior,
    Senior, the Post Commander and on the District level.
        He is a man of action, serving in many offices there,
    including the Judge Advocate General, and certainly he is a man
    of action on the Department level serving there as Judge
    Advocate for many, many years. I think from 1979 to 1983. He
    also served as the Department Junior Vice, Senior Vice and
    Commander.
        He has been on the National level, serving as President of
    the National Convention Corporation in 1958 and 1970, and he
    has served on practically every National Committee that I know
    anything about. Charlie served in the United States Army with
    the Americal Division in the South Pacific during World War II.
    I also served there, and that is why we won that damn war in
    the Pacific.
        Now, our next Judge Advocate General has been an attorney-
    at-law for over 38 years. He is a member of the Florida Bar
    Association and several other Bars throughout the State of
    Florida, and not necessarily the Bar Association as you know
    it.
        The office of Judge Advocate General, as I have indicated,
    my comrades, deserves a man of action. Charlie is that man. It
    is with honor that I second the nomination for National Judge
    Advocate General from the great State of Florida, Charles
    Whiteacre.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, are there any other
    nominations for Judge Advocate General? Are there any other
    nominations once? Any other nominations twice? Any other
    nominations three times? The nominations are closed.
        For the purpose of nominating the Surgeon General for the
    year 1994-'95, the Chair will recognize from Post 249, in
    Butler, Pennsylvania, Past State Commander, Norman Rettig.

                         NOMINATION OF SURGEON GENERAL

        COMRADE NORMAN RETTIG (Post 249--Pennsylvania): What an
    honor it is for me to be the Immediate Past Commander of the
    Department of Pennsylvania and to be here before you to
    nominate Patricia Potter for the prestigious position of
    Surgeon General.
        Pat is a Registered Nurse and the State Surgeon of
    Pennsylvania, and served in Vietnam from Da Nang to the DMZ,
    and earned the Service Medal, Bronze Star of Republic, the
    Vietnam Campaign Medal with the device and other decorations.
    She served 11 years on active duty in the United States Navy.
    That is another Navy person. That is also me.
        She is an active member, and I mean an active member in
    every sense of the word, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on the
    Post, County Council, District and Department levels. She has
    been a registered service officer since 1985. She was elected
    Department Surgeon in 1989 and is currently serving her fifth
    term.
        As State Surgeon, she visits each of the ten VA Medical
    Centers in Pennsylvania at least once. I repeat, at least once
    each year, to monitor the quality of care. She has testified at
    U.S. Senate Public Hearings on Veterans Affairs, appointed by
    the Pennsylvania Governor Casey to the Advisory Council for the
    Veterans Home, whose term will expire in 1996.
        Her professional bio is extensive. She graduated from
    Presbyterian School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She
    is licensed as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania. She
    graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
        She was the unanimous choice of the Eastern States
    Conference, based on her enviable service to the VFW,
    especially for our hospitalized veterans. With great pride, we
    present our candidate, State Surgeon, Patricia S. Porter,
    Jamestown Memorial Post 5424, Jamestown, Pennsylvania, for the
    high office of Surgeon General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
    of the United States. We solicit your support.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For the purpose of a second, the
    Chair will recognize from Post 6493, in Warminster,
    Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Commander, Neale Diebler.
        COMRADE NEALE DIEBLER (Post 6493--Pennsylvania): Commander-
    in-Chief, National Officers and Delegates:
        Several years ago, I attempted to convince Patricia to
    become a candidate and eventually serve as State Commander in
    Pennsylvania. She told me she was very happy with what she was
    doing and believed she could best serve our organization by
    remaining in that position.
        That was a historic decision in her personal life as well
    as the Department of Pennsylvania and our National
    Organization. It is with overwhelming pride that I second the
    nomination of Patricia Potter for National Surgeon General of
    the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Also for the purpose of a
    second, the Chair will recognize, from Post 4789, in Northeast
    Pennsylvania, National Council Member Frank Fisher.
        COMRADE FRANK FISHER (Post 4789--Pennsylvania): Commander-
    in-Chief Cramer, Distinguished National Officers, Past
    Commanders-in-Chief, and all you important delegates to this
    Convention:
        I, too, am proud to stand here to second the nomination of
    Patricia Potter as your National Surgeon. Believe me, having
    been associated with Pat in our own District for many, many
    years, and throughout the Department, if you want a working
    Surgeon, comrades, you have that in Patricia Potter for the
    year 1994-'95.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, are there any other
    nominations for National Surgeon General? Are there any other
    nominations once? Are there any other nominations twice? Are
    there any other nominations three times? Nominations will
    remain open until tomorrow.
        For the purpose of nominating our National Chaplain for the
    year 1994-'95 for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States, the Chair will recognize from Post 2149, in
    Bensenville, Illinois, Past Commander-in-Chief Ray Soden.

                        NOMINATION OF NATIONAL CHAPLAIN

        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF RAY SODEN: Thank you very much,
    Commander-in-Chief. Commander-in-Chief, National Officers, Past
    Commanders-in-Chief, the outstanding Delegates to this 95th
    Convention:
        I am indeed honored this morning to appear before you to
    present our nominee from Illinois and from the Big Ten
    Conference for the office of National Chaplain. Father Neville
    has served the State of Illinois as Chaplain and he has reached
    out to all of the various religions.
        He has counseled and guided our Department in every
    direction. He has attended every meeting of his Department, the
    Council of Administration, District, Post. Father Neville is
    twice an All-State Commander of Richmond Post 2450 in Illinois.
        He served with the Army during World War II, with the 31st
    Station Hospital at New Caledonia in the Southwest Pacific. He
    spent 48 months in that area. He attended Northwest Florida and
    Dayton Schools of Higher Education.
        Father Neville was ordained a Catholic Priest of the
    Rockford Diocese 41 years ago. He is presently Pastor of St.
    Peter and Paul Church in the small community of Virgil,
    Illinois. Father Neville has managed to obtain other priests to
    come in and fill in for him so he can travel and dedicate
    himself to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and all that we stand
    for.
        He has been a humble and yet a very wonderful guidance to
    all of us in our Department. I know that he will carry this
    forth to the National Organization. He is dedicated to serving
    God and country. So, it is with a great deal of pleasure that I
    place in nomination the name of Reverend Thomas Neville for the
    office of National Chaplain for the year 1994-'95. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: For the purpose of a second, the
    Chair will recognize from Post 1301, in Marion, Illinois, the
    Illinois State Commander, Ed Griffith.
        COMRADE ED GRIFFITH (Post 1301--Illinois): Commander-in-
    Chief, National Officers and Delegates:
        I proudly rise to second the nomination from the great
    State of Illinois for Thomas Neville as our National Chaplain.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Are there any other nominations
    for National Chaplain? Are there any other nominations once;
    any other nominations twice; any other nominations three times?
    The nominations will remain open until tomorrow morning.
        Comrade Adjutant General, do we have any further
    announcements. There are no further announcements. If not, I
    know you will be disappointed, but if you want to rise we will
    salute the flag and I will recess this Convention until
    tomorrow morning at 9:00 o'clock a.m.
        [Whereupon, the Salute to the Colors was given at this
    time, followed by the Closing Prayer by Reverend Charles
    Edwards, Jr.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I thank you for your attention
    and have a good time at your banquets. We will see you at 9:00
    o'clock a.m. tomorrow.
        [Whereupon, the session was recessed at 11:25 o'clock a.m.]
                            FOURTH BUSINESS SESSION

                        FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 26, 1994

        [The Fourth Business Session of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States, held in the Barron Room of the Las
    Vegas Hilton Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, was called to order at
    9:00 o'clock a.m., with Commander-in-Chief George R. Cramer,
    presiding.]

                                 CALL TO ORDER

        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: Sergeant-at-Arms, you
    will prepare the room for the Pledge to the Flag.

                   SALUTE TO COLORS AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

        SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrades, face the flag of our
    nation, standing at attention and salute.
        [Whereupon, Sergeant-at-Arms Sarver led the Convention in
    the Salute to the Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance at this
    time.]

                                 OPENING PRAYER

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I call on our Chaplain, Dr.
    Charles Edwards, for the Invocation.
        [Whereupon, National Chaplain Reverend Charles W. Edwards,
    Jr., gave the Opening Prayer from the Ritual.]
        SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the
    Opening Ceremonies have been performed.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. Before we begin, I
    would just like to inform you that anyone making any type of a
    motion or a second, please note there will only be one
    microphone on the floor today, and that will be right here in
    front, Microphone No. 2.
        I will now call on our Chairman of the Credentials
    Committee, Richard Trombla, for his final report, and also ask
    him to introduce the members of his committee.

                     FINAL REPORT OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE

        COMRADE RICHARD TROMBLA (Post 1174--Kansas): Commander-in-
    Chief, I am Richard Trombla, Post 1174, Department of Kansas,
    Chairman of the National Credentials Committee. This is the
    final report of the Credentials Committee.
        The total delegates, 17,387; Department Commanders 54;
    National Officers 10; Past Commanders-in-Chief 26. That is for
    a grand total of 17,477. Commander-in-Chief, this is a final
    report. I would like to request that the Committee be dismissed
    at this time.
        I would like to introduce the members of my Committee. They
    are James H. Willis, Post 534, Missouri; Edwin Meyer, Post
    9814, California; James Mascola, Post 3580, Illinois; James A.
    Kennedy, Post 3877, Minnesota; and Elwood Rickards, Post 7234,
    Delaware.

                       COMPLETION OF CONVENTION BUSINESS

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Other than the Election and
    Installation of Officers, is there any further business to come
    before this Convention? Any further business?
        If not, I would call on our Adjutant General Howard Vander
    Clute for any announcements he may have to make.
        ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE: Senior Vice Commander-in-
    Chief Kent has asked me to advise you that tonight's reception
    for the Commander-in-Chief and for the National President, who
    by that time Gunner will be it, and Helen Marsh from
    Pennsylvania will be the National President.
        They will host that reception tonight. It is Country
    Western, so if you have that sort of attire, that would be
    appropriate. But failing to have that, it will be casual. There
    is no invitation and there are no tickets. Just, please, come
    and join with all the others in offering your congratulations
    and support to these two National Officers.
        The reception is 7:00 o'clock until 11:00. It is in one of
    these ballrooms. It will be in Ballrooms A, B and C. Have I
    left anything out? Commander-in-Chief, this will complete the
    business of the 95th National Convention other than that which
    may come from the floor.
        Commander-in-Chief, I move that the proceedings of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars 95th National Convention be submitted
    to the Speaker of the House of Representatives for printing as
    a House document in accordance with Public Law No. 620, 90th
    Congress, approved October 22, 1968, Title 214 of the United
    States Codes, Section 1332.
        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: I second that motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the question. Hearing nothing, all
    those in favor will signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; those
    opposed. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.

                     NOMINATIONS FOR NATIONAL HOME TRUSTEES

        ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE: Commander-in-Chief, the
    procedure provides that we must announce the names of the VFW
    National Home Trustees that have been nominated at this
    Convention by virtue of an endorsement from their Posts, their
    District or their Department.
        In the 7th National Home District, which comprises the
    Departments of Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa, to replace Robert
    W. Goossen, whose term has expired, we have four candidates.
    They are George Hollenbeck, Post 701, Lansing, Michigan; Eric
    L. Halvorsen, Post 5065, Sheridan, Michigan; Donald V. Nettler,
    Post 9507, Madison Heights, Michigan; and Evyline Woodcock,
    Ladies Auxiliary to Post 6034, Lansing, Michigan.
        In the 11th National Home District, which comprises the
    Departments of Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah,
    Arizona, Alaska and the Pacific Areas, this is to replace Joan
    Katkus as National President of the Ladies Auxiliary whose term
    is expiring.
        We have Charles H. Cloud, Jr., Post 3544, Winfield, Kansas,
    and Lee G. Lewis of Post 5559, Juneau, Alaska. That has been
    entered into the record as required.

                              ELECTION OF OFFICERS

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: There being no further business,
    we will go into the Election of the 1994-95 National Officers.
    I now reopen nominations for the office of Commander-in-Chief.
    Allen F. ``Gunner'' Kent has been previously nominated. Are
    there any other nominations? Are there any other nominations,
    once, twice, three times? The nominations are closed.
        It would be nice if someone would make a motion that
    nominations cease and he be elected by acclamation.
        At Microphone No. 2 in the center.
        COMRADE WILLIAM DOUGLAS (Post 1710--Arizona): I make the
    motion that the nominations be closed and the Adjutant General
    be instructed to cast one unanimous vote for Allen F.
    ``Gunner'' Kent for Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States.
        COMRADE CARL AIELLO (Post 1645--Massachusetts): I second
    that motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the question. All those in favor will
    signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; all those opposed. It is
    so ordered.
        Comrade Adjutant General, you will do your duty.
        ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE: Comrade Commander-in-Chief,
    by instruction of this delegation, I cast one unanimous ballot
    for the election of Allen F. ``Gunner'' Kent for Commander-in-
    Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for 1994-'95.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades and sisters, ladies and
    gentlemen, I give to you our Commander-in-Chief, Allen F.
    ``Gunner'' Kent.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF-ELECT KENT: Thank you very much. I
    appreciate it. I am looking forward to talking to you in a few
    minutes. Thank you very much.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Gunner, I want you to know it
    feels much lighter up here now.
        ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL JOHN SENK: The Commander-in-
    Chief's wife has asked that I read this letter received by fax
    this morning, dated 26 August, 1994.
        ``Congratulations, Commander-in-Chief. I am sorry we can't
    be with you today but I just want you to know that we are
    thinking of you and wishing you the best. We are extremely
    proud of you and all you have done. Here is to a productive,
    successful and fun year. See you in September, Love, /s/
    Commander and Mrs. Jim Stringer and family, United States
    Navy.''
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Nominations are now open once
    again for the office of Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief. Paul A.
    Spera, from Massachusetts, has been previously nominated. Are
    there any other nominations? Are there any further nominations
    once, twice, three times? The nominations are closed. Is there
    a motion?
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOSEPH SCERRA (Post 905--
    Massachusetts): There being no further nominations, I move that
    the Adjutant General cast one unanimous ballot for the election
    of Paul A. Spera of VFW Post 144, Massachusetts, for the office
    of Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States for the year 1994-'95.
        COMRADE ARTHUR ROMLA (Post 144--Massachusetts): I second
    the motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. Comrades, you have
    heard the motion and the second. Any discussion on the
    question? Hearing none, all those in favor will signify by the
    usual sign of ``aye''. The ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        ADJUTANT GENERAL VANDER CLUTE: As instructed by the
    delegates attending the 95th National Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars, I cast one unanimous ballot for the
    election of Paul Spera for Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief of
    the Veterans of Foreign Wars for the year 1994-'95.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades and sisters, ladies and
    gentlemen, I give to you our Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief
    Paul A. Spera.
        SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF-ELECT SPERA: Thank you very
    much, Commander-in-Chief George. To the newly-elected
    Commander-in-Chief, Gunner Kent, to all the dignitaries and to
    all of my comrades, the best words are always the most simple
    words, and that is ``thank you.''
        That is the only words that can describe this. It is a
    fantastic feeling. I want to thank some people from Post 144,
    my Post members and their wives that are here. Also the people
    from the Department of Massachusetts and the Eastern Conference
    that put me where I am today.
        Let me introduce a few very special people I have up here
    on the podium. From San Antonio, Texas, a Life Member, my
    brother Thomas. Also my sister and that very special individual
    that we brought down with us, that 87-year-old young member of
    our family. Stand up, Ma.
        Those of you who were in the Eastern Conference and three
    young ladies that show excalibur over being with me, which I
    stood by the way and I forgive them for that, Michelle, Angela,
    and one that we are really proud of because not only is he a
    Navy veteran but a Life Member of the North Hampton Post Desert
    Stormer, Don.
        My State Commander, Stan King, and that very special lady
    that has made all of this possible for me, the woman I love the
    most, Joan. Let me just say a couple of words while I am
    standing here and then we will get on with it. We have a lot of
    challenges that face us and face veterans.
        I want to congratulate Gunner on his election and
    congratulate all the other officers that will be elected.
    Gunner, I give you my promise that whatever is possible for me
    to do to make the ``First to Serve'' team successful, I will
    do. All you need to do is to ask. Congratulations, Gunner.
    Thank you all very much.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Nominations are now reopened for
    the high office of Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief. James Nier
    from Texas has been previously nominated. Are there any further
    nominations? Are there any further nominations, once, twice,
    three times? The nominations are closed.
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): I move we instruct
    the Adjutant General to cast one unanimous vote at this
    Convention for James E. Nier as the Junior Vice Commander- in-
    Chief for the 1994-'95 year.
        COMRADE MANUEL RIVAS (Post 8782--Texas): I second the
    motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the question. Hearing nothing, all
    those in favor will signify by the sign of ``aye''; those
    opposed. It is so ordered.
        Comrade Assistant Adjutant General, will you cast the
    ballot, please.
        ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL SENK: Commander-in-Chief, as
    instructed by the delegates attending the 95th National
    Convention, I cast one ballot for the unanimous election of
    James E. Nier for the office of Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief
    of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for the 1994-'95 term.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades and sisters, ladies and
    gentlemen, I give to you our newly-elected Junior Vice
    Commander-in-Chief from the great State of Texas, Jim Nier.
        JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF-ELECT NIER: Thank you very
    much, comrades. To Commander-in-Chief Gunner Kent, Senior Vice
    Commander-in-Chief Paul Spera, all National and Department
    Officers, Past Commanders-in-Chief, my fellow Comrades and
    Friends:
        First, I want to thank most sincerely Past Commander-in-
    Chief Ted Connell and Joel Hurley, and the 1989-'90 Southern
    Conference Commanders who served with me, along with Past
    Commander-in-Chief Wally Hogan, who collectively seconded my
    nomination yesterday.
        Let me first tell you how truly I am honored that you have
    chosen me to represent you in the high office of Junior Vice
    Commander-in-Chief. I am fully aware of the responsibilities of
    this office and pray that God will guide me in discharging my
    duties.
        I will do all within my ability to justify the confidence
    and the support that each of you has demonstrated here this
    morning. I am grateful to many people for no comrade reaches
    this plateau without the confidence and the guidance of the
    comrades and the leaders of the Posts, the District, the
    Department and the Conference of which he is a candidate.
        To my VFW Post 8919, in El Paso, Texas, District No. 10,
    and the Department of Texas and its Ladies Auxiliary, you have
    been loyal and devoted, and for that I thank all of you. We
    have a tremendous group here this morning. To the Southern
    Conference, thank you for the opportunity. I shall never, ever
    forget it.
        There are three other people that I shall never forget,
    John Gwizdak from the Department of Georgia, Preston Garrison
    from the Department of North Carolina, who were the candidates
    in the same campaign. We became friends and I cherish that
    friendship. Also Joe Pinnell from the great State of Alabama,
    deceased.
        To my wife Kim and our family, thank you for being beside
    me. To my mother and brother who made the long trip from
    upstate New York, and my brother's lady friend, Brenda, thanks
    for being here.
        Also with me on the stage this morning is my niece, Wendy
    Nier, who is on active duty in the Air Force here at Nellis Air
    Force Base, and two of her Marine Corps friends. It is good to
    have them all here with us.
        I am looking forward to my travels across this great nation
    and to meeting as many hard-working comrades and sisters as
    possible who make up our great organization. I know it will not
    be only a rewarding but also a most learning experience. I look
    forward with enthusiasm to being a member of the ``First To
    Serve'' Gunner Kent, Paul Spera team, the team that will lead
    and guide our organization during 1994-'95.
        There are many imposing challenges facing our organization
    and many tough decisions to be made, and I am grateful that you
    have afforded me the opportunity to be a part of the decision-
    making process that will help determine the future of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
        No longer can we dwell on the accomplishments of yesterday.
    We must turn our attention to the challenges of tomorrow. I am
    asking each of you to join me in working together to ensure
    that we remain successful in the years to come.
        The veterans, widows and dependents of this country are
    counting on us and our great organization. We believe in the
    VFW, you and I, and it is a major part of our lives, but we
    must encourage more of our comrades and sisters to be involved.
    I am asking you to join me in working to make the VFW the type
    of organization which will attract new, active members so our
    voice can be louder in our communities, in our states and on
    the national level.
        Working together we can make our communities, our states
    and our nation more aware of the great work that we do. It is
    time that we tell America what we are all about, loud and
    clear. I am ready to accept the challenges and the
    responsibilities that come with the leadership role at the
    national level, but I shall always remember that this
    organization did not start at the top but at the bottom.
        The grass roots members of our organization are what make
    it great. I assure you the concerns of the grass roots members
    will always be my number one concern. As I travel throughout
    this great organization, I will seek your support and I will
    ask your opinion concerning the tough decisions that we face.
        Gunner, I pledge to you my total support and will do my
    best to make you proud as I will the Southern Conference and
    the great Department of Texas. I am proud to be here today, and
    I am very proud to be a member of the greatest veterans
    organization in the world, and I am truly proud to be an
    American. Thank you and God bless each of you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Before I go into nominations and
    election of the Quartermaster General, I would like to call
    back our Assistant Adjutant General Senk for the purpose of
    reading a telegram.
        ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL SENK: The telegram is addressed
    to Allen F. Kent, Commander-in-Chief.
        ``Dear Commander Kent. On behalf of the Weld
    administration, I offer best wishes to the officers and
    delegates at the 95th Annual Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars. We are particularly pleased to congratulate
    Massachusetts native Paul A. Spera upon his election as your
    National Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief for the 1994-'95 term.
    Paul is a highly respected leader of the veterans community and
    the Commonwealth and across the nation. He will certainly serve
    you well in supporting a strong national defense and advancing
    the goals of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
        ``Best wishes for a productive and enjoyable Conference.
    Sincerely, /s/ William F. Weld, Governor of the Commonwealth of
    Massachusetts.'' COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I will now reopen
    nominations for the office of Quartermaster General. James
    Bowden has been previously nominated. Are there any further
    nominations? Are there any further nominations once, twice,
    three times? The nominations are closed.
        COMRADE LEWIE COOPER (Post 774--Kansas): Commander- in-
    Chief, I am Lewie Cooper, the State Commander of the Department
    of Kansas, a delegate from Post 774. I move the nominations for
    Quartermaster General be closed and the Adjutant General be
    instructed to cast one unanimous ballot for the election of
    James E. Bowden from the great State of Kansas as Quartermaster
    General for 1994-'95.
        COMRADE GERALD MANGOLD (Post 7521--Kansas): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, I am very proud to second that nomination.
    Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the question. Hearing none, all those
    in favor will signify by the sign of "aye"; those opposed. The
    ``ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        Assistant Adjutant General, will you please cast the
    ballot.
        ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER GENERAL SENK: Commander-in- Chief,
    as instructed by the delegates attending the 95th National
    Convention, I cast one ballot for the unanimous election of
    James E. Bowden for Quartermaster General of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars for 1994-1995.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades and sisters, ladies and
    gentlemen, I give to you our Quartermaster General, Jim Bowden.
        QUARTERMASTER GENERAL-ELECT BOWDEN: Thank you, Commander-
    in-Chief. You know, I think I am getting old because it seems
    like only yesterday that I stood here before you. So, once
    again, I would like to say thanks to all of you and a special
    thanks to my Department of Kansas. I look forward to working
    with all of you next year. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Jim, do you want Becky to recap
    you in the essence of saving money?
        I will now open nominations for the high office of Judge
    Advocate General. Charles Whiteacre has been previously
    nominated. Are there any further nominations for the office of
    Judge Advocate General; any further nominations once; any
    further nominations twice; any further nominations three times?
    The nominations are closed.
        COMRADE BENNY BACHAND (Post 4287--Florida): I move that we
    instruct the Adjutant General to cast one unanimous ballot for
    the next Judge Advocate General of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars, Comrade Charles Whiteacre.
        COMRADE EUGENE MANFREY (Post 6827--Florida): I rise to
    second that motion for Charlie Whiteacre.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You have heard the motion and
    the second. On the question. Hearing nothing, all those in
    favor will signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; those opposed
    ``no''. The ``ayes'' have it. The Adjutant General will please
    cast the ballot.
        ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL SENK: Commander-in-Chief, as
    instructed by the delegates attending the 95th National
    Convention, I cast one ballot for the unanimous selection of
    Charles Whiteacre as Judge Advocate General of the VFW for the
    1994-'95 year.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades and sisters, ladies and
    gentlemen, I give to you our new Judge Advocate General,
    Charles Whiteacre, from the great State of Florida.
        JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL-ELECT WHITEACRE: Commander-in-Chief,
    Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, Junior Commander-in-Chief, Past
    Commanders-in-Chief and all Chiefs of the Southern Conference
    and Lawrence Martell, my Department Commander, and Jack Carney,
    who nominated me, they expect you to talk and I would like to,
    and I am going to talk. I would also like to thank Past
    Commander-in-Chief Jack Carney and our entire Southern
    Conference delegation.
        As I said before, the great Department of the State of
    Florida, headed by Larry Martell. Thank you very much. I pledge
    to this Chief my entire energy for whatever he directs me to
    serve. Thank you very much.
        COMRADE EUGENE MANFREY (Post 6827--Florida): It gives me a
    great deal of pleasure to cap you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I will now reopen the
    nominations for Surgeon General. Patricia Potter, from
    Pennsylvania, has been previously nominated. Are there any
    further nominations? Are there any further nominations once,
    twice and three times? The nominations are closed.
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOSEPH SCERRA (Post 905--
    Massachusetts): On behalf of that truly great Department of
    Pennsylvania, and there being no further nominations, I move
    that the Adjutant General cast one unanimous ballot for the
    election of Patricia S. Potter of Jamestown Memorial Post 5424,
    Pennsylvania, as our next Surgeon General of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States for the year 1994-'95.
        COMRADE NEALE DIEBLER (Post 6493--Pennsylvania): I second
    the motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: You have heard the motion. Is
    there anything on the question? Hearing nothing, all those in
    favor will signify by the sign of ``aye''; those opposed. The
    ``ayes'' have it.
        ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL SENK: Comrade Commander-in-
    Chief, as instructed by the delegates attending the 95th
    National Convention, I cast one ballot for the unanimous
    selection of Patricia Potter for Surgeon General of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the 1994-'95
    term.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades and sisters, ladies and
    gentlemen, I present to you our new Surgeon General, Pat
    Potter, from the great State of Pennsylvania.
        SURGEON GENERAL-ELECT POTTER: Commander-in-Chief, National
    Officers and Comrades:
        It is really an overwhelming feeling to be able to stand
    here this morning. It is with a great deal of pride, and at the
    same time I think a great deal of humility. This is really an
    awesome spot to be in. It is one that many of us have looked
    forward to and thought about, but very few of us have ever
    thought that it could really actually happen.
        Today, it actually has. I owe that all to a great many
    people, and those many people are all of you. I appreciate that
    very much, comrades. I think all of you are aware that today
    one of our prime concerns in the Veterans of Foreign Wars is
    health care.
        It is of primary importance to each and every one of us for
    our needs today and for our needs to come. I assure you that I
    have been moderating the situation in the VA Hospitals. I have
    faith in the VA system. I know they can and will meet our needs
    so long as we support and keep after the Legislators and make
    sure we give this system the funding and the support that it
    needs so that they can in turn care for us.
        I would like to thank, if I could, everybody individually,
    but when you reach this point, as your Junior Vice Commander-
    in-Chief pointed out, no one has ever reached this microphone
    under their own steam. There has always been with many, many
    people.
        I think that the foremost people that I, like everyone else
    who has been here, has to thank is our families. Without my
    family, the same as everyone else, this would never be
    possible. Also my Post, my District, and in my District, my
    County Council.
        There were three people that I really owe a great deal to.
    They are Carl Zappa, Ed Field and Joe Marcella. They started me
    out on the County Council level. At the time, our children were
    small and my husband stayed home with the kids, and it was Joe,
    Carl and Ed who taught me the ropes, so to speak.
        They took me to my first Council meetings, my District
    meetings, and they escorted me to the Conventions. When it came
    time to start the National Conventions and the Washington
    Conferences, when my husband could not be there, they were
    always there and they were called my bodyguards or my baby
    sitters.
        I thank them for that. I owe a great deal to my Department
    of Pennsylvania and many, many people who have been behind me
    from day one. Also the many members of the Eastern States
    Conference. Especially, I would really like to say thank you to
    Past Commander-in-Chief Joe Scerra and to Paul Spera, who have
    been doing a great deal to ensure that this day arrived. I
    would like to pledge to Gunner Kent that I will do all possible
    to be on the ``First To Serve.''
        At this time I would like to introduce my family without
    whom I would never be here. My husband Al, my daughter Edith,
    her friend Mark; my daughter Alice, and my son-in-law, Donald.
    And the light of our lives, as most of you know, because most
    of you have one, Joshua Edward McKnight.
        Comrades, thank you very much. It is really a great honor
    to be given the opportunity to serve on the National level of
    this great organization, and I will do my best to deserve that
    honor. Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I will now open the nominations
    for National Chaplain. Father Neville has been previously
    nominated. Are there any further nominations? Are there any
    further nominations once, twice, three times? The nominations
    are closed.
        The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF RAY SODEN (Post 2149--Illinois): I
    move that the Adjutant General be instructed to cast one
    unanimous ballot for the man who will lead us spiritually in
    our beloved organization next year, Father Thomas Neville.
        COMRADE ED GRIFFITH (Post 1301--Illinois): Comrade
    Commander-in-Chief, Ed Griffith, Department of Illinois, hereby
    seconds the motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades, you have heard the
    motion and the second. On the question. Hearing nothing, all
    those in favor will signify by the usual sign of ``aye''; those
    opposed. The ''ayes'' have it. It is so ordered.
        Comrade Assistant Adjutant General.
        ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL SENK: Commander-in-Chief, as
    instructed by the delegates attending the 95th National
    Convention, I cast one ballot for the National election of
    Father Thomas W. Neville for the office of National Chaplain of
    the Veterans of Foreign Wars for the 1994-'95 term.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Comrades and sisters, ladies and
    gentlemen, I give to you your newly-elected Chaplain, Father
    Thomas Neville.
        NATIONAL CHAPLAIN-ELECT NEVILLE: Commander-in-Chief Kent,
    Vice Commander-in-Chief Paul, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief
    James, Past Commander-in-Chief George, and all the other
    comrades, men and women of the VFW:
        The scripture says that the last shall be first and that is
    what, of course, has happened this time, the last has come to
    the occasion of being among the first to serve. We are all
    called upon to serve and be leaders of society, and those
    leaders of our Posts, our Districts and our nation.
        It is an honor to be part of the team and it is also with
    humility, which has been expressed by all the other candidates.
    So many things were said, that I will just repeat and reiterate
    everything that they have said about the organization and the
    pledge they made to the organization.
         There is always the danger of forgetting people. I can
    liken this to an ordination when I was called to be a priest. I
    was given that privilege, that honor, that responsibility. At
    the reception, I forgot to introduce my sister and, of course,
    that was one of the big faux pas of the day.
        So one could forget easily someone, but I hope to remember
    and that all of those of the Posts, the District, the
    Department and the National level, particularly outgoing
    Chaplain Dr. Edwards. He has been very kind and gracious and
    gave me a list of all the duties that the Chaplain is supposed
    to perform along with updated prayers.
        I will use his version of the prayers for the closing of
    the Convention and for the opening of the Council of
    Administration. A special thank you, Dr. Edwards, for his work
    and his inspiration to me. I have known him for nearly nine
    months.
        As our state motto is ``Just Do It'', so after talking with
    Dr. Edwards and some of the other members of the Posts, the
    State, when the call came and said ``Just Do It'', I did, and I
    thank you for the call. I pledge, Gunner, my willingness to be
    ``First To Serve.'' Thank you.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Thank you. If I may, I would
    like now to ask our new Commander-in-Chief to go down to the
    front, and while he is doing that, I will call upon our
    Assistant Adjutant General John Senk to read the role of the
    newly-elected National Council Members.

                     ANNOUNCEMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS-ELECT

        ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL SENK: The Commander-in- Chief,
    as your name is read, would like you to proceed to the front to
    receive your cap and badge.
        Representing District No. 2, Edward S. Banas, Sr.
        Representing District No. 4, Benjamin Pernol, Jr.
        Representing Regional Council District No. 6, George E.
    McCracken.
        Representing Regional Council District No. 8, Charles B.
    Stephenson.
        Representing Regional Council District No. 10, James E.
    Newman, Sr.
        Representing Regional Council District No. 12, Charles E.
    Fresorger.
        Representing Regional Council District No. 14, Randall E.
    Russell.
        Representing Regional Council District No. 16, Norbert E.
    Enos.
        Representing Regional Council District D, Terry A. Roan.
        Representing Regional Council District E, Dean E. Means;
    and Representing Regional Council District H, Manuel O. Rivas.
        As provided in the National By-Laws, the Commander-in-
    Chief-Elect will now read his appointments.

            ANNOUNCEMENT OF APPOINTMENTS BY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF-ELECT

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF-ELECT KENT: I appoint Larry W. Rivers,
    Post 1736, Louisiana, Adjutant General.
        As National Chief of Staff, Tyrone M. Benson, Post 7686,
    New Mexico.
        The Inspector General, Raymond E. Stelmachuk, Post 7564,
    North Dakota.
        The National Sergeant-at-Arms will be George Sarver, Post
    402, Department of Pennsylvania.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: Before we go into the
    Installation of Officers, I would just like to make a few brief
    remarks, if I may. First of all, I would like to say the most
    wonderful song in the world was repeated several times this
    morning.
        You know, of course, everyone is very proud of their
    association with their own branch of the armed forces of the
    United States. Last year, I had the opportunity to be with
    Gunner on the birthday of the United States Marine Corps, and I
    made the mistake, I guess you could say, of saying that they
    still are looking for a few good men.
        I realize what pay-backs are all about in this
    organization. I want you all to know having the opportunity to
    serve with this gentleman, this comrade the last couple of
    years, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has
    found a great man to lead this organization this year.
        On behalf of my family, I want to thank you very, very much
    and sincerely for the many courtesies that you have given us
    since we have traveled to your great Departments, and I thank
    you humbly for having the opportunity to serve with you these
    past three years.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation.]

                            INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I will now recognize the
    Installing Officer for the 1994-'95 officers, Past Commander-
    in-Chief James R. ``Bob'' Currieo from Arizona.
        INSTALLING OFFICER CURRIEO: Thank you, Commander-in-Chief,
    and it is a special privilege. I would like to offer my
    congratulations to the Commander-in-Chief-Elect Allen Kent and
    his officers selected for this coming year and to all the
    Department Commanders, Post Commanders, District Commanders,
    and everyone who is going to assume the responsibilities in the
    coming twelve months.
        To you, George and Linda, we thank you very, very much for
    your kind friendship and your expert leadership. As we say it
    in Arizona, ``You've done good.''
        Commander-in-Chief, the term for which you have and your
    subordinate officers were elected or appointed will now expire.
    Before we proceed with the installation ceremony, I must
    ascertain the following. Have the officers for the ensuing year
    been duly elected?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: They have.
        INSTALLING OFFICER CURRIEO: Have the books of the Adjutant
    General and Quartermaster General been examined and approved by
    the National Council of Administration?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: They have.
        INSTALLING OFFICER CURRIEO: Do you have the National
    Charter in your possession?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I do.
        INSTALLING OFFICER CURRIEO: You will now surrender it to
    me. Now, Comrade Past Commander-in-Chief George Cramer, you are
    now relieved of your duties as Commander of this organization.
    You will assume the Chair of Past Commander-in-Chief, and it
    will be your duty and your privilege to assist your successor
    with all the Council and experience that you gained in your
    term of office. You will now take your position to my right.
         Will the Assistant Adjutant General call the role of all
    the officers elected and appointed, and the Sergeant-at-Arms
    will escort those officers to the alter to receive the
    Obligation.
        ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL SENK: The Commander-in- Chief
    has invited all the National Council Members to join in the
    installation.
        Commander-in-Chief, Allen F. Kent.
        Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, Paul A. Spera.
        Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, James E. Nier.
        Adjutant General, Larry W. Rivers.
        Quartermaster General, James D. Bowden.
        Judge Advocate General, Charles A. Whiteacre.
        Surgeon General, Patricia S. Potter.
        National Chaplain, Reverend Thomas W. Neville.
        National Chief of Staff, Tyrone M. Benson.
        Inspector General, Raymond E. Stelmachuk.
        National Council Members: District No. 1, John J. Zuba.
        District No. 2, Edward S. Banas, Sr.
        District No. 3, Norman H. Geisel.
        District No. 4, Benjamin Pernol, Jr.
        District No. 5, James D. White.
        District No. 6, George E. McCracken.
        District No. 7, W. J. Cannon.
        District No. 8, Charles B. Stephenson.
        District No. 9, Harlan C. LaBar.
        District No. 10, James E. Newman, Sr.
        District No. 11, Roger D. Schwieso.
        District No. 12, Charles E. Fresorger.
        District No. 13, Robert J. Sander.
        District No. 14, Randall E. Russell.
        District No. 15, Ernesto E. Melendez.
        District No. 16, Norbert E. Enos.
        District No. 17, Johnnie A. Baugh.
        District No. 19, Norman J. Ledet.
        District No. A, Franklin R. Fisher.
        District B, Maurice H. Kerchhove.
        District C, Melvin Garrett.
        District D, Terry A. Roan.
        District E, Dean E. Means.
        District F, Dale J. Brubaker.
        District G, Judge Brown.
        District H, Manuel A. Rivas.
        District I, Edward Fischer.
        District J, Peter Puentes.
        Past Commander-in-Chief, George R. Cramer.
        SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrade Installing Officer, the
    officers are in their respective positions.
        INSTALLING OFFICER CURRIEO: Thank you, Sergeant-at- Arms.
        Everyone please rise. To the officers elected and appointed
    of the National Organization of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
    the United States, I will now administer to you the Officers'
    Obligation.
        You will raise your right hand, touch the flag of our
    country and extend your left hand to the comrade directly in
    front of you and repeat after me.
        [Whereupon, the following Officers' Obligation was given at
    this time: ``I do hereby solemnly promise that I will
    faithfully discharge to the best of my ability the duties of
    the office to which I have been elected or appointed, according
    to the Constitution, By-Laws and Ritual of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States. I solemnly promise that at
    the close of the term to which I have been elected or
    appointed, or sooner if so ordered by proper authority, I will
    surrender immediately to only the duly authorized person or
    persons, all records, money, or other properties of this
    organization in my possession or under my control. All this I
    freely promise upon my honor, as a loyal citizen of our great
    Republic. So help me God.'']
        INSTALLING OFFICER CURRIEO: As you were.
        Comrade Chaplain, you will deliver the prayer.
        NATIONAL CHAPLAIN EDWARDS: Almighty God, our God and divine
    protector, give your blessings upon these, our comrades, who
    now become National Officers. We beseech you, O Lord, to be
    ever present among us and to grant wisdom unto them so that in
    their given deliberations they may continue to favor you and
    glorify our country and to better our organization.
        May your strength sustain them and may your power preserve
    them, and may your hand protect them in the faithful and
    fruitful performance of all of their duties. Amen.
        INSTALLING OFFICER CURRIEO: Officers, you now occupy
    positions of honor to which you have been elected or appointed.
    Learn well the responsibilities entrusted to you so that you
    may intelligently discharge the duties you are to undertake.
    The Constitution, By-Laws and Ritual of our organization
    prescribe in detail the duties of your offices.
        By virtue of the confidence placed in you through your
    election or appointment, we trust you will thoroughly acquaint
    yourself with those duties.
        Sergeant-at-Arms, escort these officers to their stations.
        SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Yes, sir.
        INSTALLING OFFICER CURRIEO: The Commander-in-Chief will be
    installed at the podium here in just a few seconds. Everyone,
    please, get in position and we will install the Commander-in-
    Chief. You may be seated at this time.
        Commander-in-Chief-Elect Gunner Kent, before we proceed
    with your solemn Obligation, it is proper to remind you of your
    duties. As National Commander-in-Chief of this organization,
    you will be responsible for the Charter of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars, and at the end of your term of office surrender
    it to the officer to install your successor.
        It will be your duty to see that all National Officers
    perform their duties to the best of their ability. You must
    keep yourself informed of all proposed legislation which may
    affect, or potentially affect, the welfare of members of our
    organization, and strive for the adoption of only those things
    that will be beneficial.
        It will be necessary for you to devote time to the many
    duties of your office and to make a special study of the
    Constitution, By-Laws and Ritual of our organization so that
    you may render fair and impartial decisions on the important
    questions referred to you.
        As Commander-in-Chief of this organization, you will be
    regarded by our comrades and by the general public as typifying
    wise and vigorous leadership of our organization.
        Comrade Gunner Kent, may all your accomplishments in the
    next 12 months bring credit to yourself, to your administration
    and honor to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
    Are you ready now and willing to assume your solemn Obligation?
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF-ELECT KENT: I am.
        INSTALLING OFFICER CURRIEO: You will raise your right hand,
    touch the flag of our country with your left and announce your
    name as I touch your head.
        [Whereupon, Commander-in-Chief-Elect Kent received the
    following Obligation: ``In the presence of Almighty God and the
    Officers and Delegates of this Order here assembled, I, Allen
    F. Kent, do hereby solemnly promise that I will faithfully
    discharge to the best of my ability, the duties of the office
    of Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States to which I have been elected in accordance with
    the Constitution, By-Laws and Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States. I solemnly promise that at the close
    of the term to which I have been elected, or sooner if so
    ordered by proper authority, I will surrender immediately to
    only the duly authorized person or persons, the National
    Charter, all records, money and other properties of this
    organization in my possession or under my control.
        ``I further solemnly promise that I will be fair and
    impartial in my actions towards all comrades, and I will always
    strive to promote the best interests of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States. So help me God.'']
        INSTALLING OFFICER CURRIEO: Comrade Commander-in-Chief
    Gunner Kent, I now present to you the National Charter and this
    gavel. As you assume office, use it firmly but with discretion.
        Will all National Officers, comrades, guests in the hall,
    stretch forth your right hand and repeat after me: ``To you,
    Commander-in-Chief Gunner Kent, I pledge my sincere
    allegiance.''
        Comrade Commander-in-Chief, retiring Commander-in-Chief
    George Cramer, Officers and Delegates of this Convention, I now
    proclaim the officers of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States duly installed and our great organization is in
    working order for the ensuing year. Congratulations.

        PRESENTATION OF PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF LAPEL PIN AND GOLD LIFE
                                MEMBERSHIP CARD

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: Past Commander-in-Chief Cramer,
    will you please come forward. Commander-in-Chief, it is a great
    honor for us to present to you your Past Commander-in-Chief's
    Pin at which time we will ask that your lovely wife, Linda, to
    please pin it on your lapel. Also we present you with your Gold
    Life Membership Card.
        PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CRAMER: I want to say thank you.
    Gunner, I have been saving it for you the last year, and I
    would like to call upon Vickie to place your Commander-in-
    Chief's Pin on your lapel.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: This is like high school. You keep
    passing your pins from one to another.
        [Whereupon, the Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief and Junior
    Vice Commander-in-Chief's Pins were presented to the newly-
    elected Senior and Junior Vice Commanders-in-Chief.]

                 ACCEPTANCE ADDRESS BY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: Thank you all very, very much. To
    Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Paul Spera, Junior Vice
    Commander-in-Chief Jim Nier, and to my Installing Officer, Past
    Commander-in-Chief Bob Currieo, I would like to thank you very,
    very much for that outstanding job.
        To the young VFW National Officers in the audience in
    attendance here this morning, the American heroes in both war
    and peace, the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States and its Ladies Auxiliary, I would like to thank
    you very, very much for this high honor.
        Never did I ever imagine that I would receive your applause
    and stand up here as your Commander-in-Chief of the greatest
    veterans organization in the world. For that, I am truly, truly
    humbled and I will be in your debt forever. Thank you very,
    very much.
        You have given me a great opportunity and I will do the
    best that I possibly can working tirelessly on behalf of the
    American veterans during my term of office and beyond. Of
    course, many people have helped and supported me during these
    long years.
        As our Surgeon General stated, nobody gets to this position
    without an awful lot of good comrades and sisters being behind
    them and helping. This morning I would just like to thank VFW
    Post 9972 and its great Ladies Auxiliary, in Sierra Vista,
    Arizona, that have backed me for the last six years, both
    during the hard campaign and also as Junior Vice Commander-in-
    Chief and Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief.
        I would like to also tell all of you comrades and sisters,
    and this is a little bit of bragging, but when you are Chief
    they said you could do what you wanted to, Post 9972 in Sierra
    Vista, Arizona, is the only Post in the history of the Veterans
    of Foreign Wars of the United States that has ever had two
    Commanders-in-Chief from the same Post.
        I would like to thank my many friends from District No. 7,
    Cochise County, Arizona, which sometimes when I go to some of
    the Eastern Conferences, I can take three states and put it in
    that one county. I would like to thank them very, very much for
    all their great and hard work.
        Of course, to the greatest Department in the land, the
    Department of Arizona and its outstanding Ladies Auxiliary, I
    would like to thank you for all of your hard work and your
    support, because without your dedication I would not be serving
    as your Commander-in-Chief.
        Of course, to my Conference, the Western Conference, two
    years ago I came before you and asked for your endorsement as
    Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, and you graciously gave me that
    endorsement. I will never, ever forget that. I thank you very,
    very much.
        Finally, let me take just a moment to thank my family and
    introduce the ones that are here to share this special day. My
    daughter, Kim Short, who is a special education teacher in
    Belleair, Florida; my son, Allen F. Kent, Jr., who is a senior
    at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, and my
    mother-in-law, Jeanne Godwin, from Anthony, Florida.
        Last but certainly not least, let me now introduce the
    person who has been very, very special to me for many years, 32
    to be exact. Although she is my best friend, she is also my
    hardest, hardest critic. When you are going through these
    chairs, I have found out that if you are Junior Vice or Senior
    Vice, when you say something, everybody says that sounds good
    to me, Gunner. It doesn't quite work with my wife for some
    reason.
        I came in off a road trip once, and I had been gone for
    about 30 days, and I got out of the car, and I went in the
    house and she said, ``Well, what about your luggage?'' I said,
    ``Well, I forgot it. I usually have someone to bring my luggage
    in.'' She said, ``If you think I am going to bring your luggage
    in the house, you have another thing coming.''
        She has worked very hard and supported me these past years.
    She has been home alone an awful lot. She is working very, very
    hard for the veterans of this country in her own right through
    the Ladies Auxiliary in the Department of Arizona. I love her
    very, very much and I would like to introduce to you my lovely
    wife, Becky.
        [Whereupon, the assembly gave a rising ovation.]
        To the rest of my friends and all my supporters, I thank
    you very, very much. My remarks this morning will be intently
    brief, quite frankly little is left to say. We have spent the
    last week debating the issues that came before this Convention.
        We have passed the Resolutions for the 1994-'95 year. It
    now becomes my duty as your Commander-in-Chief to move quickly
    to ensure that we inform and educate our members, Legislators
    and friends of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States on these important issues.
        Before I move on, let me pay proper respect to our
    magnificent Ladies Auxiliary. It is perhaps our greatest asset
    and without question the best partner any organization could
    hope to have. During the coming year, the Ladies Auxiliary to
    the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States will continue
    to play an important role in the work we do for America and her
    veterans. To the Ladies Auxiliary, you have our thanks, our
    admiration and our most profound respect.
        The environment in which we operate today, my fellow
    comrades, is much more difficult than the previous environment
    in the past we have worked in. Despite this new environment, I
    believe our members want results and expect them. I have talked
    with thousands of you members the last two years and one
    message comes through to me loud and clear.
        You want action, you want us to produce concrete results.
    You are fed up with long-winded speeches and rosy promises. To
    steal a verse from a popular Country and Western Song, ``Let's
    do a little less talking and let's do a little more action.''
        In these regards, I would like to inform you of a couple of
    steps that we are now taking to do just that, do a little less
    talking and a little more action. In this upcoming year, we
    have set aside $450,000 which will be used for service work of
    the veterans of this country.
        With this money, we are going to place a fax machine in
    every Department Service Office. We are also going to purchase
    the hardware and software that our Service Officers need so
    they can have a direct link with the VA Regional Offices so
    that we can make sure that the claims of our fellow veterans
    are done as fast as we possibly can.
        In addition to the Service Officers in the field, we are
    going to completely computerize our Washington office, and all
    of our field representatives will take laptop computers with
    them so they can do the work as they are in the field. I am
    tired of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
    Service Officers going to the field with a pen and pencil like
    it was 1899. This is 1994 and it is time we got with the times.
        We are also this year creating a Veterans Service Officer
    Endowment Fund, and to start this Service Fund we have
    committed $500,000 that will be used as needed for the veterans
    work throughout the many Departments we have in this great
    organization.
        You have also asked and requested that we do more as far as
    advertising. At the first incoming Council of Administration
    Meeting this afternoon, we are going to ask the Council to set
    aside this year a sum of $4 million so that we can look at some
    ideas and areas that we can get the message out concerning the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Ladies
    Auxiliary. These are two things that you wanted us to do. My
    fellow comrades, these are two things that we will immediately
    do. [Applause]
        I believe that you elected me to do what I could to change
    the way things have been done, not talk things to death, but
    show you action. God willing and with your help, I intend to do
    just that.
        During the coming year, the Kent/Spera/Nier team will speak
    forcefully for the VFW on a wide range of important issues. It
    is absolutely essential that our organization address
    conventional, as well as unconventional issues. We must do a
    better job of addressing the homeless situation, where on any
    given night in the United States of America there are over
    250,000 veterans that honorably served this country are on the
    streets.
        I would also like for you to remember, comrades, that
    except for the grace of God there could go you or I. We must
    look at the unexplained illness that has decimated many of our
    Persian Gulf veterans, the health effects of herbicides that
    still haunt our Vietnam veterans, and so many others.
        At the same time, we must not neglect our unfinished
    agenda, improvement in the VA health-care, reform bill and the
    long-term care, compensation and pensions for our veterans. Be
    assured that we will not be overwhelmed by the number or the
    complexity of the issues that confront us. As a matter of fact,
    I kind of like to fight. I hope you like to fight, too.
        Perhaps no issue has the potential to more profoundly
    affect the veterans of this country and the non-veterans of
    this country than the need to keep our military a strong and
    viable force. America has always had brave young men and women
    who are willing to fight and die for this great land.
        If we ask them to serve, to stand in harm's way, we must be
    prepared to back them up. We must give them resources they need
    to carry out their noble and dangerous mission, and we must
    make sure that no United States of America troops ever, ever
    serve under any United Nation's commander.
        The Veterans of Foreign Wars is alarmed that individuals in
    positions of responsibility in our government are today putting
    forth misguided and short-sighted solutions to issues that
    affect life and death and war and peace.
        Our national defense budget is far short of the amounts
    needed to maintain that magnificent force that fought in the
    desert just so many short years ago. It is not the dedication
    and the skill of the men and women in uniform bringing this
    erosion about, rather, it is the almost daily raid on an
    already inadequate defense budget by the politicians in
    Washington trying to please one special interest group or
    another.
        I say to you, my fellow comrades, the only special interest
    there is is a strong national defense, because without the
    strong national defense there is going to be no country for
    special interests to worry about.
        Let me reaffirm our commitment to always stand with the men
    and women that served this country in uniform. It is the least
    we can do and we expect those Washington politicians to do the
    same. We do not need now to educate another generation on
    maintaining a strong national defense.
        We would have hoped they learned the lesson of history, but
    we will do so if we must. We will always proudly stand with the
    men and women who served in uniform just as we proudly stood
    with their mothers and fathers in wars gone past.
        I would like to take just a moment this morning to offer
    comments and observations regarding our POW/MIAs. It is an
    issue that has consumed a great amount of my time over the last
    two years. I have worked to gather all the facts and
    information that I possibly could concerning the fate of our
    POWs and MIAs in Vietnam, in Korea and from World War II.
        During the last two years, I have traveled to Vietnam and
    Laos on four different occasions. I have met with our Joint
    Task Force teams in Korea. I have met with the North Koreans in
    the U.N., and I have met with our Joint Task Force--Full
    Accounting teams in Moscow, Russia.
        I have met with government officials, U.S. Government,
    Korean, Vietnamese, Laotians, and I have met with POW
    activists. I have met with our military officials. I have met
    with the members of the House and Senate, and I have met with
    numerous others.
        I have shared all of the information that I have gathered
    through these contacts and through these meetings by the
    periodical reports that I have sent to each of the Departments
    of this great organization.
        Someone said we are entitled to our own opinions, but we
    are not entitled to our own facts. With this statement, I
    concur. The reports I have sent to you have only contained the
    facts and the facts only. I feel the membership of this
    organization should receive the facts as the facts are
    presented.
        Perhaps no issue has been so mishandled as was the POW/MIA
    issue. It is a sad chapter in the history of our nation and one
    that we must never, ever repeat again. The conclusions I have
    reached are based on the facts as I have found them.
        I am convinced that our own government can and should do
    more to account for our missing. I also firmly believe that the
    facts point to the conclusion that the answers we seek will
    come only if we follow a course that encourages other
    governments to do more than they have done in the past.
        Both we and they must move faster and cooperate more. The
    governments must give us information and access that only they
    can provide. Our government must be prepared to move quickly
    and to seize on new opportunities as they present themselves. I
    am convinced the men of good will working together can solve
    this humanitarian issue.
        The Veterans of Foreign Wars will continue to seek reliable
    information, and we will continue to make it available for all
    to see. To that end, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Paul Spera
    just recently returned from a trip to Southeast Asia, and I
    have asked Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Jim Nier to return to
    Vietnam in April of next year and report his findings and
    recommendations to you, the members of this organization.
        My pledge to all of you, to the families and all veterans
    is during my watch of the Veterans of Foreign Wars we will
    continue to do everything we possibly can to bring about the
    fullest possible accounting for all of our POWs and MIAs, and
    that will remain an important viable issue with the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States.
        There are many other important issues, many important
    decisions that will directly affect the community of veterans
    that will be made in the coming months. Veterans health care,
    compensation and pension, and so many others will be addressed
    by the Congress over this next year.
        We have a very diversified community of veterans and we
    must work to ensure that the needs of one group do not suffer
    for the needs of another group. While we press for long-term
    care, needed by our oldest segment, we will also address the
    needs and concerns of Korean, the Vietnam, the Persian Gulf,
    Somalia, and indeed all veterans to the Resolutions passed by
    the delegates to our 95th National Convention.
        Your positions have been made very, very clear. There is no
    need to repeat them here this morning. You have told us what
    you want us to do, and beginning today I promise you we will
    move quickly and forcibly to see that the mandates are acted
    upon and we succeed in making them into law.
        Let me talk just a minute about our great organization, the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and we are all
    proud to be members of this great organization. I will only say
    this once, and once only. We all know what the eligibility to
    become a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States is.
        We are not a social club, we are the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars. We are veterans working for veterans. We are not a social
    club, we have never been a social club, and we never will be a
    social club.
        As we accept the challenges of the 1990's and prepare for
    the 21st Century, we are a strong and vibrant organization. We
    will build on our strengths and improve the areas where we may
    be weak. With your help, we intend to do that and more during
    the coming year. We were first among veterans organizations and
    we will, during 1994-95, again be the ``First To Serve.''
        My fellow comrades, you have asked me many, many times in
    the last two years, ``Gunner, exactly where are you going to
    take this organization?'' Comrades, I am not going to take this
    organization anywhere. You are, because you are the
    organization. You are the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States and its Ladies Auxiliary.
        You are the ones in the trenches day in and day out working
    the membership, doing the community activity reports, working
    with our homeless veterans, working with the youth of this
    country, and working with our hospitalized veterans in the VA
    Hospitals.
        You are the ones that make everything happen. You have
    chosen me as your leader, as your Commander-in-Chief, and I
    will always be grateful for that. But you are the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, you are the organization.
        When this organization was first formed 95 years ago, we
    were formed with one purpose, and one purpose only, and that
    was to protect the rights and entitlements of every veteran who
    has honorably served his country. I feel very, very confident
    that as long as we have members such as yourselves with your
    dedication and professionalism that we will continue to honor
    the dead by helping the living, the veterans and their families
    of today and the veterans and their families of tomorrow.
        Again, I would like to thank each and every one of you for
    this high, high honor that you have bestowed upon me. I am
    honored that you call me Chief, but I am more honored that I am
    able to call you my friend.
        May God bless each and every one of you and may God bless
    the United States of America.
        [Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged rising
    ovation.]
        ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Commander-in-Chief, thank you very
    much. One more round of applause for our great Commander-in-
    Chief, Allen Kent. [Applause]
        Commander-in-Chief, the next thing on the agenda is the
    Parade of Transmittals. Would the states begin to line up here
    in the middle of the room in alphabetical order so we can move
    on.
        Let me also remind you that the Commander-in-Chief and the
    National President of the Ladies Auxiliary will have a
    reception beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Ballrooms A, B and C here
    at the Las Vegas Hilton, and the Commander-in-Chief has asked
    me to invite all of you to join him at 7:00 o'clock.
        Immediately following the adjournment of this Convention,
    we will have the Council Meeting in Ballroom C here at the Las
    Vegas Convention Center.
        Commander-in-Chief Kent, it is with a great deal of
    pleasure that I am pleased to report to you 76 new Posts
    Charters have been received in the National Headquarters as of
    this morning, with 10 additional restructured Posts. It is a
    very good start as we begin to work to our goal of 282 new and
    reinstated Posts.
        At this time, we will have the $1,000 drawing. As you know,
    each Department receives one chance for each new Post reporting
    to the National Headquarters as of today. Also one chance for
    every existing Post that was restructured by July 31, 1994. The
    first drawing will be for $200, and the second one will be for
    $300, and the last one will be for $500.
        Commander-in-Chief, our Membership Director, Larry LeFebvre
    has the capsules. If you can step over by the edge and draw
    this first capsule, we would appreciate it. The first capsule
    is for the $200 drawing.
        COMRADE LARRY LeFEBVRE: New Post 7609, Seven Hills, Ohio.
        ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: The winner of the $300 drawing is
    VFW Post 11543, Osceola, Minnesota.
        We have one last capsule, Chief, for $500. The winner of
    the $500 drawing is Post 9790, Jackson, Tennessee.
        We would ask the Department Commanders to please come back
    to the stage area after you give your Membership Reports to
    pick these up for your Departments.

                   PARADE OF TRANSMITTALS/REPORT OF NEW POSTS

        ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: At this time I would like to call
    on our Membership Director, Larry LeFebvre, so we can move into
    the Transmittals. For your information, we will have the Parade
    of Transmittals and have our Closing Ceremonies, and Retire the
    Colors and adjourn, and move right to our National Council of
    Administration Meeting that will be held, as I said, in
    Ballroom C immediately following the adjournment of the
    Convention.
        [Whereupon, each Department Commander presented the
    Membership Transmittal to the Commander-in-Chief.]
        ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: That concludes the Parade of
    Transmittals/Report of New Posts, and as the Chief makes his
    way back to his station we will prepare for the Closing
    Ceremonies.

                               CLOSING CEREMONIES

        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: I recognize Microphone No. 2.
        COMRADE JOHN SENK (Post 355--New Jersey): Commander-in-
    Chief, there being no further business to come before this
    Convention, and the officers having been duly installed for the
    ensuing year, I move the 95th National Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States be closed, sine
    die.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: I have a motion on the floor. Do I
    have a second?
        COMRADE GEORGE SARVER (Post 402--Pennsylvania): Comrade
    Commander, George Sarver, National Sergeant-at-Arms, seconds
    that motion.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: We have a motion duly made and
    seconded. Any questions on the motion? Any questions on the
    motion? Any questions on the motion? Hearing no questions, all
    those in favor will signify by saying ``aye''; all those
    opposed. The motion carries. It is so ordered.
        Sergeant-at-Arms, you will prepare the room for the Closing
    Ceremonies.
        [Whereupon, the Honor Guard Retired the Colors at this
    time.]
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: I will call on Father Neville, our
    National Chaplain, for the Closing Prayer.
        [Whereupon, National Chaplain Neville gave the Closing
    Prayer from the Ritual.]
        SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the
    Closing Ceremonies for the 95th National Convention have been
    performed.
        COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF KENT: I now declare the 95th Convention
    of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States closed.
        [Whereupon, the Convention was duly adjourned at 11:40
    o'clock a.m., sine die.]
         COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL BY-LAWS, MANUAL OF PROCEDURE AND RITUAL

        Chairman: Robert E. Wallace, Past Commander-in-Chief, New Jersey

         Vice Chairman: John J. Stang, Past Commander-in-Chief, Kansas

            Department                     Name                 Post No.

    Alabama...................  Charles Stephens.........               3128
    Alaska....................  Edward G. Frank..........               9978
    Arizona...................  Bernard P. Fabritz.......               7401
                                Donald E. Maynard........               7968
    Arkansas..................  J. P. Cockrill...........               5225
    California................  Paul E. Goins............              10964
                                John T. Melban...........               3787
                                Kenneth L. Stevens.......               9223
    Colorado..................  Donald A. Nikkel.........                  1
    Connecticut...............  Edward S. Banas, Sr......              10004
                                Edward L. Burnham........               1724
                                Ronald Rusakiewicz.......               9460
    Delaware..................  Paul R. Phillips.........               2863
    District of Columbia......  Paul E. Wampler..........                284
    Europe....................  Clarke D. Knox...........               3885
    Florida...................  James W. Carlisle........              10097
                                Niel R. Ramsdell.........              11146
    Georgia...................  T. D. Culpepper..........               5032
                                John F. Gwizdak..........               5080
    Idaho.....................  Edward W. Holt...........                889
    Illinois..................  John Powell..............                805
                                Vernon Soukup............               8081
                                Jack Vrtjak..............               1612
    Indiana...................  James M. Leavitt.........               5782
                                Audie W. Rainbolt........               1693
    Iowa......................  Virgil E. Freese.........               2349
                                Elmer Liebhart...........               2271
    Kansas....................  Robert R. Whipple........                846
    Kentucky..................  Larry Sexton.............               5839
    Louisiana.................  Joseph Guidry, Sr........               3121
    Maryland..................  Francis V. Dziennik......               6506
    Massachusetts.............  Anthony B. Piscopo.......                529
                                Leroy Williams, Jr.......               6189
    Michigan..................  Norman Folson............               5120
                                Arnold Huuki.............               6507
                                Elmer Wurster............               7546
    Minnesota.................  Calvin D. Ferber.........                612
                                Robert J. Larson.........               6206
    Mississippi...............  Hollis Smith.............               1983
    Missouri..................  C. Gene Fee..............               1003
                                Lawrence M. Maher........               7356
                                Fred Philipps............               4219
    Montana...................  Tom A. Pouliot...........               1116
    Nebraska..................  John DeCamp..............                131
                                Erwin A. Klabunde........               2503
                                Dwaine D. Wilson.........               1652
    Nevada....................  William L. Breen.........               1002
    New Hampshire.............  Daniel J. Loud...........                483
    New Jersey................  George J. Lisicki........               2314
    New Mexico................  Lloyd E. Vanderhoof......               3370
    New York..................  Charles J. Schnobrich....               3068
    North Carolina............  Fred Y. Sigmon...........               6513
    North Dakota..............  Paul S. Aaberg...........               6139
    Ohio......................  Robert W. Bishop.........               1031
                                James Comedy.............               3383
    Oklahoma..................  Jack E. Naifeh...........                577
    Oregon....................  Norman Baugh.............               1383
                                Doyle Souders............               2807
    Pacific Areas.............  Leon R. Vileo............               9951
    Panama Canal..............  Richard A. Gilman........               3822
    Pennsylvania..............  Ricky DiLoretto..........               3614
                                Frank J. Zenzer..........                676
    Rhode Island..............  James R. Ross............               6342
                                John Sivo................               2396
    South Carolina............  F. D. Williamson, Jr.....               8760
    South Dakota..............  Walter F. Joynt..........               1273
                                William L. Peyton........                750
    Tennessee.................  Otha J. Kerr.............               5266
    Texas.....................  Charles L. Cannon, Jr....               6796
                                Glen M. Gardner, Jr......               3359
                                James E. Nier............               8919
                                F. G. Warden.............               8552
    Vermont...................  Joseph E. Kearney........                792
    Virginia..................  James L. Booth...........               2216
    Washington................  George F. Riedel.........                969
                                John Uram................              10018
    West Virginia.............  Ralph W. Honaker.........               1064
    Wisconsin.................  Edward Stockel...........               7896
    Wyoming...................  Gary K. Mathisen.........                221

               COMMITTEE ON AMERICANISM AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

          Chairman: John S. Staum, Past Commander-in-Chief, Minnesota

         Vice Chairman: Ted C. Connell, Past Commander-in-Chief, Texas

            Department                     Name                 Post No.

    Alabama...................  Thomas B. Dean...........               2760
                                Oliver W. Dial...........                924
                                Jack F. Ivy..............               2702
    Alaska....................  Alfred Berry.............               4352
                                Gene A. Corbin...........               9365
    Arizona...................  Joel Hoffen..............                720
                                Vincent J. Mitchell......               9972
                                Billie E. Stuart.........                549
    Arkansas..................  Wendal Gills.............               7516
                                John A. Haynie...........               2413
                                Clifford E. Turner.......               4554
                                Charles O. Wilkison......               4554
    California................  Gloria Bosco.............               1622
                                George D. Branch.........               9791
                                Thomas L. Martin.........               1468
                                Masaomi J. Mita..........               1961
                                Oren D. Robinson.........                 85
                                Robert Stout.............               8398
    Colorado..................  George Palmateer.........               4171
                                Emil Pischel.............               4171
                                Wayne J. Thompson, Jr....               5061
    Connecticut...............  Russell H. Smith.........               7330
                                William B. Watson........               3263
    Delaware..................  Robert A. McGowan........               3257
                                William G. Schaen........                475
    District of Columbia......  Flora V. Moore...........                284
    Europe....................  George W. Eby............              10692
                                Julian R. Johnson........              10810
    Florida...................  Robert A. McDade.........               7631
                                John Scott...............               4353
                                Roger G. Thomas, Sr......               6925
    Georgia...................  J. W. Bohanan............               5290
                                Charlie B. Stephenson....               5290
                                James T. Wood............               5257
    Hawaii....................  Louis Balasanos..........              10276
                                Manuel P. Cabral.........               2875
                                Edward K. Kaopuiki.......               1540
    Idaho.....................  Jean L. Holt.............                889
                                Randall Russell..........               2136
                                Robert N. Taylor.........               3886
    Illinois..................  Thomas Morgan............               1592
                                Kenneth R. Morrow Sr.....                755
                                Russell Villwock.........               3579
                                John Waltrip.............               1379
    Indiana...................  George R. Ensley.........              10006
                                William N. Hedge.........               1167
                                R. L. Johanningsmeier....               1257
                                Omar Kendall.............                673
    Iowa......................  Muriel Allan.............               3633
                                John G. Hanson...........                788
    Kansas....................  Charles Cook.............               2864
                                Richard Hill.............               7437
                                Denny Lawson.............               1186
                                Jay Ritchie..............               1022
                                Tom G. Sanko.............               1714
    Kentucky..................  Larry E. Bowling.........              10017
                                Jeff A. Phillips.........               1181
    Louisiana.................  Wilbert Kilchrist........               9822
                                Gerald Schneider.........               8973
    Maine.....................  Charles F. Coty..........               6859
                                Clifton Deringer, Jr.....               3381
                                Donald R. Libby..........                832
    Maryland..................  Tomas F. Bunting.........               2562
                                Thomas V. Kimball........              10159
                                Joseph L. Yurkanin.......               9619
    Massachusetts.............  Antone Andrews...........                697
                                William H. Crowley.......               2578
                                William J. Curran........               1526
                                Jere L. Hill.............               2425
                                Thomas R. Pierce.........               9566
    Michigan..................  William P. Bennett.......               7573
                                Norman Haskins...........               3941
                                Valentino Lemoncelli.....                552
                                James E. Reynolds........               5670
    Minnesota.................  David L. Adams...........               1782
                                Michael D. Brainard......               6587
                                Merlin O. Hanson.........               1639
    Mississippi...............  Kenneth W. Boggs.........               6731
    Missouri..................  Charles Bellemere........               2171
                                Eugene L. Hoeltge........               5077
                                William D. Merideth......               5366
                                Clarence W. Reed.........               6337
    Montana...................  Virgil T. Ray............               2252
    Nebraska..................  Norbert Koenig...........                247
                                Gary C. Krause...........               2503
                                Dennis R. Niemann........               1347
                                Earl Stinger, Jr.........               3421
    Nevada....................  Hal C. Morton............              10053
                                Michael H. Musgrove......               2350
                                Herbert Tellkamp, Jr.....               2313
    New Hampshire.............  Harry L. Clough..........               8836
                                James McKinnon, Jr.......               8270
                                Reginald R. Wright.......               8942
    New Jersey................  Harry D. Crane...........               6255
                                Domenic Lombardelli......                809
                                Hugh McNulty.............               1439
    New Mexico................  Felix J. Coca............               2951
                                James H. Ferguson........               7686
                                Levi O. Wirta............               7686
    New York..................  William E. McGarr........               6196
                                Vincent J. Siesta........                546
                                Harry C. Wurth...........               5253
    North Carolina............  John J. McGraw...........               9133
                                Betty H. Rowland.........               9100
    North Dakota..............  George A. Jahner.........               3444
                                Erling O. Rolfson........               3696
    Ohio......................  Clifford E. Bauer........               3360
                                Norman Eckhart...........               1079
                                Raymond E. Mallet........               3760
    Oklahoma..................  Robert B. Thomas.........               1098
    Oregon....................  James L. Abbott..........               4108
                                Lester Beecroft..........               4015
                                Alton Christenson........               2807
    Panama Canal..............  Aurora Toth..............                100
    Pennsylvania..............  William C. Allen.........               7213
                                Patrick Cooney...........               3577
                                Carmen DeSanti...........                129
                                Thomas Millhouse.........               2435
                                Patricia Potter..........               5424
                                Reverend Archie T.                       154
                                 Roberts.
    Rhode Island..............  John J. Barone...........               8955
                                John A. Bucci............              10011
    South Carolina............  Bill E. Lark.............               4262
                                Frasier Wall.............              10420
    South Dakota..............  James E. Fortin..........                750
                                Donald L. Ruby...........                628
                                Lorne F. Ruzicka.........               3312
    Tennessee.................  C. F. Bearden............               1289
                                John Furgess.............               1970
    Texas.....................  James R. Clark...........               6873
                                C. W. Kinson.............               9299
                                E. J. Krenek.............               8787
                                George B. Sparkman.......               9181
    Utah......................  Duane Hall...............               5560
                                Boyd W. Winterton........               4355
    Vermont...................  Denis B. Backus..........               2571
                                Irvin C. Tifft...........               1332
    Virginia..................  Paul W. Bolen............               9478
                                James E. Higgins.........               7059
                                Charles A. Webb, Sr......               2239
    Washington................  Tom Asaif................               2995
                                George A. Berthiaume.....                969
                                Edwin Rasmussen..........               9430
                                Delbert Underwood........               9476
    West Virginia.............  Albert M. Legg...........               9738
                                Eugene W. Walker.........               4484
    Wisconsin.................  Max Collins..............               3143
                                Gordon Harmon............               2534
                                Kenneth Munro............               2534
                                Joel P. Walker...........               1904
    Wyoming...................  Robert W. Miller.........               3511

                 COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND INTERNAL ORGANIZATION

         Chairman: Arthur J. Fellwock, Past Commander-in-Chief, Indiana

    Vice Chairman: Joseph A. Scerra, Past Commander-in-Chief, Massachusetts

            Department                     Name                 Post No.

    Alaska....................  Robert S. Green..........               1685
                                George A. Pikus..........               7056
    Arizona...................  Fred Chapman.............               1760
                                James R. Currieo.........               9972
                                Ernesto E. Melendez......                426
                                James L. Montgomery......              10308
                                William J. Silva.........                836
    Arkansas..................  Arthur Armstrong.........               2283
                                Raz T. Munholland........               4548
    California................  Leonard W. Bartels.......               8547
                                Rhett W. Daverio.........               3928
                                Alphonse C. DeBaca.......               7138
                                Cedric I. Gould..........               2563
    Colorado..................  Robert C. Gifford........               4663
                                Robert F. Honeywell......                  1
                                Phil E. Phillips.........               6411
    Connecticut...............  John J. Grogan...........                254
    Delaware..................  Clarence Burris..........               8801
                                Walter J. Kula...........               3257
                                Charles D. McGuire, Sr...               8801
                                Benjamin Pernol, Jr......               3792
    District of Columbia......  Ronald L. Foo............               2979
                                George A. Lange, Jr......               2400
                                John F. Murphy...........                833
    Europe....................  Harold Hedges............               9334
                                Norman J. Hirschman......              10592
    Florida...................  Bobby L. Booth...........               1590
                                Ronald G. Lee............               7987
    Georgia...................  Bennie B. Chastain.......               5257
                                Rance J. Taylor..........               4830
                                Don Ziegler..............               6447
    Hawaii....................  Zoilo Kupukaa............               4951
                                Gary I. Masumoto.........               1540
                                Bernard E. Teves.........               1540
    Idaho.....................  Gray I. Clawson..........               3012
                                Donald G. Riegel.........                889
    Illinois..................  Edward Jarnell, Jr.......               8081
                                Vincent R. Long..........               1756
                                Earl McMahon.............               2838
                                Thomas Neville...........               2327
                                Dwight E. Tanner, Jr.....               9759
                                John Von Guerard.........               2955
    Indiana...................  Roger Baker..............               6841
                                Richard L. Jordan........               2067
                                James D. Voelker.........               1114
    Iowa......................  Edward Leopold...........               1973
                                Patrick Shanahan.........                788
                                Arthur A. Weber..........               1623
                                Frank Weier..............               3159
    Kansas....................  Wayne Bushell............               1714
                                Larie O. Davis...........               6654
                                David Jones..............                 56
                                Robin Ray................               6957
                                Kenneth L. Wescott.......              12345
    Kentucky..................  Eddie Akers..............               5839
                                John Hofstetter, Sr......               3205
                                Billy G. Lyons...........              10017
    Louisiana.................  Tom W. Byrd..............               3619
                                Hausey Wilson............               6640
    Maine.....................  Thomas Lussier...........               6859
                                Robert E. Phillips.......               1761
                                Walter D. Simmons........               9459
    Maryland..................  Nicholas T. Bassetti.....               9083
                                Thomas J. Hercek.........                467
                                John P. Matthews.........              10113
                                Robert L. Miedzinski.....               2632
    Massachusetts.............  William J. Ferrantino....               6907
                                T. George Kotros.........               1526
                                Kevin Lynch..............                864
                                Cornelius Sharron........               9566
    Michigan..................  George D. Kosnick........               2645
                                Donald Mrdjenovic........               7573
                                Joseph O. Racine.........               5670
    Minnesota.................  Patrick T. Bohmer........                246
                                Harold W. Genrich........               1222
                                Lester G. Orton..........                363
    Mississippi...............  Leslie C. Blanchard......               6731
                                William H. Long..........               6473
    Missouri..................  Ralph Fiehler............               4219
                                Tom Hartman..............                 35
                                John McGhee..............               4107
                                Paul O. Stoneman.........               7900
                                James D. White...........               1003
    Nebraska..................  Lee Andrews..............               5289
                                Carl L. Eby..............               2503
                                Ronald Lachenauer........               2243
    Nevada....................  Ronald A. Kruse..........               8583
    New Hampshire.............  Michael S. Annis.........               2860
                                Paul J. Chevalier........                168
                                Francis W. Ryder.........               4368
    New Jersey................  Robert Hacker............               6590
                                Curtis G. Jackson........               1297
                                Arthur M. Williams.......               7679
                                Casey Wolferse...........               7925
    New Mexico................  Jimmy R. Cogdill.........              11384
                                Margarito Maes...........               1547
                                William D. Wilson........               7686
    New York..................  August Abel, Jr..........               1975
                                Raymond E. Coxon.........               6142
                                Philip C. Schiffman......               8691
                                James A. Wilson..........               9132
    North Carolina............  Edward L. Bookhardt......               7339
                                William Boykin...........               7315
    North Dakota..............  Arnold W. Maier..........               1326
                                Theodore Will............               1326
    Ohio......................  Raymond E. Burdine.......               9943
                                Lucian Esposito..........               4237
                                Lawrence Krugman.........               1079
                                Roy Welder...............               6519
    Oklahoma..................  Charles T. Johnson.......               3669
    Oregon....................  Patrick L. Jordan........               4248
                                Jerry M. Swanson.........               2302
                                Edwin L. Williams........              10644
    Pacific Areas.............  Robert W. Joyce..........               9723
    Panama Canal..............  Marion H. Lasater........               3876
    Pennsylvania..............  Michael J. Bullister.....                456
                                Robert E. Durovey........               7842
                                Franklin E. Lopes........                 92
                                Ronald G. Tyler..........               1462
                                Larry Wilver, Jr.........               1665
    Rhode Island..............  Benjamin Pezza...........               4651
                                Samuel Wolstencroft, Jr..               8955
    South Carolina............  Melvin L. Emore..........               3034
                                John Simmons.............               8738
    South Dakota..............  James Becker.............               6481
                                Ralph J. Haas............                791
                                William J. Radigan.......               3061
                                Larry L. Scudder.........               1273
    Tennessee.................  Bill Davis...............               3382
                                Joe A. Murphy............               1289
    Texas.....................  Charles S. Pearson.......               1533
                                Bruce Stephens...........               9191
                                Donald L. Wright.........               8134
    Utah......................  Aaron Crossman...........               7398
                                Frederick E. Peyton......               3586
                                Melvin T. Richeson.......               7442
    Vermont...................  Curtis E. Brown..........                758
                                Robert H. Dean...........               9653
                                William T. Myette........               9653
    Virginia..................  Otis N. Berry............                637
                                John R. Peters...........               4809
                                Harry H. Spielman........               2123
    Washington................  Roger Brazier............              11329
                                James W. King, Jr........               3067
                                Richard Petersen.........              10018
                                Jack Phelps..............               6929
    West Virginia.............  John F. Bennett..........               3081
    Wisconsin.................  Gerald Burkel............               5373
                                Steven D. Lawrence.......              10272
    Wyoming...................  Charles E. Fresorger.....                579

                        COMMITTEE ON GENERAL RESOLUTIONS

           Chairman: John M. Carney, Past Commander-in-Chief, Florida

        Vice Chairman: Norman G. Staab, Past Commander-in-Chief, Kansas

            Department                     Name                 Post No.

    Alabama...................  Harold Robertson.........               3492
    Alaska....................  Gerald J. Dorsher........               5559
                                John P. Guinn............              10041
    Arizona...................  Forrest E. Baker.........               1796
                                John M. Beeler, Sr.......               2364
                                Wilbur L. Brotton........                720
    Arkansas..................  Clyde Overall............               5225
                                Odell Stricklin..........              10442
                                Leslie F. Thone..........               3141
    California................  Gerald D. Anderson.......               2835
                                David B. Greaney, Jr.....               7420
                                Steven D. Jacobs.........               5944
                                Roland E. Lex............               9223
                                Art Napiwocki............               1614
                                T.H. Smith...............               7283
    Colorado..................  James A. Hartford........               8661
                                John R. Lewis............               4061
                                Terry Schafer............               1166
    Connecticut...............  John W. Ledwith..........               2849
                                William Martin...........              10004
                                Henry P. Milum...........               2096
    Delaware..................  Louis R. Walls, Jr.......               5447
    District of Columbia......  Kenneth J. Allen.........                341
                                James R. Brooks..........               2979
    Europe....................  James R. Boyt............              10312
                                J.R. Lewellen............               3885
    Florida...................  John J. Clark, III.......               5968
                                Leroy A. Zigmund.........               4209
    Georgia...................  Glenn E. Mitchell........               5290
                                Robert K. Nelson.........               3200
    Hawaii....................  Julian A. Fernandez......               3855
    Idaho.....................  Takeshi Hanami...........               3886
                                Henry Vanderhoef.........              10444
    Illinois..................  John Buettner............               1699
                                Rick Frank...............               1461
                                Eugene Lewandowski.......               4737
                                Willard Livingston.......               1308
                                Joseph W. Ruyle..........               4168
    Indiana...................  Thomas V. Burks, II......               7119
                                John L. Dahman...........               1421
                                Glendon R. Hinshaw.......               1111
                                Michael V. Smith.........               2999
    Iowa......................  Larry Bender.............                788
                                Stephen L. Ivey..........               9664
                                Robert Mathiesen.........               8486
    Kansas....................  Dan P. Dollison..........               1186
                                Larry Graham.............               7521
                                John Kent................               1650
                                Robert McChesney.........               7253
                                Alonzo McClinton.........               8773
                                Charles L. Shoemaker, Sr.                 56
    Kentucky..................  Lawrence Henderson.......               5484
                                James Watson.............               1913
                                Hardy B. Watson..........               3636
    Louisiana.................  Gervous Lambright........               3619
                                Stanley J. Plessala......               4222
    Maine.....................  Ralph T. Danby...........                832
                                Joseph L. Duguay.........               8835
                                David E. Watts...........               6859
    Maryland..................  James Lohman.............               9619
                                Joseph W. Nassar.........               5627
                                Lester A. Rule...........               6506
                                Hugh F. Shelton..........                482
    Massachusetts.............  Thomas M. Brennick.......               7284
                                Walter G. Gansenberg.....                834
                                Roy Luppino..............               1645
                                William J. Madera........               1702
                                John Martin..............               5737
    Michigan..................  Mike Fineis..............               3306
                                Colon P. Laney...........               1071
                                Eugene Poker.............               2358
    Minnesota.................  Francis Ginther..........                210
                                Ted B. Theodorsen........               6320
    Mississippi...............  David Grimes.............               4057
                                Rodney G. Wilkinson......               2539
    Missouri..................  Roger P. Beckerman.......               5331
                                Robert Lyons.............               8100
                                David L. Roath...........               5606
                                Charles F. Thrower, Jr...               3838
    Montana...................  John M. Hoyt.............               3107
                                Allen L. Kirkeby.........               1116
    Nebraska..................  Vern E. Hoffart..........                131
                                George Lee...............               1652
                                Hugh Morris..............               3606
                                Bobby Nickels............               3704
    Nevada....................  James E. Inman...........               9211
    New Hampshire.............  William Champagne........               1698
                                John Lilly...............               1698
                                Robert W. Madigan........                483
    New Jersey................  Frank S. Candeliere......               2619
                                Harry W. Morecroft.......               6061
                                H. Raymond Skinner.......               1838
    New Mexico................  Daniel V. Ortega.........               7686
                                C.H. Thornton............               7686
    New York..................  George S. Smith..........                 53
    North Carolina............  WIlliam J. Hendren.......               2031
                                Lester A. Melton.........                891
                                Cecil Sanders............                891
    North Dakota..............  Andrew A. Johnson........                760
                                Ted A. Krogen............               2328
                                Rhiney L. Weber..........               2764
    Ohio......................  Thaddeus H. Baker........               9630
                                James W. Dickens.........               5532
                                Howard Robinson..........               8850
                                Edward B. Roppel.........               1863
                                Ralph Ruhe...............               9294
    Oklahoma..................  William P. Beane.........               4977
                                James E. Newman, Sr......               4876
    Oregon....................  Harold Goin..............               2468
                                Martin J. LeDoux.........               4273
                                K.O. Towery..............               4273
    Pacific Areas.............  Luther W. Harmon.........               1509
    Panama Canal..............  Dannie Cooper............               3822
                                Robert H. Reynolds, Sr...               7405
    Pennsylvania..............  Glenn Dashner............                464
                                Charles Feltenberger.....               2435
                                George A. Maxwell........               7213
                                Ronald Radmore...........               5958
    Rhode Island..............  Charles W. Rogers........                329
    South Carolina............  John A. Buck.............               9539
                                Arthur D. Mann...........              10420
    South Dakota..............  Kenneth L. Jorgenson.....                750
                                Patrick E. O'Neill.......               1273
                                Tom Sherman..............               3342
    Tennessee.................  Willis B. Grice..........               1970
                                Kendall Ickes............               7175
    Texas.....................  N.F. Layne...............               3990
                                Duane G. Shriver.........               8919
                                John F. Simmons..........               6796
    Utah......................  Joe Lauter...............               4355
    Vermont...................  Leroy A. Dupree..........               6471
    Virginia..................  Herman R. Fitzgerald.....               2216
                                Julian H. Taliaferro.....               1827
    Washington................  Kenneth M. Harrison......               1135
                                Jack E. Hartloff.........               2329
                                Miles S. Irvine..........                379
    West Virginia.............  Thomas N. Caldwell.......               3518
                                Paul E. Nealis...........               1101
    Wisconsin.................  Martin A. Schultz........               7852
                                Mello Stapelton..........               8483
                                Bruce Wiese..............               8057
    Wyoming...................  Lars Quinnell, III.......               7756

               COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS

           Chairman: Ray R. Soden, Past Commander-in-Chief, Illinois

       Vice Chairman: Patrick E. Carr, Past Commander-in-Chief, Louisiana

            Department                     Name                 Post No.

    Alabama...................  Gerald Brock.............               2702
    Alaska....................  Lee G. Lewis.............               5559
                                Larry J. Patch...........               2509
    Arizona...................  Gerald R. Goist..........               7401
                                David E. Hurst, Sr.......                720
                                Ronald L. Slater.........               9829
    Arkansas..................  Verlin F. Williams.......               1991
    California................  H. John Flanery..........               2073
                                Robert G. Houchins.......               1123
                                Doctor S. A. Kopp........               3255
                                Harry H. Shishido........               9938
                                Raymond C. Sisk..........                 97
                                Harry H. Tanabe..........               9879
                                Joe Velasquez............               5059
    Colorado..................  Theodore G. Argys........               3820
                                Harold B. Hathaway.......                501
                                James E. Mauck...........               6624
    Connecticut...............  Burdett P. Flynn.........              10060
                                Chester J. Minski........              10004
                                William T. Sheffield.....              10688
    Delaware..................  LeRoy J. Rench...........               3238
                                Harry C. Steelman........               3420
    District of Columbia......  Mitchell A. Mabardy......                346
                                William S. Saunders......               7284
    Europe....................  Richard F. Kennedy.......               9534
                                Marvin L. Snyder.........               3885
    Florida...................  Lester W. Davis..........              10093
                                Richard J. Fitzgerald....               7721
                                Ray L. Ford..............               3064
                                Eugene R. Manfrey........               6827
                                Charles A. Whitacre......              10208
    Georgia...................  Sammy L. Cates...........               5290
                                Robert W. Pickins........               4706
                                Olin C. Wright...........               7331
    Hawaii....................  Anthony Hubahib..........               3855
                                Allan Lee................               3845
                                Donald Raven.............               2432
                                Fred Wong................               1540
    Idaho.....................  Roy E. Decker............               3043
                                Charles Griggs, Jr.......               7019
                                Ralph Hollingsworth......               3296
    Illinois..................  Barry Colbank............               6502
                                Eugene Karban............               7980
                                Irvin McDougall..........                981
                                William R. Moran.........               2240
                                Dennis Richey............               1592
                                Michael Spagnoletti......               6869
    Indiana...................  George A. Magurany.......                802
                                Lawrence Miles...........                266
                                Leo R. Reller............               2366
                                Lenas G. Weisheit........               1114
    Iowa......................  Ronald R. Petersen.......               9128
                                Russell D. Truax.........               5240
    Kansas....................  Wilmer Dreiling..........               9139
                                John Fridley.............               1254
                                Roland Robitaille........              11255
                                Charles Stephens.........               1432
    Kentucky..................  Johnny Harris............               7101
                                Kenneth E. Krebs.........               2921
                                Joe C. Oliver............               4075
    Louisiana.................  William M. Procter.......               1736
                                J.B. Robertson...........               8107
    Maine.....................  Roger D. Blanchette......               3459
                                Donald W. Linscott, Jr...                832
                                Donald P. Lockwood.......               9787
                                Alan M. Winter...........               9459
    Maryland..................  Clayton A. Deaver........               1858
                                Charles P. McConville....                521
    Massachusetts.............  Theodore R. Eaton........               2104
                                Edward A. Fogarty........               9566
                                John F. Leonard..........                639
                                Gardner McWillians.......               2425
                                John W. Mowatt...........                662
                                Tyler Thomas.............                144
    Michigan..................  Francis C. Burkman.......               6507
                                James N. Goldsmith.......               5666
                                John Harrow, Jr..........                372
    Minnesota.................  Daniel Bartholomew.......               3144
                                Joe J. Mach..............                210
                                William J. Manor.........               3871
                                Dean E. Means............               1642
    Mississippi...............  Charles Garrett..........               4877
                                Raymond A. Toy...........               4057
    Missouri..................  Ken Mountjoy.............                280
                                James R. Mueller.........               5077
                                Joseph L. Thomas.........               2171
                                Calvin Vogelsang.........               3838
    Montana...................  James C. Aho.............               2252
    Nebraska..................  Vernon Fleshman..........               3755
                                Dan G. Petersen..........                131
                                Cecil A. Reichstein......              10562
    Nevada....................  Earl W. Lewis............               2288
                                Charles R. Shetter.......               1002
    New Hampshire.............  Frank E. Casey, Jr.......                816
                                John Smith...............               2520
    New Jersey................  Vincent Brinkerhoff......                335
                                Charles J. Frederick.....               2648
                                Pierre Lamereaux.........               7164
                                Vincent J. Tamburino.....               2319
    New Mexico................  Tyrone M. Benson.........               7686
                                Walter Crawford..........               7686
                                Albino B. Fajardo........               4293
    New York..................  Anthony Ferrarese........                 16
                                Clifford E. Galbraith....               7127
                                Father Albert G. Salmon..               6912
                                Harriett Williams........               1384
    North Carolina............  Dennis R. Barnhardt......               6480
                                Gene Edwards.............               4309
                                Arthur Shull.............               2843
    North Dakota..............  Dean Bayer...............               6833
    Ohio......................  Gary B. Bentfeld.........               2799
                                Robert C. Cockrell.......               1082
                                John E. Moon.............               2873
                                Terry D. Opperman........               8445
                                Charles Popke, III.......               2529
    Oklahoma..................  George M. Nelson.........               1335
    Oregon....................  Raymond Kennedy..........               3473
                                Byron E. Pullen..........               4273
    Pacific Areas.............  Paul T. Gasperson........              10269
                                William J. Penn..........               1509
                                Michael L. Sullivan......               8180
                                Donald O. Webster........               9957
    Panama Canal..............  John R. O'Keefe..........               3822
                                Johnnie L. Scott.........               3876
    Pennsylvania..............  Thomas Dougherty.........               3474
                                Dale Haswell.............               4653
                                Donald Lehman............               8298
                                Almon J. Long............                283
                                Anthony Longo............               5205
    Rhode Island..............  Joseph C. D'Abrosca......                916
                                Antonio L. Pellegrino....               8955
    South Carolina............  William S. Boan..........              11251
                                Jesse Childs, Jr.........              10595
    South Dakota..............  Thomas A. Henle..........                628
                                Duane Starkey............               2969
                                Harold O. Weber..........               1273
    Tennessee.................  William H. Berkley.......               1291
                                Kenneth R. Houston.......               1294
    Texas.....................  Donald L. Harwood........               6794
                                Robert J. Lyons..........               8246
                                Earnest G. Mudd..........               8541
                                Manuel O. Rivas..........               8782
                                Robert Speake............               1922
    Utah......................  Benito G. Russo..........               3586
                                Alan B. Sparks...........               8307
    Vermont...................  Fred F. Fenn.............              10038
                                Frederick F. Ladue.......                792
    Virginia..................  David L. Duncan..........               1827
                                George E. McCracken......                609
                                Clifford Williford.......               3160
    Washington................  Robert Berleen...........               9430
                                Clay Hoffman.............               2329
                                Ed Krels.................               1474
                                Thomas Schuster..........                969
    West Virginia.............  Samuel P. Baldwin........               1212
                                Wesley Thomas............                573
    Wisconisn.................  Donald Cunningham........               7591
                                Robert E. Reinke.........                721

                   COMMITTEE ON VETERANS SERVICE RESOLUTIONS

          Chairman: Cooper T. Holt, Past Commander-in-Chief, Tennessee

       Vice Chairman: R. D. Smith, Jr., Past Commander-in-Chief, Georgia

            Department                     Name                 Post No.

    Alabama...................  Clarence A. Gardner......               3407
    Alaska....................  Robert A. Anderson.......              10252
                                Donald L. Kilmer.........               4352
                                Gary L. Kurpius..........              10221
    Arizona...................  Kenneth A. Buckley.......               9400
                                John M. Knowles..........               2364
    Arkansas..................  John S. Bostic...........               7769
                                Grady L. Brown...........               4548
                                Mark Cybulski............               9095
    California................  Paul Gonzalez............               2967
                                William G. Kelley........               5985
                                Robert C. Poulin, Sr.....               6945
                                Jerome A. Watson.........               1744
                                Jerry A. Williams........               7636
    Colorado..................  Henry F. Sexauer.........                  1
                                Warren Tellgren..........               8661
    Connecticut...............  John D. Burns............               2097
                                Benjamin T. Lord.........               5095
    Delaware..................  William T. Robbins.......               3420
    District of Columbia......  A. Leo Anderson..........                284
                                Claudio B. Pedery, Jr....               5471
    Europe....................  Wesley E. Boyt...........              10312
                                Bruce A. Withers.........              10436
    Florida...................  Elijah L. Summerfield....               6180
                                James DePass.............              10068
                                William R. Kirsop........               4256
    Georgia...................  Richard Branson..........               5080
                                General Crumley..........               7720
                                Johnnie Shiver...........               4830
    Hawaii....................  Jacob Akiona.............               2875
                                Norbert K. Enos..........               2875
                                Francis X. Roddin........               2875
                                John Rouse...............               1540
    Idaho.....................  Roy Harmon...............              10444
                                Lyle Longhurst...........               5840
                                Alvin R. Mason...........               6399
    Illinois..................  Carlo DiGrazia...........               6870
                                Walter Luksta............               9115
                                Leo Olah.................               7452
    Indiana...................  Paul D. Curtice..........               1257
                                William Hays.............               7119
                                James J. Thiel...........                717
    Iowa......................  Dowd J. Brandt...........               9662
                                Leslie Portwood..........                817
                                Daryl Shinker............               2349
    Kansas....................  Morris Brazda............               3111
                                Tom Montgomery...........                112
                                Rudolph Negrete..........               1650
                                Lawrence Tholen..........               2864
    Kentucky..................  Aaron N. Cardwell........               4075
                                Wilford O. Dismore.......               1191
    Louisiana.................  Jack Coursey.............               5951
                                James W. Ritchie.........               4224
                                James E. Westbrook.......               3784
    Maine.....................  Arthur A. Baker..........                832
                                Wallace C. Berard........               1285
                                Erlon B. Rose............               3335
                                Herbert Schindler........               9935
    Maryland..................  Joseph M. Coppinger......               2562
                                John F. Noble............               5627
                                Alfred N. Simmons........               8509
    Massachusetts.............  John J. Burnett..........                697
                                William T. McCarthy......               3439
                                John T. Tynan............                561
    Michigan..................  Raymond G. O'Neill.......                147
                                Edward S. Skiba..........               2358
                                Donald St. Aubin.........               5670
                                Barry Walter.............               4005
    Minnesota.................  Thomas L. Hanson.........               1636
                                Richard A. Zierdt........               6587
    Mississippi...............  Jerry W. Fletcher........               4970
    Missouri..................  Chester A. Doile.........               6272
                                Dennis Flynn.............               2866
                                Ronald Wooderson.........               8220
    Montana...................  James J. Bertrand........               1579
    Nebraska..................  Clarence Koch............               6219
                                John R. Liebsack.........               2503
                                John Olson...............               3704
                                James J. Pacas...........               4836
                                Billy C. Smith...........               7028
    Nevada....................  Claude A. Brown..........              10057
                                Donald L. Mason..........               3547
    New Hampshire.............  Donald R. Caron..........               7015
                                John Kisielewski.........               8179
    New Jersey................  Dennis Clark.............               1743
                                Charles A. Duffett, Jr...                 62
                                Donald L. Scott..........               7247
                                Donald Stippel...........               9503
                                George T. Van Allen......               7504
    New Mexico................  Johnnie Bollinger........               3015
                                Manuel G. Evaro..........               4384
                                Michael E. Schweitzer....               9515
    New York..................  T. William Bossidy.......               7466
                                Ralph DeMarco............                885
                                Mary A. Gamba............                542
                                John Sanford.............               8160
                                Domenick Volpe...........                546
    North Carolina............  James E. Flanders........               6018
                                Glenn P. Milliman........               2401
    North Dakota..............  Jerome M. Bixby..........               9069
    Ohio......................  Harold M. Blosser........                108
                                Edward H. Marzec.........               3483
                                Terry A. Roan............               3124
                                Samuel Schaffner.........               3761
    Oklahoma..................  Charles Harding..........               2270
    Pacific Areas.............  Charles A. Clay..........               1576
                                Paul T. O'Dowd...........               9957
    Panama Canal..............  James E. Cook............               3822
                                Leonardo R. Hylton.......               3835
    Pennsylvania..............  Theodore G. Hasulak......                315
                                Joseph M. Salvo..........               5267
                                John J. Thomas...........                128
                                John Wojtowicz...........               4789
    Puerto Rico...............  Jose Folch...............              11103
    Rhode Island..............  Frank E. Lightowler......               6342
                                Manuel V. Oliver.........                329
    South Carolina............  Richard L. Mayhew........                641
                                George M. Pullie.........               6091
    South Dakota..............  William A. Hollmann......               7319
                                Kenneth L. Nelson........               1273
                                Albert A. Reidinger......                 17
    Tennessee.................  Bobby Collins............               1990
                                Kenneth R. Perkins.......               8778
    Texas.....................  Felix Longoria...........               6719
                                R. Earl Lord.............              10351
                                Lavern H. Terbl..........               9168
    Utah......................  Thomas M. Kennedy........               3568
                                Theodore B. Rimpau.......               2355
    Vermont...................  Bradley F. Reynolds......                758
    Virginia..................  John E. Saunders.........               4809
                                Charles B. Wilkerson.....               9808
    Washington................  Charles Hunt.............               2329
                                Andrew Martin............              10018
                                Fred McDaniel............               7392
    West Virginia.............  Robert B. Kesling........                573
                                John F. Payne............               3466
    Wisconsin.................  Tony Eulo................               6498
                                Raymond Ortmann..........               6498
                                Arthur H. Schultz........                305
                                Thomas Tradewell.........               6498
    Wyoming...................  Ray B. Taylor............               3511

                            COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS

                  Chairman: Richard Trombla, Post 1174, Kansas

            Department                     Name                 Post No.

    California................  Edwin L. Myers...........               9814
    Delaware..................  Elwood B. Rickards.......               7234
    Illinois..................  James L. Mascola.........               3580
    Minnesota.................  James H. Kennedy.........               3877
    Missouri..................  James H. Willis..........                534

                         COMMITTEE ON CONVENTION RULES

          Chairman: Clifford G. Olson, Jr., Past Commander-in-Chief,
                                 Massachusetts

       Vice Chairman: Eric Sandstrom, Past Commander-in-Chief, Washington
                    PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO NATIONAL BY-LAWS

    B-1  Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                      section 104--admission fees and dues
        Amend Section 104, National By-Laws, by adding to the end thereof
    the following paragraph:
        ``Admission fees and dues collected for the Department and National
    Organization are, and become, the property of the respective Department
    or the National Organization upon receipt by the Post.'' [Adopted]

    B-2  Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                section 210--surrender or forfeiture of charter
        Amend Section 210, National By-Laws, by deleting the first and
    second paragraphs and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
              ``Voluntary Surrender. A Post may voluntarily surrender its
            charter only upon a vote of its members conducted in accordance
            with the procedures herein set forth. If any ten (10) members
            vote against surrender of the charter, the charter shall not be
            surrendered. A proposition to submit surrender of the charter
            to a vote of the membership shall be made at a regular meeting
            of the Post at least four (4) weeks before the time of the
            vote, and due notice of the proposition and the time and place
            of the vote shall be given in writing to every member of the
            Post and to the District Commander, County Council Commander
            and the Department Commander. At least fifteen (15) days prior
            to any vote to surrender or forfeit the charter the Post
            Commander shall provide the Department Commander with a list
            describing all of the money and other property of the Post. The
            Department Commander should be notified immediately after the
            meeting, in writing, of the outcome of a proposition to
            surrender the Charter of a Post. In the event that ten (10)
            members do not vote to continue the Post, the Department
            Commander shall, within thirty (30) days, request that the
            Commander-in-Chief cancel the charter, unless during such
            thirty (30) day period, the Department Commander receives a
            demand in writing from at least ten (10) members in good
            standing in said Post to continue it. Pending such cancellation
            the Post shall not dispose of any money or property.
              Disposition of Property. In case of surrender or forfeiture
            of a charter, all of the property of the Post, including all
            real property, personality and money, and the Post's books and
            records, shall immediately become the property of the
            Department, in trust. The Department Commander shall take all
            appropriate measures to secure possession and control of such
            property. Post officers shall execute such deeds and other
            documents as are appropriate to effect transfer of any such
            property to the Department. Disposition of such property shall
            be as directed by the Department Commander of Administration
            for those purposes set forth in the Congressional Charter.''
            [Adopted]

    B-3  Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                            section 213--arrearages
        Amend Section 213, National By-Laws, by deleting the first sentence
    and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
              ``Any Post in arrears for National, Department, County
            Council or District dues, poppy money, supply money, or other
            financial obligations, or failing to have the office of
            Quartermaster properly bounded in accordance with Section 703,
            or failing to submit properly completed quarterly Post Trustees
            Report of Audit or Post Election Report shall be deprived of
            all representation in County Council meetings, District,
            Department and National Conventions.'' [Adopted]

    B-4  Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
        section 222--delegates-county council, district, department and
                              national conventions
        Amend Section 222, National By-Laws, by inserting the following
    after the word ``Conventions,'' and before the word ``shall'' in
    subsection (b):
              '', who shall serve until the next Post election of
            delegates,'' [Adopted]

    B-5  Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                              section 321--voting
        Amend Section 321, National By-Laws, by inserting the following
    after the second sentence:
              ``The delegate strength for a Post shall be one (1) delegate
            for each fifteen (15) members based on the membership strength
            of the Post at the time of the County Council meeting.''
        Amend Section 321 further by adding to the end thereof the
    following paragraph:
              ``A roll call vote may be required and entered upon the
            record at the call of any three officers or delegates
            representing three different Posts.'' [Withdrawn]

    B-6  Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                              section 419--voting
        Amend Section 419, National By-Laws, by inserting the following
    after the second sentence:
              ``The delegate strength for a Post shall be one (1) delegate
            for each fifteen (15) members based on the membership strength
            of the Post at the time of the District meeting.''
        Amend Section 419 further by adding to the end thereof the
    following paragraph:
              ``A roll call vote may be required and entered upon the
            record at the call of any three officers or delegates
            representing three different Posts.'' [Adopted]

    B-7  Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                        section 615--national committees
        Amend Section 615, National By-Laws, by deleting subsection (d)(1)
    and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
        ``(d) Political Action Committee.
              (1) Composition: The Political Action Committee shall consist
            of a Director, a Treasurer, and a seven (7) member Board of
            Directors.
              Six (6) members of the Board of Directors shall be appointed
            by the Commander-in-Chief. Two members shall be appointed each
            year for a three-year term. The seventh member shall be
            appointed by the Commander-in-Chief upon the recommendation of
            the National President of the Ladies Auxiliary. The Director
            and Treasurer shall be appointed annually by the Commander-in-
            Chief and approved by the Board of Directors.'' [Disapproved]

    B-8  Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
     section 617--regional national council of administration members--how
                                    elected
        Amend Section 617, National By-Laws, by deleting the third
    paragraph and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
        ``Each Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
    States, except those bearing alphabetic designations, shall be entitled
    to membership on the National Council of Administration for a
    consecutive period of two years in the order listed above. If a
    Department attains membership in excess of 70,000 total members before
    July 1, it shall constitute a regional district. If any Department
    previously constituting a regional district fails to reach a total
    Department membership of 70,000 members before July 1, the Department
    shall no longer constitute a regional district. In the event any
    Department changes status as the result of a change in membership, the
    Commander-in-Chief shall submit a proposed amendment to Section 617 of
    these By-Laws assigning Departments to respective numerical or
    alphabetical regional districts as appropriate. Notwithstanding
    paragraph two (2) of Section 1301 of the National By-Laws, such
    amendment shall take effect immediately upon passage at the National
    Convention.'' [Adopted]

    B-9 Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                         section 709--control of units
        Amend Section 709, National By-Laws, by deleting the fifth
    paragraph and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
        ``In addition to other legal requirements under existing local
    laws, no Post, County Council or District shall purchase, sell or
    otherwise transfer title or interest in any real estate unless written
    notice of such proposal has first been given to each member of said
    unit and the Department Commander ten (10) days prior to such regular
    or special meeting at which the proposal is to be considered, and then
    only by two-thirds (\2/3\) vote of approval of those members present
    and voting at such regular or special meeting.'' [Adopted]

    B-10 Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                            section 710--inspection
        Amend Section 710, National By-Laws, by deleting the first
    paragraph and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
        ``The Commander-in-Chief or any Department Commander may require,
    within his respective jurisdiction, the inspection of any Department,
    District, Country Council or Post, or any holding company or
    corporation subordinate thereto, whenever he may believe the best
    interests of the Organization will be served to insure compliance with
    the National Charter, By-Laws, Manual of Procedure, lawful orders of
    the National Convention, the National Council of Administration and the
    Commander-in-Chief and the laws and usages of the Organization. For
    this purpose he may detail any officer of the National Organization of
    the Department whose duties shall be prescribed by the appointing
    power.'' [Withdrawn]

    B-11 Recommended by National By-laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                     section 714--control of mailing lists
        Amend Section 714, National By-Laws, by deleting the second
    paragraph and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
        ``Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the VFW
    from soliciting or authorizing solicitation of its membership to
    benefit the purposes of the organization or soliciting its membership
    in support of the activities of a political action committee duly
    authorized and organized by the VFW.'' [Adopted]

    B-12 Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
        section 1101--formation, control and disbandment of auxiliaries
        Amend Section 1101, National By-Laws, by deleting the first
    sentence of the third (3) paragraph and substituting in lieu thereof
    the following:
        ``The Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States may issue charters to Department, District, County
    Council, and Post Auxiliaries, provided that the establishment of such
    Auxiliary shall have been approved by the respective Department,
    District, County Council or Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States and subject to its control.'' [Adopted]

    B-13 Recommended by National By-Law Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                      section 1201--formation and control
        Amend Section 1201, National By-Laws, by deleting all therein and
    substituting in lieu thereof the following:
              ``(a) The Military Order of the Cootie of the United States
            is a national Honor Degree membership association separately
            constituted as a subordinate and an auxiliary order chartered
            by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Such
            association shall be governed by and subject to the control of
            the National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
            United States, the Commander-in-Chief and the National Council
            of Administration. Grand Pup Tents (Department units) and Pup
            Tents shall be governed by and subject to control of the
            respective Department Convention, Commander and Council of
            Administration or Post.
              (b) The Military Order of the Cootie shall be governed by
            such by-Laws and Ritual as may be adopted by it, and by the
            lawful orders issued by its national officers, provided such
            By-Laws, Ritual and Orders do not conflict with the
            Congressional Charter, By-Laws, Manual of Procedure or Ritual
            of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States or the
            lawful orders or directives of the National Convention, the
            Commander-in-Chief or the National Council of Administration of
            the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
              (c) The Military Order of the Cootie may issue charters to
            Grand Pup Tents and Pup Tents, provided that the establishment
            of such Grand Pup Tents or Pup Tents shall have been approved
            by the respective Department Convention or Post of the Veterans
            of Foreign Wars of the United States and subject to its
            control. Formation, control and disbandment of Grand Pup Tents
            and Pup Tents, as well as suspension or cancellation of
            charters, shall be in the manner prescribed in the Manual of
            Procedure.
              (d) Auxiliary. The Military Order of the Cootie is authorized
            to establish an Auxiliary for adult females and establish
            eligibility for such Auxiliary, provided that membership shall
            be limited to members in good standing in the Ladies Auxiliary
            to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Such
            association shall be subject to the control of the Supreme
            Scratch (National Convention), Supreme Commander and Supreme
            Council of Administration of the Military Order of the Cootie.
            Grand Pup Tents and Pup Tents may authorize the establishment
            and discontinuance of corresponding Auxiliaries in accordance
            with the By-laws of the Military Order of the Cootie of the
            United States, provided that an Auxiliary to a Pup Tent shall
            be chartered only after approval by the Post with which it is
            affiliated.'' [Adopted]

    B-14 Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                   article xii--military order of the cootie
        Amend Article XII, National By-Laws, by adding thereto new Sections
    designated Sections 1202, 1203 and 1204 as follows:
    ``SECTION 1202--ELIGIBILITY
        Eligibility for membership in the Military Order of the Cootie of
    the United States shall be limited to those members of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States (1) who, at the time of application,
    have been a member in good standing of his or her Post for the
    preceding six (6) months and (2) who have (a) completed satisfactory
    service on a major Post committee; or (b) satisfactorily performed Post
    duties or participated actively as a leader of Post functions, and (3)
    who have been approved for membership by a majority vote of the members
    present at a meeting of the Post. Application for membership and
    certification thereof will be in the manner prescribed in the Manual of
    Procedure.
    SECTION 1203--BY-LAWS, RITUAL
        The Military Order of the Cootie of the United States may adopt
    such By-Laws and Ritual as are deemed necessary and may authorize Grand
    Pup Tents and Pup Tens to adopt By-Laws. In the event any part of the
    By-Laws and Ritual so adopted are inconsistent with the Congressional
    Charter, By-Laws, Manual of Procedure or Ritual of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, or the By-Laws, Rules and
    Regulations and Procedures of the respective Department or Post, such
    part shall be considered null and void.
    SECTION 1204--INCORPORATION
        (a) The Military Order of the Cootie of the United States is
    authorized to incorporate under appropriate not for profit corporation
    laws, provided such incorporation, and the Articles of Incorporation
    and any amendments thereto, are reviewed and approved by the Commander-
    in-Chief and approved by a two-thirds vote of the National Scratch
    (National Convention) of the order and provided further that the
    Articles of Incorporation include those provisions specified in the
    Manual of Procedure. Failure to comply with these provisions will
    result in suspension or revocation of the Charter.
        (b) The Military Order of the Cootie of the United States may, by
    duly approved amendments to its By-Laws, authorize Grand Pup Tents and
    Pup Tents to Incorporate under appropriate not for profit corporation
    laws and may adopt such Rules and Regulations as are appropriate
    concerning such incorporation, provided that the respective Department
    or Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States approves
    such incorporation, which approval shall be in the same manner as for
    the initial formation of a Grand Pup Tent or Pup Tent, and approves the
    Articles of Incorporation and any amendments thereto and, provided
    further, that the Articles of Incorporation of any such corporation
    include the provisions specified in the Manual of Procedure. Should any
    state law prohibit the provisions specified in the Manual of Procedure
    for Articles of Incorporation, it shall be permissible to change the
    provisions sufficiently to conform to state law so long as the change
    is not inconsistent with the purposes of the Manual of Procedure
    provision. Failure to comply with those provisions will result in
    suspension or revocation of the charter.'' [Adopted]

    B-15 Proposed by Department of Michigan
                            section 101--eligibility
        Amend Section 101, National By-Laws, by deleting the first
    paragraph and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
        ``Anyone who has served honorably as an officer or enlisted person,
    whether on active duty, discharged under honorable conditions, released
    to inactive duty or retired, shall be eligible for membership:
              1. Who is a citizen of the United States.
              2. Who has served honorably outside he continental limits of
            the United States with the Armed Forces of the United States.
              3. Whose service in the Armed Forces of the United States in
            any foreign war, insurrection or expedition is recognized as
            campaign medal service and governed by the authorization of the
            issuance of a campaign badge (medal) by the government of the
            United States of America.'' [Disapproved]

    B-16 Proposed by Department of Europe
                           section 1102--eligibility
        Amend Section 1102, National By-Laws, by deleting the last sentence
    of the first paragraph and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
              ``Members must be not less than sixteen years old.''
            [Disapproved]

                 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MANUAL OF PROCEDURE

    M-1 Recommended by National By-Law Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                section 103--election, notification, obligation
        Amend Section 103, Manual of Procedure, by deleting the first two
    paragraphs and substituting in lieu thereof the following:
        ``After the applicant has filled out and signed the application
    card, giving in detail the pertinent information required, the member
    proposing the applicant shall certify that he has reviewed the
    applicant's bona fide proof of eligibility and it should be handed to
    the Post Adjutant or Quartermaster, together with the admission fee and
    dues. The fee and dues are held by the Post Quartermaster and credited
    to the applicant until such time as the Post shall vote on the
    application. A temporary receipt shall be issued to the applicant.
        The application will be referred to a Post investigating committee
    of three members. The member proposing the applicant shall not be a
    member of the committee. The committee shall make a careful
    investigation of the facts set forth on the application card. After the
    committee shall have completed its investigation, the members thereof
    shall recommend the applicant's election or rejection by affixing their
    signatures on the application card.''
        Further amend Section 103, Manual of Procedure, by adding to the
    third paragraph the following:
        ``The original application of every member shall remain permanently
    on file in the Post's records.'' [Adopted]

    M-2 Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                     section 714--control of mailing lists
        Amend Section 714, Manual of Procedure, by deleting all therein and
    substituting in lieu thereof the following:
        ``Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the
    National Organization or any Unit from soliciting its membership in a
    legitimate fund-raising enterprise in which it is financially
    interested; provided, however, that such enterprise has been approved
    by vote of members or delegates present at a regular or special meeting
    called for that purpose.
        Mailing lists provided by the National Headquarters of the Veterans
    of Foreign Wars of the United States for the use of subordinate units
    in contacting their own members shall remain under the control of the
    Commander-in-Chief and shall be used only for such purposes as he may
    authorize.'' [Adopted]

    M-3 Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
              section 1001--rules of order governing all meetings
        Amend Section 1001, Manual of Procedure, by inserting as rule
    number 24 the following:
              ``24. The presence, dispensation, and/or consumption of
            alcoholic beverages in VFW meeting rooms during VFW meetings is
            unacceptable and is prohibited.'' [Adopted]

    M-4 Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
                   article xii--military order of the cootie
        Amend Article XII, Manual of Procedure, by deleting all therein and
    substituting in lieu thereof the following:

    ``SECTION 1201--FORMATION AND CONTROL

        (a) Formation and Control.
              (1) Pup Tents. Pup Tents may be formed and chartered in
            accordance with the National Constitution and By-Laws of the
            Military Order of the Cootie provided that no Pup Tent shall be
            formed by less than fifteen (15) members in good standing of
            the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and,
            provided further that no Pup Tent shall be chartered unless the
            Post with which such Pup Tent is to be affiliated has consented
            to the chartering thereof. Consent shall require two-thirds
            vote of the members present at a regular or special meeting,
            provided that Post members are given written notice that a vote
            will take place, such notice to be given the entire membership
            in writing at least ten (10) days prior to the regular or
            special meeting called for the aforementioned purpose. Each pup
            Tent shall be assigned a number by the Military Order of the
            Cootie.
              Each Pup Tent shall be subject to the control of the Post
            with which it is affiliated. It shall also be subject to the
            control of the Department Convention, Council of Administration
            and Commander of its respective Department of the Veterans of
            Foreign Wars of the United States with respect to matters
            within their authority.
              Each Pup Tent shall function in accordance with the National
            By-Laws and Ritual of the Military Order of the Cootie and
            lawful orders issued by Supreme (National) and Department
            officers of the Order, provided they do not conflict with the
            Congressional Charter, By-Laws and Manual of Procedure of the
            Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the By-Laws of
            the Department in which it is situated or the Post with which
            it is affiliated or lawful orders issued by the Commander-in-
            Chief, the National or Department Council of Administration or
            Department Commander.
              (2) Grand Pup Tents (Department units). Grand Pup Tents may
            be formed by a vote of the Department Convention. Each Grand
            Pup Tent of the Military Order of the Cootie shall be governed
            by and under the control of the Convention, Council of
            Administration, and Commander of its respective Department of
            the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, who shall
            decide questions of law and usage for the Grand Pup Tent
            subject to an appeal to the Commander-in-Chief or National
            Council of Administration; but the Grand Pup Tent shall
            function in accordance with the Supreme (National) By-Laws and
            Ritual of the Military Order of the Cootie and lawful orders
            issued by National and Department officers thereof, provided
            they do not conflict with the Congressional Charter, By-Laws
            and Manual of Procedure of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
            United States and By-Laws of the Department with which the
            Grand Pup Tent is affiliated or the lawful orders issued by the
            Commander-in-Chief and/or National or Department Council of
            Administration and the Department Commander.
        (b) Suspension and Discontinuance.
              (1) The Commander-in-Chief or National Council of
            Administration of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
            States may suspend the Supreme (National) Charter of the
            Military Order of the Cootie for a period not to exceed sixty
            (60) days, for conduct of the organization, its Convention,
            National officers or National Council of Administration which
            may be detrimental to the best interest of the Veterans of
            Foreign Wars of the United States. The National Convention of
            the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States may, by two-
            thirds vote, cancel the charter of the Military Order of the
            Cootie.
              (2) The Commander-in-Chief may direct the suspension, for a
            period not to exceed sixty (60) days, or the cancellation of
            the charter of any subordinate unit (Grand Pup Tent or Pup
            Tent) of the Military Order of the Cootie, upon recommendation
            of the Commander of the Department wherein such unit is
            located, when it is shown the conduct of officers or members
            thereof may be detrimental to the best interest of the Veterans
            of Foreign Wars of the United States.
              (3) Disbanding of Pup Tent by a Post. A Post may, by vote of
            eighty percent of its members present at a meeting following
            written notice mailed or delivered to each member of the Post
            in good standing at least ten (10) days before said meeting,
            vote to request cancellation of the charter of its Pup Tent.
            The notice must state the contemplated action and the reason
            therefor. If the Post votes to request cancellation of the
            charter of its Pup Tent, it shall certify the action in writing
            and forward same to the Department Commander who shall forward
            it to the Commander-in-Chief with his recommendation. If he
            believes that it is in the best interest of the Veterans of
            Foreign Wars of the United States to do so, the Commander-in-
            Chief shall direct the Supreme Commander of the Military Order
            of the Cootie to cancel the charter of the Pup Tent.
              (4) While the charter of the Supreme (National) Organization
            of the Military of the Cootie, or a subordinate unit thereof,
            is suspended said unit shall not be permitted to function and
            the officers thereof shall be without authority; provided,
            however, it or its officers shall have the right to appeal to
            the Commander-in-Chief to lift the suspension; and in the case
            of suspension of the charter of the National Organization, an
            appeal may be made to the National Council of Administration of
            the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
        (c) Suspension of Officers. The officers (elective and appointive)
    of the Military Order of the Cootie or of subordinate units thereof may
    be suspended by action of the Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, subject to review by the National
    Council of Administration. While so suspended, the offending officer or
    officers of the Military Order of the Cootie shall be without
    authority, and if it is found that the conduct of an officer or
    officers thereof is detrimental to the best interest of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, the National Council of
    Administration of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States may
    order the removal of such officer or officers.
        (d) Disposition of Property. In the event of a surrender,
    cancellation or forfeiture of a charter of a subordinate unit of the
    Military Order of the Cootie, all official records, money and other
    property shall be surrendered to such officer or officers as is
    provided in the Supreme (National) By-Laws and Ritual of the Military
    Order of the Cootie.
        (e) Reports.
              (1) The Supreme (National) Commander of the Military Order of
            the Cootie shall, within thirty (30) days after induction into
            officer, submit to the Commander-in-Chief an itemized report of
            the financial and membership status of the National
            Organization of the Military Order of the Cootie for his
            information and for submission by him to the National Council
            of Administration.
              (2) The Grand Commander of the Military Order of the Cootie
            shall, within thirty (30) days after induction into office,
            submit to the Department Commander of the Veterans of Foreign
            Wars of the United States an itemized report of the financial
            and membership status of the Grand Pup Tent (Department unit)
            of the Military Order of the Cootie for his information and for
            submission by him to the Department Council of Administration.
        (f) Liaison. The Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
    of the United States shall appoint a committee who shall meet with a
    committee appointed by the Supreme (National) Commander of the Military
    Order of the Cootie. This combined committee shall meet at intervals
    between National Conventions of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States to consider all matters affecting the welfare of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States insofar as the activities
    of the Military Order of the Cootie are concerned. The purpose of this
    committee shall be to coordinate the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States and the activities of the Military Order of the Cootie so
    that there shall be full compliance with the Congressional Charter, By-
    Laws and Manual of Procedure of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States and best interest of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
    the United States and the Military Order of the Cootie are furthered.
        (g) Auxiliary Approval by Post. No Pup Tent Auxiliary shall be
    chartered unless the Post with which such Pup Tent is affiliated has
    consented to the chartering thereof. Such consent shall be given in the
    same manner as consent to the chartering of the Pup Tent as provided in
    this section.
    SECTION 1202--ELIGIBILITY
        An application for membership in the Military Order of the Cootie
    must be accompanied by a certificate verifying satisfaction of the
    requirements for membership specified in the By-Laws. The certificate
    shall bear the endorsement of the Post Commander attested by the Post
    Adjutant.
    SECTION 1203--BY-LAWS, RITUAL
        (See Sec. 1203 By-Laws)
    SECTION 1204--INCORPORATION
        (a) The Articles of Incorporation of the Military Order of the
    Cootie of the United States, should it incorporate, and any amendments
    thereto, must have the following provisions:
              (1) The active and voting membership of this corporation
            shall, at all times, consist of and be confined to the active
            membership in good standing of the Military Order of the Cootie
            of the United States and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
            United States.
              (2) This incorporated organization shall be and remain under
            the jurisdiction of the National Convention, Commander-in-Chief
            and National Council of Administration of the Veterans of
            Foreign Wars of the United States and subject to its charter,
            By-Laws and Manual of Procedure and the By-Laws and Ritual of
            the Military Order of the Cootie.
              (3) In the event of a dissolution of this corporation, or the
            simultaneous dissolution of this corporation and the forfeiture
            of the charter issued to it by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
            the United States, title to all of the assets shall pass to the
            Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States to be disposed of
            according to its By-Laws. At no time shall the assets of the
            corporation be distributed among the individual members
            thereof.
              (4) The Articles shall, in addition, contain a provision
            specifically excluding from the powers of the corporation the
            power to own or hold real property. (b) The Articles of
            Incorporation of any Grand Pup Tent or Pup Tent, should it
            incorporate, and any amendments thereto, must include the
            following provisions:
              (1) The active and voting membership of this corporation
            shall, at all times, consist of and be confined to the active
            membership in good standing of the (Grand Pup Tent, Military
            Order of the Cootie, Department of                , Veterans of
            Foreign Wars of the United States) or (Pup Tent, Military Order
            of the Cootie, Post            , Veterans of Foreign Wars of
            the United States).
              (2) This incorporated organization shall be and at all times
            remain under the jurisdiction of the National Convention,
            Supreme Commander and National Council of Administration of the
            Military Order of the Cootie of the United States, the
            Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
            United States and the (Department of                    ,
            Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States) and subject to
            the By-Laws and Ritual of the Military Order of the Cootie of
            the United States and the Charter, By-Laws and Manual of
            Procedure of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
              (3) In the event of a dissolution of this corporation or the
            simultaneous dissolution of this corporation and loss or
            forfeiture of its charter, title to all assets shall pass to
            the Grand Pup Tent of                    , Military Order of
            the Cootie of the United States to be disposed of according to
            the By-Laws. At no time shall the assets of this corporation be
            distributed among the individual members thereof.
              (4) The Articles shall, in addition,contain a provision
            specifically excluding from the power of the corporation the
            power to own or hold real property.'' [Adopted]

    M-5 Proposed by Department of Michigan
                            section 101--eligibility
        Amend Section 101, Manual of Procedure, by deleting the following
    in the first paragraph thereof:
              ``(2) Honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United
            States;'' and inserting in lieu thereof the following ``(2)
            Honorable service outside the continental limits of the United
            States with the Armed Forces of the United States;''
            [Disapproved]
                       PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE RITUAL

    R-1 Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief

        Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars under the heading
    ``INSTALLATION OF POST OFFICERS'' on page 49 by deleting the second
    sentence, ``The installing officer first reads warrant aloud and then
    says.'' [Adopted]

    R-2 Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee Proposed by
            Commander-in-Chief
        Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars under the heading
    ``INSTALLATION OF OFFICER (National and Department)'' by inserting the
    following after the fifth (5) line on page 59:
              ``Installing Officer: Does the Adjutant General have on file
            proof of eligibility for all officers to be installed during
            this installation?
              Commander-in-Chief: He has.
              Installing Officer: I would remind any officer not having
            proof of eligibility on file and not being installed at this
            time that the By-Laws prescribe you must, within sixty (60)
            days of election or appointment, submit to the Adjutant General
            for his file a copy of your proof of eligibility.'' [Adopted]

    R-3 Proposed by Department of New York

        Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars under the heading
    ``Chapel Service'' by inserting the following after the tenth (10)
    paragraph following the word ``Air Force'' on page 94:
        ``Our departed comrades of the Marines no longer look toward
    beachhead landings, dense jungles or tours on foreign soil.'' [Adopted]

       RESOLUTIONS CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEE ON AMERICANISM AND COMMUNITY
                                   ACTIVITIES

    No. 101  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                             u.s. flag desecration
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that all VFW Posts and Auxiliaries
    promote a CITIZENS PETITIONS DRIVE requesting that the U.S. Congress
    propose to the states an amendment to the Constitution of the United
    States which prohibits the physical desecration of the United States
    flag; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all VFW Posts and Auxiliaries
    institute programs to educate our youth and adults in the area of
    proper flag respect through our Americanism and Citizenship Education
    Programs. [Adopted]

    No. 102  Submmitted by many Departments
           support and promote voice of democracy scholarship program
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we highly commend and endorse
    the annual Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program and that we urge our
    members through the sponsorship of the respective units to support and
    promote increased participation opportunities and student involvement
    in an unparalleled Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program during the
    1994/95 year thereby contributing invaluably to the understanding of
    freedom and democracy by today's youth in keeping with the patriotic,
    historical and educational objectives of our organization. [Adopted]

    No. 103  Submitted by many Departments
      cooperation with national and state organizations to promote youth,
                         safety and patriotic programs
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we recognize this relationship
    and extend sincere appreciation to each of these organizations for
    their cooperation in the development and promotion of youth, safety and
    patriotic programs; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That during the year ahead, we urge our
    Posts, Districts, County Councils and Departments to maintain and to
    strengthen their ties with the American Academy of Achievement, Youth
    American Bowling Alliance, American Youth Soccer Organizations, Boy
    Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Further Farmers of
    America, 4-H Clubs, Freedoms Foundation, National Rifle Association of
    America, National and State Association of Broadcasters, State
    Superintendents and Commissioners of Education, all ROTC chapters and
    recruiting commands, Special Olympics, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Chapters
    and all other groups, associations and organizations of similar
    character and interests. [Adopted]

    No. 104   Submitted by many Departments
                oppose any action to change our national anthem
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we reaffirm mandates of
    previous conventions to oppose any legislation introduced in either the
    U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate which initiates action
    to change our National Anthem. [Adopted]

    No. 105  Submitted by many Departments
      oppose any effort that would ban the pledge of allegiance in public
                                    schools
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we strongly oppose any effort
    that would call for banning the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance
    in the American school system. [Adopted]

    No. 106  Submitted by Department of Washington
                        censor/remove henry b. gonzalez
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition the Speaker of the
    House of Representatives of the United States to invoke Article 1,
    Section 2, Clause 5 and Article 14, Section 3 of the United States
    Constitution and either officially censure Henry B. Gonzalez and/or
    remove the man from office, for his despicable seditious attestation,
    that the ``Pledge of Allegiance'' given by our elected representatives
    resembles ``a good herd of Nazis'' giving some sort of repugnant
    ``Hitliarian Seig Heil''. [Disapproved]

    No. 107  Submitted by Department of Delaware
        english as the official language of the united states of america
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support the adoption of
    legislation establishing the English language as the official language
    of the United States of America; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent both
    to the Representatives and Senators, requesting their support in the
    enactment of laws proclaiming English as the official language of the
    United States of America. [Adopted]

    No. 108  Submitted by Department of Vermont
                                  memorial day
        [Disapproved]

    No. 109  Submitted by Department of Louisiana
                     proper respect to our national anthem
        [Disapproved]

    No. 110  Submitted by Department of Nebraska
                                 hunter safety
        [Disapproved]

    No. 111  Submitted by Department of Montana
                                  memorial day
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we request the Congress of the
    United States to reestablish May 30th as Memorial Day. [Approved]

    No. 112  Submitted by Department of Oregon
                   as amended national flag celebration week
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge now and forever the
    Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
    Congress assembled, that the week in which June 14 occurs shall be
    declared as ``National Flag Celebration Week,'' during which citizens
    shall be encouraged to display the flag of the United States of America
    to study it's history and the ideals it represents, and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President also sign a proclamation
    supporting a National Flag week. [Adopted as Amended]

    No. 113  Submitted by Department of Indiana
                             a tribute to the flag
        [Disapproved]

    No. 114  Submitted by Department of California
                         in celebration of america week
        [Disapproved]

    No. 115  Submitted by Department of Michigan
                            ''meet you at the pole''
        [Disapproved]

    No. 116  Submitted by Department of Texas
                                 flag etiquette
        [Disapproved]

    No. 117  Submitted by Department of Pennsylvania
         support senate resolution #132 (return memorial day to may 30)
        [Disapproved]

          CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND INTERNAL ORGANIZATION

    No. 201  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief, Senior Vice Commander-in-
            Chief, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief and many Departments
                          amend congressional charter
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we direct the Commander-in-
    Chief to take such steps as are appropriate to cause the Congress to
    amend Section 5 of the Congressional Charter of the Veterans of Foreign
    Wars of the United States to make eligible for membership veterans that
    have served within the territorial limits of Korea. [Adopted]

    No. 202  Submitted by Department of Connecticut
      life membership card designating commandership on all levels of the
                            veterans of foreign wars
        [Disapproved]

    No. 203  Submitted by Department of Kentucky
     referred to committee on americanism and community activities sons of
                                    the vfw
        [Disapproved]

    No. 204  Submitted by Department of Kansas
    request for reconsideration of 1994-95 commander-in-chief's membership
                                    program
        [Disapproved]

    No. 205  Submitted by Department of New Jersey
                            sale of vfw buddy poppy
        [Disapproved]

    No. 206  Submitted by Department of Nebraska
                          amend congressional charter
        [Disapproved]

    No. 207  Submitted by Department of Colorado and Michigan
                   100th anniversary 1999 national convention
        [Disapproved]

    No. 208  Submitted by Department of New York
    referred to committee on americanism and community activities eliminate
                        age requirement for sons of vfw
        [Disapproved]

    No. 209  Submitted by Department of Minnesota
                       safe student transportation award
        [Disapproved]

    No. 210  Submitted by Department of Tennessee
           posts to establish fund to support korean war association
        [Disapproved]

    No. 211  Submitted by Department of Michigan
                      provide vfw cancer insurance program
        [Disapproved]

    No. 212  Submitted by Department of Michigan
                       amend national membership program
        [Disapproved]

    No. 213  Submitted by Department of Illinois
                                ``buddy poppy''
        [Disapproved]

    No. 214  Submitted by Department of Illinois
     print constitution, by-laws, ritual and podium edition in loose-leaf
                                      form
        [Disapproved]

    No. 215  Submitted by Department of California
    referred to committee on americanism and community activities eliminate
                      age restriction for sons of the vfw
        [Disapproved]

    No. 216  Submitted by Department of Virginia
                 abolish the political action committee program
        [Disapproved]

    No. 217  Submitted by Department of Minnesota
     change of wording in resolutions to by-laws, rules, ritual and manual
                                  of procedure
        [Disapproved]

    No. 218  Submitted by Department of Minnesota
                      proponent at resolutions committees
        [Disapproved]

                 CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEE ON GENERAL RESOLUTIONS

    No. 301  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                   veterans day off for all military veterans
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we request the President and
    Congress to issue a joint declaration encouraging business and industry
    leaders and government agencies to honor those employees who are
    bonafide military veterans with an excused absence from the work place
    on Veterans Day, beginning on November 11, 1994, and continuing in each
    year thereafter; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that each VFW Department request a similar
    joint declaration from their respective governors and state
    legislatures; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars honor
    three employers each year at its National Convention, who have granted
    their veteran-employees a holiday from work on Veterans Day. (Adopted)

    No. 302  Submitted by Department of Maine
              issue commemorative postage stamp honoring pow/mia's
        [Disapproved]

    No. 303  Submitted by Department of Maine (as amended)
     issue commemorative postage stamp to honor 2nd lieutenant audie murphy
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress for a
    commemorative stamp to honor the memory of this great American, 2nd
    Lieutenant Audi Murphy, whose patriotism and sacrifice for his country
    will not be forgotten. [Adopted]

    No. 304  Submitted by Department of Missouri
     endorse 50th anniversary truman president by truman library and museum
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we go on record as supporting
    the 50th Anniversary commemoration of the Truman Presidency and the
    events being sponsored by the Truman Library and Museum. [Adopted]

    No. 305  Submitted by Department of Nevada
                  endorse second amendment to the constitution
        [Disapproved]

    No. 306  Submitted by Department of Washington
                 vietnam veterans memorial names--``the wall''
        [Disapproved]

    No. 307  Submitted by Department of Wyoming
                 opposing gun control by handgun control, inc.
        [Disapproved]

    No. 308  Submitted by Department of Kansas
         commendation for refurbishing and the display of the enola gay
        [Disapproved]

    No. 309  Submitted by Department of Nebraska
             expansion of the heartland museum of military vehicles
        [Disapproved]

    No. 310  Submitted by Department of Louisiana
                             oppose d.c. statehood
        [Disapproved]

    No. 311  Submitted by Department of Colorado
      support for military veterans in obtaining united states citizenship
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we actively assist and support
    our comrades in obtaining U.S. Citizenship; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States attempt to persuade the United States Government to
    expeditiously process and approve the applications of foreign
    nationals, who have served and been honorably discharged from the Armed
    Forces of the United States, for U.S. Citizenship. [Adopted]

    No. 312  Submitted by Department of Colorado
                remove copyright protection in public law 99-652
        [Disapproved]

    No. 313  Submitted by Department of New York
                              issue pow/mia stamp
        [Disapproved]

    No. 314  Submitted by Department of New York
                                a pow/mia stamp
        [Disapproved]

    No. 315  Submitted by Department of New York
     u.s. memorial in memory of u.s. service personnel buried in american
                               cemetery at manila
        [Disapproved]

    No. 316  Submitted by Department of Oregon
                                  gun control
        [Disapproved]

    No. 317  Submitted by Department of Tennessee
                      smithsonian exhibit of the enola gay
        [Disapproved]

    No. 319  Submitted by Department of Illinois
                  enforcement of existing laws on gun control
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the efforts of government
    should be directed to the enforcement of existing laws rather than the
    regulation of the purchase, licensing, registration, taxing, banning
    and possession of firearms by the millions of our citizens who desire
    hem for traditionally legitimate purposes; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the nation's press, television and
    radio commentators and government agencies be urged to cease seeking a
    panacea for this problem by the enactment of more laws but instead, the
    media should urge that the government provide the funds and manpower
    for more effective enforcement of present laws directed against
    criminal actions, assure speedy trials unencumbered by technical
    defenses, forbid plea-bargaining in violent crimes, impose safeguards
    against unwarranted probation and parole of convicted persons, and
    initiate long overdue reforms of our penal system so that it securely
    incarcerates enemies of society while rehabilitating young wrong-doers
    who are not yet hardened criminals. [Adopted]

    No. 320  Submitted by Department of California
             perpetuate the memory and history of our dead in wwii
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we request the American Battle
    Monuments Commission (ABMC) of the Federal Government to authorize the
    design and construction of a World War II Memorial Cenotaph in Area I
    of the District of Columbia; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cenotaph contain memorial walls
    listing the names of these fallen American Hero's. [Adopted]

    No. 321  Submitted by Department of California
         u.s. postmaster general designation of a pow/mia postage stamp
        [Disapproved]

    No. 322  Submitted by Department of California
                          pow/mia recognition week/day
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we call upon the Congress of
    the United States to cause a law to be enacted whereby the third (3rd)
    week of September of each year, and the third (3rd) Saturday of
    September of each year be set aside as POW/MIA Recognition Week and
    POW/MIA Recognition DAy respectively; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such law requires the accepted version
    of the POW/MIA Flag be flown for the entire scheduled week, at every
    government agency and military installation where possible so as to
    honor and assure these veterans that THEY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
    [Adopted]

    No. 323  Submitted by Department of California (as amended)
                     refugee status for major nguyen quy an
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the President and the
    Congress of the United States to grant Major An and his daughter
    refugee status. [Adopted as Amended]

    No. 324  Submitted by Department of California
           prior military service credit by public retirement systems
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we strongly advocate the
    granting of retirement credit for prior military service by all
    publicly financed retirement systems at a reasonable cost to active and
    retired members (such as the employee/retiree paying the normal
    employee share). [Adopted]

    No. 325  Submitted by Department of California
           the acquisition of building on deactivated military bases
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that every consideration be given to
    requests made by either the Department of Veterans Affairs, the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars, or other congressionally chartered veterans
    service organizations for the government to donate excess military base
    properties for the purpose of serving our Nation's veterans. [Adopted]

    No. 326  Submitted by Department of Texas
      utilization of facilities at closed military installations to house
                                criminal inmates
        [Disapproved]

    No. 327  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
    legislation by the congress to award medal of honor to colonel john w.
                                    mitchell
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we reaffirm our support for the
    Congress to adopt this legislation to award the Medal of Honor to
    Colonel Mitchell and that we call upon our Legislative Services in
    Washington, D.C. to continue its efforts to secure the passage of H.R.
    3017 in the House and S1836 in the Senate; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we ask each of our Departments to call
    upon their respective Congressmen and Senators to both support and co-
    sponsor these Bills. [Adopted]

    No. 328  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                         proudly display the enola gay
        [Disapproved]

    No. 329  Submitted by Department of Pennsylvania
                      concerning chapel of four chaplains
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we concur with this resolution
    and to withdraw all support, moral and financial from the Chapel of
    Four. [Adopted]

    No. 330  Submitted by Department of Pennsylvania
        prevent desecration of memory of brave & honored fallen comrades
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to enact
    legislation to the effect that the use of any National Cemetery, War or
    Veterans Memorial, or other such property or edifice, being publicly
    owned, for any political purpose whatsoever, excepting those to be
    commonly accepted as being patriotic or memorial in nature be
    prohibited under force of law; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the use of any bunting, streamers,
    symbols or other decorations of any type other than those commonly
    accepted as being patriotic in nature be banned. [Adopted]

    No. 331  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                    oppose the enola gay smithsonian exhibit
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to exercise
    the necessary oversight to immediately review the plans for this
    exhibit and deny all federal funds because it lacks historical accuracy
    and does not comply with either the spirit or intent of Sections 77a
    and 80a of Title 20 cited above. [Adopted]

    No. 332  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief, Senior Vice Commander-in-
            Chief and Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief
                     national convention parade alternative
        Be it Resolved, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that a patriotic rally be held as an
    alternative to the Annual Military Parade at the 96th National
    Convention in Phoenix, Arizona; and
        Be it Further Resolved, that the National Council of Administration
    be empowered to decide annually if a military parade or an alternative
    form of patriotic salute will be held during the next National
    Convention and that such decision be made at the October meeting of the
    National Council of Administration and promptly promulgated throughout
    the organization in the General Orders and the VFW Magazine. [Adopted]

        CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS

    No. 401  Submitted by many Departments
                       support public awareness projects
        Be it Resolved, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the National Organization will:
              (a) ensure routine distribution to the field of pertinent,
            credible and responsible information on a routine basis and, as
            requested, to provide such information about other POW/MIA
            organizations as may be needed by the Departments;
              (b) encourage participation in the program by veterans'
            groups of other friendly nations such as our NATO and Far
            Eastern allies;
              (c) encourage exchange of information among State POW/MIA
            Chairmen, to include publishing up-to-date address lists; and
        Be it Further Resolved, that each Department exercise maximum
    initiatives to maintain the vitality and thrust of the POW/MIA program
    at Department levels by encouraging such actions as:
              (a) display of the black POW/MIA flag, as appropriate, at any
            function at which it is proper to fly the U.S. Flag;
              (b) work closely with family and reputable POW/MIA
            organizations at all major events and render cooperation and
            support to them;
              (c) encourage support of information exchange at Post levels;
              (d) appoint an interested member at the Post level to act as
            the POW/MIA Project Officer; and
        Be it Further Resolved, that the National Organization of the VFW
    supports the annually announced POW/MIA Recognition Day. [Adopted]

    No. 402  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
             seek opportunities to resolve the korean war pow issue
        Be it Resolved, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the VFW remains determined to
    resolve the status of Americans still unaccounted for in Korea; and
        Be it Further Resolved, that the VFW urges the U.S. and Republic of
    Korea governments to increase their contact with the North Korean and
    Chinese governments and thus seek new opportunities to resolve this
    humanitarian issue as soon as possible; and
        Be it Further Resolved, that the VFW, in keeping with United States
    laws and in consultation with the Korean and U.S. governments, will
    continue its active efforts to resolve the issue of Korean War POW/
    MIAs. (Adopted as Amended)

    No. 403  Submitted by many Departments
                          the lessons of the cold war
        Be it Resolved, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the lessons of the Cold and
    Gulf Wars taught us that our peace, our freedom and our security can
    best be achieved by remaining united in common purpose with our many
    allies and friends whereby we share both the danger and security burden
    and by maintaining a national defense which in combination with our
    allies and friends, is equal to those continuing threats; and
        Be it Further Resolved, that in contrast to the Korean and
    Vietnamese Wars, the lessons of the Gulf War are apparent to ensure
    victory in future wars, the United States, led by resolute political
    leadership and backed by unwavering public support, should quickly and
    decisively engage the full range of its military power until the threat
    to our security is eliminated. (Adopted)

    No. 404  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
           limit foreign ownership of u.s. businesses and properties
        Be it Resolved, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Congress to enact
    legislation to limit foreign ownership of United States corporations,
    companies, businesses and property and industrial technologies or
    processes which could become vital or sensitive to the national defense
    of the U.S. and which will protect the economy of the United States.
    [Adopted as amended)

    No. 405  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                     stop illegal immigration at the border
        Be it Further Resolved, that, as appropriate, military resources be
    employed to assist in stopping the flow of illegal aliens into the
    country; and
        Be it Further Resolved, that the President and the Congress should
    carefully consider new legislation which would incorporate the results
    and recommendations of the recent bipartisan review of the 1986
    Immigration Act. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 406  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                          it's time to push castro out
        Be it Resolved, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that urge the U.S. Government to
    continue its present policy of no trade with Communist Cuba and no
    diplomatic recognition of that communist state and to increase the
    economic and political pressure on Castro; and
        Be it Further Resolved, that we urge the U.S. Government to use all
    measures short of violence and/or invasion to increase the pressure on
    Castro which, in conjunction with his isolation, to hasten the time
    until Castro's dictatorship is overthrown and Cuba can regain its
    freedom. (Adopted as Amended)

    No. 407  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                             punish terrorists now
        Be it Further Resolved, by the 95th National Convention of the
    Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we continue to urge
    that the U.S. take decisive action against the Qadhaffi regime to bring
    justice to those responsible for the destruction of PanAm Flight 103
    and to serve as a warning that all terrorists--no matter what country
    gives them refuge--will be hunted down and brought to justice; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we continue to urge decisive action in
    the war on terrorism by:
              (a) remaining on the offensive against terrorists rather than
            passively remaining on the defense;
              (b) instituting a quarantine of those ``outlaw countries''
            guilty of harboring or aiding terrorists; and
              (c) holding all countries accountable for the security of
            American citizens traveling within their borders; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Congress should authorize and the
    President should declare a quarantine against the outlaw Qadhaffi
    regime of Libya until the Libyan intelligence officers are turned over
    for trial. (Adopted as Amended)

    No. 408  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                strategic defense should be a strategic priority
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we strongly endorse and urge
    others to endorse the deployment of a defense against ballistic
    missiles before the end of this century as a first priority defense
    requirement; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the President and the Congress
    to reverse their priorities and to reestablish strategic defense as a
    strategic priority for this country with appropriate levels of funding
    to assure this is accomplished as soon as possible. [Adopted as
    amended]

    No. 409  Submitted by many Departments
                   the future is brighter in central america
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that our Government increase its
    surveillance against the dangers of continued Cuban subversion and the
    drug cartels to ensure that neither communists nor hostile
    dictatorships ever again pose a threat to the region and that Congress
    appropriate necessary funds to support this requirement as well as to
    provide assistance to the free governments of the region. [Adopted]

    No. 410  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                       add the b-2 bomber to our arsenal
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we endorse, support and urge
    others to support the production and deployment of the B-2 Stealth
    Bomber as a vital part of a stronger strategic triad. [Adopted as
    amended]

    No. 411  Submitted by many Departments
                   protect our technology and industrial base
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the U.S. Government to
    institute support for and protection of new technology to prevent the
    erosion of our national economy and national security; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. industrial base which is
    absolutely essential to a fully capable military not be allowed to
    erode and that it be protected from foreign domination. [Adopted]

    No. 412  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
     oppose lifting the defense department ban on homosexuals in the armed
                                     forces
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we unequivocally oppose the
    efforts of the President and of homosexual organizations to force the
    military service to accept and/or retain homosexuals and urge that this
    matter be taken before the Supreme Court to seek financial judicial
    reaffirmation of the homosexual exclusion policy; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the aforementioned Code should be
    rewritten in an effort to dismiss any possible question of the denial
    of civil rights based on moral, religious or ethical behavior, as it is
    not the intent to inflict that upon said persons, rather a just concern
    for the good order, discipline, stability and readiness of our Armed
    Forces and its operations. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 413  Submitted by many Departments
    concerning the granting of asylum or residence, temporary or permanent,
       in the united states or its territories to any leader, president,
                              monarch or dictator
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge our United States
    Senators and Representatives and the President of the United States not
    to allow the granting of political asylum to former heads of state who
    are guilty of such acts of inhumanity against their people. [Adopted]

    No. 414  Submitted by many Departments
                     maintain an effective u.s. coast guard
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Congress and the
    Administration to provide the funding necessary for the Coast Guard to
    carry out its numerous duties including, but not limited to, drug
    enforcement, military readiness, pollution control, maritime safety,
    search and rescue missions as well as their many other duties and
    missions. [Adopted]

        No. 415  Submitted by many Departments
                           standing firm for freedom
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we stand firm for freedom and
    in furtherance of the ideals of freedom and democracy, we support a
    foreign policy that nourishes the newly won freedoms in Europe and
    elsewhere and remain firm against both the possibility of the reversal
    of Europe's freedom and the threats to other important regions of the
    world. [Adopted]

    No. 416  Submitted by many Departments
                  national strategy of peace through strength
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we continue to support a
    national strategy of peace through strength, the general principles of
    which should be:
              (a) maintaining a strong economy at home and protecting our
            overseas resources of energy and vital raw materials;
              (b) helping our friends and allies defend themselves against
            aggression;
              (c) helping formerly communist controlled countries in their
            process of converting to freely elected democratic governments;
              (d) maintaining effective security and intelligence
            capabilities to prevent strategic surprise from any quarter;
              (e) maintaining such strategic, nuclear and conventional
            military forces (including Active, Reserve and National Guard
            components) equipped with such high technology weapons and
            equipment which in the judgement of our military leaders are
            more than equal to the current threats and adequate to our
            current defense requirements; and
              (f) maintaining the leadership necessary to inspire, focus
            and unite the national will and international unity to further
            our goal of peace and freedom. [Adopted]

        No. 417  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                   a common sense military balance in europe
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that while we continue to support
    military withdrawals and reductions as agreed to by the NATO Alliance,
    the changing circumstances in Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of
    Independent States require the residual presence of such combat ready
    ground, air and naval forces as the NATO military commander recommends
    and NATO's political authority have approved; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such U.S. forces remain based in
    Europe and that the United States retain such land, sea and air bases
    as necessary to support military operations in Europe and elsewhere;
    and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States reaffirms our support for the continued existence of the
    North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its military structure
    and strategy in Europe for the foreseeable future. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 418  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                      keeping our eyes on the pow/mia goal
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we reaffirm our steadfast
    commitment to the goal of the fullest possible accounting of our
    missing men and that this issue will remain for us a non-negotiable
    matter of honor and a duty to be fulfilled not only for those lost in
    Southeast Asia but also those lost in World War II, the Korean War and
    the Cold War; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in consideration of the increasing
    cooperation by Vietnam, the VFW recognizes that at some point in time,
    but only after significant results have been achieved through Vietnam/
    U.S. cooperative efforts, we should lift the constraints of the
    economic embargo and move towards normalizing diplomatic relations
    thereby encouraging even greater cooperation toward our goal of the
    fullest possible accounting; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any VFW decision to change our
    strategy regarding the pace and scope of establishing economic and
    diplomatic relations with Vietnam be guided by our own opinions,
    factual findings and judgements based not only on our findings during
    periodic visits to the countries of the region but also on the best
    information available; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that during VFW periodic visits to
    Southeast Asia, our representatives attempt to open dialogue with and
    contact such humanitarian, social and fraternal organizations as may
    exist and to use such dialogue/contacts to further pursue our POW/MIA
    goal of the fullest possible accounting. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 419  Submitted by many Departments
                    military service: an honored profession
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the VFW calls on all elected
    and appointed officials to publicly recognize the major contributions
    and sacrifices made by those in military service; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that our elected and appointed officials
    acknowledge the professionalism of our servicemen and women by ending
    the erosion of entitlements and expanding the benefits of service and
    by so doing, show that this nation cares for those who have served and
    sacrificed. [Adopted]

    No. 420  Submitted by many Departments [As amended]
                      support for start treaties i and ii
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support Strategic Arms
    Reduction Treaties I and II which promise to increase U.S. security and
    stability in the U.S.-Russian nuclear relationship; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that should credible evidence be uncovered
    of cheating or deception on the terms of the Treaties or their
    verification regimes, the Veterans of Foreign Wars will take such
    action as necessary to promote and preserve a strong national defense.
    [Adopted as amended]

    No. 421  Submitted by many Departments
         strengthen intelligence services to prevent strategic surprise
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support the expansion of our
    national intelligence agencies to be better able to cope with the rapid
    changes in the world and to ensure that we will have adequate warning
    of future political, military, economic or technological changes that
    would increase the risks to our national security and vital national
    interests abroad and that Congress appropriate necessary funds to
    strengthen the intelligence services. [Adopted]

    No. 422  Submitted by many Departments
                     limit u.s. role in yugoslav civil war
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that while we are seriously
    concerned about the Yugoslavian civil war and its effects on the people
    of Yugoslavia, and in consideration of the views of our military
    leaders, rather than playing a direct role in this conflict, we urge
    the President and Congress to support the active role of the United
    Nations to bring about an early end to the conflict, to provide relief
    for those still suffering, and to enforce such truce agreements and
    peace treaties as may be required to terminate the conflict; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that U.S. forces not be employed in any
    combat role or mission and that U.S. military forces employed in
    support of the UN only be placed under a U.S. military commander and
    authorized to defend themselves if attacked; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that at the termination of this conflict,
    those reports of atrocities be investigated by an international
    tribunal of the United Nations and those accused of such atrocities be
    brought to trial and justice. [Adopted]

    No. 423  Submitted by many Departments
                       support for the republic of korea
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the United States to
    increase its military aid and assistance to the Republic of Korea by
    providing modern state of the art, weapons and technology to safeguard
    her freedom, sustain her development, and promote the Pacific and Asian
    regions; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States provide a strong,
    flexible military force in the Republic of Korea to vigorously respond
    to any military and/or political aggression by North Korea; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States in concert with its
    allies bring pressure to bear on North Korea to immediately cease its
    efforts to develop nuclear weapons and comply with the safeguard accord
    of the International Atomic Energy Agency. [Adopted]

    No. 424  Submitted by many Departments
                  support for the republic of china on taiwan
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the President and
    Congress of the United States to adhere strictly to the concepts of the
    Taiwan Relations Act by approving the sale to the Republic of China on
    Taiwan such state of the art military equipment, weapons and technology
    as may be necessary to maintain adequate defense capabilities to
    provide for a military balance and stability in the area; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the President of the United
    States to proceed on schedule with the previously approved sale of the
    F-16 aircraft to the Republic of China; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the President and the Congress
    of the United States to support any bid by the Republic of China on
    Taiwan to rejoin the United Nations; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support the continued promotion of
    commercial, technological, educational and cultural relationships and
    exchanges between the United States and the Republic of China on
    Taiwan. [Adopted]

    No. 425  Submitted by many Departments
                      support the exclusion of iraqi pows
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support the bipartisan
    request from the members of the U.S. House of Representatives and urge
    the Secretary of State, Secretary of Health and Human Services and the
    President to withdraw the refugee status to be granted to these former
    Iraqi soldiers. [Adopted]

    No. 426 Submitted by many Departments
              take action now to prevent future pow/mia tragedies
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we believe that prior to the
    conclusion of any future hostilities, the U.S. Government insist and
    ensure that there are ironclad guarantees in any truce, peace or
    surrender agreements to provide for the fullest possible accounting of
    all our POW/MIAs; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Congress of the United States must
    vigorously exercise oversight responsibility over the Executive Branch
    Departments and their policies, priorities and procedures to ensure the
    fullest possible accounting is achieved at the earliest opportunity and
    the Congress undertake a review of existing laws, regulations and
    procedures to prevent such future POW/MIA tragedies. [Adopted]

    No. 427  Submitted by many Departments
                   grant the afem to veterans of el salvador
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that in light of the successful
    campaign and resulting democratic peace recently achieved in El
    Salvador, we urge the Department of Defense to award the Armed Forces
    Expeditionary Medal to those U.S. military personnel assigned to the
    U.S. Military Group in El Salvador between January 1979 and December
    1991, and whose assignment to the unit consisted of 60 days or more and
    entitles them in Imminent Danger Pay. [Adopted]

    No. 428  Submitted by many Departments
                    oppose u.s. forces under foreign command
        [Disapproved]

    No. 429  Submitted by Department of Georgia
                       support public awareness projects
        [Disapproved]

    No. 430  Submitted by Department of Kansas
        armed forces expeditionary medal navy medical augmentation team
                        operation urgent fury (grenada)
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition the Joint Chiefs of
    Staff to recognize the direct support and participation by the U.S.
    Navy Medical Augmentation Response Team in Operation Urgent Fury and
    thereby ensure that members of the team are awarded the Armed Forces
    Expeditionary Medal in recognition of their participation. [Adopted]

    No. 431  Submitted by Department of Colorado
                       support public awareness projects
        [Disapproved]

    No. 432  Submitted by Department of Louisiana (as amended)
                         surrender of u.s. sovereignty
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we call upon Congress to reject
    any effort to surrender the United States military, our independent
    foreign policy and supreme sovereignty to the United Nations. [Adopted
    as amended]

    No. 433  Submitted by Department of Europe
                       supporting a korean service medal
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we request Congress to take
    action to award a proper service medal to military personnel who have
    served in Korea assigned to units along the DMZ from July 1, 1954 to
    September 30, 1966 and from July 1, 1974 to a date yet to be
    determined. [Adopted]

    No. 434  Submitted by Department of Oregon
     uphold current ban on homosexuals serving in the active, reserve and
                   national guard forces of the united states
        [Disapproved]

    No. 435  Submitted by Department of Virginia (as amended)
            americans who are prisoners of war or missing in action
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that in order to display our
    national unity we urge the President of the United States and every
    member of the United States Congress to continue to speak out
    forcefully on this issue concerning missing U.S. Servicemen. [Adopted
    as amended]

    No. 436  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                   no to u.s. military intervention in haiti
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we oppose the use of U.S.
    troops in Haiti to bail out failed diplomatic initiatives and economic
    embargoes designed to support misguided moralistic policies not in the
    nationl self-interest. [Adopted]

    No. 437  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief (as amended)
                    oppose u.s. forces under foreign command
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we oppose any plan or directive
    placing U.S. military forces under the command of foreign military
    officers including those who are operating exclusively under orders
    from the United Nations.
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Congress be urged to examine
    Presidential Decision Directive 25 to determine if any constitutional
    authority has been misused, and if so, to find an appropriate remedy.
    [Adopted as amended]

    No. 438  Submitted by Department of Pennsylvania
          congress urged to reexamine all-volunteer military services
        [Disapproved]

    No. 439  Submitted by Department of Pennsylvania
                      keeping our eyes on the pow/mia goal
        [Disapproved]

    No. 440  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                               no women in combat
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we go on record as opposing the
    assignment of women within the Armed Forces to jobs that call for them
    to aggressively seek out, close with and kill or capture the enemy
    forces; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the United States Congress to
    exercise its responsibility and examine these personnel assignment
    policies of the Defense Department with the view of passage of
    legislation restricting the assignment of women from direct combat
    positions. [Adopted]

    No. 441  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                    demand iraq account for kuwaiti missing
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the United States
    Government to take such action as necessary, either unilaterally or
    through our allies or the United Nations, that will force Iraq to
    account for those Kuwaiti citizens still missing. [Adopted]

    No. 442  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                    support for united states naval training
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we strongly support and
    emphasize the need for our Nation's leadership to provide whatever
    funding, equipment and physical plant facilities as may be required to
    ensure continuance of the best and most professional training and
    education on the world for our sailors, Marines and Cost Guard
    personnel which will enable our deployed fleet Naval and Marine forces,
    albeit reduced in size and numbers, to maintain the combat edge and
    superiority which will continue to guarantee free and open maritime
    commerce and ensure America's ability to respond quickly to any global
    crises which threaten our national interests and security from the sea;
    and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support the consolidation of
    military training in combat systems mutually agreed upon by all
    services by strongly maintaining the integrity of each service to train
    its own personnel in service-unique specialties such as helicopter
    training, carrier aircraft and others where the demands of Navy-Marine-
    Coast Guard operations at sea are uniquely different from those of
    other land-based services. [Adopted]

    No. 443  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                     support retention of selective service
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the VFW goes on record as
    supporting the ongoing existence of the Selective Service System in its
    stand-by status and urges the United States Congress to provide the
    funds necessary to maintain the Selective Service System. [Adopted]

    No. 444  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
               support for the u.s. army's school of the americas
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we hereby go on record in full
    support of the U.S. Army's School of the Americas at Fort Benning,
    Georgia and urge the U.S. Congress to fully fund the continued
    operation of this important instrument for influencing and
    strengthening democracy in Latin America. [Adopted]

    No. 445  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                  support for a reinvigorated merchant marine
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we believe a Merchant Marine
    fleet and a viable ship building industrial base are necessary to our
    national security and our global economic competitiveness; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support legislative initiatives to
    preserve a modernized U.S. flag merchant fleet and an economically
    viable ship building industrial base capable to support future military
    requirements. [Adopted]

    No. 446  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
    revised the 1942 mission persons act to better protect our pow/mias and
                                 their families
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to revise the
    1942 Missing Persons Act to make what changes are necessary to address
    those already missing and assist any that may follow in the years
    ahead. [Adopted]

    No. 447  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                          security of the panama canal
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the President and the
    Congress to closely monitor conditions in the Republic of Panama and to
    be prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the Canal
    and to ensure continued freedom of passage through it. [Adopted]

    No. 448  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                        merchant marine academy tuition
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Congress to adopt
    legislation to prohibit the charging of tuition at any federal academy.
    [Adopted]

            CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS SERVICE RESOLUTIONS

    No. 601  Submitted by many Departments
      adequately fund the veterans health care system construction program
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Congress in its
    annual appropriations, to realistically fund the Department of Veterans
    Affairs construction need to allow it to carry out a planned program of
    modernization or replacement of aging facilities, which includes a
    sound system for setting construction priorities, which in combination
    will ensure the continued provision of quality health care to our
    nation's veterans. [Adopted]

    No. 602  Submitted by many Departments
         approve one-member decisions at the board of veterans appeals
        [Disapproved]

    No. 603  Submitted by many Departments
      authorize retention of third-party and medicare reimbursements by va
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress and the
    Administration to take appropriate action to ensure that third-party
    collections by VA remain with the Department of Veterans Affairs and
    not be offset from its annual appropriation; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars supports
    Medicare reimbursement to VA for care provided to veterans without any
    offset from its appropriated funds. [Adopted]

    No. 604  Submitted by many Departments
                                champus for life
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to enact
    legislation to provide the CHAMPUS program to those retirees of the
    U.S. Armed Forces who are age 65 or older. [Adopted]

    No. 605  Submitted by many Departments
         concurrent receipt of retirement pay and veterans disability
                                  compensation
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we strongly advocate
    legislation be enacted to permit the concurrent receipt of longevity
    military retirement pay without reduction of Department of Veterans
    Affairs disability compensation. [Adopted]

    No. 606  Submitted by many Departments
                eligibility reform for access to va health care
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the Congress enact legislation
    bringing order to the present chaos affecting eligibility for VA health
    care by using the considerations raised in this resolution as the basic
    building blocks and providing all veterans with mandated access to full
    continuum of VA health care. [Adopted]

    No. 607  Submitted by many Departments
     exclusive appropriations subcommittees for the department of veterans
                                  affairs (va)
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the VFW petitions the Congress
    to establish separate appropriations subcommittees exclusive to the
    Department of Veterans Affairs in both the House and Senate. [Adopted]

    No. 608  Submitted by many Departments
                 full appropriation support for va medical care
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the obligation and requirement
    to adequately fund veterans health care shall be acknowledged and
    properly met through appropriations actions which provide requisite
    funding to support all veterans medical services and programs
    authorized by the Congress. [Adopted]

    No. 609  Submitted by many Departments
           guaranteed u.s. armed forces medical support for retirees
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to enact
    legislation requiring the Department of Defense to ensure that retirees
    of the U.S. Armed Forces receive guaranteed medical support by
    requiring each branch of the Armed Forces' health services organization
    to provide the needed medical support as a secondary mission to
    providing medical support for personnel on active duty. [Adopted]

    No. 610  Submitted by many Departments
                           military hospital closures
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we go on record opposing the
    closure of any military hospital unless the required cost-effectiveness
    study, as authorized by the Base Closure and Realignment Act, of PL
    100-526, considers all the facts outlined in this resolution. [Adopted]

    No. 611  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                       national health care impact on va
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the Department of Veterans
    Affairs be given the authority to be fully competitive within any
    national health care plan advanced by the U.S. Congress; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we will oppose as ``anti-veteran'' any
    national health care plan that does not adequately fund VA or that
    would reduce/abolish the VA health care system. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 612  Submitted by many Departments
                          new legislative initiatives
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we strongly urge the Congress
    of the United States to adequately fund all new legislative initiatives
    and not eliminate or reduce existing veterans' entitlements or
    programs. [Adopted]

    No. 613  Submitted by many Departments [as amended]
                                 peace dividend
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the reduction of needed
    financial resources saved from defense expenditures be dedicated, on a
    first priority basis, to providing sorely needed benefits and services
    to United States military veterans and their families. [Adopted as
    amended]

    No. 614  Submitted by many Departments [as amended]
                   the department of veterans affairs budget
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Congress of the
    United States to pass a budget and appropriation for the Department of
    Veterans Affairs which will fully fund and maintain the integrity of
    the benefit and entitlement programs and an enhanced Department of
    Veterans Affairs hospital and medical care system. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 615  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                         va home loan guaranty program
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that legislation be introduced that
    will serve to maintain the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program as the most
    viable and desirable means of home financing for veterans; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars opposes
    any effort to further increase the VA funding fee. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 616  Submitted by many Departments
                          va pharmacy program funding
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that Congress and the Administration
    maintain fair drug pricing for VA; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that funding to fully meet VA
    pharmaceutical needs be provided. [Adopted]

    No. 617  Submitted by many Departments
                veterans' preference in public sector employment
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we strongly support veterans'
    preference in federal, state and local employment, as provided by a
    grateful nation, and oppose any effort to reduce this preference.
    [Adopted]

    No. 618  Submitted by many Departments
     review veterans affirmative action compliance procedures and develop
                    more stringent standards for enforcement
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the United States
    Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Federal Contract Compliance
    Programs (OFCCP), and Congress to review current enforcement procedures
    being employed with regard to compliance with the Veterans' Affirmative
    Action provisions of Section 4212, Chapter 42, Title 38 United States
    Code; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that following such review of enforcement
    methods and procedures, we urge DOL, OFCCP, and Congress to take
    appropriate steps within each agency or body to ensure that the
    Veterans' Affirmative Action provisions of the above cited law is
    vigorously enforced in a manner consistent with the letter and spirit
    of existing laws. [Adopted]

    No. 619  Submitted by many Departments
     provisions for veterans preference in all job training partnership act
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition the Congress of the
    United States to amend the Job Training Partnership Act (Public Law 97-
    300) to provide for veterans' preference in all programs as is now the
    case under employment and training programs operated under Chapters 41
    and 42 of Title 38, United States Code. [Adopted]

    No. 620  Submitted by many Departments
                             job listing compliance
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the United States
    Congress to enact legislation repealing all references to the $25,000
    threshold with respect to the listing of job openings in conjunction
    with the Veterans Affirmative Action effort, and that appropriate
    language not referencing a salary cap, be inserted in its place.
    [Adopted]

    No. 621  Submitted by many Departments
       veterans employment and training service to stay within the u.s.
                              department of labor
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we strongly support the present
    organizational structure of the Veterans Employment and Training
    Service within the U.S. Department of Labor, and remain opposed to
    attempts to transfer Veterans Employment and Training Service to the
    Department of Veterans Affairs. [Adopted]

    No. 622  Submitted by many Departments
       veterans employment preference with the united states government
                                    overseas
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to enact
    legislation requiring the Department of State and the Department of
    Defense to ensure the protection of veterans' employment benefits in
    all future treaty negotiations, renegotiations, amendments or
    adjustments of any nature. [Adopted]
    No. 623  Submitted by many Departments
             maintaining the military health services system (mhss)
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that MHSS should remain a viable
    entity ensuring members, retired members of the armed services, their
    dependents and their survivors continue to have access to quality
    health care under the health care delivery system of the armed services
    regardless of age or health care status of the beneficiary seeking
    health care. [Adopted]

    No. 624  Submitted by many Departments
                 special consideration of age in pension claims
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that Congress enact legislation to
    provide special consideration of age in pension claims by reducing the
    disability requirement to 60 percent at age 55 and to 50 percent at age
    60, and that a 10 percent disability requirement be established for
    those age 65 and older. [Adopted]

    No. 625  Submitted by many Departments
                   maintain integrity/historic mission of va
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Congress to
    maintain the integrity and historic mission of the Veterans Health
    Administration by reaffirming the collective commitment of successive
    Congresses and Administrations that VA was especially created for the
    administration of laws relating to relief and other benefits provided
    for veterans, their dependents, and their beneficiaries; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we remind both the current Congress
    and Administration that accepting non-veterans for medical treatment by
    VA before all veterans are accommodated is in our view a clear
    abrogation of a contract made in recognition of those who devoted prior
    honorable service in defense of the nation. [Adopted]

    No. 626  Submitted by many Departments
    continue promoting and publicizing special hiring programs for eligible
                                    veterans
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Office of Personnel
    Management to promote and publicize these special hiring programs for
    the noncompetitive appointment of eligible veterans. [Adopted]

    No. 627  Submitted by many Departments
        entitlement to housebound benefits for parents in receipt of dic
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support a change to Title
    38, United States Code, to allow for parents who receive Dependency and
    Indemnity Compensation to receive housebound benefits if so qualified.
    [Adopted]

    No. 628  Submitted by many Departments
                 extend presumptive period for malignant tumors
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that legislation be enacted to
    extend the one year presumptive period for malignant tumors to three
    years under Title 38, United States Code, Section 1112. [Adopted]

    No. 629  Submitted by many Departments
                                    tinnitus
        [Disapproved]

    No. 630  Submitted by many Departments
                               herbicide exposure
        [Disapproved]

    No. 631  Submitted by many Departments
          include the loss of one lung and one kidney to title 38, usc
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support legislation to amend
    Section 1114(k) of Title 38, United States Code, to add the loss of one
    lung and/or one kidney to the list of anatomical loss or loss of use
    disabilities, which now includes creative organs, feet, hands,
    buttocks, sight, organic aphonia and hearing. [Adopted]

    No. 632  Submitted by many Departments
       as amended provide refunds for cause for the montgomery g.i. bill
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to enact
    legislation to allow refunds for proper cause. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 633  Submitted by many Departments
           restore eligibility and increase burial and plot allowance
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that legislation be enacted to (1)
    increase both the VA burial and plot allowance to a level reflecting
    the inflationary impact of the intervening years, (2) restore
    entitlement to the VA burial allowance to those categories of veterans
    eliminated by Public Law 97-35, and (3) restore entitlement to the VA
    plot allowance to those categories of veterans eliminated by enactment
    of Public Law 101-508. [Adopted]

    No. 634  Submitted by many Departments
                 va presumptive care for persian gulf veterans
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the Department of Veterans
    Affairs continue to provide, on a presumptive basis, appropriate
    medical examinations and treatment, including follow-up treatment, to
    all veterans of the Persian Gulf War who report signs or symptoms that
    may be associated with diseases endemic to that war region and other
    conditions related to that experience; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Department of Veterans Affairs
    continue to expand the registry of Persian Gulf veterans who seek such
    treatment to be used in case service connected presumptions are later
    established. [Adopted]

    No. 635  Submitted by many Departments
              veterans' vocational training and retraining program
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the United States
    Congress to enact legislation that modifies Job Training Partnership
    Act (JTPA) Title IV-C to establish a Veterans' Vocational Training and
    Retraining Program that will:
              1. be administered by the Assistant Secretary for Veterans'
            Employment and Training, United States Department of Labor; and
              2. facilitate veteran workers adjustment to relocation and
            new occupational skills; and
              3. provide temporary income support during training and
            retraining; and
              4. stimulate employer participation through tax credits for
            employee training programs and incentives that the cost of
            training; and
              5. provide flexibility to the service provider to tailor
            program assistance to the need of the veterans. [Adopted]

    No. 636  Submitted by many Departments
                  va per diem for state veterans nursing homes
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to enact
    specific legislation to amend Section 1741 of Title 38, United States
    Code, to provide that per diem subsidies paid by the Department of
    Veterans Affairs for the care of veterans in State homes shall not be
    used to offset payments that are made under the Medicaid program for
    the purpose of assisting eligible veterans. [Adopted]

    No. 637  Submitted by many Departments
        eliminate the off-set of military separation pay to receive va
                            disability compensation
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Congress to change
    that portion of Title 10, United States Code, that requires the VA to
    deduct for any disability compensation an amount equal to the total
    amount of separation pay a veteran may have received for the same
    period of service that the disability occurred. [Adopted]

    No. 638  Submitted by many Departments
            tax exemption for all pay while serving in a combat zone
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Congress to
    immediately amend Section 112 of the Internal Revenue Code so all
    members of the Armed Forces are equally excluded of all pay while
    serving our country in a combat zone, and to make the amendment
    retroactive to cover the period of the Persian Gulf War. [Adopted]

    No. 639  Submitted by many Departments
        eliminate social security law inequities known as the ``notch''
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to
    introduce and support legislation to fund a more equitable solution to
    the rising cost of maintaining Social Security benefits for all
    recipients of Social Security and eliminate the current ``year of
    birth'' discrimination. [Adopted]

    No. 640  Submitted by many Departments
              provide for an open national cemetery in every state
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support legislation which
    would provide at least one national cemetery in each state to ensure
    that all veterans may be buried reasonably close to their families.
    [Adopted]

    No. 641  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
      eliminate the government offset provision for spouses and surviving
             spouses who are in receipt of social security benefits
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to
    introduce and support legislation to eliminate the Government Pension
    Offset Provision of the Social Security Act as amended affecting
    veterans and their spouses. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 642  Submitted by many Departments
                  guaranteed entitlement to nursing home care
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to so amend
    Section 1710 of Title 38, United States Code, as to mandate the
    provision of nursing home care for those now entitled to inpatient
    care. [Adopted]

    No. 643  Submitted by many Departments
                               expand vietnam era
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we seek legislation in the
    Congress of the United States that will provide for recognition by the
    Department of Veterans Affairs, under the provisions of Title 38,
    United States Code, subsection 101(29), by changing the dates of the
    ``Vietnam Era'' now beginning August 5, 1964 and ending May 7, 1975, to
    July 1, 1958 and May 7, 1975. [Adopted]

    No. 644  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
             compensation for surgical removal of malignant tumors
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the Secretary of the Department
    of Veterans Affairs be called upon to exercise his authority under
    Section 1155, Title 38, United States Code, to amend the VA Schedule
    for Rating Disabilities to provide a rating of 100 percent for one year
    following post-surgical treatment of all malignant growths, of all
    major organs, irrespective of location. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 645  Submitted by many Departments
               ensuring a guaranteed entitlement to medical care
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to amend
    Section 651 of Title 2, United States Code, to expand the meaning of
    the term ``entitlement'' to recognize an obligation and a requirement
    to adequately fund programs to a class of individuals, i.e., veterans,
    who meet eligibility requirements for a service provided by the
    government and established in law as an entitlement; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this obligation and requirement to
    adequately fund programs be construed to mean that specific
    appropriation support must be established for any medical programs
    directed by the Congress to be provided to veterans, both now and in
    the future. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 646  Submitted by many Departments
    staffing inadequacies in department of veterans affairs medical centers
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we oppose this ongoing
    budgetary fantasizing and we urge that the imposition of productivity
    increases be recognized as arbitrary and inappropriate, and that
    personnel staffing for patient care be established based upon the
    mandate to treat all of those eligible under Public Law 99-272 and,
    further, that staffing projections recognize the fact of an increased
    demand to be generated by aging veterans and the downsizing of the
    military. [Adopted]

    No. 647  Submitted by many Departments
                   military retiree pay as community property
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to amend
    Public Law 97-252 in order that all military retiree's pay not be
    considered community property in divorce settlements. [Adopted]

    No. 648  Submitted by many Departments
              restoration of dependency and indemnity compensation
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we seek to restore the rights
    to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation in the event of dissolution of
    a subsequent remarriage even through this event takes place after
    November 1990. [Adopted]

    No. 649  Submitted by many Departments
        day care centers for alzheimber's patients in va medical centers
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Secretary of the
    Department of Veterans Affairs to actively establish and implement
    Alzheimer's Day Care Centers in VA Medical Centers. [Adopted]

    No. 650  Submitted by many Departments
              health care reform regarding va and dod health care
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support more joint use
    sharing agreements between VA and DOD medical facilities where it would
    be feasible. [Adopted]

    No. 651  Submitted by many Departments
                      support for prostate cancer research
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to increase
    the funding for research into the causes, detection and treatment of
    prostate cancer; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Department of Veterans Affairs
    make prostate cancer research as well as its early detection and
    treatment a matter of great urgency and high priority. [Adopted]

    No. 652  Submitted by many Departments
                              military cemeteries
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we seek assurances from the
    United States Government that these base cemeteries not be abandoned,
    and if there is no other Military Base in the area to assume the upkeep
    and care of them, they be assumed into the VA Cemetery System.
    [Adopted]

    No. 653  Submitted by many Departments
          oppose third party payments on service connected disability
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to oppose any
    legislation that would enact such a law that would require the VA to
    collect third party payment for any service connected disability.
    [Adopted]

    No. 654  Submitted by many Departments
           collocation of va regional offices with va medical centers
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we will only support
    collocation of VA Regional Offices on VA Medical Center grounds when it
    is clearly shown that it will enhance services to the veterans using
    that facility. [Adopted]

    No. 655  Submitted by many Departments
                          amend internal revenue code
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the Congress of the United
    States be urged to amend Paragraph 4 of Section 143(1) of the Internal
    Revenue Code of 1986 to read: ``(4) Qualified Veteran--For purposes of
    this subsection, the term qualified veteran means any veteran who meets
    such requirements as may be reimposed by the State law pursuant to
    which qualified veterans' mortgage bonds are issued.'' [Adopted]

    No. 656  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                 amend title vii usc to restore combat duty pay
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge the Congress of the
    United States, through the Department of Defense, to introduce or amend
    legislation to provide payment of funds under the Combat Duty Act of 10
    July 1952; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that widows and survivors of the combatant,
    through proper verification, be eligible to receive such payment which
    otherwise would have been paid to the combatant had he survived.
    [Adopted as amended]

    No. 657  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
              oppose abolishment of committees on veterans affairs
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that there should not be any change
    in the Senate and House regarding the Veterans Affairs Committee; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States, with a membership in excess of 2.2 million, urge every
    member of the Congress of the United States to insist that the
    Committees of Veterans Affairs remain as standing committees in both
    the United States Senate and the United States House of
    Representatives. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 658  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
                va hiring of released military medical personnel
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge VA to actively recruit
    medical personnel who have been released from the armed forces.
    [Adopted as amended]

    No. 659  Submitted by many Departments
                             reinventing government
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to reject any
    proposed intention to ``streamline'' government that would reduce or
    diminish VA's ability to properly serve and care for our nation's
    veterans. [Adopted]

    No. 660  Submitted by many Departments
             help the victims of agent orange and other defoliants
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we continue to vigorously
    support liberalizing the criteria for approval of herbicide related
    claims, including placing burden of proof for the award of disability
    compensation on the U.S. Government and not on the individual veteran,
    as it is now. Hence the U.S. Government is responsible for providing
    needed medical attention, examination, care and treatment, as required
    by sound medical attention, and where appropriate, making proper
    service connected compensation awards now; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that those veterans now carried on the U.S.
    Department of Veterans Affairs Agent Orange Registry be given the
    opportunity for a prompt examination by the U.S. Department of Veterans
    Affairs unit to ascertain dioxin levels, and to determine whether
    shared medical conditions exist among them.[Adopted]

    No. 661  Submitted by many Departments
            opposing veterans status for peace time merchant marines
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we are opposed to expanding
    veterans status to merchant seamen who served after August 15, 1945.
    [Adopted]

    No. 662  Submitted by many Departments
       cost-of-living increase for va beneficiaries and military retirees
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we urge Congress to provide
    annual increases in an amount at least commensurate with the Consumer
    Price Index (CPI) for all Department of Veterans Affairs' beneficiaries
    and military retirees.[Adopted]

    No. 663  Submitted by many Departments (as amended)
    oppose the transfer of veterans' employment and training service to the
                       employment training administration
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we oppose the recommendation by
    the Secretary of Labor, and urge Congress to oppose legislation that
    would remove the Veteran Employment and Training Service as a separate
    agency of the Department of Labor and which would remove the Veterans
    Employment and Training Service from its oversight role to ensure
    veterans receive preference in all services provided by federally
    funded employment and training providers. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 664  Submitted by many Departments
                    veterans' reemployment rights protection
        [Disapproved]

    No. 665  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
         termination of benefits upon the remarriage of former spouses
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we ask Congress to amend Public
    Law 97-252(USFSPA) to terminate payments of retired pay upon remarriage
    of the benefiting former spouse; and, terminate current payments to
    those already remarried former spouses not more than 180 days from the
    date of enactment of amended legislation.[Adopted]

    No. 666  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief (as amended)
                        maintain the va chaplain service
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the Department of Veterans
    Affairs insure that hospitalized veterans be guaranteed the ministry of
    a professionally trained corps of chaplains extant within VHA; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the House and Senate Veterans Affairs
    Committees be urged to fund a full-strength Chaplain Service. [Adopted
    as amended]

    No. 667  Submitted by Department of Nevada and Oregon
        improve cost-effectiveness of quality of va mandated psychiatry
                        services at local va facilities
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress for the
    functions of the Vietnam Veterans Centers be integrated with and made
    subject to the administrative control of the corresponding local VA
    medical facility and the Chief of Psychiatry Services; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the budget appropriations obligated for
    Vietnam Vet Center functions be made available to the corresponding
    local VA medical facility, and in particular be made available to the
    psychiatry services to support the mandated delivery of a high-quality,
    high-volume professional service. [Adopted]

    No. 668  Submitted by Department of Georgia
      establish an education entitlement for veterans discharged from the
                         armed forces between 1985-1988
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we ask Congress to enact
    legislation to allow veterans who had completed their full service
    obligation without any break in service prior to being discharged at
    any time between July 1, 1985, and june 30, 1988, to be eligible for
    benefits under Chapter 34/30, with a revised delimiting date for
    affected veterans. [Adopted]

    No. 669  Submitted by Department of Utah
                    guarantee full-strength chaplain service
        [Disapproved]

    No. 670  Submitted by Department of Kentucky
                               military funerals
        [Disapproved]

    No. 671  Submitted by Department of Washington
           establish a federal legislative chairman in all 50 states
        [Disapproved]

    No. 672  Submitted by Department of Nevada [as amended)
              va compensation and health care for atomic veterans
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we request the U.S. Department
    of Veterans Affairs make a special study into the future effects of
    radioactive activity on military personnel; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that where additional health problems
    related to radiation exposure are uncovered, the Department of Veterans
    Affairs will provide medical treatment and compensation to such
    veterans. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 673  Submitted by Department of Nebraska
             eligibility for non-service connected pension benefits
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition the Government of
    the United States to formally approve the eligibility of all veterans
    participant in the military actions in Panama, Lebanon and Grenada for
    non-service connected pension benefits. [Adopted]

    No. 674  Submitted by Department of Nebraska
                               remove means test
        [Disapproved]

    No. 675  Submitted by Department of Colorado
    national fund expenditures saved from reduction of defense expenditures
     be dedicated and expended to provide needed benefits and services to
                    the nation's veterans and their families
        [Disapproved]

    No. 676  Submitted by Department of Colorado
      support for the operation expansion, improvement and maintenance of
                         fitzsimons army medical center
        BE IT resolved, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we ask for Congress' full
    support of the continued operation of Fitzsimons Army Medical Center.
    [Adopted]

    No. 677  Submitted by Department of Colorado
                           military hospital closures
        [Disapproved]

    No. 678  Submitted by Department of Colorado
                       national health care impact on va
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we oppose any national health
    care bill that would reduce or abolish the VA health care system.
    [Adopted]

    No. 679  Submitted by Department of Iowa [As amended]
                        funding of persian gulf syndrome
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we fully back the decision to
    take care of those Persian Gulf Veterans, but that we strongly urge the
    Congress of the United States to provide a sufficient appropriation to
    the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund such a program; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we strongly support the provision of
    VA compensation to all veterans suffering from disabilities related to
    their Persian Gulf service. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 680  Submitted by Department of Montana
                    veterans' reemployment rights protection
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support and petition
    Congress for the strongest measures that secures reemployment rights
    for veterans and all other individuals called to serve in the U.S.
    Military while not placing an undue burden on the employers of America
    and with no limit to number of employees. [Adopted]

    No. 681  Submitted by Department of Montana
                 prevent va functions being further splintered
        [Disapproved]

    No. 682  Submitted by Department of Montana
                   nursing home at va hospital fort harrison
        [Disapproved]

    No. 683  Submitted by Department of Montana
                    need for another va domiciliary facility
        [Disapproved]

    No. 684  Submitted by Department of Montana
                     reinstate the va transportation system
        [Disapproved]

    No. 685  Submitted by Department of Montana
          elimination of the va's paupers oath and hospital admission
        [Disapproved]

    No. 686  Submitted by Department of Europe
                renegotiate status of forces agreements (sofas)
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to
    renegotiate the applicable Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs) to
    protect the interests of American service members and their spouses, as
    well as the American spouses of foreign service members, as expected
    and specified under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII, Section
    703(a), allowing the on base employment of third country nationals if
    otherwise qualified. [Adopted]

    No. 687  Submitted by Department of Europe (as amended)
              overseas military personnel earned income tax credit
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to enact
    legislation allowing otherwise eligible service members access to the
    same Earned Income Tax Credit available to other taxpayers. [Adopted as
    amended]

    No. 688  Submitted by Department of Europe
      establish a va assistance office in the federal republic of germany
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to enact
    legislation authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish
    an Assistance Office in Federal Republic of Germany to support the U.S.
    citizens in Europe. [Adopted]

    No. 689  Submitted by Department of Europe
      post exchange and commissary privileges for u.s. military retirees
                         residing or traveling overseas
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to enact
    legislation requiring the Department of State and the Department of
    Defense to ensure the protection of post exchange and commissary
    benefits for retirees of the U.S. Armed Forces in all future treaty
    negotiations, renegotiations, amendments, or adjustments of any nature.
    [Adopted]

    No. 690  Submitted by Department of Europe
               timely u.s. army entitlement payment to survivors
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to enact
    legislation requiring the Department of Defense to ensure that each
    branch of the Armed Forces' Servicing Finance Center releases the
    initial survivor's entitlement check immediately upon receipt of the
    SBP claim. [Adopted]

    No. 691  Submitted by Department of Europe
                         postal privileges for retirees
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition the Department of
    Defense to restore full postal privileges to Box R patrons, to include
    removal of the present weight restrictions. [Adopted]

    No. 692  Submitted by Department of Europe
               civil service employment practices standardization
        [Disapproved]

    No. 693  Submitted by Department of Europe
                 shipment of remains-retirees residing overseas
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to enact
    legislation requiring the Department of Defense to ship the remains of
    retirees residing overseas to home of record in CONUS at no cost to
    survivors. [Adopted]

    No. 694  Submitted by Department of Europe
                  military privileges for overseas reservists
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress and all
    other appropriate government agencies to affect change in the current
    Agreement of the Status of Forces Agreement regarding U.S. Armed Forces
    Reservists and their PX and commissary privileges overseas. [Adopted]

    No. 695  Submitted by Department of Europe
          entitlements and benefits of retired u.s. military personnel
        [Disapproved]

    No. 696  Submitted by Department of Europe
       reinstatement of u.s. veterans employment rights and entitlements
                        affected by cincusnaveur policy
        [Disapproved]

    No. 697  Submitted by Department of Europe
     veterans federal employment preference by general accounting office a
                                    priority
        [Disapproved]

    No. 698  Submitted by Department of Europe
      commissary and post exchange privileges for u.s. military retirees
                               residing overseas
        [Disapproved]

    No. 699  Submitted by Department of Alaska (as amended)
                 commisary surcharge (tax) for retired military
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we continue to support the men
    and women who served their nation by petitioning Congress to find other
    means to reduce the DECA budget other than increasing commissary
    surcharges for retired military personnel. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 700  Submitted by Department of Wisconsin (as amended)
                                amend h.r. 4050
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition the Congress to
    amend H.R. 4050 by removing any provisions allowing states to request a
    waiver eliminating DVOP/LVER positions. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 701  Submitted by Department of Wisconsin
                            reemployment act of 1994
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we hereby go on record opposing
    the lack of specific provisions providing veterans preference in the
    ``Reemployment Act of 1994.'' [Adopted]

    No. 702  Submitted by Department of Wisconsin
     sufficient funding for the local veterans' employment representatives
     (lvers) and disabled veterans outreach program (dvop) representatives
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we hereby go on record to urge
    the Congress of the United States to appropriate sufficient funds to
    support the number of LVER and DVOP positions as required by Title 38;
    and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars, does
    hereby urge the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment
    and Training (ASVET) to include in their budgets sufficient funds to
    support the number of LVER and DVOP positions required by Title 38; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to
    the Assistant Secretary of Veterans' Employment and Training. [Adopted]

    No. 703  Submitted by Department of Oregon
    retain and strengthen employer sanctions against employment of illegal
                                     aliens
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition the President and
    the U.S. Congress to retain and strengthen the employer sanctions which
    were enacted in 1986, against employment of illegal aliens and to
    increase the effectiveness of employer sanctions by enacting measures
    to prevent the use of fraudulent work authorization documents.
    [Adopted]

    No. 704  Submitted by Department of New York (as amended)
                              veterans health care
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the many bases that are closing
    be renovated to accommodate homeless veterans; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that adequate and proper health care be
    available to veterans. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 705  Submitted by Department of New York
                            funding for va hospitals
        [Disapproved]

    No. 706  Submitted by Department of New York
                  maintain hospital and commissary facilities
        [Disapproved]

    No. 707  Submitted by Department of Minnesota
                 enforce compliance of veterans preference laws
        [Disapproved]

    No. 708  Submitted by Department of Minnesota
          abolish the means test as a criteria for va medical services
        [Disapproved]

    No. 709  Submitted by Department of Illinois
           establish a national cemetery in the greater chicago area
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support and aggressively
    pursue a National Cemetery in the greater Chicago area which will
    service all or at least the greatest number of resident veterans. We
    ask that the full force and power of our resources be exercised to
    pursue and accomplish the following programs listed in preference
    order, by all means at our disposal. We ask the following be notified
    of our position regarding this issue: Secretary of the Department of
    Defense, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the
    Department of the Army Closure Director, the Congress and President
    Clinton.
        We ask that one of the following options be considered and
    implemented without prejudice to the EIS Study of the Joliet Site now
    being considered:
              Option 1  That the Secretary, or his equal, of the Department
            of Defense instruct the Army to expand the Fort Sheridan Army
            Cemetery now located at and on the grounds of Fort Sheridan,
            Illinois, by adding 200 acres of adjoining land and present
            this cemetery to the Veterans Affairs Department of National
            Cemeteries for Administration.
              Option 2  That the Department of Veterans Affairs, vigorously
            pursue the creation of a State National Cemetery at Fort
            Sheridan, Illinois, according to the prevailing precedent
            established at Manteno, Illinois in cooperation with the
            Governor of Illinois.
              Option 3  Create a National Cemetery at Vernon Hills Nike
            Site to provide honored burial space for the veterans residing
            in the area.
              Option 4  Create a National Cemetery in cooperation with the
            State of Illinois as a State National Cemetery at the Vernon
            Hills Nike Site. [Adopted]

    No. 710  Submitted by Department of Indiana
           guaranteed u.s. armed forces medical support for retirees
        [Disapproved]

    No. 711  Submitted by Department of Indiana (as amended)
                          veterans insurance coverage
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we shall sponsor and support
    legislation mandating the Department of Veterans Affairs to give a
    veteran and his/her dependents health and accident coverage for a
    minimum of 180 days following the date of a honorable discharge from
    military service. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 712  Submitted by Department of California
    preservation of the national soldier home located at the v. a. medical
                            center, west los angeles
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we request the United States
    Congress to ensure adherence to the expressed wishes of the donors of
    said land, that the terms and consideration of the grant be adhered to,
    that the Pacific branch of the National Soldiers' Home for Disabled
    Veterans be maintained on said property, that an opportunity be offered
    to those who were displaced from said National Soldiers' Home to return
    thereto and that the admission requirements for entering the home
    revert back to the original status. [Adopted]

    No. 713  Submitted by Department of California
           addition to the los angeles, california national cemetery
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we request legislation to
    authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to utilize a portion of
    this land to extend the present national cemetery boundaries at West
    Los Angeles, California, to provide a burial for those eligible
    veterans residing in this area. [Adopted]

    No. 714  Submitted by Department of California (as amended)
                   funding for vamc at travis air force base
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we go on record as urging the
    Congress and the Administration to provide the funding necessary for
    the construction of the already approved VA Medical Center adjacent to
    the David Grant U.S. Air Force Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base;
    and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be
    transmitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of
    Defense. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 715  Submitted by Department of California
     rebuilding/reinstatement of complete inpatient/outpatient services at
                              sepulvedva v.a.m.c.
        [Disapproved]

    No. 716  Submitted by Department of California
           san francisco national cemetery, presidio of san francisco
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the Department of California
    reaffirm its commitment of VFW National Resolution 681, as listed above
    and seek legislative action to secure a minimum of eleven acres of
    property that adjoins the San Francisco National Cemetery located at
    the Presidio of San Francisco and that copies of this resolution be
    forwarded to the California Legislature seeking their legislative
    support; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we petition Congress to enact
    legislation requiring the government agency (Department of Defense and/
    or Department of the Interior) provide this eleven acres of property to
    the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery systems to be used
    for burial of our nations veterans and Armed Forces members; when ever
    appropriate funding may become available. [Adopted]

    No. 717  Submitted by Department of Virginia
        eliminate social security law inequities known as the ``notch''
        [Disapproved]

    No. 718  Submitted by Department of Virginia
     establish a new u.s. department of veterans affairs outpatient clinic
                              in northern virginia
        [Disapproved]

    No. 719  Submitted by Department of Virginia
            to help the victims of agent orange and other defoliants
        [Disapproved]

    No. 720  Submitted by Department of Ohio
         amend allocation formula for title 38, section 4103 personnel
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to amend
    the personnel allocation formula in Title 38 USC, Chapter 41, Section
    4103(a) to allow for the appointment of one (1) Assistant Director for
    each 150,000 veterans and eligible persons residing in the state.
    [Adopted]

    No. 721  Submitted by the Department of Pennsylvania (as amended)
      authorize national guard to conduct military funeral ceremonies for
                                    veterans
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support legislation that
    would authorize and fund the National Guard for performing burial
    ceremonies for veterans at State and National Cemeteries. [Adopted as
    amended]

    No. 722  Submitted by Department of California (as amended)
                          gulf war veterans blood ban
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support national and state
    legislation to seek and support the immediate testing of Desert Storm
    veterans for biological, chemical and radiation exposure; and
        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States support a national policy and efforts to protect the
    public from exposure from Persian Gulf War veterans based on the
    findings of test results, and that the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
    United States support reinstating a ban on blood and body donations
    from this group of veterans until all medical and health questions on
    biological exposure are answered. [Adopted as amended]

    No. 723  Submitted by Department of West Virginia
                                va grave markers
        [Disapproved]

    No. 724  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief
                                va grave markers
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition Congress to remove
    the words ``unmarked graves'' from the portion of Title 38, U.S.C.
    Section 2306, which restricts VA from providing headstones or grave
    markers to all honorably discharged veterans upon their demise.
    [Adopted]

    No. 725  Submitted by Commander-in-Chief (as amended)
                   amended tax returns for military retirees
        BE IT RESOLVED, by the 95th National Convention of the Veterans of
    Foreign Wars of the United States, that the IRS establish, through
    whatever means, an exception to the current law whereby a military
    retiree will be allowed to file amended tax returns back to the
    effective date of award of disability compensation, regardless of the
    number of years involved. [Adopted as amended]
                                   __________
                        REPORTS OF THE NATIONAL OFFICERS

                        REPORT OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

                                george r. cramer
        VFW's 95th National Convention is an opportunity to remember past
    experiences, celebrate camaraderie and determine the organization's
    course for the upcoming year. Simply put, it is a time to take
    advantage of all we have to offer both from an individual and an
    organizational standpoint.
        Crucial concerns confront America's veterans, which must be dealt
    with in a conclusive and timely manner. Most of these issues will be
    discussed at this convention. You can play a decisive role in
    determining how to deal with priority goals by attending the business
    meetings and making your voice heard.
                      pressing priorities on capitol hill
        VFW has been busy in the capital in dealing with a wide array of
    veterans issues. But with the number of veterans in Congress rapidly
    diminishing, VFW members must become more politically astute and
    involved. When the 1994 elections occur, get out and vote in candidates
    friendly to veterans.
        Concerns range from disability compensation to who should serve in
    what capacity. Homosexuals serving openly in the military remains
    unresolved, though the issue has faded from the headlines. Women in
    ground combat units is another social matter that must be dealt with as
    part of our interest in defense.
        Cost-of-living allowances (COLAs) and concurrent receipt of
    retirement pay and VA disability compensation are two perennial
    legislative issues that have to be debated each and every year.
        Veterans of Operation Desert Storm, who are suffering from
    mysterious illnesses contracted in the Persian Gulf, are in desperate
    need of our help. While the VA has moved quickly to remedy the
    situation, the Pentagon has been less than forthright in its answers.
        On the brighter note, presumptive service connection was granted to
    Vietnam veterans suffering from five ailments associated with Agent
    Orange, the chemical defoliant.
        And, of course, reliable health care is still an elusive goal for
    many veterans. We will continue to push for full staffing and funding
    of VA hospitals and other medical facilities within the context of
    national, comprehensive health care reform. Preserving an exclusive
    medical system for vets is the number one priority, followed by
    boosting the woefully inadequate VA budget.
        Large-scale downsizing of the armed forces has forced thousands of
    former service personnel into the job market. America is presently
    witnessing the largest demobilization of troops since WWII. As they
    enter civilian society, the private sector must create meaningful
    employment opportunities.
        Meanwhile, the VFW is positioned to extend a helping hand. With the
    Job Opportunity Board at the Post level, we have a network in place to
    ease the transition into an often highly competitive working world.
        In the public sector, Veterans Preference must be maintained and
    the Veterans Employment & Training Service retained to facilitate
    hiring within the federal government.
                                foreign affairs
        Threats to national security remain as a result of international
    instability. But when GIs are committed overseas, it must be under U.S.
    command--not foreign or U.N. The lessons of Somalia, should by now,
    have sunk in. Haiti is a prime example of where not to deploy U.S.
    troops. Americans are already dangerously exposed on the ground in
    Macedonia, right in the heart of the Balkan powderkeg.
        For those who never returned from past wars, the VFW is doing its
    utmost to obtain a full accounting of MIAs and POWs from WWII, the Cold
    War, Korea and Vietnam. Chair officers have been dispatched on several
    missions to investigate progress being made in Indochina. And we are
    pushing for North Korea to cooperate.
        Yet only by exerting maximum pressure on the Communist regimes will
    the fate of the men lost in Southeast Asia ever be resolved. Lifting
    the trade embargo against Hanoi was not the move to make at this time.
    Any further concessions should be vehemently opposed until it is
    verified that the Vietnamese are fully cooperating with U.S. teams.
                               debt of gratitude
        The VFW staff in the nation's capital ensures that members' views
    on these issues are made known. Likewise, the staff at National
    Headquarters enables the organization to operate and administer
    efficiently all its programs on a nationwide basis.
        My tenure as Commander-in-Chief has been highly rewarding. Serving
    America's veterans and the nation they fought for is a very satisfying
    experience.
        Those I worked with are deserving of the highest praise. Senior
    Vice Commander-in-Chief ``Gunner'' Kent and Junior Vice Commander-in-
    Chief Paul Spera have been great confidants. Thank you both for the
    selfless work and endless hours that made this year so successful.
        Backing from the entire membership, officers and the National
    Council of Administration was critical. Both the Kansas City and
    Washington staffs provided fabulous assistance. They were always on
    call when needed.
        Howard Vander Clute, Jr., Jim Bowden, John Senk, Larry Rivers and
    Benny Bachand, to name only a few, gave advice, accumulated information
    and guaranteed that our other capable staff saw the programs through.
    Thank you all so much for your support and dedication
        I must also express my gratitude to my own Department of Illinois--
    staff, leaders and members alike. A special thanks to those who made my
    homecoming such a unique and memorable event
        To Juanita Crowe, Ladies Auxiliary national president, her officers
    and staff who made it so comfortable to work with the Auxiliaries, I
    say thank you.
        In the end, it was you--the members--who gave me the opportunity to
    demonstrate to veterans, their families and the whole country that in
    the VFW we take our Commitment to Service seriously.
                    Report of Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief

                            Allen F. ``Gunner'' Kent

        For many years I have been honored to serve the dedicated people
    who make up the VFW. This year, however, has been a particularly
    eventful one for me.
        During the 94th National Convention in Dallas you elected me Senior
    Vice Commander-in-Chief, making me a member of Commander-in-Chief
    George Cramer's Commitment to Service team.
        The Chief's leadership, which emphasized the role of the VFW in
    protecting veterans' entitlements as well as compassion in treating
    veterans and their families, was geared to demonstrating that veterans
    continue to serve their country long after hanging up their uniforms.
        Let me express my gratitude to Chief Cramer for his advice,
    thoughtfulness and assistance as we worked during our term in office to
    assure 1993-94 was an extra special year in the VFW's distinguished
    history.
        Serving dedicated Americans who are VFW members and meeting
    personally with you in my trips to various parts of the country has
    shown to me again the caliber of the organization's stalwarts.
        Time and again you have demonstrated devotion to your country by
    selfless service. You continue to do so daily by eagerly doing whatever
    it takes to make the VFW a success wherever Posts exist.
        Consequently, my term in office has been highlighted by a
    succession of important events. In Washington, experiencing personally
    the legislative process at work gave me a new understanding of the need
    to keep up the fight for veterans' rights. Meeting with key
    congressional leaders also proved enlightening.
        Numerous visits to National Headquarters provided me with an
    enhanced respect for the work done in Kansas City. And this applies to
    the entire staff there and in Washington, D.C., the nerve center of VFW
    legislative activity.
                              issues on the agenda
        During my trips to Europe, Vietnam and Korea, I was fortunate to
    meet with Post members in our overseas Departments. But more
    importantly, as part of the VFW team dispatched to those countries, I
    was able to see firsthand the fine troops America has on freedom's
    frontiers around the globe.
        This was especially true in Korea, where GIs still stand guard
    against a hostile North. It is my goal to work for change in the bylaws
    to allow Korea vets not already eligible to become eligible for VFW
    membership. Along these same lines, active duty personnel of all
    campaigns must be made aware of their eligibility for the organization.
        Equally important were my fact-finding missions to Indochina to
    check on the progress being made in accounting for Americans missing in
    action there. The bottom line is that lifting the trade embargo against
    Hanoi was premature. The Vietnamese have to do much more before further
    concession are made regarding normalized relations.
        At home, the VFW also must renew its commitment to the spirit of
    volunteerism. Until we begin to show tangible contributions to the
    community, the VFW can expect little public recognition. A prime
    example is an issue of critical concern: homelessness among veterans.
    The VFW, at every level, should do whatever it can to help solve this
    tragic problem.
                                thank you to all
        I am especially indebted to the members of my home state of Arizona
    for their encouragement this past year. My special thanks goes to
    Commander-in-Chief Cramer and Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Paul
    Spera. Adjutant Gen. Howard E. Vander Clute, Jr. has been tireless in
    providing aid as has Quartermaster Gen. James Bowden. Executive
    Director Larry W. Rivers of the Washington Office has been likewise
    generous in providing assistance.
        Commitment to service has long been the hallmark of the VFW. As an
    organization and as individuals we have lived up to this motto. But
    there is much more yet to accomplish. With the firm foundation laid
    last year, we can make 1994-95 another banner year for the VFW.
                    Report of Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief

                                 Paul A. Spera

        As Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars I
    have gained greater insight into the workings of the organization. Not
    only do I now have a better understanding of the VFW's mechanics, but I
    have been able to witness firsthand the dedication of all members in
    the field.
        Visits throughout the nation as well as trips overseas have shown
    me how critical a role the VFW plays at home and abroad. Ranging from
    Posts in my home state to those in Central America like Panama and
    Costa Rica, the VFW is a natural part of society's fabric. As such, we
    must make our presence known on every occasion.
        Paying homage to the deeds of comrades of 50 years ago is just such
    an occasion, as I found on my recent trip to Europe during the
    commemoration of the Normandy landings. Honoring the memory of the war
    dead is a noble gesture called for in the VFW's constitution.
        Support for U.S. troops abroad also is critical in these turbulent
    times. We cannot afford to forget GIs stationed at lonely outposts in
    Kuwait and elsewhere. Somalia vets, for example, know the VFW cares and
    are apt to join our fraternity because of demonstrated concern during
    their recent deployment.
        On a related subject, resolving the fate of America's MIAs from
    WWII, the Cold War, Korea and Vietnam is among my top priorities.
    Improved diplomatic relations with Hanoi must await further evidence
    that the Communist regime is genuinely making a full-fledged effort to
    cooperate with U.S. search teams.
        In this regard, my July trip to Vietnam and Laos was most
    instructive. Two things are clear: the American field operatives
    assigned to Joint Task ForceFull Accounting are doing a fantastic job.
    And both regimes must do more unilaterally to account for our MIAs.
        Seeing close up the instrumental part played by the U.S. throughout
    the world reinforces my determination to ensure that the VFW continues
    to make its views heard when it comes to formulating defense and
    foreign policies.
        Domestically, the issues are equally challenging. Guaranteeing and
    advancing veterans rights is, of course, the VFW's prime objective.
    Many objectives in the areas of health care, disability compensation,
    VA accountability and the VA budget remain to be accomplished.
                            public outreach the key
        Visiting various Departments has renewed my faith in the
    determination of dedicated members across the nation.
        Their spirit of volunteerism has made VFW programs successful in
    countless communities and in doing so assured membership growth.
    Dedication is apparent everywhere--and it is a positive for the long-
    term future of the VFW.
        I sincerely thank my own Department of Massachusetts for its
    encouragement and support. My year as Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief
    was made productive because of the leadership and counsel of Commander-
    in-Chief George Cramer and the guidance of Senior Vice Commander-in-
    Chief ``Gunner'' Kent. I am especially grateful for the cooperation of
    Adjutant General Howard E. Vander Clute, Jr.; Quartermaster General
    James Bowden; and Washington Office Executive Director Larry W. Rivers;
    as well as their excellent staffs.
        As we gather in Las Vegas for our national convention, let us
    dedicate ourselves to the successful pursuit of the many issues ahead
    and make the well-informed decisions required to increase awareness of
    our organization and its policies.
        The prime means of doing so, of course, is reaching out to the
    public. If the VFW is to maintain and enhance its prestige, it must
    speak directly to the nation as a whole. ``Preaching to the choir''
    will no longer do. Some 10 million eligible veterans do not belong to
    the VFW, and the only way we can spread the word is through an
    effective and aggressive public affairs campaign across the country.
        You are the organization, and it has been an honor to serve as your
    Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief. Looking to the future, let our resolve
    be strengthened by the phrase, Commitment to Service.
                           Report of Adjutant General

                          Howard E. Vander Clute, Jr.

        A host of new attractions will greet our delegates as we return to
    America's entertainment capital, Las Vegas, for the second time in five
    years. This great western city has undergone a tourist transformation
    and stands ready to greet the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies
    Auxiliary.
        In mid-August 1989, the 90th National Convention attracted a record
    number of VFW attendees. Our 95th National Convention promises to equal
    or surpass that record year.
        The comrades and sisters of the Department of Nevada, our hosts,
    are prepared to answer the call from National Headquarters to assist
    with preparations for our week-long meeting and for the many special
    events that have been scheduled.
        We are grateful for their dedication. Our staff at National
    Headquarters join together with them in extending to the delegates a
    cordial welcome, along with our gratitude for your attendance and your
    continued devotion.
        National conventions provide for renewal of friendships made at
    prior meetings. For others, it is the self-satisfaction of having
    fulfilled the responsibilities of leadership and reaping the rewards
    for that performance before their fellow comrades assembled that stands
    out the most.
                                 making policy
        But in a more general sense, it provides an opportunity for all
    delegates to take part in establishing VFW policies. This is done
    through the adoption of resolutions submitted by individual members,
    Posts, County Councils, Districts and Departments.
        Regardless of their origin, these resolutions ultimately set the
    VFW's course for one year. Once policy and direction are in place, we
    are mandated to pursue the objectives established. That means
    committing whatever resources are necessary to satisfy the intent of
    the resolution's stated objectives.
        The Clinton Administration poses a host of new concerns, such as
    submerging the Department of Veterans Affairs role in national health
    care plans, dangerously downsizing the U.S. armed forces to the degree
    that we will suffer a loss of respect around the world for our military
    capability, as well as seriously deteriorating future military
    deployments where national interests are concerned.
        Our organization, in our advocacy role, is faced with many new
    issues. Veterans health care, inadequately funded for over a decade and
    now coupled with the prospect of national health care reform, could
    have its very existence threatened. The VFW cannot allow such a tragedy
    to occur.
        We continue to expend our resources in pursuit of the establishment
    of a separate appropriations subcommittee in both houses of Congress in
    order to direct attention and advocacy to the need for adequate funding
    to improve the quality of veterans health care.
        Other issues to be addressed at this convention concern eligibility
    reform so that all veterans can access the full continuum of the VA
    health care system, resolve the unacceptable backlog of veterans claims
    in the VA regional offices, support efforts to increase COLAs for
    veterans on compensation or pension, to continue to insist the VA
    provide comprehensive physical examinations for Persian Gulf veterans
    who have experienced illnesses attributed to their service in that
    region, and above all, be ever alert to any ill-conceived plan that
    would provide access to VA medical centers to non-veterans, such as
    proposed by the previous administration's Rural Health Care Initiative.
                                   membership
        Our responsibility as a veterans organization extends to those
    troops who served in Somalia as well as the Persian Gulf. We must react
    to their needs if they exhibit unusual medical problems due to their
    service in East Africa. We also need to aggressively recruit these new
    overseas veterans who received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for
    their participation in Operation Restore Hope.
        However, membership recruiting, as well as implementation of all
    sponsored community-oriented programs, falls to you--the individual
    member. And it is the effort put forth by the individual that in the
    past has brought spectacular success to our organization.
        The ``Train the Trainer'' program for membership recruiting is now
    fully operational. It is a means of preparing our present members to
    communicate the reason why eligible veterans should join, as well as
    the many available benefits they can enjoy after they become members.
                             day-to-day operations
        Meanwhile, national officers and staff in Kansas City and
    Washington are responsible for daily administration, fiscal and
    accounting functions, development of new sources of revenue, providing
    veterans services, preparation of congressional testimony and the
    editing of our publications.
        Programs of the organization must be adequately funded if they are
    to be successful. A capable staff must be appropriately compensated for
    their industry and expertise. Veterans Service personnel must be
    professionally trained. Real estate must be maintained, postal rates
    continue to increase and national conferences and conventions require
    substantial financing. The list of financial requirements to meet
    current expenses is a long one. It demands we consider whatever
    alternatives may be available to use to generate additional income.
        As you are all aware, National Headquarters, with the approval of
    the National Council of Administration, has been engaging in a variety
    of direct mail solicitations to certain segments of our membership,
    which have been extremely successful. Members have always been
    generous.
        We have experimented with acquisition mail solicitations, retail
    marketing programs and using the services of reputable brokers, with
    VISA credit cards. We are preparing to test other fund-raising
    proposals a continuing search to meet future financial needs without
    the necessity of raising the member per capita tax.
                              successful programs
        All programs for 1993-94 have concluded with outstanding
    participation:
              Over 17,000,000 Buddy Poppies were sold;
              $99,500 worth of national scholarships were awarded at the
            Washington Conference and over $2,456,000 were awarded in the
            ``Voice of Democracy'' program at Department District and Post
            levels.
              Renewed interest and participation in Americanism and
            patriotic activities are evident; and
              Youth and safety programs were expanded.
        Credit belongs solely to the Post and Auxiliary members who
    dedicated themselves to their country, community and organization. Such
    programs are image-builders that draw attention to the VFW. In many
    cases, they have been the underlying reasons for veterans and their
    families to join the VFW and the Auxiliary.
                                national staffs
        Your National Headquarters, combined with its adjunct office in
    Washington, DC., employs 275 full-time, dedicated men and women who
    genuinely understand our mission. They have been trained to respond to
    the needs of our great volunteer force in the field.
        That volunteer force consists of VFW and Auxiliary members who
    ``toil in the vineyards'' in support of a tradition of service to
    community, state and nation. Please look upon your Headquarters as a
    resource available to you at anytime to assist you in your VFW work.
        Along with my staff, I wish to commend Commander-in-Chief George
    Cramer for his ability to forcefully articulate our legislative
    initiatives. This was never better displayed than during his testimony
    before a joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee meeting at
    our Washington Conference in March. The responses evoked from prominent
    members of Congress after delivering his testimony proved to all of us
    that is remarks were not only appropriate, but delivered in a sincere,
    uncompromising manner.
        George Cramer can be proud of his performance--he represented his
    constituency well as did his predecessors. He will continue to have our
    undying respect for the leadership qualities he displayed during his
    term of office.
        Thanks, too, to Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Allen ``Gunner''
    Kent and Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Paul Spera, who performed
    tirelessly as capable surrogates of the Commander-in-Chief. They
    effectively carried the VFW message throughout the U.S. and around the
    world.
        I must express my personal appreciation to Quartermaster General
    Jim Bowden and his staff who attend to the fiscal and accounting
    operations of our organization. They have provided a spirit of
    cooperation that is essential to ensure our continued success.
        Next my gratitude must be expressed to my assistant adjutants
    general. John Senk, Administration, has a capable staff which addresses
    the day-to-day administrative functions of the organization. Benny
    Bachand, Programs, attends to, with his qualified staff, the image-
    building programs of the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary. Washington
    Office Executive Director Larry Rivers provides a keen understanding of
    the nation's capital. His expert staff carries out the legislative and
    service mandates of the VFW.
                                  in the field
        Thank you to the officers in Departments, Districts, County
    Councils and our more than 10,800 Posts, whose dedication, along with
    the individual Post members, causes our organization to meet its
    commitment to veterans and their survivors.
        Congratulations to the super achievers who are attending this
    national convention as All American Commanders, and to the National
    Program award winners. Your dedication has polished our image and
    improved our established reputation as a potent force for what is good
    for America.
                                farewell message
        Finally, as I prepare to retire from my office and my
    responsibilities as the Adjutant General, I feel obliged to express
    personal feelings of gratitude to the last 13 Commander-in-Chief for
    their trust and confidence in appointing me to that position. I sought
    membership in the VFW upon being released from active service and have
    spent my entire adult life actively involved.
        I am indeed grateful to my comrades of the Department of New Jersey
    and the Eastern States Conference for providing the political support
    necessary to be elected to national office, ultimately serving as
    Commander-in-Chief in 1979-80. I am most grateful to Past Commander-in-
    Chief Art Fellwock, who, when faced with the passing of then Adjutant
    General Julian Dickenson, appointed me to that position.
        Two significant VFW successes have been recorded since April 1981:
    a 250,000 increase in membership; and Posts worldwide jumped from 9,676
    in late 1980 to 10,886 by March of 1994. This in spite of over 100 Post
    charter cancellations annually.
        During this period, National Headquarters also established the new
    Marketing Services Department with the responsibility of developing new
    sources of revenue for the organization.
        A salary administration was adopted, thus establishing equitable
    means of compensating employees and new employee benefit programs.
        Negotiations are under way with a corporation to market selected
    consumer products with a VFW label.
        In spite of a shrinking veteran population and the graying of World
    War II and Korean War veterans, we have visions for a bright future.
    Our entire senior staff, with but two exceptions, are Vietnam and
    Desert Storm veterans.
        It has been because of their enthusiasm, their flexibility, their
    willingness to work diligently and to automate that we have succeeded.
    Now it will be their experience and their maturity that will sustain
    the organization through and beyond our 100th anniversary in 1999.
        Past Commander-in-Chief Larry Rivers, who presently serves as the
    executive director of our Washington Office, will become Adjutant
    General at the closing session of our 95th National Convention. He will
    bring a new dynamism to the office and will surely direct the day-to-
    day operation of National Headquarters effectively. I wish him well.
        Although my retirement as Adjutant General will occur at this
    national convention, I do want to reaffirm my loyalty, my devotion and
    all of the industry I can muster to continue to serve this great
    organization in any manner or for any positive purpose.
        I am proud of my membership, I am proud of my service, and I remain
    indebted to all my fellow members who made all of this possible.
        God bless the Veterans of Foreign Wars and all the good work we
    accomplish for those who served honorably and for their survivors. And
    God Bless America!
                        Report of Quartermaster General

                                James D. Bowden

        At the beginning of this fiscal year, the Quartermaster General
    submitted a tentative balanced budget to the Commander-in-Chief and the
    National Budget and Finance Committee. On October 2, 1993, the budget
    was approved by the National Council of Administration. A summary
    follows:

    Estimated Income for the Year Ending August 31, 1994:
        Membership Dues.....................................     $11,480,160
        VFW Magazine Commercial Advertising.................       2,875,000
        Property Operation--Net.............................       (800,000)
        Buddy Poppy Sale--Net Income........................         425,000
        Supply Department--Net Income.......................       1,650,000
        Interest on Investments.............................       2,140,000
        Group Insurance Program.............................       3,750,000
        Ladies Auxiliary Contribution.......................         150,000
        Solicitation Programs...............................       2,235,000
        Miscellaneous.......................................         108,500
                        --------------------------------------------------------
                        ____________________________________________________
          Total Estimated Income............................      24,013,660
                        ========================================================
                        ____________________________________________________
    Budgeted Expenses for the Year:
        National Headquarters Fund..........................      11,311,714
        National Publication Fund...........................       5,883,639
        Community and Veterans Service Fund.................       6,813,552
                        --------------------------------------------------------
                        ____________________________________________________
          Total Budgeted Expenses...........................      24,008,905
                        --------------------------------------------------------
                        ____________________________________________________
            Budgeted Surplus................................          $4,755

        In addition, $3,824,262 is budgeted as the portion of 1994 dues
    applicable to the 1994-95 fiscal year, and $7,000,000 is budgeted as
    collection of restricted Life Membership fees. Pursuant to the National
    By-Laws, these funds are not available for operation of the 1993-94
    fiscal year.
                                  audit report
        The financial statements for the nine months ended May 31, 1994,
    and the Independent Auditors' Report relating thereto, are presented as
    a part of this report. Audited financial statements for the year ending
    August 31, 1994, will be mailed to the National Council of
    Administration and the Department Commanders as soon as they are
    available.

                 VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES

                      Office of the Quartermaster General

                                    overview
        Net income from the Emblem & Supply Department, the Group Insurance
    Program, interest income earned from investments, and more recently,
    the Marketing Services Department, total approximately ten million
    dollars annually and help substantially in meeting the monetary needs
    of all VFW programs. While these sources of revenue are relatively
    solid, expenses for printing, postage, travel and our many other
    activities continue to rise. As a result of today's trend toward more
    frequent and larger law suits, and the need to keep ourselves as
    unencumbered as possible from litigation, our use of costly legal
    services continues to grow. Another particularly noticeable cost
    increase is our use of outside professional services necessary to keep
    our operations efficient and technologically current, and to assure
    that the marketing of ourselves is superior to the attention-grabbing
    multi-media campaigns of those against whom we are forced to compete.
    These and other factors make it extremely difficult to produce a year-
    ending surplus, to which we have grown accustomed over the past four
    decades.
        Our financial statements as of May 31, indicate a surplus by year
    end. Our actual financial status at August 31, cannot be accurately
    predicted, and one of the biggest uncertainties is the cost of the
    National Convention, which will be enormous by any standard.
        The Veterans of foreign Wars provides more and better benefits to
    our members at all levels of the organization than does any other
    veterans organization in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of
    other veterans, whether they belong to the VFW or not, are
    beneficiaries of many of our fine programs seeking such things as a
    strong and stable national defense, a firm, fair foreign policy, and
    the creation and protection of countless veterans benefits. In spite of
    these things, for which we can all be proud, there is no other major
    veterans organization with lower national dues than the VFW.
                                 quality people
        The quality of our people at all levels is one of the many reasons
    the VFW is the fine organization it is, carrying the respect and
    admiration of top government officials for many years. While I work
    diligently as your Quartermaster General to preserve the financial
    integrity of National Headquarters, I could not do so were it not for
    thoughtful groundwork laid by those having preceded me in this office,
    of the hardworking, quality staff I am privileged to have working with
    me in Kansas City and the Washington office. Adjutant General Howard E.
    Vander Clute, Jr., retiring this year after many fine years of toil for
    the VFW, has been a pleasure to work with and a credit to his office.
    His is another example of a life dedicated to the VFW above and beyond
    the call of duty. Likewise, the contributions of other dedicated
    workers from our National Officers to the Adjutant General's staff,
    State Departments and grass roots VFW members, provide that needed
    ingredient for success. Working together for a common case, these
    quality people of the past, present and future, will forever stand as
    one of the cornerstones in the foundation of the VFW.
        I would like to express my thanks to this year's National officers,
    National Council of Administration and Budget & Finance Committee who
    have contributed to making this another very fine year. I hope this
    report gives you some understanding of the financial status of your VFW
    National Headquarters. A solid financial base is essential to support
    our VFW goal that are common to units at all levels of our
    organization. While there are many other things to be done, I urge you
    to pay close attention to the finances of your particular unit, and try
    to leave it in better shape than when you came on board.

                        Report of Judge Advocate General

                              James J. Plick, Esq.

        It has been a great honor to have served in the position of Judge
    Advocate General during this year of 1993-1994 with our Commander-in-
    Chief and staff officers.
        Certainly, in all positions in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, we are
    committed to service and it has been an extremely interesting learning
    experience for me regarding the workings of our great organization.
        During my year as Judge, I have continued to serve both the
    Department of New Jersey, my District and my Post.
        I wish to extend my best wishes and express my appreciation to all
    who have given me the opportunity to have served as Judge Advocate
    General.

                           Report of Surgeon General

                             Howard W. Bryant, M.D.

        It has truly been an honor and a privilege to be elected as the VFW
    Surgeon General for 1993-94.
        The VFW has always been, to me, the leader in working for veterans
    benefits. ``Commitment to Service'' by Commander-in-Chief George Cramer
    and his officers and comrades has been evident this last year. It has
    been a great pleasure working with them.
        There are many changes in medical service in the United States in
    both the governmental and private sectors, starting in 1994.
        VA hospitals will see great changes they are supposedly going to
    cover all veterans and their dependents. They will be in competition
    with other public and private hospitals. The VFW will be one
    organization that will be ever alert and protective of the needs of the
    nation's veterans.
        It has been a tradition to elect a medical doctor and/or a doctor
    of osteopathy to the office of the Surgeon General. Let's keep that
    tradition and ensure qualified individuals occupy this post.
        Thanks to the officers and comrades of the VFW for their help this
    last year.

                          Report of National Chaplain

                          Dr. Charles W. Edwards, Jr.

        Let us never abandon the time-honored principle--Commitment to
    service. American veterans will never stop serving. Service, to make
    America strong. Service, to keep America free. Service, to preserve
    America; the home of he brave.
        America is a place where free men and women can hold their head
    high, proud of their country and the veterans who served in the past,
    the veterans who are serving at present, and those veterans who will
    serve in the future.
        Indeed, I am thankful to have been elected to this wonderful
    marvelous office and to have had the opportunity to serve as your
    National Chaplain and be a part of the Commitment to service team.
        As a new member of this organization 10 years ago, I asked myself,
    why should I join he VFW? After some indepth and careful thinking, I
    came to this conclusion: the VFW requires my service. Service is the
    key.
        I threw myself totally into the idea--``how can I be of service or
    how best can I serve this organization?'' The greatest thing in the
    entire world is the opportunity to be of service to others, especially
    veterans and their families.
        And so, my personal motto as a VFW member is centered around
    learning to do, doing to earn, earning to live, and living to service.
        I was privileged to serve as chaplain for:
              Post 856, Austin, Texas;
              Travis County Council, Texas;
              District #28, Texas;
              State Chaplain, Texas; and
              Southern Conference (14 states) Chaplain.
        Now, this 95th National Convention marks a new beginning, a new
    dedication, and a new spirit of service among us all. From this new
    beginning let us move forward together, maintaining a proper dedication
    in keeping the spirit of service alive.
        Let us build courage, when many times courage seems to fall; let us
    regain faith, when there seems to be little cause for faith; let us
    create hope, when it seems that we are involved in an extremely
    difficult struggle or endeavor where there is so little hope.
        May it be said of us all in the words of Tennyson: I am a part of
    all that I have met . . . Tho much is taken, much abides . . . that
    which we are, we are-one equal temper of heroic hearts . . . strong in
    will . . . to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
        Let us renew our determination, our courage, our strength. Let us
    renew our faith and our hope--to strive, to seek, to find, and never
    yield--let us be ``First to Serve.''
        For all of us who care and who have special concern for service, I
    must say--the work goes on, the cause shall endure, the hope still
    lives, and the dream will never die. With the help of God and your
    encouragement, my service to the veterans of this nation will continue.
    God bless America, and God bless the VFW.
                            Report of Chief of Staff

                                Darrel W. Miller

        I would like to thank Commander-in-Chief George Cramer for
    appointing me his Chief of Staff. It was an honor to serve in the
    ``Commitment to Service'' year.
        As we near the end of the year we are still working to attain our
    membership goals. The new and restructured Post program has played an
    important roll in membership, accounting for more than 12,300 new or
    reinstated members. Over 34 Department commanders have attained their
    fair share quota of new or restructured Posts.
        I urge Department commanders to contact Post Development at
    National Headquarters for assistance in implementing their development
    programs.
        I have had the opportunity to participate in numerous meetings and
    other activities during the year and would like to thank all the
    comrades and sisters for the kindness and courtesy shown me during my
    visits.
        I would like to thank Adjutant General Howard Vander Clut, Jr.,
    Quartermaster General James D. Bowden, Executive Director of the
    Washington Office Larry W. Rivers and their staffs for all the
    assistance given me.
        I urge all comrades and sisters to continue to ``Honor the Dead by
    Helping the Living.''

                          Report of Inspector General

                               Larry G. Ziebarth

        It has been a privilege to serve the Veterans of Foreign Wars as
    Inspector General. I sincerely thank Commander-in-Chief George Cramer
    for the opportunity to gain a greater knowledge of our outstanding
    organization. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my
    years as a VFW member.
        The opportunity to travel and represent the VFW and our great
    Commander-in-Chief has been most gratifying. I have had the opportunity
    to visit all the conferences and several Departments, renew old
    friendships and make many new friends. The many courtesies and warm
    hospitality extended to me throughout the year will be cherished.
        It was a moving experience for me to place a wreath for Commander-
    in-Chief Cramer at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as the VFW
    representative to the annual Cootie Tomb Trek. I also had the honor to
    present the VFW awards to the top cadets at the U.S. Military Academy
    and the Air Force Academy.
        The knowledge I have gained from the briefings received from the
    Pentagon, State Department, JTF-FA and CIL-HI will assist me in my work
    in the VFW in the ensuing years.
        It was also rewarding to chair the VFW Homeless Veterans Committee
    as the national organization prepares to launch itself into this
    program.
        To all the national officers and the staffs in both Kansas City and
    Washington, D.C., to Auxiliary President Juanita Crowe and her staff,
    many thanks for your support and friendship.
        To serve under Commander-in-Chief Cramer, who is an inspiration to
    all who know him, is an honor I will never forget. Thank you for a
    memorable year.
            Report of Assistant Adjutant General--Washington Office

                      Larry W. Rivers, Executive Director

        Last year I took advantage of this forum to address the single most
    overriding issue confronting veterans today. I am speaking of the fate
    of VA health care in the face of national health care reform. Given
    that this issue has lost none of its urgency and is still far from
    resolved in favor of America's veterans, I will now further clarify the
    VFW's position.
        The health care debate now taking place in Congress is of such
    magnitude and importance that it touches upon every U.S. citizen,
    especially this nation's veterans. As a consequence, all of the major
    veterans service organizations have strongly engaged these
    deliberations. VFW is certainly no exception.
                             dangerous and complex
        But having said this, it should be well understood that the VFW has
    not embraced the Administration's stance on this issue with the
    enthusiasm of some. The reason being that for America's veterans the
    national health care reform process is just as dangerous as it is
    complex.
        Certainly no true veterans advocate could stand idly by and watch
    this process unfold without participation. The future mission and,
    indeed, the very existence of the veterans health care system hangs in
    the balance. But it is also certainly true that this is not
    specifically a veterans issue.
        It has mostly to do with the provision of health care to those U.S.
    citizens who do not currently have access to care--primarily non-
    veterans. This plan would also establish how health care is to be
    provided to all Americans in the future. So the question that must come
    to mind is should the VFW be involved in building a national non-
    veteran health care system?
        Would any of you reading this article choose to march up to your
    mother or aunt or any of your non-veteran relatives and proclaim that
    you not only chose their new health insurer but their doctor and
    hospital as well? I don't think so.
        The fact remains, however, that the national health care process
    will go on whether we choose to participate or not. You all remember
    legislation introduced a few years ago to totally eliminate VA health
    care. I assure you that there remain many individuals in the nation's
    capitol who would not hesitate to pursue this course again given the
    opportunity. Like it or not, the VFW must become involved.
                                keeping in focus
        Some in the veterans community are at least giving the appearance
    of enthusiastically endorsing the Administration's health care
    legislation, but the VFW is fighting to remain focused on the concerns
    of veterans.
        While the Administration's health care plan seems, at least on its
    face, to address many of our concerns--it is offered only as a package
    deal. It is our view that this ``package deal'' approach is unfair and
    that it is clearly designed to force us to involve ourselves in the
    non-veteran side of the health care debate.
        The Administration would have us deal with issues that reach far
    beyond our mandate to be aggressive advocates for veterans. Those
    backing this health care plan assert that in order to protect VA health
    care we must play a role in shaping the rest of the health care system
    in America. Perhaps this is true, but I have serious reservations.
        If saving and preserving the VA system is truly the goal of
    Congress and the Administration, why have they refused to support our
    proposal of proceeding with VA health care eligibility reform
    independent of any national health care plan? Even with the
    installation of a national health care system in mind, it simply makes
    sense to open up the VA to all of America's veterans now rather than
    later.
        National health care backers claim a strong VA is one of their
    objectives, so why not allow VA to proceed? In this way veterans would
    be better served now and the VA would be better able to prepare for the
    future.
                                    funding
        Another point--if saving and preserving VA is truly the goal of the
    Congress and the Administration--is where is the funding for this year
    and the promise of adequate funding for future years showing a true
    commitment to America's veterans and their health care system?
        The VA health care system has been grossly underfunded through the
    years and there would seem to be no remedy in sight. Because of this
    only a small minority of the veteran population have access to the
    system. This would seem to be more in keeping with a plan to eliminate
    the VA health care system rather than sustaining it.
                             va reform legislation
        It is clear in my mind, in any event, that what the VA system needs
    is ``stand-alone'' legislation providing for both adequate funding and
    liberalized eligibility criteria so that more veterans might use the
    system. There is absolutely no need to wait for the establishment of
    some national health care plan rather than pushing ahead with VA
    funding and reform today.
        I honestly believe that we are at a crossroads in the veterans
    movement. Health care, a major issue for us over all these years, is
    now being shaped by events over which we have little if any control--
    events such as national health care reform, budget deficits and the
    downsizing of the military.
        It is this, coupled with the VFW's firm conviction that national
    health care reform will not prove to be a panacea for all that ails VA,
    that compels us to continue to move against the grain by not completely
    endorsing the proposed national health care plan. For the VFW, it is
    the well-being of veterans that must remain first and foremost on our
    mind.
              Report of Assistant Adjutant General--Administration

                               John J. Senk, Jr.

        The Assistant Adjutant General--Administration assists the Adjutant
    General in conducting and managing the administrative and executive
    functions of the VFW. His responsibilities include supervision of
    Administrative Services and the Buddy Poppy departments at National
    Headquarters.
                               diverse functions
        The functions of this office are wide-ranging and include such
    diverse tasks as:
            --monitoring and reviewing Department budgets and financial
            reports;
            --reviewing bylaws and incorporation documents of subordinate
            units for compliance with the national by-laws;
            --preparation of administrative pamphlets and forms required
            for internal and external use;
            --composition and preparation of national awards, citations and
            letters of commendation;
            --publication, annually, of the VFW Constitution, By-Laws,
            Manual of Procedure and Ritual following the national
            convention;
            --filing of statutory congressional and state reports;
            --validation of requests for surplus military equipment;
            --maintenance of historical and legal files;
            --dissemination of summaries and preservation of proceedings of
            the national convention and Council of Administration meetings;
            --establishment and maintenance of eligibility files of
            national officers;
            --ensuring the proper recording of names and addresses of
            national, Department and Post officers; and
            --all other established and administrative functions required
            for the proper and efficient operation of the organization.
                             sound money management
        Department quartermasters have been observant in forwarding
    quarterly and annual financial reports and budgets required by the
    national bylaws. All reports are carefully reviewed and monitored by
    the administrative staff of the Adjutant General. Every effort is made
    to clarify any financial matters perceived to be unclear and to provide
    on-site assistance to quartermasters who request or need help.
        Records show that most Departments have adopted sound money-
    management procedures and policies. Also, we are pleased to note that
    most quartermasters fulfill their responsibility to keep their councils
    of administration informed of their Department's financial status as
    the by-laws require.
        Special briefings are conducted by the administrative staff at
    National Headquarters for beginning Department adjutants/
    quartermasters.
                                 policy matters
        As statutory requirements of doing business increase in complexity,
    the need for maintaining records and up-to-date reviewed by-laws at
    every level becomes increasingly urgent. The Commander-in-Chief's
    Statement of Policy for the operation, management and control of Post
    canteens/clubs addresses these concerns and VFW requirements for such
    operations.
        The wide acceptance of this policy has served to strengthen
    canteen/club operations. As financial responsibility laws become more
    restrictive, there is a compelling need for subordinate units to ensure
    that articles of incorporation have been submitted through channels to
    the Adjutant General. There they are reviewed by the Commander-in-Chief
    in accordance with the national by-laws and then properly recorded with
    the appropriate state authority.
        Approved by-laws serve to smooth out internal Post operations,
    while articles of incorporation provide for the corporate entity of the
    Post and afford individual members protection from legal obligations of
    the Post. All Posts should have current by-laws and valid articles of
    incorporation reviewed by the Commander-in-Chief and filed with the
    secretary of state of their respective states.
                               additional duties
        Other administrative matters under the supervision of this office
    include the resolution of questions concerning membership eligibility,
    review of disciplinary hearings and appeals, research in the
    preparation of Commander-in-Chief rulings, handling questions
    concerning emblematic matters and the unauthorized reproduction and/or
    use of the VFW name and emblem and membership lists.
        Credentials for the national convention, resolutions and proposed
    amendments to the National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual
    submitted by national officers and Department conventions also are
    processed, printed and disseminated by this office.
        My special thanks go to Commander-in-Chief George Cramer with whom
    it has been a pleasure to work. Also let me extend my thanks to
    Adjutant General Howard E. Vander Clute, Jr., Quartermaster General
    James D. Bowden as well as to the national and Department officers with
    whom I have worked this past year.
                 Report of Assistant Adjutant General--Programs

                                W. Benny Bachand

        Commitment to Service is more than just a slogan, it is a way of
    life in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Service and volunteerism have
    always been hallmarks of the VFW, and what we have done, what we are
    doing or what we will accomplish have always contributed to the
    successes we have enjoyed as an organization.
        Every day I witness the scope and magnitude of the many projects
    and services performed by the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary for the
    betterment of veterans, their families, our communities and our
    country.
        As we continue our impressive work of volunteerism, we know
    firsthand that this program activity builds membership and that
    membership helps sustain our work. For every success VFW Post and
    Auxiliary, you will find a group of dedicated members carrying on the
    work that is so vital to the well-being of our organization.
        The Veterans of Foreign Wars has a long history of ``people helping
    people.'' We have always been able to count on a large volunteer force
    to carry on the programs. Now, with our unstable membership, we face a
    manpower shortage that could affect our ability to serve America and
    her citizens. We must encourage each new member to take an active role
    in those issues and problems that affect veterans.
                                  new programs
        During the past year, the VFW has become involved with several new
    programs. With national co-sponsorship of the Golden Age Games, we have
    made a commitment to assist in the rehabilitation of veterans in
    hospitals.
        Our Job Opportunity Board program is an effort to get Posts and
    Departments involved in assisting veterans to get the permanent and
    full-time employment they need and deserve. Finally, we have initiated
    action to work with companies and agencies to find a solution to the
    growing ``homeless veteran'' population.
                              wwii commemorations
        With all the emphasis on programs growth during the past year, we
    have contributed a tremendous amount of time, energy and other
    resources to promote the 50th anniversary of World War II celebrations.
        As we enter the final year of reflection, Posts should ensure that
    we take every opportunity to recognize and thank WWII comrades for
    their service in time of war and their untiring and continuing service
    to our organization.
        Overall, we can look at this year as another year of challenge and
    opportunity. It goes without saying that we could have done better, as
    there are millions of eligible veterans who have not joined and become
    part of this effort.
        The future of our organization is unlimited. Proper initiation and
    planning can and will result in achieving new and higher goals in the
    years that lie ahead.
        I am excited about the changes taking place in the VFW that will
    result in achieving new heights, not only in membership, but in service
    to veterans, their dependents and the communities in which they reside.
    The call to be First to Serve will be one that propels our organization
    into success for the 1994-1995 year.
                       Report of Administrative Services

                          Thomas L. Kissell, Director

        Responsibilities assigned to Administrative Services continue to
    diversify in an ever-changing environment.
                            administrative integrity
        Currently, the director of Administrative Services duties include
    assisting in reviewing and processing the by-laws and articles of
    incorporation for all levels of the organization. This is done to
    ensure compliance with the Constitution and By-Laws & Manual of
    Procedure & Ritual of the VFW.
        The needs of subordinate units are varied and complex. They call
    for greater administrative oversight and coordination at all levels.
    The ever-present threat of litigation mandates the need for Posts,
    Districts and Departments to take appropriate measures to protect their
    membership and the organization from such actions.
                              liability insurance
        All units are urged to maintain adequate liability insurance
    coverage and to adopt by-laws, and incorporate in compliance with the
    national by-laws, as well as state incorporation laws.
        Emblematic matters are also handled by this office. Cease and
    desist orders for the unauthorized use of the VFW name and emblem are
    processed and issued as required.
        Removal orders for ineligibility originate here, too.
                         miscellaneous responsibilities
        In addition, Administrative Services reviews, resolves and refers
    complaints and problems concerning subordinate units, their officers
    and members. On behalf of the Adjutant General and Commander-in-Chief,
    correspondence is prepared on such matters. Also, coordination and
    operation of the Adjutant General's word processing system falls under
    our purview.
        Other essential functions include: compiling, publishing and
    maintaining records and proceedings of all National Council of
    Administration meetings; and maintaining certificates of compliance
    from the Departments requesting membership mailing lists for Department
    publications.
        Besides minding the daily nuts and bolts operations of the
    organization, Administrative Services plays a vital role in serving as
    a link between National Headquarters and individual members in the
    field.
        Speaking directly to officers and members on organizational, as
    well as more general veterans issues, is the primary means of doing so.
                        point man on eligibility issues
        And no issue is more important to the long-term future of the VFW
    than eligibility. By now, everyone is familiar with the demographics of
    our organization: Simply put, our members are rapidly aging. National
    attrition is increasingly cutting into our ranks. Projections regarding
    the potential pool of recruits among the WWII generation are not
    encouraging.
        On the other hand, there is still vast potential in other sectors
    of the veterans community. Korean War and Vietnam War-eligible veterans
    number in the millions.
        And let's not forget those who are eligible as a result of the 21
    campaigns recognized by the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the nine
    operations under the Marine Corps/Navy Expeditionary Medal since WWII;
    and the 657,000 who earned the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
                             Report on Americanism

                              John Moon, Chairman

                            Mike Gormalley, Director

        Across America, VFW members with the help of our Ladies Auxiliary
    continue the never-ending task of ensuring the continuation of our
    American way of life.
        Emphasizing our Americanism projects is one of the best ways of
    accomplishing that tremendous task. Passing out patriotic literature,
    conducting patriotic ceremonies and parades, holding Flag
    presentations--all of these are ways of ensuring the proper education
    of the American people, and are investments in keeping our nation
    strong. In addition, the personal satisfaction gained makes all the
    effort, time and trouble worthwhile.
        The VFW National Americanism program has been progressing
    throughout our nation. This year we have thirty-four 100% Departments.
        In the conference race, the Western Conference leads with 98.8%.
    The Big Ten Conference is second with 97.8%. They are followed by the
    Southern Conference with 95.8. The Eastern Conference is enjoying a
    good year with 93.6%. The overall average of the Americanism program
    reporting is 96.9%.
        The VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary have always been among the leaders
    in supporting a strong Americanism program that educates the general
    public. Our support of this program has been very important during this
    Commitment to Service year.
                             Report of Buddy Poppy

                          William J. Radigan, Chairman

                           James R. Rowoldt, Director

        Carrying out the intent of VFW's objectives, found in Article I of
    the constitution of the VFW, together with the sale of Buddy Poppies,
    have allowed us to build a proud heritage of service to the disabled
    and needy veterans through our nationwide system of veterans service
    officers.
        The memory and history of our dead is perpetuated through the proud
    display of the Buddy Poppy on our lapel, while our widows and orphans
    are aided by the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan.
                                division winners
        The Department of Illinois led in sales this year with 1,211,000
    Poppies. Also joining Illinois in the Over One Million Sales Club were
    California, Texas, Minnesota and Ohio.
        Divisional winners in 1993-94 are: Division 1, Department of South
    Dakota and its Ladies Auxiliary; Division 2, Department of Delaware and
    its Ladies Auxiliary; Division 3, Department of Montana and its Ladies
    Auxiliary; Division 4, Department of Vermont and its Ladies Auxiliary;
    Division 5, Department of Oregon and its Ladies Auxiliary; Division 6,
    Department of Arkansas and its Ladies Auxiliary; Division 7, Department
    of Pennsylvania and its Ladies Auxiliary; Division 8, Department of
    Utah and its Ladies Auxiliary; and Division 9, Department of Europe.
        The achievements of this past year would not have been possible
    without the hard work and dedication of our ``grass root'' members--the
    comrades and sisters who diligently worked in the field. To all of you,
    we say ``Thank you.''
        The National Buddy Poppy Committee members who worked exceptionally
    hard to promote this year's Buddy Poppy Program are: William Radigan,
    chairman, South Dakota; Western Conference, Donald E. Bracken,
    Washington; Eastern Conference, Joseph E. Kearney, Vermont; Southern
    Conference, George T. Kelley, Florida; Big Ten Conference, Dwight E.
    Tanner, Jr., Illinois; and Kaye Mellert, Buddy Poppy director, Ladies
    Auxiliary, South Carolina. Each performed with dedication and diligence
    throughout the year in our Commitment to Service.
                         Report on Community Activities

                           Thomas Caldwell, Chairman

                            Mike Gormalley, Director

        The changing characters of our communities have created many ways
    in which Americans express concern for the needs of their fellow
    citizens. Volunteer efforts, most studies show, continue to increase
    and are widespread around our great nation. According to recent
    estimates, approximately 98 million Americans engage in some form of
    volunteer activity on a regular basis.
        Working side-by-side with the Ladies Auxiliary, VFW members promote
    community projects which assist others and improve their towns and
    cities.
        In 1993-1994, there were over 538,000 community service projects
    reported that accounted for 7.7 million in volunteer hours and $34.7
    million in donated monies. Yet, the most important and frequently
    overlooked feature of these volunteer efforts is that the VFW
    relationship to their local community has given us better visibility
    and an image of caring.
        Community Activities reporting has been very good this year. There
    are forty-one 100% Departments.
        In the Conference race, the Western Conference leads with 99.8%.
    The Big Ten Conference is second with 99.7%. They are followed by the
    Southern Conference with 96.9%. The Eastern Conference is enjoying a
    good year with 96.1%. The overall average of the Community Activities
    program reporting is 98.1%
        All over our country, VFW Posts and Auxiliaries are considered
    valuable and highly desirable assets in their community. VFW Posts and
    Auxiliaries are interested in and take an active part in the needs of
    their communities.
        Continuing support of community service programs by the VFW and its
    Ladies Auxiliary is an excellent example of the Commitment to Service
    theme.
                              Report on Membership

                          Lawrence LeFebvre, Director

        In order for any organization to grow, there must be a concerted
    effort in recruiting new members. The Veterans of Foreign Wars is no
    different than other large organizations in spearheading membership
    drives and offering incentives to members for their recruitment
    efforts.
        Unlike other organizations striving for new members, however, the
    VFW is limited in the size of the pool it has to draw from. The
    Department of Veterans Affairs tells us there are approximately 24
    million veterans in the United States. We estimate half of those are
    eligible for membership in our organization. If these figures are close
    to being correct, we need to do a better job of recruiting.
                              lacking new members
        We often hear from new members that the reason it took so long to
    join is that no one ever asked them. When looking at this year's
    figures, it becomes evident that many eligible veterans were not asked
    to join the VFW. Our recruitment of new life and reinstated members is
    equal or better than last year, but in the category of strictly new
    members we are behind.
        This points to the fact that we are not doing the job of selling
    the VFW and telling our story to those individuals who are eligible to
    join.
        Unfortunately, too many Posts sit back and wait for the dues
    notices to bring in their membership. While this works well for the
    continuous members of our Posts, it does nothing to replace those who
    die or slip out the back door.
        Dues notices are not sent to individuals you may work with who are
    eligible. Dues notices are not sent to people you socialize with who
    are eligible. Dues notices are not sent to the people you go to church
    with who are eligible. And dues notices will never be sent to these
    individuals until you ask them to join and sign them up as members.
                            personal contact the key
        Our whole attitude regarding recruiting has got to change if we are
    to be successful.
        The practice of door-to-door recruiting is a thing of the past as
    shotgun mailers do the ``knocking on doors'' for us. However, as
    successful as these mail recruiters are, there is no substitute for the
    original male and female recruiter.
        Personal contact is still the answer for bringing in new members.
    When you can talk one-on-one, explaining the advantages of VFW
    membership, you have a greater chance of answering any questions that
    may arise and the opportunity to promote the activities of your own
    Post.
        The ``back to basics'' approach must be resurrected and implemented
    by Posts, Districts and Departments. Our credibility as an organization
    and national stature depends on our membership strength. The
    recruitment and retention of new members is a critical part of whether
    we succeed or fail in our efforts to be a strong and viable voice for
    veterans in America.
                             recognizing commanders
        During this 95th National Convention, distinguished commanders who
    earned recognition as ``All American'' will be honored. Department
    commanders who earned this coveted award during the past year are to be
    commended for providing outstanding leadership in their Departments,
    which enabled their Posts to reach new levels in membership and program
    activity.
        Congratulations are also in order for the District, Post and County
    Council commanders earning All American honors.
        These comrades are to be commended for their outstanding
    contribution to the 1993-94 membership year. Their tireless efforts,
    dedication and leadership will provide inspiration for years to come.
        We cannot forget the members who, daily, provided support for the
    activities of their Post and served as relentless recruiters. The many
    who earned recruiter awards by signing up new and reinstated members
    can also take pride in their accomplishments and the effect they had on
    our organization. Those Departments which led their divisions or
    conferences are to be recognized for their persistence in the face of
    keen competition all year.
        Last, but most certainly not least, a salute to Commander-in-Chief
    George R. Cramer for his tremendous leadership, endless enthusiasm and
    sincerity in the belief that the Veterans of Foreign Wars is an
    organization that will always have a strong Commitment to Service.
                 Report on National Civil Service & Employment

              James D. Voelker, Chairman; Sidney Daniels, Director

        In the employment arena, significant gains were made over the past
    program year in terms of assisting veterans to take advantage of scarce
    job opportunities. Throughout much of 1993-94, the economy was either
    in a slow-growth or no-growth mode and very few jobs were being created
    or filled. This problem has been a matter of heightened concern for
    many military personnel who just a short time ago were planning a long
    military career, but now, due to downsizing, must prepare to enter the
    civilian job market.
                                post job boards
        Partly in response to the increased demand for assistance from
    veterans affected by downsizing, the VFW national offices for
    Employment and Community Activities worked together in devising a
    program that involves Post members in employment matters. This
    collaboration resulted in the creation of the Job Opportunity Board
    (JOB).
        Under the JOB concept, participating Posts are encouraged to
    develop working ties with the state job service exchange in their
    community. Each office within a state job service system has veterans
    employment professionals on staff whose chief responsibility is to find
    jobs for veterans.
        After a process of planning and coordination, the VFW Post sets up
    a special display board where job openings, job training information
    and contact persons at the job service are listed.
        A job-seeker who visits the Post and sees a job opening for which
    he or she feels qualified, has only to contact the veterans employment
    specialist to arrange for a possible interview.
        The JOB concept is ideal for most Post homes which operate during
    late evening and weekend hours. The concept works well for the job
    service which usually operates on an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule and is
    constantly looking for ways to advertise job vacancies and other
    services.
        JOB allows more veteran-applicants to be exposed to available job
    vacancies. In some ways, it allows the Post to become an extension of
    the job service office.
        Finally, the JOB concept is especially beneficial to many active
    duty military personnel and recently separated veterans who often visit
    local VFW Posts for social activities, but who may be unaware of the
    community resources available to help them find jobs.
                             occupational training
        Another program which focuses on newly separated veterans is the
    Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act program
    (SMOCTA). This is a federal sector program that is designed to assist
    individuals being released from the service to obtain employment.
        Veterans discharged on or after Aug. 2, 1990 are eligible for the
    program if they meet certain requirements pertaining to military
    service, unemployment, or severity of service-connected disability.
        To be eligible, the veteran must meet one of three criteria:
              Must be unemployed for at least 8 of the 15 weeks immediately
            before he or she applies for the program;
              A separating service-person must have a primary or secondary
            occupational specialty (Job) that is not readily transferable
            to the civilian work force; or
              Be entitled to compensation for a disability rated at 30% or
            more (or would be but for the receipt of military retired pay).
        Participating employers who provide training will be paid an amount
    that is equal to one-half of the employee's salary. The total amount
    paid to the employer may not exceed $12,000 for individuals with a
    service-connected disability rated at 30% or more, or $10,000 for all
    others.
        Certain types of work are not reimbursable under this program.
    Ineligible employment includes employment which is seasonal or
    temporary; employment dependent primarily on commissions; employment
    with the federal government; and out-of-state employment.
        Eligibility determination and payments to employers will be
    centralized at the VA regional office in Muskogee, Okla. The SMOCTA
    program is now available in each of the 50 states. Since last
    September, approximately 1,500 businesses have begun training almost
    3,500 recently released veterans. Over 25,000 veterans have been
    certified as eligible. As of last June, funding remained for only about
    6,000 more jobs.
        Local offices of the state job service will be responsible for
    working with employers to establish training programs for veterans.
        The VFW advocated--at hearings--establishment of a training program
    such as SMOCTA as a replacement for the Veterans Job Training Act
    (VJTA), which operated for a limited period during the mid-1980s.
        SMOCTA, of course, makes it possible for servicemembers in combat
    occupational specialties--which are not readily transferrable to train
    in an area that leads--to meaningful employment.
        The program is funded at approximately $75 million for the first
    year and will provide training for between 8,000 and 10,000 vets
    initially.
                     Report on National Legislative Service

            James N. Goldsmith, Chairman, James N. Magill, Director

        For 80 years, the Veterans of Foreign Wars has maintained a
    legislative service for the purpose of promoting legislation--which is
    beneficial to veterans, their dependents and survivors--and monitoring
    congressional activity on Capitol Hill.
        From its inception, the National Legislative Service (NLS) has been
    a leader in the veteran's arena in Washington, D.C. and is currently
    respected and admired for its advocacy role on behalf of America's
    veterans.
        Despite the high-profile, media-conscious environment in which it
    functions, the operation of the NLS is possibly not as well understood
    by the general membership as might be expected.
        This, of course, is to a great extent attributable to the fact that
    a good 90% of its accomplishments are achieved in the form of old-
    fashioned hard work performed behind the scenes and away from the
    limelight.
                             legislative victories
        Legislative victories in the area of increased VA compensation,
    liberalization of VA benefits programs and expansion of education and
    employment opportunities, all called for by VFW resolution, attest to
    the effectiveness of your National Legislative Service.
        Not since the GI Bill of Rights immediately following World War II
    has there been such a broad expansion of veterans legislation addressed
    and approved by Congress as during the last several years.
        Because of the complexities involved in the function of NLS, it is
    important that VFW members have a solid knowledge of the operation of
    this essential component of our national organization. It is only
    through a better understanding by our membership that we may all
    develop greater strength and effectiveness.
        Even though the NLS is relatively small compared to its
    counterparts in some of the other major veterans organizations, it is
    also one of the most highly regarded and sought out by members of
    Congress and their staffs when the welfare of America's veterans is at
    stake.
                                vfw action corps
        NLS has established the VFW Actions Corps in an effort to better
    inform our membership and involve them in the legislative process at
    the grass roots level.
        To complement the Action Corps, NLS has acquired a computer system
    that will enable us to target individual members of Congress for mass
    mailing campaigns--by political party, committee assignment, or
    congressional district and state. It is becoming more and more apparent
    that individual contact by our members with their elected officials is
    the key to getting things done in Washington.
        Probably the most visible aspect of NLS's job on Capitol Hill is
    testifying before committees and subcommittees of the U.S. House of
    Representatives and Senate with respect to pending legislation.
        It is extremely important that our concerns, as mandated by
    resolutions passed by the voting delegates at our most recent national
    convention, are articulated and acknowledged in congressional hearings
    where they become part of the public record.
        With the many diverse issues a member of Congress must face, he or
    she may not always be aware of the nature or the impact an individual
    bill would have on his veteran constituent. Because of the good working
    relationship we have established with Congress, NLS is constantly being
    sought after for its advice and counsel and encouraged to contact
    congressional staffs on various veteran legislation. This is
    particularly true of members of Congress who do not serve on the
    Veterans Affairs committees.
        NLS also makes ``informal'' recommendations to the appropriate
    committees of Congress concerning veterans issues. This involves
    working on a day-to-day basis with the Veterans Affairs, Budget,
    Appropriations and Labor committees, to name a few. Of course, we will
    appear before any congressional committee that is addressing an issue
    that is veteran-related.
                              committed membership
        Another essential NLS function is keeping the VFW membership
    informed of the activities of Congress and its efforts and progress in
    working with their elected representatives in Washington. In the final
    analysis, it is only the active participation of the strong, committed
    and well-informed VFW membership that has allowed for our numerous
    legislative victories for veterans on Capitol Hill.
        NLS communicates with our membership through the VFW Magazine, the
    Washington Action Reporter, special publications and direct
    correspondence with individual VFW members.
        The NLS staff works for you--the member. It brings many years of
    legislative experience concerning veterans and VFW matters. But in
    fighting for the good of veterans and the nation, however, it cannot
    stand alone.
        There has been in the past, is now and must continue to be a strong
    and vital partnership between the NLS staff and the VFW membership. We
    must all stand together, united, ever vigilant and committed in
    implementing the principles of our great organization--to serve
    veterans and the nation.
                Report on National Security and Foreign Affairs

                  Harold O. Weber, National Security Chairman

                  Russell R. Rieke, National POW/MIA Chairman

                         Kenneth A. Steadman, Director

        The VFW's National Security Committee and National POW/MIA
    Committee had an active year in pursuit of our priority goals.
        With over 2,200 Americans still missing in Southeast Asia, over 100
    Cold War unaccounted for, another 8,000 missing in Korea and 78,000
    from World War II, the resolution of this heart rending issue remains a
    top priority goal of the VFW.
        The VFW's national officers, committee chairmen and vice chairmen
    have stayed in close touch with the issue.
                                 trade embargo
        When the President ended the trade embargo against Vietnam,
    Commander-in-Chief Cramer expressed his disappointment over this
    decision; ``While there has been progress in the past year, we are not
    convinced that the results obtained warrant lifting the embargo.''
        VFW leaders also met with Vietnamese, Korean and Russian officials
    to convey our commitment to the fullest possible accounting of all our
    missing men. In meetings at the United Nations and with Russian
    officials in Washington, the VFW set forth its views on this
    humanitarian issue.
        Acting on the Commander-in-Chief's instructions, Senior Vice
    Commander Vice Commander-in-Chief Allen F. ``Gunner'' Kent took the
    issue directly to Vietnamese, Korean and Russian leaders in back-to-
    back visits to these countries.
        He conveyed the importance of the POW/MIA issue to the VFW and our
    concern for tangible results in resolving this priority issue. Later,
    the Chief sent junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Paul Spera to represent
    the VFW as part of a presidential delegation returning to Vietnam and
    Laos. This included reviewing the effort between the U.S. Joint Task
    Force-Full Accounting (JTF-FA) and the local governments. Their
    reports, based on meetings with Vietnamese, Lao and U.S. officials,
    were widely circulated within the VFW and the U.S. government.
                                 world hotspots
        During visits to Korea, the VFW's leadership reviewed the tense
    situation with U.S. and Republic of Korea officials. This hotspot has
    remained tense since North Korea refused to permit full international
    inspection of its nuclear facilities. The VFW's National Security
    Committee was kept informed of this developing crisis in Korea
    throughout the year.
        The VFW remained equally concerned over the situation in former
    Yugoslavia. There, the on-going civil war with both ethnic and
    religious overtones has defied solution. Although alarmed about the
    atrocities and concerned for the negotiating deadlock, the VFW remained
    watchful lest U.S. ground troops be introduced into this unstable
    region.
        Haiti, where a military dictatorship refuses demands to restore
    democratic government, also defies simple solutions. While some argue
    that the United States is obligated to support democracy within the
    Western Hemisphere, to include the use of military force, the VFW has
    urged a more cautious view.
        When Administration spokesmen and congressional officials urged
    military action to overthrow the Haitian dictatorship, the VFW's
    Commander-in-Chief noted that he had ``serious doubts that the VFW or
    the American public would support such a move.''
                               domestic concerns
        The VFW was also cautious about the bold moves to allow women to
    serve in military combat jobs. While recognizing the valuable role
    women played in winning the Gulf War, the Chief nonetheless urged the
    secretary of defense to be cautious as he approached the issue of women
    in combat.
        The terrorist bombing of New York's World Trade Center last year
    reinforces the VFW's views that the widespread, growing danger of
    terrorism demanded decisive action to combat terrorism. The VFW went on
    record supporting action against terrorist groups and the conviction of
    four terrorists for the Trade Center bombing met with the VFW's praise.
        The VFW also noted that in order to remain on the offensive against
    terrorists, the federal government needed to review and strengthen its
    procedures for screening and identifying terrorists. And to take
    whatever measures are necessary to improve U.S. security and safety.
                      Report on National Veterans Service

                           Walter G. Hogan, Chairman

                        Frederico Juarbe, Jr., Director

        You established our mandate to ``Honor the Dead by Helping the
    Living.'' The mission of the National Veterans Service (NVS) staff, and
    our nationwide service network, is to carry out that pledge in your
    name. A VFW service arm blankets the country, standing at the ready to
    serve you and others you may refer to us for help.
        A highly visible sign of your service program is the VFW Guide for
    Service Officers. We take great pride in this publication which is much
    sought after. No other veterans service organization can look back to
    half a century of continuous publication of such a valued reference.
        Currently, we are served by the 24th edition of this respected
    publication, which became available for distribution early in 1993.
    Individual copies can be obtained from the VFW Emblem and Supply
    Department in Kansas City.
                                service officers
        Often the first point of contact with our VFW service program is
    the Post service officer (PSO). Armed with the VFW Guide for Service
    Officers, and in possession of a few basic government forms, the PSO
    can provide valuable assistance during the first steps toward claiming
    an entitlement. This important volunteer then hands the issue over to
    the VFW Department service officer (DSO) for further development. It is
    a team effort.
        The work of your DSO assumes a heavy burden in terms of
    responsibility toward veterans, their dependents or survivors. He is at
    once a counselor, advisor and advocate.
        His world involves considerations of due process, protection of
    privacy and suspense dates associated with appeals. His tools of the
    trade are title 38, United States Code, and the Code of Federal
    Regulations.
        To keep current, DSOs join the NVS staff twice annually to
    participate in a demanding week-long training session. This training
    sharpens collective skills and improves qualifications to act on your
    behalf in seeking possible entitlement relief from problems posed by
    federal agencies.
                               courts and boards
        Your NVS staff continues to assist in the preparation and
    presentation of formal and informal appeals, initiated by veteran-
    claimants before the VA Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). Claimants have
    available to them the services of a VFW medical and legal consultant.
        NVS's final product takes the form of a written presentation to the
    BVA on the claimant's behalf, or they accompany the claimant to a
    personal hearing before the Board and the transcript of that hearing
    becomes the official record.
        The VFW also continues to prepare and present briefs on potentially
    meritorious claims to the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals (CVA). Because
    this is a purely adversarial process, we must be cautious and not
    accept, for representation, appeals for that court which are frivolous.
    Neither can we practically represent appeals which fail to raise an
    appropriate point in law which would be acceptable for review by the
    court in accordance with the rules it has set for itself.
        The military claims consultants of your NVS staff continue to
    appear routinely with ex-servicemen and women before discharge review
    boards of each of the armed forces. Also, each of the military services
    has a board empowered to correct inequities in military records. We are
    in continuous contact with these boards on behalf of veterans and
    active duty personnel who walk in, write to us and call us daily.
                             field representatives
        Field representatives of your NVS staff have increased their round
    of surveys of VA medical centers, regional offices, Vet Centers and
    national cemeteries, with emphasis on the VA health care delivery
    system. The VFW is one of only two veterans service organizations
    performing this important function.
        We have altered our approach to the conduct of VA medical facility
    surveys to try to ferret out the ``hot spots.''
        Therefore, we rely increasingly on you, our membership, and others
    who may avail themselves of VA medical treatment to let us know when a
    problem is brewing. We will try to follow up every lead for you and
    keep the leadership of the VFW out front.
        A simple telephone call or a short letter to the VFW Washington
    Office, to tip us off to medical facilities where things are not going
    well, will cause us to go into action. This is a cooperative effort
    which requires the attention of all of us.
                                  va meetings
        We continue to meet monthly with the under secretary for health.
    This is an informal exchange which gives VA the opportunity to share
    with us the obstacles it confronts which impact on the quality of
    health care. Plus, it gives us, as your representative, the chance to
    question the under secretary for health regarding failures by VA to
    measure up.
        Similarily, we meet quarterly with the under secretary for
    benefits. These meetings give the VFW an opportunity to provide input
    into the policies and procedures under consideration by VA, and it
    permits us to encourage change from within which benefits veterans.
        Additionally, it allows us to add a note of action when we think VA
    might be heading down the wrong track. We routinely touch base with all
    major elements of VA Central Office. We do this as surrogates for you.
        Finally, volunteers are veteran-patients' lifeline to the
    community. The VFW's VA Voluntary Services contributes almost a million
    hours annually to veterans in VA facilities. Accordingly, we ask all of
    you who can to redouble your commitment to ensure that our vital
    volunteer effort is both maintained and reinforced.
                           vfw service in the future
        As the VA continues to struggle with reductions in personnel, your
    NVS staff will remain vigilant that the needs of veterans are not
    compromised. To this end, all personnel in VFW service work need to
    double their efforts to ensure that every eligible veteran, dependent,
    and surviving spouse is made aware of, and assist with, obtaining any
    benefits they may be eligible for.
        A trained, dedicated and hard-working cadre of VFW service officers
    remain the cornerstone of our Commander-in-Chief's Commitment to
    Service as we ``Honor the Dead by Helping the Living''.
                           Report on Post Development

                   Darrel W. Miller, National Chief of Staff

                            Robert Crider, Director

       Assistant Directors: Dan Pestinger, Ray Bayless, Jerry Wood, Jim
                              Fieldler, Dave Clark

        Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines development as: the
    act, process or result of developing.
        The Veterans of Foreign Wars, like all organizations, continues to
    go through an evolution in membership. Unfortunately, active
    involvement in membership recruitment is not the priority it once was.
    The main reason why people do not join the VFW is because ``they have
    never been asked.''
        Success still awaits the old fashioned way--by opening and closing
    doors.
        First and foremost, every member should make sure the front door of
    the Post home is open wide to all prospective members. New members, the
    lifeblood of any organization, should be made to feel welcome. You only
    have one chance for a good first impression.
        Every year untold numbers of our comrades slip out silently, never
    to be heard from again. We fall that ``losing them out the back door.''
    The best way to stop the exodus is to slam it shut by making every
    member a vital part of the Post and to make the Post a vital part of
    the community.
                             community involvement
        New Posts and restructured Posts give better local service to
    veterans and their dependents and the opportunity to further the VFW's
    goals and ideals. They give the VFW an opportunity to introduce many
    outstanding programs as well as enhance its image in communities
    worldwide.
        VFW members encourage Americanism, loyalty and Youth Activities in
    the local schools, promote community safety awareness, offer
    environmental assistance and expand exposure for participation in the
    Voice of Democracy scholarship program.
        With new Posts come new faces, ideas and leaders.
                               skilled leadership
        Follow-up is the most important factor for the success of a new
    Post. The membership of a new Post must be well-informed on the VFW's
    basic aims, purposes and programs, and assisted until it is on a sound
    footing.
        A member with proven leadership skills and well-versed in the VFW
    should be assigned as the Department representative. At least until the
    new leadership is confident in its ability to effectively service the
    community and properly represent the VFW.
                                the bottom line
        Each Post is important to the VFW's overall success and its
    individual programs. Dedicated leadership is the key to solving
    problems. Cancellation of a Post charter is seldom the answer. Once an
    unfavorable situation is confronted, it can usually be overcome.
        Proper attention from the District, County Council and Department
    is invaluable. Good leadership can rekindle member interest and inspire
    active participation. Loss of a Post means no community representation
    and in the process the local area is deprived of VFW service and
    programs.
        New Posts are clearly vital to the overall growth of our great
    organization. That's why our efforts must continue unabated.
        In 1993-94, Post Development recruited 13,764 new and reinstated
    members to join 229 new or 110 restructured Posts. As the VFW nears a
    century of service, they will be part of a unique fraternity.

    NEW AND RESTRUCTURED POSTS AND MEMBERSHIP JULY 1, 1993 TO JUNE 30, 1994--
                                  BY DEPARTMENT
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Total new       Total         Total
        Department       Total new       Post     restructured  restructured
                           Posts      membership      Posts      membership
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Alabama...........            3           99             3           288
    Alaska............            0            0             0             0
    Arizona...........            1           38             0             0
    Arkansas..........            4          109             3           198
    California........            8          403            14           637
    Colorado..........            6          230             1            50
    Connecticut.......            3          223             1            47
    Delaware..........            1           29             1            23
    District of
     Columbia.........            0            0             1            36
    Europe............            3          340             7           240
    Florida...........           11          395             4           254
    Georgia...........            8          273             3           194
    Hawaii............            1           43             1            38
    Idaho.............            1           36             2           115
    Illinois..........           10          341             1            26
    Indiana...........            1           27             1            34
    Iowa..............            1           30             2            49
    Kansas............            3          117             1           135
    Kentucky..........            6          236             3           165
    Louisiana.........            5          143             1           124
    Maine.............            9          114             3           202
    Maryland..........            4           77             6           231
    Massachusetts.....            0            0             0             0
    Michigan..........            9          305             0             0
    Minnesota.........           10          275             0             0
    Mississippi.......            6          211             2            82
    Missouri..........            7          204             4           143
    Montana...........            1           26             0             0
    Nebraska..........            2           57             2            67
    Nevada............            1           25             1           100
    New Hampshire.....            4          148             0             0
    New Jersey........            3           86             4           394
    New Mexico........            1           25             2           161
    New York..........           19          493             1            26
    North Carolina....            8          230             1            26
    North Dakota......            1           26             0             0
    Ohio..............           11          493             1            42
    Okahoma...........            3           61             0             0
    Oregon............            5          120             1            28
    Pacific Areas.....            0            0             2           197
    Panama Canal......            0            0             0             0
    Pennsylvania......            4          242             2            71
    Puerto Rico &
     Virgin Islands...            0            0             0             0
    Rhode Island......            3          110             2           122
    South Carolina....            3           93             1             9
    South Dakota......            0            0             0             0
    Tennessee.........            4          214             3            55
    Texas.............           13          543            10           563
    Utah..............            2           73             1            35
    Vermont...........            3          108             0             0
    Virginia..........            4          180             0             0
    Washington........            6          148             6           212
    West Virginia.....            2           72             2           239
    Wisconsin.........            4          126             3            78
    Wyoming...........            1           31             0             0
    Foreign...........            0            0             0             0
                       -----------------------------------------------------
        Total.........          229        8,028           110         5,736
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Report on Marketing Services

                             Ron Browning, Director

                        Robbie Fazen, Assistant Director

        Created just a few years ago, Marketing Services is the newest
    office within National Headquarters. The establishment of this
    department represents a continued commitment by the VFW's leadership to
    meet the issues of the future and the demands of today.
        In the marketplace changes, we need to develop programs and
    strategies which allow for long-term success. This new office is an
    important first step in meeting the future in a way that translates
    into opportunities.
        A staff is being developed to provide an effective level of
    service. Existing programs and projects have been integrated into the
    daily operations of the office and projects critical to the future of
    the organization have been identified and, in many cases,
    implementation is well on the way.
        Here is a brief outline of some of the current projects now under
    the direction of Marketing Services:
                             non-member promotions
        Projects are now under way to promote the VFW to non-members for
    the purposes of communication, education and fund-raising.
                  department cooperative fund-raising program
        A new cooperative program designed to improve the profitability of
    these traditional fund-raisers for VFW Departments. More than 50
    Departments and Auxiliaries have now joined the program.
                         national veterans service fund
        A host of projects that include: Veterans Service Fund and Past
    Commanders Club.
                            coordinated fund-raising
        More effective and coordinated fund-raising that communicates the
    importance of the project and the reason for the promotion. The result
    should yield improved returns with better understanding by the
    membership.
                          continuity in communications
        Developing member and non-member communications that provide a
    consistency of message, creating a stronger and more relevant story.
                              new membership tools
        Continued oversight of new and more effective membership recruiting
    tools that will provide for our growth.
                            new promotional programs
        Development of new and more effective promotional vehicles for
    fund-raising.
        As the future unfolds, these issues will change. Yet, they offer
    the organization a starting point from which to move forward.
        With your help and continued support, this department will succeed.
                            Report on Post Services

                           James R. Rowoldt, Director

        The volume and scope of duties and responsibilities assigned to
    Post Services are ever-expanding and changing. These include assisting
    the Adjutant General and Assistant Adjutant General, Administration, in
    the day-to-day administrative functions of the organization.
        One of the most important historical documents of a Post is its
    official charter. Once a Post is instituted, it becomes the
    responsibility of Post Services to correspond with the newly formed
    Post to ensure that the official charter is engrossed correctly and
    issued as expeditiously as possible. Complete and accurate records are
    maintained on microfilm and magnetic optical disk to facilitate the
    preparation of a replacement charter should the original become lost or
    destroyed.
        Section 209 of the National By-Laws provides the authority and
    procedure for two or more Posts to consolidate. When this occurs, Post
    Services initiates the necessary paperwork to correct the records at
    National Headquarters to reflect the consolidation, and a Certificate
    of Charter is engrossed and issued reciting the facts of the
    consolidation.
        Post Services is also responsible for issuing the Life Membership
    Perpetual Charter once the membership records are reviewed to verify
    that the Post has the requisite 25 life members. Once the membership
    figures are verified, Life Membership Perpetual Charter is prepared and
    mailed to Department headquarters for presentation.
        Post Services has been assigned the responsibility of processing
    requests, preparing applicable orders and maintaining permanent files
    for the Adjutant General on all suspension and cancellation actions. It
    is Post Services' duty to keep the Adjutant General apprised of any and
    all corrective action taken during periods of suspension to return the
    Post to good working order.
        In addition, the office of Post Services is charged with the
    responsibility for the collection, recording, maintenance and storage
    of the official records of over 10,800 Posts.
        The annual Post Election Report is the primary source of
    information from which the Post officers' files are constituted and
    from which the roster of Post officers and the amount of annual dues
    for each Post are compiled and stored in electronic data processing.
        The importance of the Post Election Report in the maintenance of
    the officer file is paramount. Without the information provided in the
    annual report of election, it is impossible for the Department or the
    national organization to communicate with the Post.
        The Post Officer File is one of the most frequently used at
    National Headquarters so it is absolutely essential that the
    maintenance of the file be current at all times and that special
    attention be given to accuracy in storing and updating the records in
    data processing. The data processing file contains the names,
    addresses, and telephone numbers of the commander and quartermaster,
    the amount of annual dues, the name, location, date of muster and
    status of each of our over 10,800 Posts.
        Annual dues notices cannot be mailed until the election report is
    received because of the need to know the name and address of the Post
    quartermaster and the amount of the Post dues.
        As the reports of election of Post officers for the 1994-95 year
    are received and processed, computer-generated acknowledgements will be
    sent to the Post quartermaster-elect to confirm the names and addresses
    of the Post commander and Post quartermaster and the amount of annual
    dues. Copies of these acknowledgements and any subsequent changes are
    sent to the respective Departments.
        The acknowledgement is made on a pre-addressed and prepaid return
    postcard with space provided for corrections and/or changes in any of
    the information shown on the card. If the information is correct, the
    Post retains the card for use during the 1994-95 administrative year to
    report any changes in the amount of Post dues and/or in the offices of
    Post commander and Post quartermaster.
        As corrections and changes are reported and made, these too are
    acknowledged so the Post quartermaster always has a return postcard in
    his possession to report changes during the year.
        Another area of responsibility for Post Services is the Post
    Inspection Program. In recent years, the Post Inspection Program has
    taken on increased significance. This program provides Department
    commanders and other officers with important information concerning the
    operation of each Post under their jurisdiction. Post inspections
    ensure that financial safeguards are maintained and the Post is
    operating in accordance with the provisions of the national by-laws and
    regulations of the Department, as well as governmental statutes. All
    inspection reports are reviewed by the director of Post Services. Where
    possible or known discrepancies are reflected, copies of the inspection
    reports are returned to the Department commander asking for a review of
    the discrepancies and requesting corrective action be taken.
        As a result of these review procedures, the inspection program has
    become more purposeful. When appropriately used, the results provide
    commanders with reliable indication of potential trouble areas and give
    early indication of those Posts in need of assistance. Department
    inspectors, along with their deputies who conduct inspections in a
    conscientious and concerned manner, can be assured this program will
    become a management tool of great value.
        Other matters falling within the area of the responsibility of the
    director of Post Services include the preparation and dissemination of
    the Post Adjutant/Post Quartermaster Operations Manual, Special Orders,
    and the monthly issuance of General Orders and the National
    Headquarters Bulletin.
        In our Commitment to Service the goal in Post Services is to ensure
    that the needs of our membership are better served.
                   Report on Publications and Public Affairs

                            Robert McMahon, Chairman

                           Richard K. Kolb, Director

       William G. Smith, Director, Public Affairs, VFW Washington Office

     Gary L. Bloomfield, Vern Pall, Steve Van Buskirk, Assistant Directors

                                  publications
        It's the obligation of the editorial staff to set journalistic
    standards, uphold the magazine's credibility and preserve the editorial
    integrity of its articles. Part of this custodial responsibility
    entails judgment calls by the staff, based on expertise in this field,
    with regard to content.
        Decisions regarding what goes into the magazine are based on the
    quality of writing, timeliness and potential interest to readers.
    Direction is taken from members as expressed in readership surveys,
    letters to the editor and resolutions on national issues. The staff's
    masters are membership interests, as well as journalistic integrity.
        Reflecting these dictates, VFW Magazine's editorial mission
    statement is as follows:
        It is the mission of VFW Magazine to offer fresh and varied
    perspectives, examine controversial issues and provide an open forum
    for balanced member opinions. At the same time, the magazine will
    report on veterans concerns, promote the VFW's positive image and serve
    as a vehicle for dissemination of VFW policy.
        No endorsement of views of authors should be inferred unless
    specifically identified as the official policy of the VFW. A free
    exchange of ideas is intended to generate reader involvement and
    enhance the magazine's vitality.
        In striving to inform, influence and interest readers, VFW Magazine
    will protect, preserve, promote, recognize, remember and respect all
    things sacred to veterans. That means a special focus on and coverage
    of four major subject areas: veterans rights/benefits, defense/foreign
    affairs, patriotism/volunteerism, and recognition/remembrance of
    military service abroad.
        In order to accomplish these goals, VFW Magazine must have the
    unfettered ability, to communicate so as to compete in the advertising
    marketplace. Since raising revenues to support the organization's
    primary means of communication--the magazine--is a major function,
    projecting a professional journalistic image is essential.
                   national publications contest top winners
    Department publications
        Published 10-12 times annually: Wisconsin VFW News, Bill Bottoms,
    editor; Published 4-9 times annually: Pennsylvania VFW News, William C.
    Allen, editor.
    District and county council publications
        Letterpress/Offset: The Overseas Veteran, District 21(Texas),
    Charles Gulick, editor (deceased); Mimeograph: The Treaty, District 12
    (Mo.), Terry A. Klasek, editor.
    Post publications
        Letterpress/Offset: The Messenger, Post 305, (Wis.), Carol
    Isaksson, editor; Mimeograph: Chandler Post Newsletter, Post 7401
    (Ariz.), June Avery, editor.
                                 public affairs
        Why should I join the VFW? We all hear that question. Most of us
    have good answers. The real problem is as we approach our 100th
    anniversary that question is still being asked.
        VFW history is replete with great accomplishments for America and
    its veterans. Today, VFW members add to that legacy with their own good
    works. Alas, the VFW accomplishments of yesterday and today often go
    unnoticed.
        Our story must be told--loudly, accurately and often. Public
    relations must be a priority from the Commander-in-Chief on down to the
    newest member of the smallest Post.
        We must go beyond the walls of our Post home and tell people who we
    are and what we do. VFW membership and success grow only when potential
    members and the public see us as involved and relevant to the needs of
    America.
        We must also take our message to those in uniform. They are the
    ones who will fill our ranks in the years to come.
        We must reach out to other civic organizations and clubs. Their
    ranks include the other 10 million eligible veterans who do not belong
    to the VFW. We must tell them what we do and why they should be a part
    of it.
        We must join hands with patriotic corporations and small
    businesses. We can use their resources and our reputation to achieve
    mutually beneficial goals for America.
        Whatever your VFW position, good public relations must be your
    priority. Each plan and each decision at every level must be considered
    in the light of good public relations. Every effort must present and
    promote a positive image for the VFW, exclusive of internal politics,
    economic benefit or personal gain.
        The mission of VFW's Public Affairs office is to ensure that all
    Americans, particularly those who serve or have served in the military,
    understand the VFW and how it makes America better.
        To that end, we are planning better ways to reach our men and women
    in uniform, gain the attention of nonmember veterans and inform all
    Americans that the VFW is responsive and relevant to the needs of
    today's society.
        Make yourself aware of the VFW's past and current successes on
    veterans issues. Take advantage of every opportunity to explain VFW's
    role and accomplishments for veterans and their families.
        Effective public relations is simply communicating who we are and
    what we do for America and its veterans.
                                Report on Safety

                          Franklin E. Lopes, Chairman

                          Gordon R. Thorson, Director

        Chairman Franklin E. Lopes and Director Gordon R. Thorson would
    like to thank all members of the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary who
    actively participated in this year's Safety Program. We have had
    another outstanding year, thanks to the many hours of volunteer effort
    by the comrades and sisters throughout this great nation.
        Interest in the National Safety Citation has grown to an
    extraordinary level. Thousands of Posts/Auxiliaries have qualified for
    the annual award by completing projects in all six categories.
        The VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary have, for several years,
    supported, participated in and developed programs or events that
    promote safety.
        Members have involved themselves in a variety of safety efforts
    that cover virtually every possible activity. This expanding and
    growing program interest deserves proper credit and national
    recognition.
        The procedure used to report Safety Program activities will remain
    the same--completion of the VFW National Programs Report Form will be
    the accepted method of reporting activities. Please take note of the
    six-category system for reporting safety. This reorganization of the
    Safety Program allows for expanded reporting of individual Post/
    Auxiliary activities.
        Basically, safety activities fall somewhere within six major
    categories:
              Category 1--Highway Safety
              Category 2--Pedestrian Safety
              Category 3--Recreational Safety
              Category 4--Home/Fire Safety
              Category 5--Drug Awareness
              Category 6--Recognition/Other
        These general categories are listed on the VFW National Programs
    Report Form followed by a line to name (describe) the actual activity
    that qualifies the Post/Auxiliary within that particular category. For
    example:
               If a Post/Auxiliary sponsors a Lite-a-Tike program,
            it would report this activity under the Pedestrian Safety
            category.
               If a Post/Auxiliary conducts a Drive to Survive
            program, it would report this activity under the Highway Safety
            category.
               If a Post/Auxiliary officially presents a Life
            Saving Award (certificate) to honor someone in the community,
            it would report this activity under the Recognition/Other
            category.
               If a Post/Auxiliary actually sponsors a ``DARE''
            program in its local school, they should report this activity
            under the Drug Awareness category.
        Virtually any legitimate Safety Program activity conducted by a
    Post/Auxiliary can be reported somewhere within the six categories.
    Credit is given in only one of the six safety categories for each
    activity. The Post safety chairman should determine which category best
    reflects the activity performed, and then complete the National
    Programs Report Form.
                            national safety citation
        Once a Post/Auxiliary has performed at least one legitimate
    activity within each of the six categories, that Post/Auxiliary will
    then qualify for a national citation, recognizing its outstanding
    effort (deadline for reporting is May 1 of each program year).
        The six categories and a mall sampling of the numerous possible
    activities within each are listed below. The listing is provided to
    help chairmen determine which category is best suited for the activity
    performed:
    Category 1--Highway Safety
        Activity Ideas:
              Drive to Survive
              55 Alive/Mature Driving
              Railroad Crossing Safety
              State approved driving course
              Any legitimate highway safety activity
    Category 2--Pedestrian Safety
        Activity Ideas:
              Lite-A-Tike
              Bicycle Safety
              Lite-A-Bike
              Any legitimate pedestrian safety activity
    Category 3--Recreational Safety
        Activity Ideas:
              Hunter Safety
              Outdoor Safety (camping, etc.)
              Roller Safety (skateboards outdoor roller blades)
              Numerous other recreational safety activities exist
    Category 4--Home/Fire Safety
        Activity Ideas
              Home Protection (safety & security)
              Fire Prevention (outdoor & indoor)
              Any activity that protects homes or prevents fires
    Category 5--Drug Awareness
        Activity Ideas:
              Veterans Against Drugs
              DARE
              National Crime Prevention Council's ``McGruff'' campaign
              There are numerous other opportunities and programs
    Category 6--Recognition/Other
        Activity Ideas:
              Life Saving Awards
              Firefighter Awards
              Police/Sheriff Awards
              Recognize an outstanding safety effort and gain credit
        Please note that this Safety program reporting procedure is more
    thoroughly described in the Safety Chairman's Guidebook. (The guidebook
    is available to Post, District and Department chairmen.)
                          Report on Voice of Democracy

                            James Mueller, Chairman

                          Gordon R. Thorson, Director

        Voice of Democracy is an audio-essay scholarship competition
    designed to give high school students the opportunity to express their
    thoughts on a patriotic theme, promote citizenship, and to convey their
    message via the broadcasting medium to America.
        Students in grades 10 through 12 in public, parochial and private
    schools are eligible to compete.
        This year's theme--My Commitment to America--focused on American
    achievements and pride in what this country represents.
        More than 138,000 students participated nationwide. More than 5,000
    Posts and over 4,000 Auxiliaries sponsored the program in over 8,000
    high schools.
        Scholarships, savings bonds and other awards totaled more than
    $2,364,000 on the Post, District, County Council and Department levels.
    National scholarships contributed another $106,500 for a grand total of
    over $2,471,000.
        The contest is conducted in cooperation with the National
    Association of Broadcasters and its state affiliates.
        State winners received, in addition to their scholarships, an all-
    expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in February. While there, they
    visited national monuments, the U.S. Capitol Building and met with
    State Department officials.
        State winners, sponsored by their respective Departments, also
    attended the American Academy of Achievement's Salute to Excellence
    weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada in June.
        Each winner received the Academy's Golden Scroll Award and was
    enrolled in the Academy's Hall of Fame for America's Young Captains of
    Achievement. The first place national winner received the Academy's
    Golden Eagle Award for the Promise of Greatness.

                             TOP TEN 1993/94 NATIONAL VOICE OF DEMOCRACY SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Sponsoring
            Place                  Winner            Post           Location          Amount           Award
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1...................  Nathaniel Bennett....        1149  Minneapolis, Minn...    $20,000  VFW T.C. Selman
                                                                                                Memorial
                                                                                                Scholarship.
     2...................  Brenda Gilbert.......        4663  Clifton, Colo.......     15,000  VFW Scholarship.
     3...................  Julie Willis.........        7428  Hoisington, Kan.....     10,000  VFW Scholarship.
     4...................  Karen Rosenkoetter...        4323  Princeton, Ill......      5,500  VFW Scholarship.
     5...................  Jeremy McCarter......         710  Steelton, PA........      4,000  VFW Scholarship.
     6...................  Amy Bice.............        3012  Rexburg, Idaho......      3,500  Minnesota
                                                                                                Scholarship.
     7...................  Bryan Venable........        7328  Saltville, Va.......      3,000  Dept. of Indiana and
                                                                                                its Ladies Auxiliary
                                                                                                Scholarship.
     8...................  Michael Martel.......        9459  Lisbon, Maine.......      2,500  Daniel Sean Wallace
                                                                                                Memorial
                                                                                                Scholarship.
     9...................  Carrie Warner........        1272  Belmont, Mass.......      2,000  Jesse A. Lewis
                                                                                                Memorial
                                                                                                Scholarship.
    10...................  Russell DiSilvestro..         604  Bloomington, Ind....      1,500  Joseph O. Hansen
                                                                                                Memorial
                                                                                                Scholarship.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Report on Youth Activities

                           Bernard Fabritz, Chairman

                          Gordon R. Thorson, Director

        VFW recognizes the importance of shaping America's youth. Providing
    wholesome activities that stress fair play and good citizenship has
    been the goal and guiding principle of the National Youth Activities
    Committee.
        The Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary have
    traditionally supported and developed programs and events that benefit
    our nation's youth. This long-standing commitment to youth has grown
    through the years to include almost every possible program or event
    associated with young people.
        This expanding and growing involvement deserves proper credit and
    national recognition.
                            youth activity reporting
        The procedure used to report youth activities will remain the
    same--completion of the VFW National Programs Report Form will be the
    accepted method of reporting activities. Please take note of the six-
    category system for reporting youth activities. This reorganization of
    Youth Activities allows for expanded reporting of individual Post/
    Auxiliary efforts.
        Basically, all youth activities fall somewhere within six major
    categories:
              Category 1--Sports/Athletics
              Category 2--Scouting/Organizations
              Category 3--Contests/Special Events
              Category 4--Education/Instruction
              Category 5--Recognition
              Category 6--Projects/Other
        These general categories are listed on the VFW National Programs
    Report Form followed by a line to describe the actual activity that
    qualifies the Post/Auxiliary within that particular category. For
    example:
               If a Post/Auxiliary sponsors a Teen Bowling Team, it
            would report this activity under the Sports/Athletics category.
               If a Post/Auxiliary conducts a Child ID/Missing
            Children program, it would report this activity under the
            Education/Instruction category.
               If a Post/Auxiliary presents an Eagle Scout Award
            (certificate) to honor Scouts in the community, it would report
            this activity under the Recognition category.
               However, if a Post/Auxiliary actually sponsors a
            Scouting Unit it should report this activity under the
            Scouting/Organizations category.
        Virtually any legitimate youth activity conducted by a Post/
    Auxiliary can be reported somewhere within the six categories. Credit
    is given in only one of the six youth categories for each activity
    performed. The Post chairman should determine which category best
    reflects the activity performed and then complete the Programs Report
    Form.
                       national youth activities citation
        Once a Post/Auxiliary has performed at least one legitimate
    activity within each of the six categories, that Post/Auxiliary will
    then qualify for a national citation, recognizing its outstanding
    effort (deadline for reporting is May 1 of each program year).
        The six categories and a small sampling of the numerous possible
    activities within each category are listed below. The listing is
    provided to help the chairmen determine which category is best suited
    for the activity performed:
     Category 1--Sports/Athletics
        Activity Ideas:
              Track
              Basketball
              Softball
              Baseball
              Soccer
              Swimming
              Bowling
              Special Olympics
              Hockey
              Any sport or athletic sponsorship
    Category 2--Scouting/Organizations
        Activity Ideas:
              Boy Scouts/Explorers/Eagle, etc.
              Girl Scouts
              Cub Scouts
              Fellowship of Christian Athletes
              Boys and Girls Clubs of America
              Naval Sea Cadets
              Sons of the VFW
              Future Farmers of America
              4-H
              Any legitimate youth organization sponsorship
    Category 3--Contests/Special Events
        Activity Ideas:
              Parades
              Talent shows
              Picnics
              Dance
              Fishing derbys
              Walk-a-Thon
              Rifle/pistol competition
              Bike-a-Thon
              Be creative, support the youth in your community
    Category 4--Education/Instruction
        Activity Ideas:
              Ceramics
              Stamp collecting
              Model building
              Leather craft
              Missing Children (Child Id)
              Develop a youth education program
    Category 5--Recognition
        Activity Ideas:
              ROTC Achievement Award (medal and citation)
              JROTC Achievement Award (medal and citation)
              Eagle Scout Award (certificate)
              Honor certificate for students
              Trophy/plaque presentation ceremony
              Any youth recognition
    Category 6--Projects/Other
        Activity Ideas:
              Build or repair--
                            Baseball diamonds
                            Soccer fields
                            Playgrounds
              Donate equipment
              National Home construction
              Use your imagination
        Please note that this Youth Activities reporting procedure is more
    thoroughly described in the Youth Chairman's Guidebook. (The guidebook
    is available to Post, District and Department chairmen.)
                            Report on National Home

                   Alice Hutto, President, Board of Trustees

                       Susan Shoultz, Executive Director

        The VFW National Home is a reflection of the commitment and pride
    VFW members have in their organization. With its silver anniversary
    approaching in the year 2000, this vital child caring agency, that has
    been a home to more than 1,500 children and grandchildren of America's
    veterans, is prepared to keep on serving children well into the next
    century and beyond.
        The VFW National Home is growing in many ways. By June 1995, the
    on-campus population is expected to reach its licensed capacity of 98
    children. A new referral system coupled with increased awareness among
    child care professionals have played a major role.
        Another factor in the Home's growth spurt are the millions of
    dedicated VFW members who keep the Home alive with their generosity and
    support. The National Home does not receive federal money. Rather, its
    funding comes from the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary, and the charity of
    others--people who genuinely care about the children.
        With 100,000 homeless children in America today, there are many in
    all areas of our country who can benefit from the full range of
    programs the National Home has to offer.
        For referral information, contact the Home's toll-free referral
    information line: (800) 851-0238.
        For more information on programs or funding, write to the VFW
    National Home, 3573 S. Waverly Road, Eaton Rapids, Michigan 48827-9799.
                              entrance eligibility
        Services for children are available at the VFW National Home when
    the child's parent or grandparent is (or if deceased, at the time of
    death was) a member in good standing of the VFW or Ladies Auxiliary,
    and the child's custodian cannot provide an adequate home for the
    child.
        Children who come to the National Home are given refuge beyond high
    school graduation. The Aftercare Program affords young adults an
    opportunity to further their education through scholarship assistance.
    Graduates may continue to live at the National Home in independent
    living for up to four years as they begin life in the adult world.
        At the Community Center, children enjoy a wide range of
    recreational activities. They also have ample opportunity to become
    involved with Eaton Rapids school and church groups, tutorial and
    enrichment programs within the Home's Education Department and a weekly
    chapel service. A full staff of counselors and support personnel are
    available to help them cope with problems and build for the future.
        Other features of the National Home include 4-H and adventure
    experience, camping opportunities, a student training program, public
    school education, health awareness training, spiritual development and
    community service responsibilities.
                      Report on Political Action Committee

                              Ray Soden, Chairman

                             Bob Currieo, Director

        The main concern of many politicians is to get re-elected. To get
    re-elected, it takes money and votes.
        The belief there is strength in numbers is a myth and politicians
    know it. But, if an organization like the VFW can combine its enormous
    membership strength with an ability to put money into a political
    campaign and even deliver votes, then that organization has
    unquestionable political power.
        Delivering money and votes for a congressional campaign on behalf
    of the VFW is the responsibility of your VFW Political Action Committee
    (see VFW National By-Laws, Section 615 National Committees.)
        The VFW-PAC tracks the actions of members of Congress on key issues
    that are important to veterans and our nation. These issues are
    mandated by our VFW national convention through resolutions adopted by
    the delegates assembled. Your VFW-PAC has no issues or agenda of its
    own. The issues come from you, the membership.
        The VFW-PAC holds Congress accountable for its votes and supports
    members of Congress who support veterans. This support is in the form
    of endorsements and contributions to their campaigns.
        Political action committees are the only legal way veterans'
    organizations can get involved in the political process.
        Collectively, veterans have the least political strength of any
    group in America. Consider this: Of the more than 4,000 PACs--1,700
    represent business, 350 labor unions, 80 health care and only one for
    that nation's 27 million veterans. That is your VFW-PAC.
        If Post, Districts and Departments are truly concerned about the
    future of veterans' programs and the political battles that lie ahead,
    they must do their part and financially support the only veteran's PAC
    in the United States. Then our Commander-in-Chief will truly speak for
    veterans from a position of strength.
        As chairman of the VFW Political Action Committee, I want to thank
    the following for their assistance and support: Board members John Ray,
    Bob Loftus, Chase Libby, Joe T. Wood, Assad Allie, Treasurer Doug
    Forrest and Ladies Auxiliary representative Florence Taylor.
        Also, the Board thanks Commander-in-Chief George Cramer, Sr. Vice
    Commander-in-Chief Gunner Kent, Jr., Vice Commander-in-Chief Paul
    Spera, Quartermaster General Jim Bowden, Adjutant General Howard Vander
    Clute, Washington Office Executive Director Larry Rivers and the staffs
    in Kansas City and Washington, D.C., for their continued support.
        The Board wishes to express its sincere thanks to all Posts,
    Districts, Departments and individual VFW and Auxiliary members who
    continually support the VFW-PAC with their generous donations.
        Finally, let me congratulate PAC Director Bob Currieo for his
    dedication in running the VFW-PAC.
        For more information about your VFW-PAC, or if you want copies of
    your representatives and senators' voting records, write to: VFW
    Political Action Committee, Inc., Suite 506, 200 Maryland Avenue, N.E.,
    Washington, D.C. 20002.
                 VFW Political Action Committee Financial Report

    Cash and Assets on hand as of 6/30/93...................     $224,784.91
    Income:
        Individual Contributions............................      141,307.90
        Post/Auxiliary Contributions........................      161,532.95
        Interest Income.....................................        3,139.09
                        --------------------------------------------------------
                        ____________________________________________________
          Total.............................................      305,979.94
    Expenses:
        Operating Expenses..................................      282,715.06
        Fundraising Expenses................................       27,822.99
        Contribution to Candidates *........................        5,600.00
                        --------------------------------------------------------
                        ____________________________________________________
          Total.............................................      316,138.05
    Total Difference Cash and Expenses......................      214,626.80
    Cash on Hand (after expenses)...........................      121,602.80
    Other Assets (Equipment)................................       93,024.00
                        --------------------------------------------------------
                        ____________________________________________________
        Total Cash and Assets (10/31/93)....................      214,626.80

    * 1993-1994 was a non-election year. The VFW-PAC will make its election
    year contribution to candidates during September and October 1994.