[House Document 105-261]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
105th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 105-261
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 98TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF
THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
[SUMMARY OF MINUTES]
Salt Lake City, Utah
August 17-21, 1997
June 3, 1998.--Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and
ordered to be printed
98TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
105th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 105-261
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 98TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF
THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
[SUMMARY OF MINUTES]
Salt Lake City, Utah ::: August 16-21, 1997
U.S. CODE, TITLE 44, SECTION 1332
NATIONAL ENCAMPMENTS OF VETERANS' ORGANIZATIONS; PROCEEDINGS
PRINTED ANNUALLY FOR CONGRESS
The proceedings of the national encampments of the United Spanish
War Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the
American Legion, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Veterans
of World War I of the United States, Incorporated, the Disabled
American Veterans, and the AMVETS (American Veterans of World War II),
respectively, shall be printed annually, with accompanying
illustrations, as separate House documents of the session of the
Congress to which they may be submitted.
[Approved October 2, 1968.]
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
December, 1997
Honorable Newt Gingrich,
The Speaker U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Mr. Speaker: In conformance with the provisions of Public Law No.
620, 90th Congress, approved October 22, 1968, I am transmitting to you
herewith the proceedings of the 98th National Convention of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, held in Salt Lake City,
Utah, August 17-21, 1997, which is submitted for printing as a House
document.
Sincerely,
Larry W. Rivers
Adjutant General
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 1997
Call to Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Pledge of Allegiance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Invocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Memorial Ritual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
JOINT OPENING SESSION
MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 1997
Call to Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Advancement of Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Invocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Video Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Introduction - The Honorable Deedee Corradini . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Greetings - The Honorable Deedee Corradini,
Mayor, City of Salt Lake City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Introduction - The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt,
Governor, State of Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Greetings - The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt,
Governor, State of Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Presentation of American Flag Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Introduction of Commander-in-Chief Nier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remarks - Commander-in-Chief Nier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Presentation of Awards to 1996-'97 All Americans . . . . . . . . . 10
ESPN Video Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Presentation of VFW Gold Medal of Merit and Citation to
Ladies Auxiliary President Eileen Tanner . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Response - Ladies Auxiliary President Eileen Tanner . . . . . . . . 16
Presentations of VOD Winner Christine Rice
and Youth Essay Contest Winner, Dominic E. Draye . . . . . . . . 16
Presentation of the Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion
of Honor Bronze Medallion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Presentation of VFW Armed Forces Award, Gold Medal and Citation . . 22
Remarks - Colonel James Colvin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Introduction of Charles D. Short, Supreme Commander,
Military Order of the Cootie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Remarks - MOC Commander Charles Short . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Introduction of Lieutenant General Chung-Yuan Kao, VAC . . . . . . 27
Response - Lieutenant General Chung-Yuan Kao . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Introduction of Helen Blackwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Remarks - Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Moon . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Introduction - The Honorable Togo D. West, Jr.,
Secretary of the Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Keynote Address - The Honorable Togo D. West, Jr. . . . . . . . . . 33
Remarks - Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Pouliot . . . . . . . . . 39
Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Salute to Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
RECESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
FIRST BUSINESS SESSION
MONDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 18, 1997
Call to Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Invocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Salute to the Colors and Pledge of Allegiance . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Report of Credentials Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Report of Committee on Convention Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Report of Credentials Committee (Cont'd.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Report of the Committee on National By-Laws,
Manual of Procedure and Ritual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
RECESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Winners of Insurance Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Benediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Salute to Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
RECESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS BANQUET
AUGUST 18, 1997
Call to Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Pledge of Allegiance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Invocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Remarks by Commander-in-Chief Nier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Presentation of the Dwight David Eisenhower Distinguished
Service Medal and Citation to General John Shalikashvili . . . . 76
Response and Principal Address - General John Shalikashvili . . . . 78
Benediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
RECESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
SECOND BUSINESS SESSION
WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 21, 1996
Call to Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Salute to the Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Report of Credentials Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Introduction of General John P. Herrling,
Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission . . . . . . . . 84
Remarks by Major General John Herrling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Presentation of Special Award to Commander-in-Chief Nier by the
VFW Political Action Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Presentation of "Consecutive Years of Membership" Citation
to the Department of Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Presentation of VFW Americanism Award, Gold Medal and
Citation to Mr. James K. Kallstrom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Response - James K. Kallstrom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Introduction of the Honorable Hershel Gober
Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Address - The Honorable Hershel Gober . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Presentation of J. Edgar Hoover Award, Gold Medal and Citation . . 101
Remarks - Mr. Russell Philibert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Presentation of VFW Emergency Services Award, Gold Medal
and Citation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Response - Sergeant John L. Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Presentation of Commander-in-Chief's Special Award to
Mr. Wilson Smith, African-American Medal of Honor Memorial . . . 104
Remarks by Comrade Wilson Smith, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Introduction of Lieutenant General Claude M. Kicklighter, Deputy
Undersecretary of the Army for International Affairs . . . . . . 105
Remarks - Lieutenant General Claude M. Kicklighter . . . . . . . . 105
Introduction of Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, President,
Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc.. 111
Remarks - Brigadier General Wilma Vaught . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Introduction of Jan C. Scruggs, President, Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Remarks - Janc C. Scruggs - Vietnam Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Report of Committee on National By-Laws, Manual of
Procedure and Ritual (Cont'd.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Winners of Insurance Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Benediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Salute to the Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
RECESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
THIRD BUSINESS SESSION
THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 22, 1996
Call to Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Salute to the Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Pledge of Allegiance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Report of Credentials Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Report of Committee on National By-Laws, Manual of
Procedure and Ritual (Cont'd.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Report of Committee on Finance and Internal Organization . . . . . 137
Report of Committee on General Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Presentation of Certificate of Congratulations
50th Anniversary of the United States Air Force . . . . . . . . 141
Response - General Eugene Habiger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Presentation by March of Dimes Representative to Departments of
Maryland and South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Presentation of Commander-in-Chief's Special Award to
MACH 1, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Response - Mr. Paul Farsai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Presentation of Commander-in-Chief's Special Award to
Mr. Thomas Kinkade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Response - Mr. Thomas Kinkade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Presentation by Comrade James Chancellor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Presentation of the James C. Gates Distinguished Service Award . . 150
Visit of Ladies Auxiliary Delegation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Presentation of National Large Employer of the Year Award . . . . . 153
Response - Mr. Thomas Remondini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Presentation of National Small Employer of Year Award to
UNC Aviation Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Response - Mr. Paul Stelzner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Presentation of the National Local Office of
the Public Employment Service Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Response - Mr. Billy W. Patterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Parade Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Distinguished Service Award, Gold Medal and Citation to
Jack A. Mack, Quartermaster, Department of Utah . . . . . . . . 157
Response - Mr. Jack Mack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Outstanding VA Health Care Provider Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Response - Mrs. Dee Anna Robert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Outstanding Community Health Care Provider Award . . . . . . . . . 159
Response - Mr. Patrick T. Bohmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Outstanding Volunteer Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Response - Ms. Mary Gomeringer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Report of Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs . . . 161
National Buddy Poppy Contest Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Introduction of the Honorable Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the
House, United States House of Representatives . . . . . . . . . 167
Address - The Honorable Newt Gingrich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Visit of National Home Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Remarks by Director of Programs Susie Shoultz . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Remarks by Buddy Poppy Child . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Report of VFW POW/MIA Subcommittee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Report of Committee on Veterans Service Resolutions . . . . . . . . 181
Introduction of Past Commanders-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Introduction of Sergeants-at-Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Nomination of Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Nomination of Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Nomination of Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Nomination of Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Nomination of Quartermaster General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Nomination of Judge Advocate General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Nomination of Surgeon General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Closing Ceremonies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
RECESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
FOURTH BUSINESS SESSION
THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 21, 1997
Call to Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Salute to Colors and Pledge of Allegiance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Final Report of Credentials Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Introduction of Members of National Credentials Committee . . . . . 203
Presentation of Distinguished Service Award to
Past Commander-in-Chief Paul A. Spera . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Response by Immediate Past Commander-in-Chief Spera . . . . . . . . 205
Nominations for National Home Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Election of Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Announcement of Council Members-Elect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Announcement of Appointments by Commander-in-Chief-Elect . . . . . 211
Remarks by Commander-in-Chief Nier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Installation of Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Presentation of Distinguished Service Medal to Curtis M. Jewell . . 217
Response - Comrade Curtis M. Jewell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Presentation of Past Commander-in-Chief Lapel Pin and Gold Life
Membership Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Acceptance Address by Commander-in-Chief Moon . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Retiring of Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Adjournment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
OF THE UNITED STATES
(Including societies that amalgamated to form Veterans of Foreign Wars)
The Veterans of Foreign Service and the Army of the Philippines
amalgamated at Denver, CO, 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 chapter was granted
October 11, 1899.
* indicates deceased
American Veterans of Foreign Service
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 James Exposition Grounds, Va.
1908-1909 J. Alfred Judge* . . . . . Elected at Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
1909-1910 J. Alfred Judge* . . . Elected at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1910-1911 Robert J, Woodside* . . . Elected at Jersey City, New Jersey.
1911-1912 Robert J, Woodside* . Elected at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1912-1913 Robert J, Woodside* . . Elected at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
American Veterans of Foreign Service (Eastern Branch)
1903-1904 Capt. Robert S. Hansburg* . Elected at Altoona, Pennsylvania.
1904-1905 H.O. Kelly* . . . . . . Elected at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(The above two organizations amalgamated September 1905,
at Altoona, Pennsylvania.)
Army of the Philippines
1900-1901 Gen. Francis V. Greene* . . . . Elected at Denver, Colorado.
1901-1902 Gen. Irving Hale* . . . . . Elected at Salt Lake City, Utah.
1902-1903 Gen. Irvin 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
1913-1914 Rice W. Means* . . . . . . . . Elected at Denver, Colorado.
1914-1915 Thomas Crago* . . . . . . Elected at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
1915-1916 Gus Hartung* . . . . . . . . . Elected at Detroit, Michigan.
1916-1917 Albert Rabin* . . . . . . . . . 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* . . . . . Elected at Indianapolis, Indiana.
1929-1930 Kezekiah N. Duff* . . . . . . Elected at St. Paul, Minnesota.
1930-1931 Paul C. 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 Olreans, Louisiana.
1936-1937 Bernard W. Kearny* . . . . . . 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 Philidelphia, 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 Philidelphia, Pennsylvania.
1955-1956 Timothy J. Murphy* . . . . Elected at Boston, Massachusetts.
1956-1957 Cooper T. Holt . . . . . . . . . . Elected at Dallas, 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, Washinton.
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 Olreans, Louisiana.
1968-1969 Richard W. Homan . . . . . . . Elected at Detroit, Michigan.
1969-1970 Raymond A. Gallagher .Elected at Philidelphia, 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 Olreans, 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 Olreans, Louisiana.
1980-1981 T.C. Selman* . . . . . . . . . Elected at Chicago, Illinois.
1980-1981 Arthur Fellwock . . . . Succeeded T.C. Selman, Oct. 21, 1980.
1980-1981 Arthur Fellwock . . . Elected at Philidelphia, Pennsylvania.
1982-1983 James R. Currieo . . . . Elected at Los Angeles, California.
1983-1984 Clifford G. Olson Jr. . . Elected at New Olreans, 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* . . . . . 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.
1994-1995 Allen F. "Gunner" Kent . . . . Elected at Las Vegas, Nevada.
1995-1996 Paul A. Spera . . . . . . . . . Elected at Phoenix, Arizona.
1996-1997 James E. Nier . . . . . . . . . Elected Louisville, Kentucky.
VFW NATIONAL OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS, 1996-97
Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James E. Nier
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . John E. Moon
Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas A. Pouliot
Adjutant General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry W. Rivers
Quartermaster General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe L. Ridgley
Judge Advocate General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leonard R. Herrst
Surgeon General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert W. Reif
National Chaplain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William J. Bleiler
National Chief of Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill E. Lark
Inspector General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles R. Stephens
Assistant Adjutant General &
Executive Dir., Washington Office . . . . . . . Kenneth A. Steadman
Assistant Adjutant General, Administration . . . . . John J. Senk, Jr.
Assistant Adjutant General, Programs . . . . . . . . W. Benny Bachand
Assistant Adjutant General, Marketing . . . . . . . Ronald G. Browning
Assistant Quartermaster General . . . . . . . . . . . Lawrence M. Maher
Director, Administrative Services . . . . . . . . . . Lawrence LeFebvre
Director, Americanism & Community Activities . . Michael J. Gormalley
Director, Emblem & Supply Department . . . . . . . . M. L. "Bud" Cale
Director, Finance and Human Resources . . . . . . . . Robert B. Greene
Director, Insurance Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Crow
Director, Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas L. Kissell
Director, Membership Reporting/State Coordinator . . . Gary Housknecht
Director, National Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph D. Ross
Director, Post Services & Buddy Poppy . . . . . . . . James R. Rowoldt
Director, Publications & Editor, VFW Magazine . . . . . Richard K. Kolb
Director, Public Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Van Buskirk
Director, VFW Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . Robbie Fazen Marchant
Director, VFW Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billy R. Weissend
Director, Voice of Democracy,
Youth Activities & Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . Gordon R. Thorson
National Service Officer & Director,
National Veterans Service . . . . . . . . . . Frederico Juarbe, Jr.
Director, National Legislative Service . . . . . . . . James N. Magill
Director, Political Action Committee . . . . . . . . M. Kelly Goddard
Director, Public Affairs, Washington Office . . . . . William G. Smith
Director, Veterans Employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sidney Daniels
Administrative Assistant, Kansas City . . . . . . . Russell R. Cutright
Administrative Assistant, Washington Office . . Edward L. "Leo" Andrew
REGIONAL NATIONAL COUNCIL
OF ADMINISTRATION MEMBERS, 1996-97
DISTRICT 1 (ME, NH, VT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arthur J. Roy
DISTRICT 2 (MA, CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William J. Madera
DISTRICT 3 (MD, RI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Armondo C. Azzinaro
DISTRICT 4 (DC, DE, EU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce A. Withers
DISTRICT 5 (IN, MO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John L. Dahman
DISTRICT 6 (VA, WV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scottie E. King
DISTRICT 7 (TN, KY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roy C. Womble
DISTRICT 8 (GA, AL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oliver W. Dial
DISTRICT 9 (SC, NC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George M. Pullie
DISTRICT 10 (OK, AR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leslie F. Thone
DISTRICT 11 (WI, IA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bernard J. Boyle
DISTRICT 12 (SD, ND, WY) . . . . . . . . . . . . William F. Cerny, Jr.
DISTRICT 13 (NE, KS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack L. Armagost
DISTRICT 14 (MT, WA, ID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Earl E. Chase
DISTRICT 15 (NM, CO, AZ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James H. Ferguson
DISTRICT 16 (CE, PAC, AK, HI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dannie Cooper
DISTRICT 17 (UT, NV, OR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary L. Clark
DISTRICT 19 (LA, MS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. Hollis Smith
DISTRICT A (Pennsylvania) . . . . . . . . . . . Americo D. DiLoretto
DISTRICT B (Illinois) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Russell R. Rieke, Sr.
DISTRICT C (New York) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ralph U. DeMarco
DISTRICT D (Ohio) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George W. Marks
DISTRICT E (Minnesota) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gordon W. Kirk
DISTRICT F (Michigan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wayne A. Buck
DISTRICT G (California) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raymond C. Sisk
DISTRICT H (Texas) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ferrell E. Warden
DISTRICT I (New Jersey) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George J. Lisicki
DISTRICT J (Florida) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eugene R. Manfrey
Past Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul A. Spera
James E. Nier
Commander-in-Chief
1996-97
John E. Moon
Commander-in-Chief
1997-98
VFW NATIONAL OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS, 1997-98
Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John E. Moon
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas A. Pouliot
Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . John W. Smart
Adjutant General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry W. Rivers
Quartermaster General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe L. Ridgley
Judge Advocate General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian J. Kennedy
Surgeon General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henry F. Sexauer
National Chaplain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dean Derieg
National Chief of Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James J. Thiel
Inspector General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Bartholomew
Assistant Adjutant General & Executive Dir.,
Washington Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth A. Steadman
Assistant Adjutant General, Administration . . . . . John J. Senk, Jr.
Assistant Adjutant General, Programs . . . . . . . . W. Benny Bachand
Assistant Adjutant General, Marketing . . . . . . . Ronald G. Browning
Assistant Quartermaster General . . . . . . . . . . . Lawrence M. Maher
Director, Administrative Services - Kansas City . . . Lawrence LeFebvre
Director, Citizenship Education &
Community Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael J. Gormalley
Director, Emblem & Supply Department . . . . . . . . . M.L. iBudi Cale
Director, Finance and Human Resources . . . . . . . . Robert B. Greene
Director, General Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . David L. Swindler
Director, Life Membership & Dues Processing . . . . . . Gary Housknecht
Director, Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Kissell
Director, National Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph D. Ross
Director, Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Crow
Director, Post Services & Buddy Poppy . . . . . . . . James R. Rowoldt
Director, Publications & Editor, VFW Magazine . . . . . Richard K. Kolb
Director, VFW Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Van Buskirk
Director, VFW Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billy R. Weissend
Director, Youth Development, Scholarship &
Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gordon R. Thorson
Deputy Executive Director, Washington Office . . . . Robert E. Wallace
Director, Action Corps & Deputy Director, National
Legislative Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sidney Daniels
Director, Administrative Services - Washington . Edward L."Leo" Andrew
Director, Communications and Public Affairs . . . . . William G. Smith
Director, Employment Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . James N. Magill
Director, National Legislative Service . . . . . . . . Dennis Cullinan
Director, National Security & Foreign Affairs . . . . . Bruce R. Harder
National Service Officer &
Director, National Veterans Service . . . . . Frederico Juarbe, Jr.
Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Russell Cutright
REGIONAL NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION MEMBERS,
1997-98
DISTRICT 1 (ME, NH, VT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert W. Madigan
DISTRICT 2 (MA, CT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William J. Madera
DISTRICT 3 (MD, RI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raymond J. Boyle
DISTRICT 4 (DC, DE, EU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce A. Withers
DISTRICT 5 (IN, MO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James R. Mueller
DISTRICT 6 (VA, WV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scottie E. King
DISTRICT 7 (TN, KY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leroy Ford
DISTRICT 8 (GA, AL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oliver W. Dial
DISTRICT 9 (SC, NC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William J. Hendren
DISTRICT 10 (OK, AR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leslie F. Thone
DISTRICT 11 (WI, IA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William P. Shannon
DISTRICT 12 (SD, ND, WY) . . . . . . . . . . . . William F. Cerny, Jr.
DISTRICT 13 (NE, KS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lewie B Cooper
DISTRICT 14 (MT, WA, ID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Earl E. Chase
DISTRICT 15 (NM, CO, AZ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . George H. Palmateer
DISTRICT 16 (LAT AM/CAR, PAC, AK, HI) . . . . . . . . . . Dannie Cooper
DISTRICT 17 (UT, NV, OR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frank R. Risewick
DISTRICT 19 (LA, MS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard J. Fruge
DISTRICT A (Pennsylvania) . . . . . . . . . . Charles R. Feltenberger
DISTRICT B (Illinois) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Frank
DISTRICT C (New York) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T. William Bossidy
DISTRICT D (Ohio) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George W. Marks
DISTRICT E (Minnesota) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gordon W. Kirk
DISTRICT F (Michigan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard L. Lehner
DISTRICT G (California) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard R. Pignone
DISTRICT H (Texas) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ferrell E. Warden
DISTRICT J (Florida) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James DePass
Past Commander-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James E. Nier
SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS
OF THE 98TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
AUGUST 17-21, 1997
ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 1997
(The Memorial Service of the 98th Annual Convention of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, held at the Salt
Lake Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Utah, was called to order at
10:30 o'clock a.m., with Commander-in-Chief James E. Nier
presiding.)
CALL TO ORDER
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Ladies and gentlemen, please
remain seated as I call this Memorial Service for the 98th
National Convention to order. Please allow me to begin by
recognizing our Gold Star parents and our Gold Star wives who
are with us today.
I would especially like to thank the Church of Jesus Christ
Latter Day Saints for allowing us to hold our Memorial Service
in the Mormon Tabernacle. A special recognition to Mr. Mr.
Wendell Smoot, President of the Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir, and
to the Tabernacle Choir, and the Director Jerald Ottley,
Associate Director Craig Jessop, and Organists, John Lonherst
and Richard Elliott.
As you know, the choir performed during their weekly
television program just prior to our Memorial Service. Since
they are so gracious to remain for our service, we have agreed
to limit our service to one hour and we have made some
modifications to the program.
I would also like to point out that the National Memorial
song of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is ``Sleep Soldier Boy
Sleep.'' Composed in 1923 by a native of Salt Lake City,
Dorothy Kenner Alexander, who was serving as President of
Auxiliary 409 at the time.
As a reminder, the Tabernacle and the Temple Square are
considered sacred ground. Please refrain from smoking until
leaving this area.
Will everyone please stand and join me in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the flag of our country and join the Tabernacle
Choir in the singing of our National Anthem.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
(Whereupon, the assembly gave the Pledge of Allegiance,
followed by the National Anthem. The Tabernacle Choir presented
a patriotic medley at this time.)
INVOCATION
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Please remain seated during the
Invocation by Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald.
MONSIGNOR FITZGERALD: Let us pray. Loving Father, eternal
guide, we praise you and we thank you for the life and the
light that you share with us this day. We gather at this
historic Tabernacle to seek your blessing for the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, for their loved ones and that we might remember
their departed comrades.
You have bestowed on us such generous gifts, the freedom of
our democracy, the natural resources of our country, the
ingenuity and diversity of our people. For these gifts, we give
you thanks. We ask that you extend your hand and blessing on
all who gathered.
They have defended our country so well. They have served
the cause of freedom in so many distant parts. Bless them
generously, reward them with your love, and bless the many
departed who have sacrificed their lives in freedom's name.
Father, teach us to cherish those values our deceased
comrades defended: peace and justice, sacrifice and service,
unity and diversity, compassion and forgiveness, generosity and
love. Teach us always to cherish your divine gift of life. So
we pray in your name. You are the Lord of all for ever and
ever. Amen.
(Whereupon, the assembly sang, ``Nearer, My God, to Thee''
under the direction of the Tabernacle Choir.)
MEMORIAL RITUAL
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: 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
refrain from applauding. The Chief of Staff will see that there
is no disturbance during this ceremony.
NATIONAL CHIEF OF BILL LARK: Commander-in-Chief, your order
will be obeyed.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I request that the National
Chaplain preside. (National Chaplain Reverend William J.
Bleiler presided during the Memorial Services performed by the
National Officers in accordance with the Ritual.)
(Marilyn Schultz, National Soloist of the Ladies Auxiliary,
sang ``Sleep, Soldier Boy'' followed by the Tabernacle Choir
presenting ``God of Abraham Praise'' and ``A Mighty Fortress''.
Then the Tabernacle Choir and the assembly sang ``America, the
Beautiful'' followed by the ``Battle Hymn of the Republic by
the Tabernacle Choir.)
NATIONAL CHAPLAIN BLEILER: We will now have our Benediction
by The Right Reverend Carolyn Tanner Irish, Bishop of the
Episcopal Diocese of Utah.
THE RIGHT REVEREND IRISH: Let us pray. Holy and Gracious
God, giver of life, bearer of sacrifice, we give thanks for
this opportunity to remember and to honor before you the men
and women who have served this nation in uniform; those who
have died and those whose faith remains unknown, those who live
on bearing scars of sacrifice.
We can never fully know what they experienced in their
courage and in their fear, their triumph and despair, their
hope and their loneliness. Yet in another sense their sacrifice
makes us one with them. For no person or family or nation can
endure war without being deeply wounded.
War brings not only bloodshed, tears and fear, it can also
distort a humanity, undermine our reverence for life, and
threaten our dignity. For as long as memory endures, no war is
truly over. So we pray for ourselves as well as for those who
have suffered war more directly.
Together with them we are one in our need for healing and
reconciliation. We pray to those now in positions of
responsibility and power, and we give thanks for all those
throughout the world who work for justice and freedom that our
children and our children's children may live in peace. In your
most holy name we pray. Amen.
(The VFW National Band played the Taps at this time.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Comrades, Sisters, Ladies and
Gentlemen, this concludes our Memorial Service. Thank you so
very much for attending.
(Whereupon, the service was concluded at 11:15 o'clock
a.m.)
------
JOINT OPENING SESSION
MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 1997
(The Joint Opening Session of the 98th National Convention
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and the
84th National Convention of the Ladies Auxiliary was called to
order on Monday, August 18, 1997, at 8:30 o'clock a.m., in the
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, by Comrade
Ben Russo, Chairman of the VFW 98th National Convention
Committee.)
CALL TO ORDER
COMRADE BEN RUSSO: Comrades and sisters, I am Ben Russo,
Chairman for this, the 98th VFW National Convention here in
Salt Lake City. I welcome you on behalf of myself and all who
are working so hard to make this our most successful Convention
ever.
We sincerely hope that the time you spend with us this week
will renew your pride in our nation, rededicate your commitment
to America's veterans and bring new excitement to your work as
a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
and its Ladies Auxiliary.
Please rise as we officially open this Convention with the
Advancement of the Colors.
ADVANCEMENT OF COLORS
(Whereupon, the National Honor Guard advanced the Colors at
this time followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.)
COMRADE RUSSO: And now this morning's Invocation, the
National Chaplain of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, the Reverend William J. Bleiler.
INVOCATION
(Whereupon, National Chaplain Bleiler gave the Invocation.)
NATIONAL SERGEANT-AT-ARMS GEORGE SARVER: Comrade Chairman,
the Opening Ceremonies have been performed.
VIDEO PRESENTATION
COMRADE RUSSO: We will now ask you to all sit back and
relax as we present the video of the ``Above and Beyond'' year.
(Whereupon, the assembly enjoyed the video on the ``Above
and Beyond'' year.)
INTRODUCTION--THE HONORABLE DEEDEE CORRADINI
COMRADE RUSSO: Now, please join me in welcoming our first
guest to this 98th VFW National Convention., a lady of
remarkable talents who has done so much to improve government
and the quality of life here in Salt Lake City.
First elected in 1991, she won re-election in 1996. Her
style of government stresses good business practices, coupled
with efficient management of people, money and resources. From
fuel efficiency vehicles to Triple-A baseball, she is leading a
community-wide renaissance that will propel Salt Lake City into
the 21st Century and make it one of America's leading cities.
Please give a warm VFW welcome to Her Honor, the Honorable
Mayor of Salt Lake City, Deedee Corradini. (Applause)
GREETINGS--THE HONORABLE DEEDEE CORRADINI
MAYOR, CITY OF SALT LAKE CITY
MAYOR CORRADINI: Thank you very much. The theme of our
Olympic Games that will be coming here in 2002 is ``The World
is Welcome Here.'' Welcome to all of you. We are thrilled to
have you here. Having grown up away from Salt Lake City, it is
a special privilege for me to welcome people who come here from
other parts of the country for a very special reason.
I was born in Rhode Island, grew up in Lebanon and Syria,
lived in Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, New York and
Washington, D.C. All right. All of you from all of those places
clap. Now, why did I wind up in Salt Lake City? Well, I hope
you are going to discover that while you are here for this
Convention.
When I first came here as a visitor, and I flew into this
airport and saw a metropolitan area of just under one million
people nestled right up against these fantastic mountains, I
could not believe the physical beauty of this place.
Then when I discovered the warmth and friendliness of the
people here, I decided, never having been west of Chicago, that
the West was a great place to live and Salt Lake City is where
I wanted to settle. That is how I got here.
So I hope while you are here you will enjoy all of the many
things that we have to offer, that you will get up into the
mountains and see our spectacular mountains. Take a ride on the
tram at Snow Bird. Go up to Park City and see our Olympic
preparations where we have our ski jump and our bobsled and
luge runs up. There are just so many wonderful things to see,
and hopefully you will have a chance to even see a little
baseball while you are here.
I also have a special welcome for you, because I am so
proud that you have decided to have your Convention here. I
have had personal experience in what veterans and the military
have done for Americans and peace around the world. As a child,
when I grew up in Lebanon, I was in boarding school in Beirut,
Lebanon, and my parents got thrown out of Syria during the Suez
crisis.
I remember the Sixth Fleet constantly being on watch in the
Mediterranean while I was living in Beirut and my most vivid
memories is in 1958 when the Lebanese Revolution broke out. I
was away from my parents who were living in Syria, and I will
never forget when the Marines landed. It was in the middle of
the night. The Marines escorted me out of Lebanon with the
bombs blasting overhead and helped me escape. That is a sad
departure, but I want you to know how proud I am and how proud
you make all of us as Americans for the peace and the help you
have given us around the world.
Welcome to Salt Lake City. Have a wonderful Convention and
God bless each and every one of you. Thank you very much.
(Applause)
INTRODUCTION--THE HONORABLE MICHAEL O. LEAVITT,
GOVERNOR, STATE OF UTAH
COMRADE RUSSO: Comrades and Sisters, again let me say that
Utah attained statehood on January 4, 1896, just three years
before the VFW was founded. As a state and as a veteran's
organization, we have shared much in this most remarkable of
all centuries.
From promise to despair and back to promise, we have been
what America is all about; people seeking freedom and people
dedicated to preserving that freedom even if it means fighting
for it.
Those who settled this state came West in covered wagons.
Today many of the people here play a major part in America's
space exploration programs. Such success is not due to luck,
instead it is the result of many years of stable, reliable,
imaginative and dynamic state government; government that has
consistently given new meaning to the state's one-word motto:
industry.
Our next guest has served the people of Utah for many
years. Through his leadership, Utah carries forward the
traditions on which it was built while at the same time meeting
the challenges of the modern day world. Education, crime
prevention and the new relationship between state and federal
governments are three of the major areas in which Utah is
leading the way into the new century.
Just as their ancestors crossed a frontier that led to a
new and promising land, those who live here today are on the
threshold of a new and promising era, and the individual
leading the way is Michael O. Leavitt, Governor of the great
State of Utah. Please give the Governor a big warm VFW welcome.
(Applause)
GREETINGS--THE HONORABLE MICHAEL O. LEAVITT,
GOVERNOR, STATE OF UTAH
GOVERNOR LEAVITT: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and
welcome to Utah. Your Chairman has indicated that our motto in
this state is industry. Well, we have a new motto. The new
motto is, ``Utah: Highway Construction the Next Ten Miles.''
We are so pleased to have you in our state. We are a young,
vibrant state. You add to that vitality. We are a state with
many children, but I must confess my wife and I have added to
that. We have five children. I might say we have changed the
culture a little bit in the governor's mansion. We are the
first family to have small children in that mansion for quite a
while.
Some months ago I called home and my youngest, who at the
time was about four, we had a conversation that took place like
this. ``Hello.'' I said, ``Weston,'' that is his name, ``is mom
home?'' He said, ``She is here but she can't come to the
phone.''
I said, ``Is
Anna Marie there?'' That is my only daughter. He said, ``She is here,
too, but she is busy.'' I said, ``What about Taylor?'' That is my
second son. ``He is busy, too.'' I said, ``What are they all so busy
doing?'' He said, ``Looking for me.'' (Laughter)
These children really keep us going in this day. I was in
the shower a couple of months ago and I get this knock on the
shower door. It is my thirteen year old son. He said, ``There
is some guy on the telephone from Time magazine.'' Well, at
this point I had just broken into a full lather and I am in my
nice, warm shower.
I am a politician and you don't want to miss a chance to
talk to Time magazine. I get out of the shower, wrap myself in
a big towel, and by this time I am groping for the telephone
with shampoo in my eyes. I say, ``This is Mike Leavitt.'' ``Mr.
Leavitt, for $1.75 a week.'' (Laughter)
My youngest son and I, actually the thirteen year old I
just told you about, we were out at our ranch having a little
holiday a year or two ago, and as I walked into the restaurant
there was an old farmer who was sitting at the corner of the
snack bar next to the cash register.
You have been to these places before and you will see some
in our state that have the vinyl booth where you can go sit and
put three plays on the jukebox for a quarter and he is there
sipping coffee most of the morning. I could tell when I walked
in that probably he recognized me. I wasn't exactly dressed in
uniform.
We had our lunch and I walked up to the counter to pay. He
said to me, ``Do a lot of people say you look like the
Governor?'' I said, ``Quite a few people do.'' He said, ``Makes
you mad, don't it?'' (Laughter)
We feel a sense of deep confidence that you will be
bringing us more respect than that in our state. We honor you,
we honor you for what you have done. We thank you for coming to
our state not just to do your business but to teach our
children the value of patriotism and the value of this nation
and what people like you and millions of others have done to
secure it. We honor you for that. You honor us by your
presence. Have a great time in the State of Utah. Thank you.
(Applause)
PRESENTATION OF AMERICAN FLAG SETS
COMRADE RUSSO: It is my pleasure to introduce Jane Tittle,
the Ladies Auxiliary National Patriotic Instructor, for the
purpose of a presentation.
NATIONAL PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTOR JANE TITTLE: Thank you, Mr.
Chairman. Good morning. Governor Leavitt and Mayor Corradini, I
have the pleasure of making the presentation to you this
morning. Before I do, I would like to tell you a little about
how the over 2.2 million veterans that this group represents
feel about the gift you are about to receive.
There is no coward stripe upon it and no shading is written
on it. All the blood that is crimson is the blood of manhood's
troop. There is no gradation in the fervor of glory anymore in
its story. It is the bright flag and a right flag, and the flag
from me to you.
It is the flag without fetter. It is the flag of manhood
better. It has never done a mean thing, never waved above its
roots, greeted hate never shielded and to raw it never yielded.
It is a fine flag, a divine flag that in reverence we salute.
It is the flag of all the glory that is written in many
stories. It is the symbol of the freedom and the hope of men
oppressed. It adds no disgraceful duty, never shame that
beauty. It is a pure flag and it is a sure flag, and it is our
flag and it is the best.
Governor Leavitt, will you join me at the podium, please.
It is my high honor, on behalf of President Eileen Tanner and
the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, to present to you our best, this American Flag.
GOVERNOR LEAVITT: Thank you.
NATIONAL PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTOR TITTLE; Mayor Corradini, will
you join us at the podium, please. It is with great pleasure
that I present to you on behalf of the 744,818 members of the
Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States of America and our National President Eileen Tanner,
this flag, the symbol of our nation. Long may she wave.
INTRODUCTION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER
COMRADE RUSSO: James E. Nier of El Paso, Texas, was elected
Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at its 97th
National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, on August 23,
1996. Jim was the third Texas to be elected to that high
office.
He entered the U.S. Army in 1959 and served for 22 years.
Overseas tours of duty included Vietnam, 1962-63 and Korea
1967-68. He served seven years with the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
Command and Control, at the Alternate National Military Command
Center, Fort Ritchie, Maryland. A graduate of the U.S. Army
Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas, his last
assignment was as an instructor there until his retirement in
1981.
While on active duty, Jim attended night school, earning a
Bachelor of Science degree in business and finance and a
Master's degree in management.
He joined the VFW in 1981, and he is a Life Member of VFW
Post 8919 in El Paso. He has held numerous VFW offices at the
Post, District, Department and National levels. He earned all-
American honors as a District Commander in 1986-87, and as
Department of Texas Commander in 1989-90.
Following his term as VFW Commander-in-Chief, Jim Nier will
return to Texas where he will continue to work for the
recognition and rights of America's 26 million veterans.
Comrades and sisters, please welcome our Commander-in-
Chief, James Nier.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a standing ovation.)
COMRADE RUSSO: At this time I would like to present you
with your official name badge and the gavel for this
Convention.
REMARKS--COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Ben. Thanks, ladies and
gentlemen. Comrades and sisters, you are very kind.
A year ago I wasn't able to stand for you and ask for your
support, but I knew it was there as I assumed the duties of the
Commander-in-Chief of this great organization. Today, I stand
before you to thank you for that support and thank you for
reaching the goals that we set at last year's Convention.
Veterans are better off today than they were one year ago,
and that success is due to the efforts of each and every one of
you, and to include the Ladies Auxiliary.
With our 100th Anniversary just two years away, I asked
myself every step of the way this year, how well are we
fulfilling the hopes and dreams and goals of our VFW founders?
Are we as dedicated today as they were yesterday when they gave
life to their dream of having a veterans organization that
would serve each and every veteran in this great country?
I am proud to say to you this morning that I found the
answer in every veteran I met. I found it in the VA Hospitals I
visited, and in particular the one that saved my life in
Louisville last August. I found the answer in Posts and
Districts, Departments and Conferences. I found it in the
dedication and enthusiasm of old members and new members alike.
I found it in widows who asked, ``Can the VFW help me?'' The
answer is yes, we are fulfilling their hopes and dreams and
goals, and we are honoring the dead by helping the living.
Our success has never been measured in membership figures
alone, instead it has been measured in what we do and how well
we do it. This year has been one of milestones and records,
challenges and changes. We're not rebuilding the VFW, we're
making it better. From Americanism to legislative service, we
are putting new life and vitality into our VFW programs. What
we gained in Congress last year can be lost this year, if we do
not meet tomorrow's challenges with new ideas. And let me add
that in just the last few weeks we have seen budget proposals
that threaten much of what we have gained through the years of
hard work.
I promise you today that this organization is not going to
stand idly by while that bridge to the future has a toll booth
set up on it for veterans to pass through. We gave this country
its future and we are not going to pay to get there.
While you meet in Convention this week, I encourage you to
look back at our year and review what we have done and what
still needs to be done. This is a week of hard work for each of
us. We have to put our best effort, our best ideas and our
strongest dedication into everything we do in the next four
days. The future of veterans affairs hangs in the balance. We
can do no less than do our best.
I thank you again for your support, your encouragement and
your dedication to our cause, and to going above and beyond for
America's veterans. Thank you very, very much.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO 1996-'97
ALL-AMERICANS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: It is now time for us to recognize
the All-American Commanders for 1996-97. Much of our success
during this past year is due to their hard work and leadership.
We will also take this opportunity to honor those individuals
who excelled in other programs sponsored by the Veterans of
Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary. These presentations are
being made here at our Joint Opening Session to allow all of
you the opportunity to give them the recognition they deserve.
I would like to ask the National President of our great
Ladies Auxiliary, Eileen Tanner, to join me at the center stage
so we can jointly present awards to the national program
winners.
I would also like to ask Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief
John Moon to assume this station and introduce our winners as
the presentations are made.
(Whereupon, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Moon assumed the
Chair at this time.)
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: I know everyone here
is excited today for what we are about to do. I would, however,
ask that you refrain from taking pictures that would tend to
cause a delay in the orderly presentation of the awards. Your
cooperation will allow us to give the recipients the
recognition they have earned and allow us to proceed in an
orderly fashion.
The first award to be presented is for the National
Americanism Record Book Program. The first place winner is Post
9693, Bay Village, Ohio.
The next awards to be presented are the winners in the
National Community Activities Record Book Contest.
First place in Division 1 is Post 4633 and its Ladies
Auxiliary, Hampden, Maine.
First place in Division 2 is Post 3343 and its Ladies
Auxiliary, Clyde, Ohio.
First place in Division 3 is Post 6873 and its Ladies
Auxiliary, Abilene, Texas.
First place in Division 4 is Post 9972 and its Ladies
Auxiliary, Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Let's give these four national winners, as well as the rest
of the Posts and Auxiliary that entered record books in the
1997 National Community Activities Record Book Contest, a big
hand. (Applause)
The next awards we are going to present are to the National
Loyalty Day winners.
First place winner is Post 775 and its Ladies Auxiliary,
Ottumwa, Iowa.
First place winner among districts goes to District 3 and
its Ladies Auxiliary, Department of Virginia.
The Department of Wisconsin and its Ladies Auxiliary were
judged first place winners in state competition. Please give
each and every one of them a round of applause for the Loyalty
Program. (Applause)
The next award to be presented is for the National Youth
Activities Program. The first place winner among Posts and
Auxiliaries goes to Post 2135, Peoria, Arizona, and its Ladies
Auxiliary. To all of those, please give a warm hand for all the
interest in the Youth Activities Programs.
I would ask the Commander-in-Chief to escort the President
of the National Auxiliary back to her seat. Before we conclude
the programs awards, I would like to provide you with
information about our community service programs for 1996-97.
Nationally, the number of volunteer hours donated was over
12 million, and the total amount of monies spent or donated
exceeded over $53 million through April 30. All totals exceeded
last year's records. Truly a record of achievement the VFW and
its Ladies Auxiliary can be extremely proud.
This does conclude the Program Awards. Again, if you will
all please give all our volunteers a big hand for the work they
do to make our organization so successful. (Applause)
Comrade Commander-in-Chief Jim Nier, will you please resume
your station.
(Whereupon, Commander-in-Chief Nier assumed the Chair.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thanks very much, John. I am sure
that many of the Commanders I am about to introduce set their
sights on becoming an All-American Department Commander when
they assumed office a year ago. Through perseverance and
effort, they achieved their goal. Today, they will receive
their just award, the coveted red, white and blue cap that
clearly distinguishes them as an All-American Department
Commander.
Before I begin announcing the names of the 1996-97 All-
American Department Commanders, I would like to introduce a
very special group of individuals. These special individuals
are the Post and District Commanders who distinguished
themselves, selected by their respective Department, as All-
American Commanders.
They are guests at the National Convention and will receive
a trip to the Washington Conference in February. They are
seated in the audience. I can't see them from right here, but
as I read your name, will you, please, stand up and remain
standing. Please hold your applause until I have read all of
their names, if you would, please.
From the Department of Alabama, Charles D. Gavin, District
9, Clyde Maddox, Post 5658.
From the Department of Alaska, Robert S. Watchus, Post
9365.
From the Department of Arizona, Charles R. Self, District
10, Ronald E. Bubb, VFW Post 9972.
From the Department of Arkansas, Harold N. Harris, District
No. 1, Verlin F. Williams, VFW Post 1991.
From the Department of California, Frank Gafney, Jr.,
District 13, and David Norris, Post 1537.
From the Department of Colorado, George R. Fick, District
No. 13.
From the Department of Connecticut, Alfred F. Perugini,
District No. 5, Dominic J. Ramano, VFW Post 7330.
From the Department of Delaware, Michael P. Pizzola,
District 4, George M. Ritchie, Post 7234.
From the Department of District of Columbia, Remigio A.
Cabacar, Post 5471.
From the Department of Europe, Peter J. Mascetti, Post
10658.
From the Department of Florida, John F. Fogarty, District
21, Daniel V. Hughes, Post 8696.
From the Department of Georgia, Frederick Engelhardt, III,
Post 2518.
From the Department of Hawaii, Monte Ray Briggs, Post 970.
From the Department of Idaho, Ray Gault, District 7, Conrad
W. Parvin, Post 11065.
From the Department of Illinois, Terry Vance, District 7,
John W. Fessler, Post 1308.
From the Department of Indiana, Jerry B. McIntyre, District
10, William Thien, Post 3281.
From the Department of Iowa, Wilbur Tiffany, District 9,
Joseph D. Snedden, Post 9662.
From the Department of Kansas, Herbert Schwartzkopf,
District 8, Sherry E. Blede, Post 11555.
From the Department of Kentucky, Don A. Potts, Post 1170.
From the Department of Maine, Robert H. Turcotte, District
8, William F. Kraus, Post 10989.
From the Department of Maryland, Ellsworth D. Patterson,
Sr., District 17, Robert J. Rogers, Post 6506.
From the Department of Massachusetts, Jean Claude
Martineau, District 10, Gerald F. Hurley, Post 697.
From the Department of Michigan, Sherman Gauthier, District
15, Dewey Stevenson, Post 1566.
From the Department of Minnesota, Ronald Janke, District 5,
Earl H. Greer, Post 5518.
From the Department of Mississippi, Donald L. Verucchi,
District No. 4, Gene L. Schloegel, Post 3253.
From the Department of Missouri, Glenn D. Schaefer,
District No. 17, James M. Hughes, Post 5789.
From the Department of Montana, David Hellod, District No.
3, Raymond M. Lutz, Sr., Post 5590.
From the Department of Nebraska, Dale Wittrock, District
16, Steve Norton, Post 1077.
From the Department of Nevada, Paul A. Webster, Post 10054.
From the Department of New Jersey, Henry J. Adams, Jr.,
District 18, Jeffrey A. Ross, Post 9503.
From the Department of New Mexico, Michael L. Alford,
District No. 5, Orlo L. Parker, Post 7686.
From the Department of New York, Joseph La Porta, Post
7955.
From the Department of North Carolina, Carl E. McAlister,
District No. 13, James D. Linker, Post 6480.
From the Department of North Dakota, Wayne Paulson,
District No. 3, Glenn Brevik, Post 6139.
From the Department of Ohio, John E. Keirns, District 12,
Paul A. Lucas, Post 7174.
From the Department of Oklahoma, Francis L. Neel, District
No. 4, William C. Bender, Post 4446.
From the Department of Oregon, Theodore R. MacConnell,
District No. 5, Thomas N. Tangney, Post 922.
From the Department of Pacific Areas, Emory Russell,
District No. 7, James D. Malott, Post 10216.
From the Department of Pennsylvania, Charles H. Prince,
District No. 23, John A. McMullen, Post 47.
From the Department of Rhode Island, Bertand Remy, District
No. 2, Roger J. Lavoie, Post 5392.
From the Department of South Carolina, Robert A. Finch,
District No. 7, Jack D. Hills, Post 10420.
From the Department of South Dakota, Maynard L. Hemp,
District No. 4, LaVern O. Winge, Post 750.
From the Department of Tennessee, Ronnie Bell, District No.
9, Bill Boyatt, Post 5669.
From the Department of Texas, Raymond K. Nelson, District
No. 28, Melvin R. Parker, Post 4372.
From the Department of Vermont, Thomas J. Stone, District
No. 1, Ronald J. Gascon, Post 792.
From the Department of Virginia, John E. DeWitt, Post 392.
From the Department of Washington, Jack Kelley, District
No. 10, Gary Hulsey, Post 1949.
From the Department of West Virginia, Arthur G. Hamrick,
District No. 7, Alroy S. Irvin, Post 4595.
From the Department of Wisconsin, Tony Eulo, District No.
5, Robert L. Yugsdal, Post 1916.
From the Department of Wyoming, Ralph Logan, District No.
6, Herb Carstens, Post 579.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pride that I give
you the 1996-'97 team of All-American Posts and District
Commanders. (Applause)
I would once again ask the Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief
to please come forward and call the names of the All-American
Department Commanders as I go forward and place their hats on
them.
(Whereupon, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Moon assumed the
Chair.)
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: From the Department of
Alaska, Preston E. Nelson.
From the Department of Arkansas, Raz T. Munholland.
From the Department of Delaware, Harry J. McLaughlin.
From the Department of Indiana, Omar F. Kendall.
From the Department of Kansas, Gerald D. Mangold.
From the Department of Maine, Erlon B. Rose.
From the Department of Minnesota, Orlin D. Jackson.
From the Department of Montana, David A. Tupper.
From the Department of Nebraska, Rolland E. Hild.
From the Department of North Dakota, Richard J. Belling.
From the Department of Ohio, Craig D. Swartz.
From the Department of Pacific Areas, Robert W. Zaher.
From the Department of Pennsylvania, Howard L. Adler, Jr.
From the Department of Rhode Island, John C. Medeiros, Jr.
From the Department of South Carolina, Tom M. Sherman.
From the Department of Vermont, Roy R. Beardsley.
From the Department of West Virginia, John A. Dillinger, Sr.
From the Department of Wyoming, William H. Saunders.
Will all the All-American Post, District and Department
Commanders please stand and be recognized as the All-American
Commanders for 1996-97. Let's give them a big round of
applause. (Applause)
Comrades and sisters, this concludes the presentation of
awards. I want to thank each and every one of you for your
participation as these recipients received their awards.
Comrade Commander-in-Chief.
(Whereupon, Commander-in-Chief Nier assumes the Chair.)
ESPN VIDEO PRESENTATION
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: As you are aware, VFW began
advertising on ESPN, America's premier television sports
network, in April. The response to that advertising has been
extraordinary.
Everywhere I go people express appreciation for the content
and quality of our commercials. Our visibility on ESPN has
generated articles in several major publications, including an
in-depth article in a recent edition of the Wall Street
Journal. Our exposure on ESPN is truly a showcase of the work
of our great organization and the service and sacrifice of
America's veterans.
In case you've been wondering what all the excitement is
about, ESPN has been kind enough to provide us with a brief
video report of their efforts on our behalf. Please join me as
we enjoy that video now.
(Whereupon, the ESPN video was presented at this time.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, comrades and sisters.
I think you can see we have a wonderful affiliation with ESPN
to get the word out on our great organization.
PRESENTATION OF VFW GOLD MEDAL OF MERIT AND CITATION TO LADIES
AUXILIARY PRESIDENT EILEEN TANNER
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Founded in 1914, the Ladies
Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars has been an active
part of everything that we've done. Together, we've
accomplished many things and through those accomplishments we
have built a better organization and a stronger nation.
``People Loving People for a Brighter Tomorrow'' is the
theme of their National President, Eileen Tanner. Its inspiring
challenge and Eileen's dynamic leadership allowed the Ladies
Auxiliary to reach new milestones and set new records during
the past year. In their own programs and in those they share
with the VFW, great progress was made.
It is with a great deal of pleasure that I now introduce to
you the National President of the Ladies Auxiliary to the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Eileen Tanner, and present her with
the VFW Gold Medal of Merit and Citation. Please welcome the
most gracious lady that I know, Eileen Tanner. (Applause)
I would like to read the citation, if I may.
``Gold Medal of Merit and this Citation awarded to Eileen
Tanner, National President, Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, 1996-97.
``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 `People Loving People for a Brighter Tomorrow'.
``In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 18th day of August, 1997.'' This has been signed
by James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers,
Adjutant General.
Eileen, it is with a great deal of pride and love that I
present this to you.
RESPONSE--LADIES AUXILIARY PRESIDENT EILEEN TANNER
LADIES AUXILIARY PRESIDENT TANNER: Commander-in-Chief Nier,
National VFW and Auxiliary Officers, Comrades, Sisters and
Guests:
It is an honor for me to receive this special award from
the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and I thank you from the bottom
of my heart. This past year has been quite memorable for me and
has given me the opportunity to see firsthand how our programs
help our people, personally handing out the pre-paid long-
distance telephone cards when I was overseas, witnessing the
spirit and determination of the avid wheelchair games
participants, sharing the excitement of our scholarship winners
in their achievements, and seeing the cancer research projects
that we are funding and supporting this year were just a few of
the remarkable experiences that I have had this past year.
With each unique experience, I gained new insight and a
fresh appreciation for the good that our program can provide.
Each experience proved once again that the Veterans of Foreign
Wars and the Ladies Auxiliary are people, loving people who
will go above and beyond for a brighter tomorrow.
I want to say a special thank you to each VFW member here
today on behalf of the 744,818 Auxiliary members. We have
always been very proud of our partnership with the VFW and this
past year has been no exception.
Commander-in-Chief Nier, it was a pleasure to serve with
you and on behalf of all the members of the Ladies Auxiliary I
wish you a very successful National Convention. (Applause)
PRESENTATIONS OF VOD WINNER CHRISTINE RICE AND YOUTH ESSAY CONTEST
WINNER, DOMINIC E. DRAYE
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: For the past 50 years, the Voice
of Democracy Scholarship Program has challenged high school
students to think, write and speak out for freedom and
democracy. Today, this program reaches over 100,000 students
and awards over $2.5 million in scholarships.
Through these VFW scholarships, many young Americans are
able to continue their education at the college and university
levels. We are pleased to have with us today the 1997 First
Place National Winner in the VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship
Program.
She graduated from Laguardia High School of Music, Arts and
Performing Arts in New York City, New York, and hopes to attend
Georgetown University. She is sponsored by VFW Post 95 and its
Ladies Auxiliary in Bronx, New York, and is accompanied today
by her father and mother.
Here to present her award-winning essay: ``Democracy -Above
and Beyond'', the 1997 First Place National Voice of Democracy
Winner and recipient of the $20,000 T. C. Selman Memorial
Scholarship, Christine Rice. Let's welcome Christine.
(Applause)
MS. CHRISTINE RICE: Thank you so much for the warm welcome
and the kind introduction. I just want to change part of that.
Mr. Nier said I was hoping to attend Georgetown. Well, because
of the VFW and because of the Voice of Democracy, I am going to
go to Georgetown this Friday.
They say pride comes before fall. I better watch my step,
because you make me very, very proud. There are so many people
that I have to thank, first, Post 95, the Chapter of the Ladies
Auxiliary, and District 2, Department of New York, and finally
the National Headquarters and Mr. Gordon Thorson.
I also want to bring you a thank you from a very special
group of people that are not here today. Last February, 54
finalists gathered in Washington, D.C. They represented all the
states, the District of Columbia and the overseas regions. They
were from every imaginable ethnic group.
They came from major cities and rural towns, they were
actors, auto mechanics, swimmers and skaters. They were by any
objective measure the most intelligent and articulate and
talented and the most dynamic group I have ever been with. Each
of them asked that I tell you this morning how valuable the
Voice of Democracy was to them and how grateful they are to
you.
Last fall, each of us spent a great deal of time reading
about, thinking about, writing about, and finally speaking
about democracy. This is truly a defining experience and a
chance that we give ourselves in relation to our political
system and in relation to our fellow citizens.
How much of a difference can the Voice of Democracy make?
Well, just a few weeks ago the nation lost one of its best
known and most loved journalists. Charles Kuralt traveled
throughout the country searching for heroes, the simple and
visible heroes who make this country the envy of the world.
His stories inspired each of us what inspired him. Charles
Kuralt was one of the early national winners of the Voice of
Democracy competition. I like to think that it was him that
made me appreciate what a unique country and what a rare group
of citizens we are. Thanks to all of you from each of us. You
have given us a great gift.
The topic for last year was ``Democracy--Above and
Beyond.'' Out of the thousand essays, this is just one.
It is one thing to turn on the television and watch a
newscast about the pain that tyranny causes -- another to see
that pain in the eyes of a friend.
I've lived in a democracy ever since birth. But only
lately, as I've grown older and met different people, have I
begun to understand what democracy really means.
Last year, my new neighbors told me how they risked their
lives to get here, crossing the ocean in boats that were no
more than rafts.
This year, my friend Lena told me about her family's long
wait for permission to emigrate.
Last month, Paul, who spends most of his retirement as a
volunteer helping children, showed me the number tattooed on
his arm, a constant reminder of the years spent in
concentration camps.
I've never had to plan my escape. Or to hide my religion.
Or to watch what I say and to whom I say it. I will never be
forced to wear a veil in public. Or to have only one child.
Why? Because I live in a democracy.
Because our government is ruled not by the military, not by
the economic elite, not by a handful of religious extremists,
but by the will of the people.
We, you and I, make the laws here. If we don't like those
laws, we can change them. We are the ones responsible for what
our government does. We are the government.
People in many parts of the world are trying today to
establish this same kind of self-rule.
Places like the Russian Republic and the Palestinian West
Bank are trying democracy for the first time in their history.
Other countries, like those that fell behind the Iron Curtain,
are trying to recapture the democracy stolen from them
generations ago.
All of them are trying to move above and beyond what they
have experienced into what they yearn to experience.
Beyond predetermined lives into lives that are as
productive as their talents and energy will allow.
Beyond mere acceptance of political decisions into actual
involvement in shaping their direction.
All of them, in other words, are finding their way out of
the darkness of tyranny into the light of freedom.
Many of these countries are struggling through this process
of change. But that's to be expected. People need time to
understand what it means to be free. When the United States
began, it took us time to realize we could no longer blame the
failures of government on any king or aristocrat, only on
ourselves.
Today, our model of democracy is repeated in many other
lands where freedom has taken root. Just as democracy inspired
Jefferson and Franklin, so it inspired Walesa and Mandella and
Aquino.
Just as democracy gave courage to the colonists of Boston,
so it moved citizens to face tanks in Red Square and students
to face bullets in Tianamen Square.
Just as democracy spurred our militia at Bunker Hill, so
have thousands of other patriots given their lives for the
cause of freedom.
But the voice of democracy is not always heard in the roar
of the multitude. Sometimes it is only a single cry above the
gunfire or a solitary whisper in the cells of political
prisoners. So compelling and passionate a force is democracy
that these cries and whispers can never be stilled.
The power of that force is found in the words of Antoine de
Saint Exupery, author of ``The Little Prince.'' His
reconnaissance plane crashed into the sea in 1944, but his
legacy of brotherhood lives on today.
``Democracy'', he wrote -- and these are his words--
``makes each responsible for all, and all responsible for
each.''
For those haunted by tyranny that message holds hopes. For
my friends, Paul and Lena, and for all of us living in liberty,
it holds special meaning as well.
Democracy can never be just a destination -- it will always
be a journey. Thank you.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I will ask our National President
to please join us at the podium as we present this eagle trophy
to Christine Rice, First Place National Winner, Voice of
Democracy, 1997. Congratulations. (Applause)
This was the second year of the VFW Youth Essay Contest, a
program designed to give 7th, 8th and 9th grade students an
opportunity to express their opinion on a patriotic theme.
Over 56,900 students entered the competition nationwide.
All 54 Departments submitted a winner. Savings bonds and other
incentives, totaling over $407,000, were distributed by our
membership to young people throughout our great nation.
We are very pleased to have with us this morning, the 1997
National Winner of the VFW Youth Essay Program Competition. He
was a ninth grade student at Blanchet High School in Seattle,
Washington, when he wrote his winning essay. He is sponsored by
VFW Post 3348 and its Ladies Auxiliary from Seattle,
Washington, and is accompanied today by his father, mother and
sister.
Here to present his award-winning essay: ``What Makes
America Great'', the 1997 First Place National Youth Essay
Winner and recipient of a $5,000 United States Savings Bond,
Dominic Draye. (Applause)
MR. DOMINIC DRAYE: Thank you, Mr. Nier, and all of you for
this wonderful opportunity here in Salt Lake City.
``What Makes America Great.''
America is a great nation for many reasons. However, to me
America's greatness stems directly from the American Dream.
Throughout history the American Dream has inspired people to
develop this country from thirteen struggling colonies to the
most industrialized nation in the world. The American Dream
exists in the hearts of the American people, the hands of the
American worker, the eager eyes of immigrants, and the strong
minds of American youth. Because of the American Dream, the
greatness of America is guaranteed for years to come.
America is great because of the American Dream of freedom
and democracy. It is alive in every person who votes and
participates in the democratic process. From small town
meetings to the national government Americans exercise their
freedom. In the past when this precious aspect of the dream has
been threatened, American men and women have fought and even
given their lives to preserve our democracy and keep our
country free and strong.
America is great because of the American Dream of
achievement. Hard work and creativity result in advancements
that provide a safe, healthy, and comfortable life for
Americans. America is great because of the ingenuity of
dreamers like the Wright brothers, Henry Ford, Neil Armstrong,
and Bill Gates.
Because of achievements like theirs, American industry is
able to flourish and make our country prosperous. The American
Dream of opportunity is so real that it draws thousands of
foreigners from around the world to start new life in America.
They are drawn to possibilities based on the promise that if
they work hard they can improve life for themselves and their
families.
America is great because of the American Dream of a better
tomorrow. Nowhere is this more alive than in the minds of young
people. This dream promises that regardless of where you live,
the family you are in, the race you belong to, or the religion
you practice you can shape your own future through hard work.
The most important step in keeping America great in the years
to come is maintaining the freedom to dream and the possibility
to make those dreams come true.
The American Dream contributes to making the country great
because it challenges people's creativity, inspires citizens to
reach new heights, it draws people to come and share their
talents here, and challenges youth to reach for a better
tomorrow. This is what makes America great. (Applause)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I would ask the National President
to please come forward again. Eileen and I wish at this time to
present Dominic E. Draye with this $5,000 United States Savings
Bond. As we did with Christine, we would like to present this
eagle trophy to Dominic Draye, First Place National Winner,
Youth Essay, 1997. Congratulations.
They are two outstanding young Americans. I would say to
both Christine and Dominic that the limits as to what you can
do in your lives are those that you place upon yourself. I know
I speak for the Ladies Auxiliary and the VFW members when I say
we certainly wish you both the very best in all of your future
endeavors. Let's give them one more round of applause.
(Applause)
PRESENTATION OF THE CHAPEL OF FOUR CHAPLAINS LEGION OF HONOR BRONZE
MEDALLION
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I would like to introduce Boyd W.
Winterton, Past National Chaplain of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars. He is here representing the Chapel of the Four Chaplains.
Bishop Winterton.
COMRADE BOYD WINTERTON: No tradition of the American
society is more precious to or characteristic of our culture
than that of voluntarily reaching out to neighbors in need.
Such selfless service is part of both our civic and our
religious heritage.
The Chapel of Four Chaplains, a national non-profit
organization, is founded upon one shining manifestation of that
heritage. That is Army Chaplain George L. Fox, John P.
Washington, Alexander D. Goode and Clark V. Poling who, after
giving their life jackets to the soldiers who had none, linked
arms with one another and went down with the U.S. Army
Transport Dorchester after it was torpedoed on February 3,
1943.
In this extreme act of voluntary service to others, these
four Chaplains, one Catholic, two Protestants and one Jewish,
displayed the highest sense of interfaith unity and the best of
the national tradition of selfless service. To recognize and to
encourage acts of volunteerism, brotherhood and sacrifice among
Americans of every age and station in life, the chapel has
established its Legion of Honor program.
The bronze medallion is an award given by the Chapel in
recognition of exceptional selfless service on the part of an
individual which contributes to the well-being of others at the
national or world level, and to a spirit of interfaith
cooperation.
Will the Commander-in-Chief and the National President,
please join me at the podium. For exemplary countless years of
selfless service to others, on behalf of the Chapel of Four
Chaplains, it is my privilege to present the traditional Legion
of Honor Bronze Medallion to Commander-in-Chief James E. Nier
and National President Eileen Tanner.
I wish to thank Adjutant General Larry Rivers for being
present and coming forward and placing of these medallions.
There is, in addition to the medallion, a plaque, which will be
presented to each of these recipients, which reads as follows:
``The Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion to James E. Nier'' and
similarly to Ladies Auxiliary President Eileen Tanner,'' on
August 18, 1997, in recognition of your 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 our God.''
I asked Eileen if she wanted me to take her plaque and
maybe she had a reservation about the chaplain. She said I will
just give it to my Chief of Staff.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I have been asked by Eileen to
speak for both of us, and I will certainly do that. Thank you,
Boyd, for bestowing this great honor upon us this morning from
the Chapel of Four Chaplains.
PRESENTATION OF VFW ARMED FORCES AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: It is fitting this morning that
during this opening session of our 98th National Convention we
present the VFW Armed Forces Award to a very unique but
extremely important activity of the United States Army.
Since it was established in 1973, the men and women of the
U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii, have
labored long and hard in the search, recovery and
identification of our military personnel lost in World War II,
the Korean War, Vietnam, as well as other conflicts and
contingencies.
With steadfast commitment and compassion, the men and women
of CILHI, as it is known in the military, have worked
tirelessly to help bring closure to hundreds of families who
have lost loved ones and who have wondered if their grief and
search would ever come to an end.
Since its inception CILHI has identified 593 remains from
World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The CILHI team has also
rendered assistance in such terrible disasters as the 1983
Marine Corps barracks bombing in Beirut, the Arrow air crash in
Gander, Newfoundland in 1985, the USS Stark Missile attack in
the Persian Gulf in 1987, and the explosion of the USS Iowa.
CILHI also provides planning information and assistance to
Joint Task Force-Full Accounting in its search and recovery
missions in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
It is with pride and a deep sense of honor that the
Veterans of Foreign Wars presents its Armed Forces Award to the
men and women of the Central Identification Laboratory in
Hawaii for their dedication and unwavering sense of mission.
Here to accept this award on their behalf of the Commander
of the Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii, Colonel
James Colvin, United States Army.
I would like to read this citation.
``National Armed Forces Award, Gold Medal and Citation
awarded to the United States Army Central Identification
Laboratory, Hawaii.
``In special recognition of the unprecedented dedication
exhibited by the men and women of CILHI as they perform their
mission of searching for, recovering and identifying remains of
American military personnel associated with losses from World
War II, Korea, Vietnam and other conflicts. Due to their
unwavering sense of mission, included in their major
achievements, besides their work in Southeast Asia, are the
identification of the casualties from the Marine Corps barracks
bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983, the Gander, Newfoundland,
air crash in 1985, and the USS Stark missile attack in the
Persian Gulf in 1987.
``In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States this 18th day of August, 1997. Approved by the National
Council of Administration.''
This has been signed by James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief,
and Larry W. Rivers, Adjutant General.
Colonel Colvin, it is with a great deal of pride and honor
I present this to you on behalf of all the fine work that you
and your people do for our great cause.
REMARKS--COLONEL JAMES COLVIN
COLONEL COLVIN: Good morning. Commander-in-Chief Nier, Mr.
Steadman, Distinguished Members of the VFW: It is indeed a
privilege and honor to be standing before you today and accept
this award on behalf of the soldiers and civilians of the
Central Identification Laboratory of Hawaii.
We are truly honored to join the most distinguished ranks
of the prior recipients of this award. As a member of the
mission, we have always had the utmost respect for the VFW. The
wide variety of programs have a tremendous impact on the
veterans and their families.
The programs for the needy, programs for homeless, programs
such as the Voice of Democracy which helps high school students
strive for excellence. Of course, the countless other programs
that offer assistance to service members and civilians alike.
The organization is a valuable asset to all veterans, and
it is a great privilege to be honored by such an outstanding
association of veterans. The honor of our organization being
presented with this award is a direct tribute to the
unparalleled dedication and professionalism of my soldiers and
civilians to perform the utmost worthwhile humanitarian mission
of our armed forces, the mission that fulfilled the promise to
service members who gave their lives for our freedom will not
be forgotten.
I have been Commander of CILHI for 11 months. Since my
assumption of the command in September, 1996, I have just been
in sheer awe of the organization's mission and our outstanding
personnel. The mission that is extremely difficult, extremely
rewarding, and sometimes misunderstood.
The extreme difficulty lies in the backs of our 13 search
and recovery teams, the teams that spend approximately nine
months out of every year deployed all over the world conducting
excavations of crash sites, mass graves and isolated barriers,
giving their best efforts to recover the remains of our fallen
comrades.
Their efforts take them from the jungles of Vietnam to the
tropical rain forest of the Amazon Jungle in Brazil, from the
high remote mountain regions of Papua, New Guinea, to the tiny
remote islands in the South Pacific. From the 17,000 feet
glaciers of Tibet, China, to the mostly unfriendly soil of now
North Korea.
Despite all that time the deploy of these arduous
conditions, I can honestly say I have never heard them complain
one time. In fact, the only time I have ever heard these guys
complain is when I take them off their mission. Our mission is
extremely rewarding and for me personally gratifying.
As a matter of fact, rewarding is only a word that touches
the service. To be able to return the remains of someone's
loved one to the family is an honor that you can just not
express with mere words. To be able to answer a question that
has been lingering in the minds and hearts of these families
for some 25 to some 50 years is an honor that we take with
great pride at CILHI.
Colonel Ward Neggas, the Director of the Casualty Affairs
Operation Center in Alexandria, Virginia, my boss, who is with
us here today, sends me E-mail just about every day. At the end
of the E-mail he used the expression, ``It is heart work as
opposed to it is hard work.''
By the way, it is great to have your headquarters 4,000
miles away from Alexandria, Virginia.
This mission is one that you cannot prepare with any cost
benefit analysis or dollar value, or any such statistical
measures. When you have a mission such as ours, you need not
look any further than the tears of the families whose loved
ones never came home.
When family members of these mission service members visits
to our organization, it became real important and it brings it
very much home to hear how important our mission is, to hear
these families tell of their loved ones brings realization home
to every member of CILHI.
These are war heroes. There are still lives in the hearts
and memories of these families. We owe it to them to bring them
home for they are truly not forgotten. However, it is a tragedy
that everyone does not realize the importance of keeping that
promise.
To many people our mission is greatly misunderstood. Not
everyone understands why our government goes to such great
lengths to account for those service members that never came
home. They tend to focus more on, well, how much does this
cost? When is enough enough? Why does it take so long? Is it
really worth it?
Hearing questions like this, it is very disconcerting for
me personally and the rest of my colleagues at CILHI and other
government organizations that deal in this issue, and I know
for you of the VFW. For the most part, though, these people
don't really intend to sound insensitive.
A part of them has forgotten what sacrifices these veterans
have made for our nation and the true cost of what freedom
really is. However, CILHI, we don't get discouraged when we
hear this on the news or in the newspapers, we rededicate our
efforts to try hard to fulfill the promises, to carry out the
mission to bring our comrades home.
I would like to relate a story to you that kind of brings
it home or brought it home for me. If you have ever been to
Hawaii, Hickam Air Force Base where we are stationed, every
month we have arrival and departure ceremonies for the U. S.
service members that come home. It is a monthly ceremony.
At one such occasion, I was standing next to a veteran. At
the end of the ceremony, I introduced myself to him and we were
chit-chatting. He turned to me and he says, ``Sir, you know,
there is one thing that I would like to say.'' I said, ``What
is that?''
He said, ``No matter where we are sent, one thing is sure,
you are always going to get a free ride home.'' I thank God
that organizations like the VFW and many others out there
recognize the importance of fulfilling the promises of these
veterans that gave their lives to this country. The families,
of course, are missing them.
Once again, I would like to thank you on behalf of all the
soldiers in CILHI. It is an honor to be recognized by your
organization. If you are ever, ever in Hawaii, please stop by
and see us. I think you will be most impressed. Thank you very
much and I salute each and every one of you, and I leave you
with the following: simply, anchors away and aim high and hope.
(Applause)
INTRODUCTION OF CHARLES D. SHORT, SUPREME COMMANDER, MILITARY ORDER OF
THE COOTIE
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Charles D. Short was born in
Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up on Nantasket Beach, Hull,
Massachusetts. He graduated from Sacred Heart High, Weymouth,
Massachusetts, and went on to graduate from Northeastern
University with a degree in finance. Charlie also holds a
Master's degree in public administration from Golden Gate
University, San Francisco, California.
His military service includes a tour with the United States
Marines and 20 years in the United States Air Force as a B-52
crew member. He logged 169 combat missions over Vietnam.
Among his many awards and decorations are the Vietnam
Campaign Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
A VFW member for over 20 years, Charlie has served with
dedication and distinction. He is a Life Member of Chesty
Puller VFW Post 1503 in Dale City, Virginia.
Please welcome the Supreme Commander of the Military Order
of the Cootie, Charles Daniel Short.
REMARKS--MOC COMMANDER CHARLES SHORT
MOC COMMANDER SHORT: Commander-in-Chief Nier, President
Eileen, after those remarks I don't know what to do. Let me say
to you, however, Chief, on behalf of the Military Order of the
Cootie we are on your team for this year and we appreciate all
the efforts that we could give you in support of your
objectives for this year.
The MOC is indeed proud to support our organization and we
are a part of the team. To Larry, to Joe, most especially to
Joe, we thank you for all your support over this past year. We
appreciate all the efforts that have been made to support us
during those difficult times, and we want to report to you that
we are succeeding and we are most importantly supporting our
veterans.
But it has been my special pleasure for me to serve this
year as your Supreme Commander. As I said before, I am very
proud of the accomplishments that we, the MOC, have made this
year. I hope during this year that I have let no one down,
because I have tried in all my dealings to uphold the finest
traditions of our organizations, the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
I truly appreciate the hospitality extended to me
throughout this entire country as I traveled from Maine to
Florida, from Massachusetts, from North Carolina to California.
When I got out to California, my second trip this year, I was
really shocked and surprised of the support of Commander Robert
Marr and from Junior Vice Commander Richard was really
outstanding. I will never forget San Diego. I don't think any
other Commander will forget San Diego.
I must also thank my Department. The Department of Maine,
who has supported me over the many years, no matter where I
have been, no matter what kind of hat I have worn, no matter
what was written on my hat, they have supported me. So has my
Post.
The Department, once again, I want to say thank you to the
Department of California, to all the Departments that I had a
chance to visit over the last five years. I want to say thank
you and especially to the Department of Europe. You are a grand
bunch of guys leading the way.
As for the MOC, we are a little richer than we were last
year and much richer than we were the year before. We have
worked on the reduced budget, but we have met those guidance
and we came in under budget. Our hospital work this year
established a new record for our organization, one we can all
be proud of. We were at $35,000 above the record breaking last
year.
Even though our membership was down, we have as individuals
and small groups contributed to the disaster relief, which is
so important to us, to help one another. To our Posts and
Departments, my message as I traveled around this year has been
one of working together, of pulling together behind our leader
Jim, of pulling together behind our leader for next year, John
Moon, of working to make our organization just a little better,
because we wanted to contribute.
Just as the rowers in that long boat that I so often talk
about, we have to pull in unison. We have to work as part of
the team. John, we will be there and working on your team. You
know, the total and the totality of our organization is much
greater than the supplement parts. We must as members recognize
and respect one another and work together.
The second part of my message was very simple. Be proud. I
say this as a Vietnam veteran, because it took me a long time
to be proud, but be proud of your service. You earned it, you
deserved it and now stand tall. Be proud of your organization.
Be proud of the cap you wear. When you are proud, you will
begin to work a little bit differently. You will begin to
respect yourselves and everyone around you.
I leave you with this thought, the final words of one of my
heroes, Commodore
Arness. ``Don't give up the ship.'' Take care of our great
organization. We love it and I love you all. God bless you. Remember me
in your prayers. (Applause)
INTRODUCTION OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHUNG-YUAN KAO VETERANS AFFAIRS
COMMISSION
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: For years the Veterans of Foreign
Wars has enjoyed a warm relationship with the Veterans Affairs
Commission and the Republic of China on Taiwan. They have truly
been our friends.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars has consistently pledged its
support through resolutions for our friends in the Republic of
China.
The citizens of the Republic 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 the Commission for their long
and beneficial friendship.
Joining us today to reaffirm our pledge of brotherhood and
comradeship is the Secretary General of the Veterans Affairs
Commission, Lieutenant General Chung-Yuan Kao.
Comrades, please welcome the Secretary General of the
Veterans Affairs Commission, Republic of China.
RESPONSE--LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHUNG-YUAN KAO
GENERAL CHUNG-YUAN KAO: Thank you, Commander-in-Chief Nier.
Distinguished Guests, Members of the VFW, Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is indeed a great honor and a privilege to have this
opportunity to say a few words here. It is certainly a great
pleasure to make so many friends who have consistently
supported the Republic of China for many, many years.
For the past two decades, officials from the Veterans
Affairs Commission of the Republic of China have been invited
to attend your National Convention. The delegations of the VFW
have been invited to visit Taipei in order to again further
understanding of our respective Veterans Assistance Program.
We are able to learn from each other and gain some new
concepts and means and ways to better serve all veterans. I am
thoroughly convinced that this continued exchange of visits
have not only strengthened the ties between our two
organizations, but also helped build up strong relations among
people of our two countries.
During World War II, the Korea War, Vietnam War, even the
Gulf War, the members of the VFW adhered to bring duty and
honor to the country, successfully played the role of world
peace, protector and justice keeper. I would especially like to
point that out.
During World War II, both of our two countries, the United
States and the Republic of China, were very cooperatively
fighting shoulder to shoulder against the invasion into China
and safeguards of justice and the people, and honorably won the
final victory.
1997 is the fiftieth anniversary of the Chinese fighting
against enemies and making me more appreciative and respectful
to recall the gallant history and the sacrifice done as the
soldiers of our country at that time. The United States is the
leading promoter of democracy in the world.
The American veterans who have devoted themselves to the
defense of democracy and freedom have built up a grand
historical record. This glorious Commission is proper for
veterans' investments of prosperity and progress in the United
States, therefore, people around the world they respect your
country and the accomplishments.
The VAC of the Republic of China and the VFW of the United
States share common goals and objectives in the past. We fought
together against violence and aggression. At present we are
making every effort to defend democracy and freedom on many
fronts, and even in the future we shall continue to cooperate
with each other based upon common goals and interests.
Over the years, deep and profound relations have been
established concerning the VAC and the VFW. We have approved
the twenty-first city and the people of the Republic of China
on Taiwan look forward to continuing our mutual beneficial
relationship.
With the United States promoting prosperity and stability
in the Far East, I am confident that VAC and the VFW will join
forces to create an even brighter tomorrow based on the firm
decisions of our past friendship. I am aware the VFW is a book
we can learn from. For this reason, I believe my visit has been
more than worthwhile.
In closing, I wish you a most successful Convention and
give each one of you my best regards for good health, happiness
and success. Thank you very much. (Applause)
DR. MA: Ladies and gentlemen, General Kao will now present
the National Medal of the Republic of China, which is the Order
of the Cloud and Banner, to your Commander-in-Chief Nier. Let
me have the honor to read the citation that accompanied the
Banner.
Certificate of Award of the Cloud and Banner Medal. Serial
No. IG1570040, dated August 1997.
``Mr. Jim E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief of 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 Nier 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
Regulation.''
This has been signed by the Minister of National Defense of
the Republic of China, as well as His Excellency, the Premier
of the Republic of China, and by His Excellency, the President
of the Republic of China.
Ladies and gentlemen, General Kao will now on behalf of the
Republic of China present a commemorative silver plate to
National Commander-in-Chief Nier. I will read the inscription
on the plate.
``Presented to Mr. James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, in appreciation
of his outstanding contributions to the enhancement of
friendship and cooperation between the VFW and VAC by General
Husc Li-Nung, Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Commission,
Republic of China, August 18, 1997.''
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Ladies and gentlemen, if I may,
General Kao and Dr. Ma were with us yesterday and they will be
with us at the Distinguished Guests Banquet tonight. They are
truly distinguished guests. We have a wonderful affiliation
with their Veterans Affairs Commission and their country, and I
want to tell you, General Kao and Dr. Ma, that certainly means
a lot to us.
I must tell you that we hope to continue to have this
enduring friendship that we exercise annually by you coming to
our country and I returning to your country. I wish you God's
speed and safe travel as you return to the Republic of China.
We are looking forward to you being on the dais with us at the
Distinguished Guests Banquet tonight. Thank you so very much.
(Applause)
Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and sisters, our
distinguished guest and keynote speaker is about five minutes
from the facility. I would just like to reflect on a couple of
things, if I might.
First of all, my wife just received an award, but I would
like to personally introduce you to my wife and say to Kimie
publicly, I thank you, Kimie, for being beside me for these
past three years as I advanced through the National chairs.
She has done an outstanding job and is a Life Member of the
Auxiliary and well received in the Posts. You have been
courteous and kind to both of us in our travels through this
great nation and around the world. This is my wife, Kimie.
We started the 1996-97 VFW year with a promise that we
would do a couple of things. We would attempt to do the right
things and we would attempt to do things right for this
country's veterans. I believe in our deliberations over the
years and over this past year that with the help of the staff
in Kansas City and the staff in the Washington, D.C. office,
and in particular my fellow line officers, John and Tom, and
the Council of Administration that we have done that.
I think that we can now say yes, we are doing the right
things and, yes, we are doing things right for this country's
veterans. I would like to share just a couple of figures with
you, if I might. The Life Membership Program this year has
produced some incredible figures.
We have 165,000 Life Members in 1996-'97. That is an
unprecedented number. It is unprecedented because next year 16
percent of the continuous members will not have to be signed up
because they are Life Members now. We also set a goal to meet
for the new and reinstated members.
Some of the Department Commanders who passed by here before
me had met that quota and made All-American status and, in
fact, for the first time in seven years this organization is
ahead in new and reinstated members by 1,431 specifically. We
are very, very proud of that.
The other thing I wish to do is to just take a moment to
say thank you to the members of the Ladies Auxiliary. In my
travels around the country, I have said this many times at Post
Auxiliaries, particularly Department Auxiliary meetings, but
bear with me as I say it one more time at this National
Convention because I truly believe it is very important.
Too often we don't take the time to say thank you to the
members of the Ladies Auxiliary. We take the ladies for
granted. We know what you do for all of our programs and we
realize some of that will change next year, but we know what
you have done for Americanism, safety, youth activities,
community service, buddy poppies, the Voice of Democracy and
God knows what you do for cancer aid and research.
There is an old cliche that says behind every good man is a
good woman. I think that is wrong. I think that it should be
beside every good man is a good woman and beside the Veterans
of Foreign Wars is a great organization, its Ladies Auxiliary.
I would ask my fellow comrades to please give these ladies a
round of applause.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, comrades. It is
absolutely imperative that we work side by side to ensure the
accomplishment of our goals and our objectives.
INTRODUCTION OF HELEN BLACKWELL
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: There is someone I need to
recognize in the audience. If we could take just a moment to
introduce two individuals who are very special to the Veterans
of Foreign Wars. Will you please welcome Helen Putnam
Blackwell, daughter of James C. Putnam, the first President of
the American Veterans of Foreign Wars Service.
Helen is also a Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary, VFW
Department of Arkansas. She is here and I see her. Thanks so
much for being with us. Accompanying Mrs. Blackwell is her
oldest granddaughter, Vicki Blackwell Norvel, a Life Member of
the Ladies Auxiliary, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Ladies, thank you
so much for joining us today. (Applause)
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief John Moon, would you like to
say a couple of words?
REMARKS--SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Thank you very much,
Commander-in-Chief. I do appreciate the opportunity this
morning to just make a few remarks prior to our main speaker
being here. That is to express my sincere thanks to the
Commander-in-Chief Jim Nier for the great year he has had and
the opportunity that he has given me to travel throughout this
country and throughout the world.
To echo maybe some statements given by General Colvin, the
opportunity that was afforded me this past year was to travel
with Jim not only to Ohio but over to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos,
and to see the efforts that are being put forth by these many
volunteers, the servicemen and service women, and doing a job
that is tireless, is very endless, and it doesn't have a great
degree of rewarding attributes to it other than to those
personally that are there hour after hour, day after day, week
after week, trying to bring closure to at least one person.
That one person is a family member that is missing in
action. We are very honored that we get to go over there to see
those people and when Colonel Colvin said he had never heard a
complaint, he is very true there, because we have asked them
from time to time what they felt were some of the major
concerns.
The bottom line they said was there is just not enough time
given to us. We have to rotate and go back home. We are not
done with our job. They mean that so sincerely. So many times
these individuals volunteer to go back time and time again.
It isn't the idea of great living conditions, because they
don't live well over there. They live, in fact, rather poorly.
They do what they can do for this great country and do what
they can do to make sure that the prisoners of war and missing
in action is taken care of.
I know Colonel Colvin had to leave, but believe me it is a
great honor when I am allowed to go over there with Commander-
in-Chief Nier, and in the near future when Tom Pouliot will go
over there to see these individuals do the work and then come
home so many times just to rest up and go back.
We owe them a great deal of gratitude that we will never be
able to express in any words other than to just say ``thank
you''. The countless times that we get a chance to review to
and go our or year, mainly to reflect in the past, when I went
into California for a seminar, I thought it was going to be
somewhat boring.
In this seminar was a diverse group of individuals from
many, many non-profit organizations. The non-profit
organizations that were assembled there with more or less from
the very tall or high professional standards to just the
beginning standards, to the realtors, to the veterans groups,
to the policemen, whatever the case may be. It was a very
diverse group.
These individuals were told that roughly two percent of the
respective organizations they belong to was made up of
leadership. From that two percent that made up the leadership
of the organization, there was two percent that were the main
dissenters of every organization and, believe it or not, two
percent many, many times could challenge and could somehow
upset the other 96 percent.
Two percent leadership, two percent dissenters and 96
percent of the other members wait to see what will happen and
fall by the wayside. I am proud to stand here today and say to
you that Jim Nier has taken two million members, has been the
leader that has worked with this great crew, that has worked
with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and has brought it out to be
the great leader in this country.
That is not only for non-profit organizations but as a
veterans organization, a very, very vibrant and internal and
external part of our country. To you, Jim, we owe you a great
deal of gratitude that you will never know for your hard work
and effort that you put forth. We thank you very much.
(Applause)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thanks very much, John.
INTRODUCTION--THE HONORABLE TOGO D. WEST, JR.,
SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Ladies and gentlemen, it is a
special pleasure to introduce our keynote speaker. Sworn in as
the 16th Secretary of the Army in November, 1993, Togo West
brings with him a wealth of varied and challenging experience
as an attorney, businessman and public servant.
As Secretary of the Army, Mr. West is responsible for
recruiting, training, equipping and sustaining the world's
premier land force. Secretary West manages an annual budget of
nearly $60 billion, leads a work force of just over one million
soldiers and 270,000 civilian employees, and has stewardship
over 25 million acres of land.
An Army veteran, Secretary West served on active duty with
the Office of the Judge Advocate General and thereafter with
the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Manpower and
Reserve Affairs.
He has served as the Department of the Navy's General
Counsel and as the Special Assistant to the Secretary and
Deputy Secretary of Defense. He has also served as General
Counsel of the Department of Defense.
Prior to being named Secretary, he was the Senior Vice-
President for Government Relations of the Northrop Corporation.
Please join me in a warm VFW welcome for a very special
guest, the Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Togo D. West,
Jr. (Applause)
KEYNOTE ADDRESS--THE HONORABLE TOGO D. WEST, JR.
SECRETARY OF THE ARMY WEST: Thank you. Thank you to your
Commander-in-Chief Nier, to your officers and to all of you who
are inviting me to join you at this opening of your 98th
National Convention. It is a particular pleasure for me to be
here.
As you might expect, it is a pleasure to be almost anywhere
other than Washington, D.C., today at this time of the year.
But it is especially a joy to be here in Salt Lake City and to
be here with you, the members of the VFW and the Ladies
Auxiliary.
Today America is at peace. No enemy threatens our borders.
Our citizens can go about their jobs in security and about
their daily occupations, and I think entirely for the most part
protected by a banner that throughout the world signals peace
and freedom for the star-spangled banner.
At the same time, our citizens and our forces face the
threat of the occasional terrorists and there are still out
there in the world forces that mean ill for our interests in
our allies and on occasion for us.
In this somewhat mixed environment that today there seems
to be a slightly lessening among the people of American
citizens and our emerging leaders who have actually had an
experience with the armed forces of the United States, either
by serving or otherwise.
That collection of conditions underscores even more the
importance of your vote of this organization in America's
society today. Your 2.1 million members across the country give
definition to the term selfless service. Having served once,
you have chosen to serve again.
This great organization is setting in motion the process
not just the many good works that your organizations do, but an
example it stands not just for our current service members in
uniform but for every American who cares about our country,
cares about our countrymen and countrywomen, and all Americans
who care for one another.
Your work in communities, your work in support of the
veterans, your work in support of our soldiers is important,
and moreover your work is greatly appreciated. I am
particularly touched by your long-standing relationship with
the Boy Scouts, who have been so much in my life.
Of course, I could not be a new representative of your Army
if I did not express our gratitude for the support of Operation
Uplink and your support over the years now of our Soldiers
Show, which travels and performs and shows American soldiers,
soldiers who do soldier's jobs every day, giving their best for
their fellow soldiers.
I would like to thank, and I have often observed at this
time that the summer months are time for high patriotism for
our country. I know there are other times, other seasons. You
and I are well aware of the Veterans Day in the fall in
November.
But think about it for a moment. As you start the summer,
we have Memorial Day. For those of you who know the Army
history, you know that on June 14th, shortly after Memorial
Day, a few days after Memorial Day, we have the Army birthday.
By mid-summer, July 4th, Independence Day. That is the
birth of our country. Even Labor Day, which will be upon us
shortly, is in many respects a celebration of all Americans of
the dignity of working men and of working women who have
contributed so much to our country and to our country's
security.
Memorial Day is of a fairly recent origin, inaugurated
shortly after the Civil War to commemorate those that gave
their lives in service to America and those that give their
lives on both sides of that great conflict of the Civil War and
ever since all who have given their lives in service to
America.
The birthday is one that stretches all the way back to June
14, 1775. That is a year I might also say that the Marine Corps
celebrates its birth as well. Then Independence Day here a
month later, July 4th, 1776. They reach back to the origins of
our country when patriots gathered in coffee houses, in greens
and in homes to talk about what was coming on the founding of
this nation, to talk about what they would face and the kinds
of people who would be needed, to talk about what was at stake.
It was in those times that Thomas Paine set out what was at
stake in the kind of characteristics that would be needed. He
said, ``These are times that try men's souls. The summer
soldier and the sunshine patriot well in this time of crisis
shrink from his country's call. But he, who will stand it now,
will deserve the love and thanks of every man and every
woman.''
Thomas Paine was quite right then in those Revolutionary
War days. He spoke the words of George Washington who would
read to the soldiers that cold winter at Valley Forge, words
spoken of commitment that they would display and the commitment
that has been displayed ever since then by our men and women in
uniform, by you, by those who serve today.
Whether it was the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812, or
the Spanish American War, or the Civil War or World Wars I or
II, or Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Granada, or Desert Storm, Haiti
or Somalia, or any of the employments or actions in between,
America's men and women in uniform have stood for that
commitment whether it is summer or in the long cold winters,
whether it is in sunshine or in a gray cloud, a commitment to
America and to its ideals.
Those ideals are framed in our formal documents of the
Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, but also a
commitment to a tradition, if you will, even broader than that.
The tradition of our armed forces of service in the uniform of
our country.
That is a tradition, as you well know, that puts liberty
before life. That puts country before self. That puts honor
above all. Today countless places around our country, around
our globe, men and women in uniform are following in your
tradition of that commitment.
In this world that is so different from the cold world war
of just a few years ago, they face many and varied challenges.
We, who would hope to lead them and to support and provide for
them, face a number of troubling questions. Some of them go
like this.
First, can we in our armed forces and in our Army continue
the pace? Today, as I said, America is at peace, and yet the
number of service members in uniform deployed around the world
is at an all-time high if you count the deployments as times
away from your home bases, whatever that home base is, whether
it is in the Continental United States, in Germany, or in the
Pacific.
Deployments are up and yet our numbers and force structure
is down. The active United States Army is at an all-time high
of 800,000, now stands at 495,000 headed toward the QDR, which
means the number of 480,000 on active duty. Our research
components, the Army Reserve and the National Guards are
undergoing similar reductions.
So the question is that this increased pace of deployments
with soldiers and members of the other services as well in more
countries around the world than ever before, can we keep that
pace up? Can this Army and its soldiers keep up that pace of
deployment?
Well, I give you the answer that your soldiers and my
soldiers give me. One of them recently said to me, and this was
a soldier who had had triple deployments virtually back to
back. He had Desert Storm, he had Somalia and he had Haiti. He
said, ``Sir, don't worry about us. This is what we signed up to
do, but it is awfully hard on our families.''
I believe our answer as to whether we can keep up the pace
is yes. Our soldiers, all the members of our armed forces can
do their job, can meet the requirements of today. But we must
look to the benefits and the quality of life of those service
members and of their families.
An important part of readiness is every soldier, what I
call the ability to have a quiet mind, a mind that can focus on
the job at hand, whether that job is on the training fields at
Fort Benning or Fort Jackson or Fort Knox, or whether that job
is on the battlefield and know that his or her family is cared
for and that his or her service is so valid that when they
return from that service they, too, will be cared for.
Our second question of the challenges that I believe face
us in this atmosphere of many and varied challenges, many and
varied dangers around the world, is can we assure our soldiers,
the members of our armed forces, that they will continue to be
the best equipped in the world?
First, let's be clear. They already are. Your Army is not
the largest in the world nor is it the second largest or the
third. Probably at the last count it was about number nine in
size, but it is the most respected. It is the best trained and,
yes, it is the best equipped.
Our challenge is to keep it so. For the last four years,
our armed forces budgets have been essentially flat and we must
change that. The Secretary of Defense has vowed to do so. Even
with these budgets, we continue to play for a future. We
continue to plan to revolutionize the battlefield on the uses
of information warfare and we are doing it now with our plans
for the Air Force 21 with the monies we have put into it and
with our developmental efforts.
At the same time, even as we plan for the new information
age of warfare that will be upon us, that we will bring upon
the rest of the world and to all the developments in
technology, we concentrate today as well on the things that our
soldiers need to do their jobs every day.
We upgrade equipment and our jets, but we also buy new
trucks so that our soldiers will have both today's equipment
and the marvels of tomorrow that will make this the most feared
Army on the globe.
A third challenge that faces us as we plan for the
millennium that is now only three years away is can we continue
to assure the American people that their Army will be composed
of the very best soldiers, the highest quality, receiving the
very best conditions?
I raise that question today because if you do not know
better, you would think that our service members are distracted
by a whole host of issues that seemed to be raised every day.
Yet the fact is when you talk to a soldier at Fort Jackson or
Fort Campbell, or on the Korean Peninsula, or Bosnia, their
focus is on the job.
Today we continue to recruit America's very best of men and
women. You may have heard that we are lessening the quality of
our recruits. That is not so. The change is that instead of
requiring 95 percent of incoming recruits to have high school
diplomas and high school diploma graduates, we will now require
that number to be 90 percent and the remaining 10 percent must
have some other high school graduation certification
equivalent, whether it is GED or otherwise, so that every
incoming recruitment to the United States Army has been
educated with a high school education or the equivalent
thereof.
There is no change, no different issue, no inequality of
our soldiers. We continue to refine our screening to ensure
that we are yet what we claim, the America's best. We continue
to say every day on our training fields, in our classrooms and
our battlefields, that is exactly what we are getting.
But these young soldiers, America's sons and daughters,
deserve more than just the best training. They require more
than just the best equipment. They deserve the very best in
non-commission and officer leadership that we can provide. They
are getting it.
Let me give you an example. Not long ago I found myself at
Fort Benning, Georgia. I had a chance to have lunch with some
non-commissioned officers. They were not command sergeants, not
the most senior, but they were also not buck sergeants. They
were about E-6s and E-7s.
They had seen a lot of the Army. They had the Secretary of
the Army there in a private luncheon alone for an hour. That is
all the training they would permit. They could ask and lean on
the Secretary just for about anything they wanted.
As you all know, non-commissioned officers are not at all
reluctant to do just that. We talked about a lot of things,
about some of the issues that I raised with you today, about
training, about the prospects of deployments, about their
families, about where they came from.
Finally, I said, ``Look, please, what about you? Let's talk
about you. How are you doing?'' One of the sergeants stood up
and he said, ``Well, sir, we are doing fine. We know there is
not enough money in the budget this year''--that was, I guess,
two fiscal years ago--``for pay increases. We understand that,
sir. You have got to have priorities. But if you could, if you
could do something about our most junior servicemen, the E-1s,
the E-2s. They are coming in and some of them are getting
married and they can hardly make it. So, don't worry about us,
the senior ones, but if you could do something for the most
junior of our soldiers.''
That is the kind of leadership that you want in your Army.
NCOs and officers who remember the creed of the non-
commissioned officer, ``I will put my soldier's needs before my
own.'' NCOs and officers who stand up wherever and whenever
they can to support and nurture and mold and eventually lead
those soldiers that America has entrusted in their care.
That NCO is a fine example of those who lead your Army and
you can be confident that we will do everything in our power to
continue to support them so that they may be free to go about
their jobs leading America's sons and daughters and training to
fight America's force.
Well, I have talked to you briefly about some challenges
your Army, for a large part your armed forces are facing today:
the challenge of peace, the deployment, the challenge of
equipping, the challenge of leadership, morale and quality of
our soldiers.
Yet, it would seem to me that somehow we have not quite
touched the nerve ending in the answer to the question why is
it that you and I can have so much stake and in the young men
and women who stand in your shoes serving this country
defending this country's people?
Why is it that we can be so confident that we can do the
job that you can do so well? I would say that it is because of
something that they share with you, the veterans who have set
the examples, who have set the mold.
Let me use someone else's words to describe that something.
At the outset of World War II, the nation debated whether to
join the allies or not, whether to get involved or not. As is
appropriate and is usual in the United States, when matters of
war or peace, the debate was hot and heavy. Some of you may
remember it.
One member of the President's Cabinet, Harold Ickes wrote
about it one day, and he asked this question. He said, ``What
constitutes an American?'' He answered, ``Not color, not race,
not religion, not his pedigree nor her place of birth, not the
size of her bank account nor his family's social standing; not
his profession or her occupation. An American is one who loves
liberty and has a high regard for the dignity of men and women
and an American will fight for his freedom and that of his
friends and neighbors. An American will forego any property and
security in order to ensure the benefits of free people for
himself and for his heirs.''
That is what your soldiers shared with you, those
traditions of Americans, those values, those beliefs in one
another in their country and in the value of fighting for both.
Oh, there are soldiers who share something else as well.
Earlier this year, the President awarded in behalf of the
Congress and the people of the United States the Medal of Honor
to a First Lieutenant by the name of Vernon Mason.
He was an African-American who had served in World War II.
After the ceremony, when receptions were occurring all over the
Capital, the journalist cornered Lieutenant Baker in a corner
and asked him one of those questions that journalists ask.
They said, ``What is it that allows you to persist for your
battle to your life, what has been your creed, your code, how
have you made it?'' And it is understandable that the question
was fraught with implications of ``Vernon, aren't you bitter
because you suffered discrimination?
``Vernon, what do you have to say about the trauma of
combat? Vernon, what insights can you give us and what regrets
do you have?'' Vernon Baker spent most of his active duty time
as a sergeant. He spoke straightforwardly as a soldier. You may
have heard his words or read them.
He said, ``My feat was get respect before you expect
respect. Remember the mission, set the example, keep moving.''
The words of the soldier, words for all of us, words which
describe what you, the VFW and your Ladies Auxiliary have taken
on. You have remembered your mission. And as Victor Devereaux,
your Director of Americanism in the '30s once said, ``You have
remembered that even though the guns have ceased firing, your
service to America is not ended.''
You have remembered your mission and continued to service.
Yes, by serving you have set an example for all to see, an
example of service for all Americans, an example of patriotism
at which the world can marvel by your effective representation
of efforts of our soldiers.
You have kept America moving, moving on its promises that
it makes for everyone's service. By so doing, you have earned
the respect of us all. God bless you for that and God bless all
you have touched and all that you will touch. God bless the
members of the armed forces who today serve in Europe and
around the world.
God bless this glorious day on the 98th Convention here in
Salt Lake City and on each succeeding day and many such future
Conventions wherever they be held in times of social or
economic challenges, whether they are held during peace or we
be at war, may God bless you as well as the dear and noble
nation to which you have given your sacrifice of service, to
which our service members everywhere give their duty and to
which they and you and I continue to give our love. Thank you.
God bless you all.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for a
most inspiring presentation. I must tell you, Mr. Secretary,
that the young men and women serving in your Army today are the
future of this great organization. I also must tell you that
2.1 million members of the VFW and the 750,000 members of the
Ladies Auxiliary are working as diligently as we can to ensure
that the young people in your Army and, in fact, all the young
people serving in all branches of the armed services do have
that quality of life that you just spoke about.
We are at the Congress all the time, as you know, trying to
do the right things for these young people. Mr. Secretary, we
truly wish to be their heroes and their mentors. Thank you very
much for being with us today.
REMARKS--JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF POULIOT
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Comrades, ladies and gentlemen, we
give you our Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, soon to be our
Senior Vice, Mr. Tom Pouliot.
JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF POULIOT: Thank you, Jim.
Comrades, Sisters and Special Guests:
If I may take this privilege, I would like to introduce to
you my wife, Shirley Pouliot. If I may take the privilege of
introducing the wife of our Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief,
Susie Moon. I am not going to leave anyone out. Also the wife
of our Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief-Elect, Mary Smart, and
the wife of our Quartermaster General, Judy Ridgley, as well as
the wife of our Adjutant General, Connie Rivers.
Having put my best foot forward, I will say thank you to
all of you for your cards and letters and expressions of
concern over my recent surgery. I just had my gall bladder out
about ten days ago. I did it intentionally before this
Convention so that I could be here and I could be strong and I
could be ready to go as your Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief
immediately when we have the elections and we leave the
Convention.
I want to thank you all for your courtesies and the
courtesies that you have extended to myself and Shirley as we
have traveled this past year. We hope to visit with you in the
ensuing two years. Have an outstanding Convention. Thank you,
comrades.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thanks, Tom. Ladies and gentlemen,
I have one administrative announcement. The Resolutions
Business Session will start promptly at 1:00 p.m. in the
Ballroom. It will not be here. They will have to prepare this
room for the banquet tonight.
I know we will have a wonderful Convention. I thank you for
your attendance at this Joint Session this morning and I wish
you well in your deliberations in the next three or four days.
At this time I would ask to come forward for the
Benediction our National Chaplain, Father Bleiler.
(Whereupon, National Chaplain Bleiler gave the Closing
Prayer.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Sergeant-at-Arms, prepare the room
to Salute the Colors.
(Whereupon, the Salute to the Colors was had at this time.)
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the
Closing Ceremonies have been performed.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir. Comrades and
sisters, this concludes the Joint Session. Thank you.
(Whereupon, the meeting was duly recessed at 11:50 o'clock
a.m.)
------
FIRST BUSINESS SESSION
MONDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 18, 1997
(The First Business Session of the 98th National Convention
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was called
to order in the Ballroom of the Salt Palace Convention Center,
Salt Lake City, Utah, at 1:00 o'clock p.m., by Commander-in-
Chief Nier.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I am going to call this meeting to
order. I will ask the Department Chaplain for the Department of
Michigan, Lowell Elson, to please come forth and give us the
Invocation.
(Whereupon, the Invocation was given at this time by
Comrade Elson.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Sergeant-at-Arms, prepare the room
to Salute the Colors.
(Whereupon, the Salute to the Colors was had at this time.)
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrade Commander-in-Chief, your
order has been fulfilled.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Before we go to our Committee
Reports, I will ask the Assistant Adjutant General John Senk to
come forth for some administrative announcements, please.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL SENK: Thank you, Commander-in-
Chief. My remarks are directed to the Department Commanders. I
hope by now you have all received a report that shows the
delegates from your Department that have registered, their
delegate credentials to this Convention. Have all the
Departments received those?
You will get a similar report every morning showing an
update, so should there be a roll call this will facilitate
your taking the roll there at your Departments. If you have any
questions concerning that, please come up and see me after this
meeting and I will fully explain it to you. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We will have the Report of the
Committee on Credentials. The Chairman is Richard Trombla. I
will ask him to come forward, please.
REPORT OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
COMRADE RICHARD TROMBLA (Post 1174--Kansas): I am Richard
Trombla, Department of Kansas, Chairman of the National
Credentials Committee. This is a temporary report of the
Credentials Committee of everyone that has filed their
credentials as of 12:15 today. This report is up to date until
12:15 today.
Total delegates that have registered, 11,112. Total
Department Commanders, 51. Total Past Commanders-in-Chief, 27.
Total National Officers, 36. That makes a grand total of
11,226. This is a temporary report, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I will now call forward for his
report the Chairman of the Committee on Convention Rules,
Chairman Clyde A. Lewis, Past Commander-in-Chief.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CONVENTION RULES
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF LEWIS: Commander-in-Chief, Comrades
and Delegates:
The Committee on Rules, comprising of the Committee
appointed by the Commander-in-Chief, namely Past Commanders-in-
Chief Soden, Kimery and myself, met yesterday afternoon and
agreed on this report, and we are submitting this report to the
Convention.
To the 98th National Convention, Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Your Committee on Convention Rules met Sunday afternoon,
August 17, and agreed on the following recommendations which
are respectfully submitted for your consideration:
1. That, with exceptions noted below, Demeter's Manual
be recognized as the 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. A delegate shall be permitted to speak but twice on
any one subject, or any pending resolution for a period
of eight minutes each, 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 the event of
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 five minutes of final rebuttal.
4. All resolutions offered by individual delegates must
bear the endorsement of the Department Commander or in
his absence the Department Adjutant. All resolutions
must be submitted to the office of the Adjutant General
for numbering and referral to committee no later than
9:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 20, 1997, and must be
accompanied by a written explanation as to why the
resolution was not presented to the Department
Commander for consideration.
5. 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.
6. 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 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.
7. 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.
8. 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
proposed 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 voice vote on any
subject before the Convention.
10. Unit rule of voting shall not be allowed in this
Convention.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Reconsideration upon which final disposition has
been made shall not be allowed after the session at
which it was acted on has been recessed unless the body
is notified of such contemplated action prior to the
close of that session.
14. When the report of the chairman to the delegation
is not acceptable to all members of the delegation and
a poll of the Department delegates is demanded by three
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.
Nomination and election of National Officers will be
held according to the Congressional Charter, 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. Respectfully submitted,
Comrade Commander-in-Chief. I move the adoption of the
Report of the Committee on Rules.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF RAY SODEN: I am Ray Soden, delegate
from Post 2149, Department of Illinois. I second the motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You have heard the motion. It has
been duly seconded. Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none,
those in favor of the motion will signify by saying ``aye'';
those opposed by the same sign. The motion carries.
Thanks for a job well done, Clyde. Your Committee is
discharged.
At this time I will bring back to the microphone for a
correction to the Credentials Report, Chairman Richard Trombla.
REPORT OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE (Cont'd.)
COMRADE RICHARD TROMBLA (Post 1174--Kansas): I am Richard
Trombla from the Department of Kansas. There is a correction.
The total delegates should now read 11,123. That is making a
grand total of 11,237. Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Comrades, in a few moments and
throughout the remainder of this Convention, we will be taking
up the 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 their respective reports. First, the
Committee Chairman will read the list of those Resolutions
which the Committee recommends be adopted, or adopted as
amended.
Following the reading of the 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 which a comrade wants set aside. Note will be taken
of those Resolutions to be set aside and action will then be
taken on those Resolutions which have not been set aside.
After the vote on those 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 the Standing Committee, the Chairman will read the
list of those Resolutions to which the recommendation is
rejection.
After the list is read, you will have the opportunity to
move the adoption of any of those Resolutions. Each motion will
be taken up and disposed of in order. If no motion is made by
any comrade, the Resolution is, under our Convention Rules,
automatically rejected by the Convention.
At this time I will call forward the Chairman of the
Committee on National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual,
Chairman John M. Carney.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL BY-LAWS,
MANUAL OF PROCEDURE AND RITUAL
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: Thank you, Commander-in-
Chief. I would like at this time to recognize the Vice-Chairman
of this Committee, Past Commander-in-Chief John Staum from
Minnesota. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to
the Committee yesterday for their long, hard work on these By-
Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual. I certainly appreciate
their comments and the actions they have taken.
I will read those by-laws as approved, and I will read them
by the number that appears on this particular sheet. The
Committee recommends adoption of B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, B-7, B-8.
Just a minute. Let me start over again. B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, B-
7, B-8, B-11 and B-13.
Commander-in-Chief, I move adoption.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN STAUM: John Staum, delegate
from Post 9625, Minnesota, seconds that recommendation.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You have heard the motion. It has
been duly seconded. Any discussion?
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE WAYNE J. THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Thank you,
Commander-in-Chief. I am Wayne Thompson, Department of
Colorado, Post 5061. I hereby request that By-Law Amendments
identified as B-13, B-19, B-22, B-23, B-26, B-30, B-31 be set
aside.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Let me interrupt you, Comrade. The
only one we have read so far is B-13.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, the others were proposed for rejection; is
that correct?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Not yet.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): We ask that
B-13 be set aside.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: B-13 will be set aside.
Microphone No. 3.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Commander-in-Chief, Howard Vander Clute, Post 6467,
New Jersey. I ask that B-8 be set aside.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: B-8 will be set aside.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE JOE MURPHY (Post 1289--Tennessee): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Joe Murphy, Post 1289, Tennessee. I would
like for B-1 to be set aside.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: B-1 will be set aside. It is
difficult for me to tell if there is anyone at the microphones.
Sergeant-at-Arms, is there anyone at any of the microphones?
Okay. You have heard the motion. It has been duly seconded.
Any further discussion on the motion? If not, those in favor of
the motion will signify by saying ``aye''; those opposed by the
same sign. The motion carries.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: Comrade Commander-in-Chief,
B-1 pertains to Section 202 of the By-Laws and it amends
Section 202 by deleting in its entirety and inserting in lieu
thereof, and I will not read this long paragraph. I would hope
that everyone has the sheet in front of them. It pertains to
Post By-Laws, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Now, I need a motion to adopt in
accordance with the Convention Rules.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): Glen Gardner, a
delegate from Post 3359, Garland, Texas. I move that we adopt
B-1.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir. I stand corrected.
It is already on the floor. It is open for debate. Is there any
debate on B-1?
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE JOE MURPHY (Post 1289--Tennessee): On B-1, I have
no problem with all the changes about the Resolution. My only
problem is how it gets mailed out. It says in there it will be
mailed out by first class mail. As you all know, that is 32
cents.
Then they tell me that if they are a small Post they need
to do that. Normally, the small Posts don't have the money to
send out even 25. If you look at a Post with 1,000, it will
cost you $320 in postage. If they send it first class mail,
most of you comrades know you don't increase your membership at
the next meeting over ten percent.
It should have been, I would think, that it should have
been either bulk mail or it should have been a Post Newsletter
would have been sufficient to change any by-laws that you are
going to have to let all the comrades in the Post know that you
are going to change the by-laws or make new by-laws.
My whole problem is with the first class mail. I just can't
see where there is any use in wasting that kind of money when
there are other ways of sending out in the communications to
the members. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Comrade Murphy.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, this by-law was proposed because under the by-laws
that we have now there is no requirement for notification to
the members before adopting by-laws. You can bring it up at any
Post meeting to adopt by-laws and whoever is there is going to
create for that Post a set of by-laws that everyone has to live
with.
Once that is done, in most cases, it is going to take a
two-thirds vote after notification to change them. Under this
proposal, also, any Post that already has by-laws, their by-
laws would dictate how those occasions would be given to the
members.
This would only refer to the Posts that don't have by-laws
at the present time. So I would hope that we would adopt this
so that every member of the Post would have proper notification
before a Post adopts by-laws that will govern their operation.
Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Glen. Anyone else at
any other microphone? Hearing no more debate, the motion is to
adopt. Those in favor of the motion to adopt will signify by
saying ``aye''; those opposed by the same sign. The motion
carries.
B-8 is now open for debate.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: B-8 dealt with the
realignment of the National Council of Administration
Districts, due to the Department of New Jersey falling under
the required number of members, which is 70,000 to retain their
own National Council seat.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Obviously, I want to be heard on this as opposing
adoption of B-8, because my Department is involved. We have
complied with the by-laws as they now stand, New Jersey,
District I, as having 70,000 members.
This year New Jersey dropped below 70,000 members. It is at
approximately 68,000 members. We stand to lose a Council
member, or at least have to share a Council member in this
proposal with Maryland. However, I noticed, first of all, that
B-8 is somewhat flawed in that it did not include in the second
paragraph District G and I, which should have been addressed in
that second paragraph. So it is flawed.
Now, Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I want to speak on this
based on the fact that there is another by-law proposal that
the Committee rejected, so I know there is an alternative to
this later on in the debate. I can only discuss this B-8 at
this time.
This affects the Eastern Conference besides New Jersey,
because we lose one vote on the National Council of
Administration. In addition, it will cause us to have a four-
state District. This will occur if this by-law is adopted. It
will cause the Departments of the District of Columbia,
Delaware, Europe and Rhode Island to become a Council District.
That seems to me to be unfair when most of the Council
Districts are composed of not more than two, and on one or two
occasions three, in the occasions of the small overseas
Departments, there is one other, not overseas but with two
overseas Departments, Hawaii and Alaska.
Commander-in-Chief, we discussed this at our Eastern
Conference meeting and we are appealing to the other
Departments on the basis that we are and we have all said it
and you have said it as well, we are in a period of decline
simply because there is a shrinking pool of eligible veterans
from which to draw our membership.
This may occur on future dates to other Departments. In
addition, it will affect one other Department in the National
Organization, that of the Department of Indiana should we adopt
B-25.
But we stand opposed to B-8 on the basis that we have an
alternative to B-8 in B-25. We feel it is unfair to the Eastern
Conference because it would place four Departments together and
those Departments would have only a Council member every eight
years. New Jersey would lose its Council District when the same
circumstance may occur to other Departments in the near future.
So, Commander-in-Chief, I am opposed and my Department is
opposed to B-8.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE BRUCE WITHERS (Post 10436--Department of Europe):
Commander-in-Chief, I am Bruce Withers from the Department of
Europe and also District Council member for District No. 4. I
also rise to support rejecting B-8 based on the fact that the
Department of Europe already has to wait six years in order to
serve on the Council.
By adding Rhode Island with the other three Departments
that we have now, that means that we will have to wait eight
years. I personally would like to know what is the criteria for
combining us into four Departments. I don't know what that
criteria is. It is not outlined in this document. Therefore, I
oppose combining four Departments and rise to say that we
should keep it at three.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Any further debate on B-8?
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE SAL CAPIRCHIO (Post 2396--Rhode Island): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Sal Capirchio, Junior Vice Commander of the
State of Rhode Island. I stand here also opposed for the
Department to B-8 because we are going from four years to eight
years.
I think that this morning we saw the video during the Joint
Session, the Opening Session, and in the video it said about
getting to our grassroots. I think the National Council member
elections definitely throws a lot of interest within our state
as well as all the other states, and I believe by taking this
away from us, I think the membership will go down and the
grassroots will be hurt.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE RON RUSKO (Post 9460--Connecticut): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Ron Rusko from Post 9460 in Stratford,
Connecticut. We have heard Past Adjutant General and Past
National Commander-in-Chief Howard Vander Clute say that B-8 is
flawed, and it certainly is.
What is left out from B-8 and the Districts A, B, C, and
then the letter G, that is the Department of California. So if
you would adopt B-8, California will not have any
representation on the National Council if B-8 is adopted. I
don't think that will make them real happy.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE GERARD MISERANDINO (Post 2979--District of
Columbia): I stand to oppose the adoption of B-8. We, in the
District of Columbia, right now share the six-year rotational
system and it would make us go to eight, on an eight-year
basis, plus it also creates an additional burden on the Council
member who is going to be traveling between these four
Departments, because there is a great distance between the
Departments of D.C., Rhode Island and Europe.
Delaware is close to us so we can't use that argument, but
Rhode Island is a great distance away as well as Europe. We
stand opposed to B-8 and encourage the rest of the members and
delegates at this Convention to vote it down.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE PAUL PHILLIPS (Post 2863--Delaware): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Paul Phillips, Post 2863, Delaware. I rise
to support the previous speakers, to ask the body here to
reject B-8 so as not to throw the burden on the small states
for the Council Districts.
You have all heard the reasoning and I certainly support
that. We, in Delaware, ask that this body reject B-8 so as not
to throw us into an eight-year term. Thank you, Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE RAY SISK (Post 97--California): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, I am Ray Sisk, Post 97, California, National Council
member for California District G. I rise also in opposition to
this for one simple reason. It is the idea that you have four
Departments that are to be expected to have one representative.
I feel very strongly that three is enough. Any Council
member that represents three states has a hard enough time, let
alone someone trying to take care of four of them. Four is
going to leave the Council member every eight years out of
their particular Department. I think that is wrong and I think
we ought to defeat it. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE DEAN WHITE (Post 27--Department of Europe): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Dean White, Post 27, Department of Europe.
I have a question. Which set of by-laws are we discussing? I
have a blue set and a white set.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The blue set.
COMRADE DEAN WHITE (Post 27--Department of Europe): Thank
you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You are welcome.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE DANA HUSSEY (Post 4485--New Hampshire): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Dana Hussey, Post 4485, New Hampshire. I
rise in opposition to B-8 basically for the simple reason that
the National Council member is elected to represent the
grassroots, because everyone cannot go to the Council meetings.
By reducing the number of Council members, you are reducing
the strength of the grassroots organization, I think, and
putting the decision-making process in the hands of a few
people. By reducing the National Council of Administration, you
are weakening the organization. I am opposed to B-8.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Let me ask this. Is there anyone
that is in favor of B-8? Having ended the debate, the motion is
to adopt. Those in favor of adoption of B-8, signify by saying
``aye''; those opposed by the same sign. B-8 is rejected.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: Comrade Commander-in-Chief
and Comrades, B-13 is a rewrite of Section 111 in its entirety.
Section 111 pertains to Life Membership. There were several
other proposals, proposed amendments dealing with the same
matter. However, the Committee felt that B-13 was the best one
to adopt.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF PAUL SPERA (Post 144--
Massachusetts): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Paul Spera,
delegate from Post 144 in Boston, Massachusetts. I rise in
opposition to B-13. I look at the rate schedule, and on the
third list, in 2004, we are right back to where the delegates
at this Convention last year rejected.
I also rise in opposition to it because I believe, and let
me say up front so there is no misunderstanding, before we
leave this Convention the Life Membership fees will be raised.
I know in my heart and my mind that is unavoidable and for the
fiscal integrity of our organization that we will raise the
Life Membership fees.
What we will decide is how we will raise those fees. What
we will decide is what is best for the members of this
organization. I stand to oppose B-13 and intend to return to
this microphone if B-13 is defeated to support another
Resolution, B-15 that I believe it is more fair.
But B-13 bothers me for another reason. If you come before
the Convention to raise the Life Membership fees, if two years
later you feel that those fees should be raised again and you
have the courage of your convictions to come back two years
later after having tried for a Life Membership fee increase,
and try to raise them a second time, and two years after that
if you are successful, come back to the delegates, to the
grassroots of this organization, and convince them a third time
that the fees for the Life Membership should be raised.
I know of no time in our history when we have raised the
Life Membership fees three times with one by-law change. The
Life Membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars to the vast
majority of the Post Commanders and Quartermasters and
Membership Chairmen that I spoke to is a way for them to
stabilize the membership in their Posts, to give them the
ability to sell a Life Membership to someone and never have to
collect that person's dues again. That is what the Life
Membership is to the Post level of our organization.
But I understand there is also a financial part to it. The
financial part is what our National Organization and our
Departments primarily get paid back on the Life Membership
fees. I stand in opposition to B-13. If the people want to
raise the Life Membership fees, want to raise it in two years,
let them come back and face us again.
Let them convince us of that in two years from now or four
years from now. We should not raise the Life Membership three
times with one by-law change. I recommend that we reject this.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Wayne Thompson, Post 5061, Department of
colorful Colorado. I hereby move that--
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We have a motion on the floor,
comrade. We have a motion to adopt on the floor at the moment.
We are under debate on B-13.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): I am in
opposition to that, Commander-in-Chief, primarily for the
reason that the information that was provided to us, in my
opinion, doesn't really provide sufficient information for us
to have full disclosure to understand what the financial
problems are.
The financial report that was given to us at this
Convention indicates right now that we have got close to $42
million in surplus funds in the Life Membership account. I find
it very difficult to support a dues increase that will further
diminish our opportunity to bring in new members, Life Members
to this organization, when this report shows a $42 million
surplus. Thank you, Commander-in-Chief. I ask for a ``no'' vote
on this.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE LYNN HALL (Post 6240--Kansas): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, Lynn Hall, Post 6240, Russell, Kansas, and the State
Department Commander of Kansas. I rise in opposition to B-13
primarily on the purpose that after review our Department would
defer a rise in the Life Membership fees on a one-time basis
and object to any proposal of any increment beyond 1998.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE RICHARD PIGNONE (Post 3173--California): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Richard R. Pignone, Post 3173, incoming
Council member from District G. I rise in opposition to B-13.
The delegates of California at their Convention mandated me to
tell you and the rest of the comrades in this Convention they
vote ``no''. They are not in favor, not of this one or any one
following it. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you. There is no doubt where
he stands on that.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE DONALD LINSCOTT (Post 1603--Maine): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Don Linscott, Post 1603, Auburn, Maine. I
am not a candidate for anything. I am just speaking against
this because it has already been brought up. The important
thing is to put something as important as this back into the
grassroots.
Two more years from now I am quite sure if they could, we
would vote another increase. But, gentlemen, I have done all
kinds of figures and all kinds of things, and all I know is
that the accounting reports are wrong. Last year we had
$122,325,000 in the Life Membership Fund.
We had to panic because of the big pay out because of
topping one million. I looked at the report from May 31st this
year in your book, which says after all that big payoff the
fund went up to $125 million. I see nothing against helping
those ten years when I am gone and the rest of us are gone, but
let's remember one thing, guys.
We started the Life Membership Fund, the most successful
Life Membership Fund of any organization going, with zero. In
five years, the way things are going, we are going to pass on
to the next generation a Life Membership of probably $145
million.
It is time to take care of ourselves and continue. I hope
you will all vote this down so realistically we, the delegates,
can vote on how the Life Membership Fund is going to go. Thank
you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE TIGER MILLER (Post 1059--Illinois): It is going to
hurt three times as much to cut the dog's tail off three times.
If you are going to do it, just cut the dog's tail once.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 2.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ART FELLWOCK (Post 1141--Indiana):
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Art Fellwock, a member of Post 1114
in Evansville, Indiana. I rise to speak on this and let me say
that I am against the increase because you are asking for an
increase in years to come, 2004. We don't know what will happen
in 2004.
Let me tell you, we show a little deficit in the Life
Membership Fund, but I have seen corporations throughout the
United States that have shown a slight deficit and they have
come out of it in a matter of a few months, six months or a
year.
We really don't know now what will happen. I say right now
we do not need it. I am for just leaving it like it was last
year when we passed the membership, the Life Membership thing,
and leave the fees the same way, because look at how many Life
Members you signed up last year in the Life Membership Fund.
Let's leave it as it is and let's go from there.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE EDMUND GUCWA (Post 6896--Michigan): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I am in concurrence with all the previous
speakers. I have not heard one person in favor of B-13. At this
time I call for the question to put it to a vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir. I need a second to
do that. I need a second to call for the question.
COMRADE TOMMY THOMAS (Post 9657--California): I will second
it. I am Tommy Thomas, Post 9657, California.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you. I will now call for the
question. You have heard the motion. All those in favor of the
motion to move the question will signify by saying ``aye''. All
opposed by the same sign. Let me see if I can clarify the
motion.
The motion that is before us now is to call for the
question and terminate debate. That is the motion that is
before us. Now, knowing that, those in favor of the motion, and
it takes a two-thirds vote, will signify by saying ``aye'';
those opposed by the same sign. That motion carries.
Now, the motion before us is to adopt. Those in favor of
adopting B-13 will signify by saying ``aye''; those opposed by
the same sign. B-13 is rejected.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: Thank you, Commander-in-
Chief. The Committee recommends rejection of B-4, B-5, B-9, B-
10, B-12, B-14, B-15, B-16, B-17, B-18, B-19, B-20, B-21, B-22,
B-23, B-24, B-25, B-26, B-27, B-28, B-29, B-30, B-31 and B-32.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Comrade Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Howard Vander Clute, Past
Commander-in-Chief and a delegate from Post 6467, Bergenfield,
New Jersey. I ask to set aside B-22, B-23, B-25 and B-26.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Sir, I need a motion to adopt, not
set aside.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Can I move to adopt all of those?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: No, one at a time.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Well, the reason I asked that is that B-22, B-23 and
B-26 address the same subject.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: In that context, we will authorize
that, yes.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Commander-in-Chief, I move adoption of B-22, B-23 and
B-26. If you wish, I will hold my motion to adopt B-25 until
you get a second on those.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That will be fine.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE GEORGE MEAD (Post 9400--Arizona): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Mead, Post 9400, Department of Arizona. I
second that motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We have a motion duly seconded. We
are now ready for debate on B-22, B-23 and B-26.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Comrade Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): As you can see, these three by-law amendments address
the salaries in the two areas of the by-laws that salaries are
discussed. In the case of B-22, it addresses the salary of the
Adjutant General.
B-23 addresses the salary of the Quartermaster General, and
then B-26 addresses the powers and duties of the National
Council of Administration relative to establishing salaries for
employees and officers of our organization. The intent of the
by-law is to place a cap on the salary of the Adjutant General
and the Quartermaster General at $150,000 per annum.
The reason that it has been proposed is that it is
perceived by me, as by many others, that that $150,000 figure
is rapidly being approached through the generosity of the
National Council of Administration who administers the
salaries.
If it is to be that the Commander-in-Chief is the highest
paid officer in this organization, and that traditionally has
been the case, where will the salary of the Commander-in-Chief
go if we don't cap the salaries of the Adjutant General and the
Quartermaster General?
If we don't cap the salaries, in fact, in all, where will
they go when they surpass the $150,000? Will it go to $160,000,
$180,000 to $200,000, when this organization seemed so
concerned about raising funds in many different ways through
mail solicitations to non-members and to members themselves on
the various programs that they have, that you continue to have
a flow of money into the treasury of this organization to come
from you, the members and the delegates of this organization.
Now, it has been said by many that this organization
belongs to you. The argument on the floor yesterday went
something like this. They said this was a vendetta against the
Adjutant General and the Quartermaster General. Nothing could
be further from the truth. This is not a vendetta.
This is a concerned member expressing his view before the
National Convention, the supreme body of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars. It was also said, ``Wait a minute. The National
Council of Administration takes care of administering to the
salaries of our officers.''
That's true. But if the National Council of Administration
is to be compared to the Board of Directors of the corporation,
we like to think of ourselves as a corporation, although we
don't produce a profit nor do we produce a product, we are in
business because we have the legacy to serve veterans and their
survivors.
Then let me ask you, my comrades, if you did not see the
actual salary of the employees for which you served on a Board
of Directors, would you be inclined, then, to approve their
salaries? I am here to tell you that the National Council of
Administration for at least the past three years has not seen
the salary of any officer or any staff member of this
organization.
They see salary ranges. There are so many employees in
Grade 10 and their salaries are between X amount and X amount.
No one knows precisely how much any officer makes except the
Commander-in-Chief, the Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief and the
Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, whose salaries and expenses are
published in the report from the Quartermaster General.
Now, this is not intended to take away any responsibility
or any of the authority or any of the good judgment of those
good members who serve on the National Council of
Administration. As a matter of fact, I am sure there are a few
Council members who would be happy to have the guideline and
happy to have the by-laws established at $150,000 maximum
salary on our two top officers. It would make their job that
much easier.
Secondly, I speak, after having some experience, as you
might suspect, because I served 14 years as the Adjutant
General. I started at $40,000 and the last full year that I was
employed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
the last full year, because I retired in '94 after only ten
months, I left at the end of October, but my last full year I
have a W-2 form here and should anybody doubt my word, I
brought them all, my salary was something under $118,000.
That was over 14 years, and that was through a salary
administration. So I am not ashamed to tell you or show you how
much I earned as an officer of this corporation. But I am
concerned about the fact that the National Council of
Administration does not know the exact amount of salary that
they are voting on when they cast their votes in favor of the
salary administration.
I have one thing further, Commander-in-Chief. Something
else was said at the meeting yesterday that disturbed me
somewhat. They said someone had been, and that someone I
suspect was me, had mentioned or communicated with members of
the Council saying that the National Adjutant General in the
American Legion earns $125,000.
Why do we care what the Adjutant General in the American
Legion makes? That is probably so, but we don't care. It is
none of our business unless we have some interest in the
Legion. I will tell you this, when the salary administration
was established in this organization and voted by the Council,
the principal concern at the time was to establish internal and
external equity for all the employees in our organization.
In other words, if you had a job that had a certain degree
of responsibility and accountability that they could identify
with someone in private industry, that is the salary he should
have received. That is how we keep people working for our
organization.
External equity counts as well. It is kind of difficult
with our offices to identify with industry. Let's identify them
with another veterans organization. The National Adjutant
General, with an organization much bigger than ours, the
American Legion, earns $125,000. That we can use as an external
equity. Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Howard.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, Glen Gardner, a delegate from Post VFW 3359, Texas. I
stand in opposition to this motion. For all the years that our
good Past Commander-in-Chief served as Adjutant General, it was
fine for the Council to decide what the salaries would be.
I think that we elect the Council members to make those
decisions. Let me tell you, comrades, as the Budget Chairman,
at the Council meeting in October, in Kansas City, every member
was given the opportunity to ask the salary individually of any
employee of this organization if they wanted to know it.
Every Council member will tell you that they were given
that opportunity. If they wanted to know an individual's
salary, all they had to do was to stand up on their two hind
feet and say, ``I want to know how much James Brown makes in
the Membership Department.'' So they were given that
opportunity.
Our Council does a great job. They have all the material
they need, the same things they need to decide the issues that
come before them. I think we should leave with the Council of
Administration that right and that privilege and vote ``no''
for this amendment.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Wayne Thompson, Post 5061, Department of
Colorado and Past Judge Advocate General. I am speaking in
support of the motion, the three amendments to adopt. And
specifically I think there is a strong feeling among all of us
that we are volunteers.
This is a volunteer organization. We know we can't operate
as volunteers totally. We do have paid staff. It is a great
feeling between what we do as volunteers between what others
get paid as salaries. I certainly would commend the National
Officers for what they have done and the staff for the work
they do, but it is a really a question of fairness.
We ought to feel good about this. I don't think there is a
good feeling about what is going on between the National Office
and the troops, if you will. Part of it is the lack of
information. If this will help to bring us back together, then
I urge that these three amendments be adopted. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE TOM DOUGHERTY (Post 3474--Pennsylvania): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Tom Dougherty, Post 3474, Delaware,
Pennsylvania. I stand in opposition and call for rejection of
this proposed amendment. I have heard the speaker from Texas
state that -- when I served on the Council in 1983 and '85 that
we were aware of all of this.
Yes, if you were a speed reader. They took this budget
around and set it in front of you. You were supposed to digest
this all in a short period of time. I was also told by a
previous Chief that we had the opportunity to take that, they
would never refuse us. I guarantee you if you tried to put that
in your briefcase they were there to pick it up from you.
Now, as I stated yesterday, and I am the guy that talked
about the American Legion and I am the guy that talked about
the vendetta. I still firmly believe that. I mentioned
yesterday that we have an organization worth a quarter of a
billion dollars, which is administered by these people at the
National Headquarters and all the Council members have the
ability and the intelligence to put a cap on it.
They are taking the power away from our Council members.
Why have Council members, number one, to begin with? We don't
need them. That is a very important item. This power should not
be taken away from them. They should be able to decide whether
there should be a cap.
I will state one other thing. I will have to ask the
previous speaker to the fellow from Texas, which was on this
microphone, I am sorry, there was from California, too, if he
were in that position today as the Adjutant General or the
Quartermaster General, would he be looking for a cap on his
salary?
I think that they should be compensated commensurate with
their responsibilities and that should be the obligation of our
Council of Administration. The next thing we will be asking for
if we have to buy $10,000 worth of paper. Will that come next
or other budget items come to the floor next? I think it is
dangerous, and I call for rejection of this amendment.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE GEORGE MEAD (Post 9400--Arizona): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Mead, Post 9400, Department of Arizona. I
rise in favor of these three. Let's get the information and the
decisions back to the grassroots. It has gone away from that,
it has gone into the Council.
I will state this, yesterday it was stated you vote on your
representative to the Council of Administration. That is not
the case in many states. We get a representative in the
Department of Arizona every six years. That means we have to
wait four.
That means if the two other states are in opposition for
Arizona, we have to wait and have no choice or vote on the
Council of Administration. Let's put this back to the
grassroots.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE DONALD LINSCOTT (Post 1603--Maine): Commander-in-
Chief, I guess I have a question, first. What does the Adjutant
General and the Quartermaster General make now? What are their
salaries now? We are not supposed to know? What are their
salaries now?
If we are at $150,000, why am I wasting my time? What are
the salaries of the Adjutant General and Quartermaster General
now? I think the Quartermaster General is going to come forth
now.
QUARTERMASTER GENERAL JOE RIDGLEY: For everybody's
information, every officer in the organization that is a
designated officer is on a 990, you can look at this. The
salary of the Adjutant General and the Quartermaster General is
$144,000 this year.
COMRADE DONALD LINSCOTT (Post 1603--Maine): So, I guess
basically what we are trying to say is that you shouldn't
compare this to paper clips, like my previous speaker was
talking about. This is probably the highest we are going to go
in the organization and we should have some control.
Yes, our Council does meet and go over their budget, and I
don't know about you, but I have talked to some Council members
and in a matter of a day and one-half they have thrown them a
$194 million budget and say let's act on it.
I went to the Council meeting yesterday where we saw a
proposal for $1,520,000, I think it was, to put new fan coils
into the building, which we probably need.
My problem is it also said in 1995 we put new fan coils in,
and when I total up the figures in there, including legal of
$330,000, but you add in the mark-up and it came to $1,520,000.
My problem is that they do have the ability to do that, but
they just don't have the time to do that.
I am in favor of putting a cap. Two years from now, we can
come back here, if the economy changes, we can change this
figure. Right now, guys, it is time for us to decide how much
our highest paid executives are going to get.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE GENE WARDEN (Post 8552--Texas): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, Gene Warden, Council member from Texas, VFW Post
8552. As I said, I am a Council member and I stand in
opposition to this amendment. I have listened to both sides, I
have sat in the Council meetings, I have seen the figures that
these people were given.
I was offered the opportunity to see them. I did ask and I
saw the figures. I know what our National Officers are getting.
I think that if you will compare, if you are working in a field
of any kind, what you were receiving ten years ago and compare
that with what you are receiving today, you will find that your
salary has probably increased at a larger percentage than that
of the National Officers, including our Past Commander-in-Chief
Vander Clute's salary.
I am sorry. Take a look and see what your salary has
increased. I speak personally from my own salary. I say let the
Council have the authority to help the working members of this
organization run the organization the way it is designed. If
you take this authority away from them, then you have no one
who will be able to sit down and do it unless you will do it on
a National Board. Can you imagine what would happen? Thank you,
Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE JAMES CARLISLE (Post 10097--Florida): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, my name is James Carlisle, Past State
Commander of Florida. My Post is 10097, Fort Myers Beach,
Florida. I have been on the Council before a few years back and
I was on the Budget and Finance Committee.
I will guarantee you that the Council knows what the
National Officers make. We knew what the National Officers
made. If the Council now does not know what the National
Officers make, then the Council should do their job and demand
to know.
The Council of Administration runs this organization. They
should run it. If they don't know what they have, then they
should know. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE RAY SISK (Post 97--California): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, Ray Sisk, Post 97, California, District G Council of
Administration. I would just like to clarify a few facts that
were stated by our first speaker. The fact that, first of all,
the Council of Administration, I know for the last two years it
certainly has been given figures for each of the categories.
They were told by Past Budget Chairman Joe Scerra from
Massachusetts, Cliff Olson and by Glen Gardner this year. Any
individual that wanted to see an individual number, the salary,
it was there and available. I chose to do such a thing, and I
can tell you right now that our Quartermaster General and our
Adjutant General does not make $144,000. They only make
$143,776.
Now, I had the opportunity and pleasure of serving on the
National Budget Committee for the last two years. I have been
the California Budget Chairman for several years, and we have
never had a red budget, and I am very happy to say we have had
a surplus the last two years, no matter what anybody made in
this organization.
I am very, very happy to stand here and say that I don't
think that for one minute that these two gentlemen are
overpaid. I pay a general manager of my trucking company damn
near that much money to run 20 trucks across the United States,
and it certainly doesn't take a college education for that.
So I rise and say that is not too much money for our
Quartermaster General. You can put a cap on it if you want to,
but I also want to say that the Council of Administration does
not run this organization, you people here on the floor run
this organization. I am certainly aware of that. Thank you very
much.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Before I call for any other
debate, let me ask, please, let's have considerate
deliberations and please refrain from the boo's and cat calls,
please.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE MYRON YOUNG (Post 9571--Ohio): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, my name is Myron Young. I am a delegate from Post
9571, Ellsworth, Ohio. I am a former National Council member. I
sat on the National Council for two years and never once did I
ever hear of any of the National Officers getting out on the
floor after they had left the National Office and ridicule as
it has been done here today.
I think to stand there and take on debate past the rules of
the Convention, I think that was totally wrong. I think that it
is time, comrades, that we all get together, vote ``no'' on
this issue and let our Council members, as they have done in
this organization from its very beginning, let the National
Officers and the men that you elect as National Council members
on the Board of Directors, if you will, let them continue to
run this organization as they have in the past. It has been
tremendously successful, and let's continue to keep it that
way. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE EUGENE MANFREY (Post 6827--Florida): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Gene Manfrey, VFW Post 6827, St.
Petersburg, Florida. I am a Council member from Area J. Comrade
Commander, officers and members, this sounds like deja vu. I
can remember just a few years ago the same thing happened when
a Past Commander-in-Chief by the name of Joe Scerra challenged
the chair.
Howard Vander Clute was the Adjutant General at the time.
They asked for the specific amount of money that the officers
were making. We had a good comrade just a minute ago just ask
what it was. National did not say anything. They gave you the
number. They told you how much they are paid.
I served on that National Council of Administration and on
the Budget and Finance Committee, and I had that privilege. I
had the privilege of seeing what the National Officers made and
there was never any debate. I think what we are talking about,
after all this is a corporation with over $33 million.
We are paying our CEO $144,000. He should be getting more
than that. You know that. Let's keep this organization and quit
kibitzing about how much someone makes and work for the
organization. They are all working for us. You work with them.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN MOON (Post 2873 -Ohio):
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, John Moon, Post 2873, Grover Hill,
Ohio, a delegate and also Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief.
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I recently met along with you and a
couple of other representatives with a management firm who for
many years has watched and safeguarded some of the views and
the ways that our organization has run.
They not only watch our organization, but they take care of
many other organizations. It is a management consulting firm.
This group of individuals came forth at our request, not at
their own request, but at our request to give us some insight
as to this particular by-law.
They reviewed it, simply made a statement to start this at
the Veterans of Foreign Wars or any other level of an
organization is going to prove to be the downright out and out
downsizing of an organization as to the importance of it. What
we have got from them in that long meeting that we did hold
with them was the fact that we would be one of the first to
ever do this, and they did not feel it was in our best interest
to do so.
They said, however, any time you want to do that, that
again is the right of the body They said that is why you have a
so-called Board of Directors. That is the Council of
Administration that is elected throughout this country to
represent those respective states or those respective
departments in the best interests of the organization.
Although they may not be popular decisions they make, those
decisions that are made are, as a Board of Directors, on how
this organization should be steered in between Conventions.
Included in that, Commander-in-Chief, is the rate structure for
the individuals that work at the National level, they being in
Kansas City or Washington, D.C.
That is why the support of this by-law for rejection is in
the best interest of this organization, to allow that Board of
Directors and to allow that Council of Administration that we
elect every two years to make that decision on behalf of each
and every individual.
It is not to take the authority away from those individuals
that are delegates on this floor or any Convention floor, but
it is designed to be in the best interest to look closely at
the budget, to make those decisions on the budget, the way they
see fit and the way they can feel it is justifiable for
everyone's best interests. Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
ADJUTANT GENERAL LARRY W. RIVERS (Post 1736--Louisiana):
Commander-in-Chief, Larry Rivers, a delegate from Post 1736,
Alexandria, Louisiana. My fellow comrades, I had not planned to
get to this microphone at any point during this debate.
I want to preface my remarks and tell you why. I am tired
of being the issue instead of us honestly looking at the
issues. We can say whatever we want to say, but many of us
here, and probably everyone in this room knows that is the
case.
I want to set the record straight, and that is the only
reason I am here, because there are inferences made, there are
inferences made since I have been Adjutant General somehow the
procedures have changed, that things have been put in place by
me somehow designed for my personal benefit to the detriment of
this organization.
Those that have differences of opinion too often want to
couch what they say as speaking for truth. Let me tell you, I
am one of truth. I have served my country well. I have served
my family well. I work hard for this organization. I am tired
of being the whipping boy.
I want to tell you what the procedures are and how long
they have been in place. The Adjutant General had the
opportunity to make more than $150,000 way before I became
Adjutant General. There was never any move to put any cap on
anybody's salary.
I want to tell you something else, too, and it is very
personal, and it is very difficult for me to stand up here and
have to be this personal to so many people. I am not afraid to
because I don't have anything to hide. I made more money by
$100,000 the last year I practiced law than I make now in the
VFW. I am not a money grubber; I am not a money grubber.
I want to tell you what the procedures are and how that has
always been. They have always been in place. You know, there is
a certain degree of secrecy with salaries. I will tell you why.
It is because we have employees in Kansas City that make
different salaries.
In order to make our organization work, we don't need
secretaries comparing salaries with each other. We don't need
managers and directors comparing salaries with each other that
will tend to undermine the cohesion we need with our employees.
We respect their privacy. Maybe if you say by virtue of
serving as your Adjutant General, while I am temporary in this
office, just as my predecessors have been, no one owns the
office of Adjutant General or Quartermaster General. We serve
at the pleasure of this organization. That is the way those
decisions need to be made.
Do we deserve a certain amount of privacy like everybody
else? Simply because we make our living trying to serve you
American veterans well, we are not entitled to that? We ought
to stand here and tell you what every secretary makes and
undermine the cohesion?
The reason there is a modicum of secrecy is because of that
need, and that is the way it has always been. Throughout these
debates or these kind of inferences, all of that has come about
in the past three years because now you have those that want to
make me out to be a devil.
I have not changed one procedure in either the Council
meetings, how they deal with salaries, how they address that
issue, how salaries are set. In fact, when I was sitting up
there when they said tell me your salary, I didn't even know
it. I said I make something over $140,000.
I have never once talked to any member of this organization
about how much you ought to pay me for the work I do as your
Adjutant General. I never will. You make that decision through
the Council members. Yes, the Council does run this
organization when the Convention is not in session, because
that is what the by-laws say; that is what the by-laws say.
That is not me, that is not the Quartermaster General, that
is what the by-laws say. I have not changed one procedure. I
don't have any control over salaries. I am not telling you to
vote yes or no. That is for you to decide. But the inference is
somehow there is something sinister afoot in Kansas City
because we have new people there with different names and
different faces and, yes, in many cases different ideas.
You can tar and feather us for every ill, and to couch your
opposition and your animosity toward us personally in the name
of the troops is dead wrong. I wanted to get up on this floor
and say it. I enjoy working for you. I am going to continue
working for you as long as you want me regardless of what my
salary is.
So let's call a spade a spade. That is what is going on
here. Couch it in whatever way you will, but make no mistake
what is at stake here. Thank you, my friends.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ARTHUR FELLWOCK (Post 1114--
Indiana): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Art Fellwock, Post 1114,
Evansville, Indiana. Let's get it straight. We are not trying
to take anything away from the Council of Administration. What
we are doing here, this is the governing body and the governing
body is trying to tell the Council of Administration they want
the salary at $150,000.
Now, it is in addition to that, each of these get a new
car, which is paid for completely by the VFW, the use of it,
the gasoline and everything else. So you have to add that on to
there, too. You know, if I was working for a corporation and
another corporation offered me $50,000 more in salary, by golly
I would think of my family and say I am going to go to that
other corporation because this $50,000 means money in my pocket
which I can take care of my family a little bit better and have
some of the luxuries.
Let's look at what it costs, $150,000. Let's round that off
to $150,000. Do you know to pay $150,000, you have to collect
27,272 dues to pay one salary of $150,000. This means that the
State of Alabama, who has volunteers who go out and get
membership, whose salary they have in their company is probably
less than $40,000 or $50,000 a year, get the volunteers to go
out and collect these dues, every dues that is collected in the
State of Alabama and every dues that is collected in the State
of Oklahoma would have to go to pay the two salaries.
You know, this is a volunteer organization. I think we have
got to keep it within that frame. Therefore, I rise to support
this amendment.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE BILL BREEN (Post 1002--Nevada): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, this is Bill Breen, Department of Nevada, Past
National Council member 1991-'93. I am up here and I agree with
the Resolution. I think we should have a salary cap.
I have to agree with the comrades this thing could get out
of line. It could get way out of line if we don't have a cap on
it. But I also agree that the Council of Administration should
have some power or authority to set the salaries.
In conclusion, I disagree wholeheartedly with the National
Budget Chairman when he got up and stated that all Council
members have always been allowed to see the budget. Now, let me
tell you something that happened the year of 1991-'92.
We were informed by the National Budget Committee Chairman
at that time that we couldn't see that budget because it was
against the Privacy Act. Now, how many of you people have heard
that before? That is exactly what we were told. The Privacy
Act, my butt. You people approved those salaries and you are
entitled to know what they make. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE CHARLES WILLIAMS (Post 3665--Louisiana): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Charles Williams, Post 3665, Louisiana. I
stand to reject this Proposal B-26 for two reasons. One, we are
singling out two members of our organization.
Out of the 2.2 million, we are saying cap those two
people's salaries but let everybody do whatever the hell they
want to do. Take the power away from the Council of
Administration on these two individuals, but let the Council of
Administration set the salaries and all the other things for
everybody else that is employed by the National Organization.
When you cap salaries, just like the President capped the
military retirees, when you start capping it, you start losing
good people. Now, what happens down the road a year from now if
something happens to Larry Rivers and we go out and get
somebody else and they say I want $190,000 or I won't take the
job?
We can't get anybody to take it for $150,000. I say let the
Council of Administration do their job, set the salary
schedule, whatever the Council of Administration thinks is
fair, and if my Council member is not doing what I ask, I will
go out and elect another Council of Administration member as
soon as I can that will go in there and do what we ask him to
do.
Let's leave it with the Council of Administration, the
salary schedule.
If we are going to do it, let's cap everybody's salaries in
the VFW and not just single out these two individuals.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 3.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BOB CURRIEO (Post 9972--Arizona):
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Bob Currieo, a delegate from Post
9972, Arizona. I rise in support of the Resolution. I think we
are missing and steering away from the main question before the
floor.
It is not whether the Council of Administration does a good
job or a quiet job, or whatever job they do between National
Conventions, or whether the national staff does a good job or a
poor job. The question is the delegates at this Convention here
assembled have the right and have the duty to set the
boundaries for the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.
You only have one chance to do it and it is at this
Convention. You don't come to the Convention to go sightseeing.
You come to act on these Resolutions and carry that message
back to your Posts, and your Posts will inform the delegates.
Support this Resolution.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE JOHN CAMFIELD (Post 1999--California): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I rise in opposition to this Resolution. I
am a retired engineer and I don't make anywhere near the
$150,000. The $150,000 seems like a lot of money, and it is a
lot of money. But for the leaders or the head people of an
organization as large as the National Veterans of Foreign Wars,
$150,000 is not a lot of money.
You can verify this by attending any of the other large
corporations' meetings and just ask how much the CEOs of these
organizations make. I guarantee you that you will not find one
who is anywhere near the bottom of $150,000. I think the
Council of Administration should have the responsibility
because I myself don't know whether $150,000 is a reasonable
figure or whether it is too low of a figure, which I think it
is, or maybe it is too high.
But let's give that responsibility to the people we have
elected, the Council members. If we don't like it, then we ask
the Council member and if he or she does not give us the
information, then we should write as one of the previous
speakers said, it is available.
If we don't like it, then we should let our Council member
know and for the next election ahead of time direct the Council
member as to how we feel on the situation. I urge a ``no'' vote
on this.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF PAUL SPERA (Post 144--
Massachusetts): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Paul Spera, Post
144, Boston, Massachusetts. Just like the Adjutant General, I
had no intention of coming to the microphone on this issue, but
it was his very eloquent, very moving speech to this Convention
that drew me up here.
I am up here for one specific reason. For the past year,
and perhaps even longer, I am one of the individuals in this
organization that has been tagged with the title. I am one of
the individuals in this organization who has been pointed to
when we discuss an issue that some people don't agree with as
someone who has a vendetta.
I have tried in my entire career in this organization to
come to the microphone at the Convention, to come before
everybody of this organization and to discuss issues, to debate
and argue, if necessary, for the best interest of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars.
Quite frankly, I am getting very tired of that old dead
horse being beat every time you come to a microphone and you
disagree with someone, to have the individuals claim that it is
a personal attack, that that is the only reason why you are
coming to the microphone.
Anyone that wants to label me with that kind of tag, go
ahead. Those of you who have known me for the more than 30
years that I have been a member of this organization know where
my heart is, know where my mind is, and know how I feel about
the VFW.
I resent anyone in any position in this organization that
takes my motives and turns them around. I am not going to stand
for it anymore. If you want to debate issues, let's debate
them. When you replace an individual in a corporation, when you
have someone that you are replacing who is being paid a salary
and you are bringing in someone new to fill that position, and
they do not have the experience in that position yet, you do
not bring them in at the same salary or higher.
We do, and we have done it. We have done it for the last
three Quartermaster Generals and we did it with the Adjutant
General. They talked about the previous Adjutant General. They
talked about his salary. They talked about the fact that the
ability to achieve $150,000 has always been there. Well, it
has. But we have never gotten close to it.
We are getting close to it. We are getting close to it in a
climate where year after year we lose tens of thousands of
members. We are coming close to it in a climate where our
Departments are laying off people and finding people to fill
two jobs.
They are cutting back. They are limiting the salaries of
the Quartermasters and Adjutant Generals in the Departments.
They are limiting the salaries of service officers and what the
secretaries get. We are limiting everywhere.
There is nothing wrong with us coming to the Convention and
saying in that atmosphere is it not best for us to say there
should be a cap on the salaries? As far as the Council of
Administration is concerned, with all due respect to every
individual who has served on that Council, the ruling body of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars is the National Convention. We do
not ever give our responsibility to anyone else, so I urge
everyone to support this motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE ROLAND FURST (Post 9972--Arizona): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Roland Furst, delegate from Sierra Vista
Post 9972, Department of Arizona. While I rise in favor of this
motion to adopt, I would like to offer a couple of
observations.
Earlier a comrade made mention of the fact that an
organization recommended that we continue to raise salaries. I
would like to say today the value of this organization is
measured by the salaries of its National Officers. Today we are
indeed in a sorry state of affairs.
Secondly, I would like to offer this observation also. At a
time when the awards and recognitions coming from National
Headquarters have been reduced and reduced and reduced, to the
point that my All-American Post Commander has to pay for his
own breakfast, then once again we have come to a sorry state of
affairs.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I can respond to that comment.
The All-American Commanders have received this year more in
monetary compensation or benefits, whatever you want to call
it, than they have ever in the past. They came here as our
guests and are going to the Washington Conference. That is a
personal observation.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE PAUL MONTGOMERY (Post 3465--Idaho): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Paul Montgomery, Post 3465, Nampa, Idaho. I
am Post Quartermaster and I hold no other office. However, I
know that the Adjutant General is appointed by the Commander-
in-Chief. The Quartermaster General is elected.
The Quartermaster General is elected by this body and the
Commander-in-Chief is elected by this body. Why cannot this
body dictate the caps on their salaries? If we look at their
salaries, I know that in most corporations somebody is hired at
a salary, they get raises for a certain number of years, and in
20 years they retire at a certain amount.
They don't hire another man back at this same amount. They
start them out at a base salary to graduate up again. The cost-
of-living allowance right now for our top officers is almost
$5,000 a year if they get a three-percent cost-of-living
allowance.
Now, I have got a lot of people out there in my Post that
do a lot of work. They might make $537 a month on their
pension. Let's get real. These guys up here at National do a
fantastic job. I have worked with them for 14 years as a
Quartermaster and I know that they do good work.
We need to think about our responsibilities, comrades. So
just keep that in mind when you vote on this. I recommend that
we pass this Resolution.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE MICHAEL BURRIS (Post 2615--North Carolina): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Mike Burris from Post 2615, Department of
North Carolina. Comrades, I believe we all understand what has
been proposed on this by-law. We are either going to cap it or
leave it with the Council of Administration.
I am like Larry Rivers, I am tired of hearing this
bickering and differences that don't relate to the issue.
Therefore, Commander-in-Chief, I move to call for the question.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE ARTHUR SHELL (Post 2843--North Carolina): I second
it.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The motion has been made and duly
seconded. We need to vote on moving the question. All those in
favor of the motion to move the question will signify by saying
``aye''; all those opposed by the same sign. We will move the
question.
The motion is to adopt B-22, B-23 and B-26. I want to make
sure of one thing. The people that vote on this motion, or any
motion, must have in their possession the National VFW
registered card. That is for any motion. We neglected to
announce that. You have to have one of those cards. You have to
be a registered delegate.
Now, those in favor of adopting B-22, B-23 and B-26,
signify by saying ``aye''; those opposed by the same sign. The
Chair rules that B-22, B-23 and B-26 are rejected because it
takes a two-thirds vote.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Vander Clute, New Jersey,
Post 6467, calls for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: It takes ten Departments.
COMRADE LESLIE CHADWICK (Department of Massachusetts):
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Leslie Chadwick, Department of
Massachusetts, calls for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is two.
COMRADE RON RUSKO (Post 9460--Connecticut): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Ron Rusko, Post 9460, Stratford,
Connecticut, calls for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is three.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Wayne Thompson, Department of Colorado,
Post 5061, requests a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is four.
COMRADE ERNEST MEYERS (Department of Michigan): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Ernest Meyers, Senior Vice Commander from
Michigan, calls for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is five.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE PHILIP SCHIFFMAN (Post 8691--New York): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Philip Schiffman, Post 8691, Department
Commander of New York, calls for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is six.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE CARL EBY (Post 2503--Nebraska): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, Carl Eby, Post 2503, Commander of Nebraska, I call
for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is seven.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE CLYDE DAVIS (Department of Illinois): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Clyde Davis, Commander of the Department of
Illinois, calls for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE GREG WOODRING (Post 10308--Arizona): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Greg Woodring, Post 10308, Department
Commander, calls for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: What department, sir?
COMRADE GREG WOODRING (Post 10308--Arizona): The Department
of Arizona.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is nine.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE PHILIP FARRELL (Post 11299--Maine): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Philip Farrell, Commander of the great
State of Maine, requests a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is ten. I will ask the
Adjutant General to conduct the roll call vote. We will take a
ten-minute break to get ready for the roll call vote and time
to caucus.
(RECESS.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Please find your seat so we can
proceed with the roll call vote. Thank you, comrades. To
expedite the process, I will ask the Department Commanders to
please line up in alphabetical order at all three mikes. Line
up in alphabetical order.
As the Adjutant General goes through the roll, all the
Department Commanders should be at Microphones 1, 2 and 3. I am
asking the Assistant Adjutant General John Senk to come forward
and call the roll. May I have order, please. The motion is to
adopt B-22, B-23 and B-26. We will now have the roll call vote.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL JOHN SENK: First of all, before
I begin, the Credentials Committee gave me a correction. Please
note that correction. It has to do with Connecticut. Their
delegate strength is 225 and the total with the registration of
the Commander would be 226.
That makes the total delegate strength 11,251. The grand
total is 11,365. It needs 7,577 votes to pass. That will be
two-thirds.
. . . As Assistant Adjutant General Senk called the roll,
the following votes were cast: . . .
OFFICERS YES NO
Commander-in-Chief Nier X
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Moon X
Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Pouliot X
Adjutant General Rivers X
Quartermaster General Ridgley--(Voted with Post)
Judge Advocate General Herrst--(Voted with Post)
Surgeon General Reif X
National Chaplain Bleiler--(Voted with Post)
National Chief of Staff Lark X
Inspector General Stephens X
DISTRICTS YES NO
District No. 1--Arthur Roy X
District No. 2--William J. Madera X
District No. 3--Armondo C. Azzinaro X
District No. 4--Bruce A. Withers X
District No. 5--John L. Dahman
District No. 6--Scottie E. King X
District No. 7--Roy C. Womble X
District No. 8--Oliver W. Dial X
District No. 9--George M. Pullie X
District No. 10--Leslie F. Thone X
District No. 11--Bernard J. Boyle X
District No. 12--William F. Cerny, Jr. X
District No. 13--Jack L. Armagost X
District No. 14--Earl E. Chase X
District No. 15--James H. Ferguson X
District No. 16--Dannie Cooper X
District No. 17--Gary L. Clark
District A --Armon J. Long X
District B --Russell R. Rieke X
District C --Ralph U. DeMarco
District D --George W. Marks X
District E --Gordon W. Kirk X
District F --Wayne A. Buck X
District G --Raymond C. Sisk X
District H --Ferrell Warden X
District I --George J. Lisicki X
District J --Eugene R. Manfrey X
STATE YES NO
Alabama 197
Alaska 50 34
Arizona 202
Arkansas 158
California 186 401
Colorado 190
Connecticut 226
Delaware 44 76
District of Columbia 35 2
Department of Europe 3 31
Florida 437
Georgia 174
Hawaii 37
Idaho 77
Illinois 690
Indiana 306
Iowa 139
Kansas 240 27
Kentucky 25 113
Latin America/Caribbean 28
Louisiana 1 168
Maine 109 1
Maryland 322 16
Massachusetts 292 80
Michigan 345 127
Minnesota 361
Mississippi 134
Missouri 301
Montana 92
Nebraska 188
Nevada 65 9
New Hampshire 115
New Jersey 287 15
New Mexico 121
New York 282
North Carolina 4 223
North Dakota 84
Ohio 1 653
Oklahoma 42 117
Oregon 29 84
Pacific Areas 44
Pennsylvania 524
Rhode Island 58
South Carolina 96
South Dakota 156 33
Tennessee 144 Texas 19 496
Utah 73
Vermont 102
Virginia 162
Washington 139 36
West Virginia 6 150
Wisconsin 69 138
Wyoming 54
PAST COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF YES NO
Billy Ray Cameron
John M. Carney X
George Cramer X
Robert Currieo X
Art Fellwock X
Robert Hansen-- (Voted with Post)
Walter Hogan--(Voted with Department)
Cooper T. Holt--(Voted with Department)
Richard Homan X
Allen ``Gunner'' Kent (Voted with Department)
James L. Kimery--(Voted with Department)
Clyde Lewis-- (Voted with Department)
John Mahan
Robert T. Merrill
Clifford G. Olson--(Voted with Department)
Eric Sandstrom X
Joseph Scerra--(Voted with Post)
R. D. Smith--(Voted with Department)
Ray Soden--(Voted with Department)
Paul A. Spera X
Norman G. Staab--(Voted with Department)
John Stang--(Voted with Department)
John Staum-- (Voted with Post)
Howard Vander Clute, Jr.--(Voted with Post)
Tom Walker--(Voted with Post)
Robert E. Wallace--(Voted with Post)
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL SENK: That concludes the roll
call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We will have the votes as quickly
as possible. My fellow comrades, as soon as these results are
counted here, we are going to call it a day.
WINNERS OF INSURANCE DRAWING
QUARTERMASTER GENERAL RIDGLEY: May I have your attention,
please. As we do every year, the insurance companies that we
work with for our membership programs provide a drawing. You
can put your name in the bucket over there. I am going to read
those off quickly. There will be a drawing each day at the
Convention.
The winners today are:
$25--Gary Brown, Post 4548, Arkansas
Jimmy Allison, Post 2572, Mississippi
$50--Donald Leach, Post 112, Kansas
Charles Edwards, Post 856, Texas
$100-- Charles Mayer, Post 4075, Kentucky
Vernon Brundage, Post 9960, North Carolina
Congratulations. You can pick up your money over at the
Insurance Booth in the Main Exhibit Hall.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Remember the Distinguished Guests
Banquet is at 7:00 o'clock tonight. We expect a tremendous
turnout, about 2,700 people. A reminder while we are waiting
for the results of the vote, the Business Session will resume
at 9:00 a.m., sharp tomorrow morning in Hall B. We will have
some guest speakers and we will resume with the resolutions and
will continue with our business. That is 9:00 o'clock a.m.,
tomorrow morning in Hall B.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, will we be considering
anymore by-law amendments after the announcement?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: No. We are ready to announce the
vote. May I have order, please.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL SENK: The Credentials Committee
has tallied the vote. The results are: 5,866 yes; 5,548 no. It
failed to achieve a two-thirds vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Therefore, B-22, B-23 and B-26 are
rejected.
Will the National Chaplain please come forward for the
Benediction. All rise, please.
(Whereupon, National Chaplain Bleiler gave the Benediction
at this time.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Comrade Sergeant-at-Arms, please
prepare the room to Salute the Colors.
(Whereupon, the assembly gave the Salute to the Colors.)
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: The Closing Ceremonies have been
performed, Comrade Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you. This session will be in
recess until 9:00 o'clock a.m., in Hall B.
(Whereupon, the meeting was duly recessed at 3:50 o'clock
p.m.)
------
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS BANQUET
AUGUST 18, 1997
(The Distinguished Guests Banquet of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States, meeting in the Salt Palace
Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, was called to order at
7:00 p.m., by Comrade Ben Russo, Chairman, Board of Directors,
VFW 98th National Convention.)
COMRADE BEN RUSSO: May I have your attention. Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Distinguished Guests Banquet for this, our 98th National
Convention. As Chairman of the Board of Directors of this
Convention, I want to extend to you a sincere welcome to Salt
Lake City and the great state of Utah.
I sincerely believe that this banquet may be one of the
highlights of this exciting Convention. We have a memorable
program in store for you and we hope you enjoy the dinner and
the program. Please stand as we join together in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
(Whereupon, the assembly gave the Pledge of Allegiance at
this time.)
COMRADE BEN RUSSO: Please remain standing and I would like
to call on Dr. William J. Bleiler, National Chaplain of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, to give the
Invocation.
Father Bleiler.
INVOCATION
NATIONAL CHAPLAIN BLEILER: Heavenly Father, we come unto
Thee in this moment of our Distinguished Guests Banquet of our
98th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. We
believe that Thou art our God and we are Thy people and Thou
art the creator and sustainer of life.
We acknowledge that every good and perfect gift cometh from
above. We have come from Thy divine province. We humbly invoke
Thy blessings upon our celebration, our comrades and the food
we are about to partake. Teach us, O God, to be always mindful
and thankful of the loving kindness and tender mercies. Amen.
COMRADE BEN RUSSO: Thank you, Father. We may all be seated.
I would still like your attention to make an introduction. I
consider it a great pleasure to have the privilege of
introducing to you a distinguished member of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States who will serve as your Master
of Ceremonies for the remainder of this evening.
John Moon was elected Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief at the
97th National VFW Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, on August
23, 1996. John joined the VFW in April, 1970, while serving the
United States Marine Corps in Vietnam. He has served as the
District Commander and County Council Advocate and at the
Department level he has served as Chairman of the several
Committees, including Legislation, Membership, Vietnam
Veterans, National Home, and the Ohio Caravan. He visits the
Home every year.
He was an All-American Department Commander for the year
1987-1988, and was elected to the National Council of
Administration in 1988. I am pleased to introduce to you our
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief John Moon from the great state
of Ohio. (Applause)
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Thank you, Ben. To
each and every one of you, ladies and gentlemen, comrades and
sisters, I am most honored to be here this evening to serve as
your Master of Ceremonies. We have a tremendous program this
evening and we are pleased to have all of you here, somewhere
in the neighborhood of 2,700.
It is the National Department and the local leaders at the
VFW and Auxiliary levels. We are equally pleased to have our
distinguished guests whom I am going to introduce to you after
dinner. In the meantime, please enjoy the evening and enjoy
your dinner. And for your dining pleasure, we know you will
enjoy the music of the Joe Muscolino Band. Thank you very much.
(Whereupon, the dinner was served at this time.)
(Whereupon, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Moon introduced
the head table guests.)
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: I am privileged this
evening to introduce to you, a very special audience, the
Commander-in-Chief for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States. Since its founding some 98 years ago, the VFW
has drawn together dedicated men and women who share the same
concern and love for America and its veterans.
For the long and proud history of accomplishments, the VFW
has always been in the forefront of every constructive program
that is set forth to expand and protect the rights and
privileges of the American veterans, whether it is an effort
for a strong national defense or concerning veterans.
The VFW must have inspired leaders who will guide us. We
have been most fortunate this year to have a man of this
stature to guide us. He has had 16 years of active involvement
in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Jim Nier has been a man on the
move helping veterans in his community.
In keeping with his motto ``Above and Beyond'', he has
worked hard to address the concerns and the mandates of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars. Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and
sisters, I am pleased to introduce to you a man dedicated to
working for American veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
our Commander-in-Chief from the great state of Texas, James
``Jim'' Nier.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thanks, everyone. Thank you, John,
for that very warm introduction. My remarks tonight will be
very brief. My comrades and sisters, I must tell you that you
see standing before you a very proud person who for the last 12
months has had the wonderful privilege of leading the greatest
veterans service organization in the world, the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States.
Representing you around the country and around the world
has been a most rewarding experience, one that I shall never
forget. I have seen the results of the services for over two
million VFW members and the 750,000 members of the Ladies
Auxiliary.
In every town I visited, I saw a positive fruit that the
VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary are a dynamic force serving our
nation's communities and our nation's veterans. This year has
been a memorable year as the VFW worked to ensure that the
veterans programs received proper funding.
It has been a year of challenge and as we have worked to
maintain the integrity of the VFW health-care system. In
responding to our ``Above and Beyond'' theme, we have supported
our armed forces and the need to maintain a strong national
defense. Tomorrow night at our VFW Patriotic Rally, we will
reinforce that support when we recognize members of our armed
forces.
I have visited our military men and women around the globe.
I have been with them in Europe, in Kuwait and in South and
North Korea. How proud I was to bring your message of support
to our troops. That message was made all the more clear and
meaningful with those wonderful VFW telephone calling cards.
They are a visible sign of our support. The VFW and the Ladies
Auxiliary are to be commended for this tremendous program.
In visiting Southeast Asia and Korea, the fate of our MIAs
were always with me. The VFW will continue to lead the way in
what we believe to be the best means of achieving our goal of
the fullest possible accounting of our MIAs. We take our role
seriously and we will continue as we monitor the progress and
results in working with Vietnam and the other governments of
the region to be of service to our members, to those missing
and their families, and to do what this great organization
stands for.
Your efforts and your support of every program that we have
undertaken in the past year, whether it be in community and
youth activities, Voice of Democracy, Post Development, Buddy
Poppy or whatever, have 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.
Now, as my personal mission as your National Commander-in-
Chief draws to an end, I wish to say once more on behalf of
Kimie and me thank you for your hard work and support which
truly went above and beyond. Thank you very, very much.
PRESENTATION OF THE DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
AND CITATION TO GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The head table guest,
distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: We are most honored
this evening to present the Veterans of Foreign Wars'
prestigious Dwight David Eisenhower Award to a man who is a
great soldier and a great American, the thirteenth Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General John M. Shalikashvili.
In preparation for a distinguished career as the principal
military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense of
the National Security Council, General Shalikashvili's long and
dedicated service to the cause of national security and world
peace was formulated at an early age when at eight, he and his
family fled Poland at the westward advance of the Red Army. At
16, he came to the United States like many refugees, seeking a
new life.
Upon graduation from officer's candidate school in 1959, he
was commissioned a second lieutenant in the artillery and for
the next 28 years he served in a variety of command and staff
positions in Alaska, the United States, Germany, Vietnam and
Korea.
In 1987, he assumed command of the 9th Infantry Division at
Fort Lewis, Washington. In August, 1989, he was selected for
promotion to lieutenant general and returned to Germany and
assumed duties as Deputy Commander-in-Chief, United States
Army, Europe and 7th Army.
In April of 1991, General Shalikashvili assumed command of
Operation Provide Comfort, the relief operation that returned
hundreds of thousands of Kurdish refugees to Northern Iraq, and
in August of 1991, he returned to Washington, D.C., and became
the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Upon his promotion to General, he further distinguished
himself serving as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and
Commander-in-Chief, United States European Command from June,
1992, until October, 1993. General Shalikashvili is retiring
next month after a distinguished military career that has
contributed jointly to the cause of America's security, unity
and world peace.
Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and sisters, please join me
in welcoming the recipient of the 1997 VFW Dwight David
Eisenhower Distinguished Service Award, the Chairman, Joint
Chiefs of Staff, General John Shalikashvili.
The citation you see behind me reads as follows:
``Dwight David Eisenhower Distinguished Service Medal and
Citation presented to General John M. Shalikashvili, Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
``In grateful recognition of your distinguished service as
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and for your continuing
contributions to the cause of national security, unity and
world peace; and for providing outstanding leadership to our
armed forces, thus earning the admiration and appreciation of
the citizens of this nation.
``In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 18th day of August, 1997. Approved by the National
Council of Administration.''
This has been signed by James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief,
and Larry W. Rivers, Adjutant General.
General Shalikashvili, it is with a great deal of honor and
pride that I present this prestigious award to you on behalf of
the 2.1 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States. (Applause)
RESPONSE AND PRINCIPAL ADDRESS GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI
GENERAL SHALIKASHVILI: To all of you and to your Chair,
thank you so much for this great honor and for this wonderful,
wonderful evening.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is certainly a great honor to
receive the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Dwight David Eisenhower
Award for Distinguished Service. Of course, I will have to tell
you that it is great to be here with you in Salt Lake City, for
among other things that simply means that I am not back there
in the Pentagon.
You know, after the war, General Eisenhower was called back
to Europe to serve in the Pentagon. But for Ike, coming to
grips with the size of that monstrous building, was a
particular challenge. In later years, Ike was fond of telling
his friends the story of the hapless Army Air Corps Captain,
who came to the Pentagon right after it opened in 1943. I am
sure some of you in the audience remember that day very well.
The poor captain got so lost that by the time he reached his
destination, at the other end of the Pentagon, he found out
that he had been promoted to Bird Colonel.
But even today, there are lots of jokes about the Pentagon
and how many people work there. A former Secretary of Defense,
Secretary Weinberger, when asked how many people worked in the
Pentagon, used to reply ``about a third.''
Perhaps closer to the mark, a former Secretary of the Navy
used to say that the Pentagon reminded him of a log floating
rapidly downstream covered with 20,000 ants, each of them
convinced that he was steering this log.
With that you will understand why I think it is so great to
be away from the Pentagon and out here in God's country and
among friends and so many real heroes. My friends, let me say
that as a man who came to our great country as a teenage
refugee from worn-torn Europe, it is, in fact, a special thrill
to receive a medal named for General Eisenhower, the leader of
our ``Crusade in Europe'', a great soldier and a great
President.
It is also a great honor, because the Veterans of Foreign
Wars' two million members, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with
our armed forces, epitomize patriotism, sacrifice and all
that's good about America. So this prestigious award from this
great organization is a very special honor indeed.
But if Ike were here today he would remind us that a
General must accept such an award only in the name of the men
and women under his charge. So, with a great deal of humility,
I accept this great honor on behalf of our soldiers, our
sailors, our airmen, our Marines, our Coast Guardsmen, Active
Guard Reserve, who every day lay it on the line for the
greatest country in the world.
So, if you will permit me for the next few minutes, I would
like to tell you about your armed forces and those outstanding
men and women who are its life's blood. Let me start, first,
with a bit of recent history. As I know you are well aware that
since the end of the Cold War we have been able to safely cut
our forces by 700,000 people, about a third of the active
force.
I am not sure that you realize what 700,000 really is. If
you were to take the forces, all of the armed forces of Great
Britain, add to it the armed forces of Germany, the Netherlands
and the Danish armed forces, you still wouldn't get the
700,000. Or to put it another way, the force we cut is about
200,000 people more than all of the auto workers in the United
States.
In terms of combat structure, we have cut active Army
Divisions from 18 to 10. The Air Force tactical fighter wings
from 36 to 20. The number of ships in the Navy are down nearly
40 percent. By the way, the defense budget has gone down 40
percent as well.
And as an aside, today we spend less of a percentage of our
nation's wealth on defense than at any time since before World
War II. Now, in the past these deep cuts, which followed every
war that we have ever had, always meant a dramatic down turn in
the quality and the readiness of our forces.
Again, many of you here in the room remember those days.
But I am happy to report to you that this time with sound
leadership in the field, the support of the Congress, and the
hard work of two different administrations, we have
successfully managed a huge post-war draw down, creating a
smaller but pound-for-pound an even more capable force.
It is a good thing that we did. Today, as we are all
painfully aware, we also live in a world traumatized by ethnic
conflicts, failed states and outbreaks of that rare but deadly
virus: naked aggression. As a result, today's force has been
one of the busiest in our peacetime history.
In just four years that I have been chairman, our forces
have conducted nearly 50 different operations, some you have
hardly ever heard of and others are as well known to you as
anyone else, such as Bosnia. By the way, I just returned a few
days ago from a trip to Bosnia. Thanks to our 8,000 troops
there and the forces of our allies and partners, which, by the
way, include a very effective Russian brigade, thanks to all of
them we have stopped the killing which has made that country a
living hell.
More importantly, today because of our troops, there is
relative very little risk that war will once again be involved
in Bosnia. I am sure all of you here tonight, especially you
veterans of World War II, remember that for America, when it
comes to wars in Europe, an ounce of prevention is better than
a pound of cure. By that standard, our force in Bosnia has been
a great investment.
Let me pause here for a moment to say thank you to the VFW
for supporting our troops in Bosnia and the Middle East,
especially with those phone cards that we just referred to that
you provided as part of your Operation Uplink. I cannot
overstate how much they mean to the troops and to their
families. From the bottom of my heart and from every service
member who has been able to take advantage of those phone
cards, thank you very, very much.
But today Bosnia is just one of our key operations. Today
we are also in strength in the Persian Gulf where we keep a
powerful naval battle group. In the skies of Iraq, where our
valiant airmen enforce the U.N. sanctions against Saddam
Hussein's regime and keep him from threatening its neighborhood
and the world's oil supply.
And just recently our Marines, God bless them, have just
finished another major non-combatant evacuation in troubled
West Africa. All that is in addition to about 100,000 personnel
in the European theater and another 100,000 sustained in the
Pacific.
Our friends in trenches want our forces to stay for two key
reasons. First and most obvious, is our power. Thanks in large
measure to your sacrifices in years gone by, we are a global
power today with global interests to protect.
While we stay overseas to protect our interests, wherever
we are, we are also a positive force for peace and stability.
Our friends know that, our former adversaries know that, and
the outlaw nations and the terrorists who wish us ill, they
know it, too.
But the second reason that our friends and allies value our
presence overseas is our men and women in uniform. You know,
when foreign generals come to the Pentagon to visit me, they
speak with great admiration about our equipment, but they are
in awe of our people, especially our young NCOs. If you could
come with me on my travels and see the professionalism of these
young men and women, you would be very extraordinary proud of
them. One look into their eyes makes you proud to be an
American.
I have seen that look just a few nights ago in the eyes of
the remarkable sailors on the flight deck of an aircraft
carrier, named aptly enough, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Not
long ago, I saw it in the eyes of the young Marines who had
just rescued a downed Air Force fighter pilot. I have seen it
just this past week in the compassion of Army National
Guardsmen from the State of Georgia, who were repairing an
orphanage in the faraway Republic of Georgia, in the former
Soviet Union.
It is no mystery what inspires them, what sets them apart,
for you see along with their professionalism and patriotism it
is your accomplishments, your example and your legacy that
inspires our men and women today. I thank you for that.
As President Clinton would so aptly say, ``Today's men and
women in uniform are the sons and daughters of your
sacrifice.'' They are what make ours the best danged armed
forces in the world, bar none. But that said, it doesn't mean
that everything in the armed forces today is perfect. It never
was and today is no exception.
We all have seen on TV screens about the various problems,
some acts of hazing, concern over gender integration and sexual
misconduct. The media, by the way, loves those stories and, in
fact, for some weeks here it was hard to tell the difference
between news stories about our armed forces and the network
soap operas.
Well, certainly these things are problems, serious
problems, but they are not epidemics. Even though these social
problems occur less in the military than in the civilian world,
they are especially dangerous to our military. You see, they
destroy the dignity of the individual, they damage morale,
inhibit teamwork and does not get combat readiness. They are
flat wrong and we will not tolerate it.
I can assure you that we will continue to address each
wrong speedily, openly and fairly, protecting the rights of the
person wronged and also protecting the rights of the accused.
But while we do that, we will get on with the job at hand,
protecting our interests wherever they might be challenged.
That is why the readiness of our force is of concern to me.
While our readiness in the near term is fine, we are
beginning to see some very early cracks, which if not fixed,
could spell trouble. With a booming economy, enlistments are
beginning to show signs of falling off and recruiting is
becoming more difficult.
Our men and women in uniform, and their families, are
finding it more challenging to keep up with the demanding tempo
of rigorous training, frequent deployments and numerous ongoing
operations.
I am confident that we have some good plans to right this
situation, but readiness is one area where we will have to be
especially watchful. This past spring we completed the
Quadrennial Defense Review, an exhaustive study of the future
and the kind of force that we will need in the challenging
years ahead.
All indications are that for the next ten to fifteen years
our forces in the field are likely to face the same wide range
of threats that they face today from terrorists to rogue states
equipped with weapons of mass destruction, to dangerous
regional powers, such as Iraq, Iran and North Korea. Sometime
beyond that power we may even face an emerging global power.
To deal with such a world, our armed forces must help shape
the international environment by promoting regional stability,
preventing conflicts and deterring aggression in key regions of
the world. But if we fail to prevent conflicts, we must then be
ready alone or with our partners to respond quickly and to
fight and win in our nation's wars.
Finally, we will have to prepare our forces to deal with
the security challenges of an unpredictable future. That means
that tomorrow's force must have the new weapons and equipment
that they will need to give them the quality edge of any future
battlefield against any future adversary.
All of this is a very tall order, and we know that we will
need your help to get the job done. First and foremost, we need
the VFW to keep doing what it does so well, fighting for our
veterans.
Not long after the founding of the VFW, Teddy Roosevelt
said: ``A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his
country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.''
You and I have a deep responsibility to see that no veteran is
ever to settle for anything less.
You see, that is important to me for our young service
members watch very carefully what is happening to retiree and
veterans' benefits. If you want to keep good people in the
military today, it is imperative to give a ``square deal'' to
those who have served so well in the past.
Another way the VFW can help the armed forces is in
education. Veterans are wise but an aging breed. The median age
of the World War II vet, I am told, is nearly 75. The median
age of the Korean War vet is over 65, and those ``young
whippersnappers'' of the Vietnam War era, their median age is
over 50.
In effect, our population is losing military experience and
the wisdom that comes along with it. If we are to have the best
decision-makers possible, organizations like the VFW, we need
to redouble their considerable efforts at educating the
American people on national security issues.
That brings me to the third area where we need your help.
We need you to continue to speak out about the importance of
military preparedness and the importance of a strong armed
forces.
The VFW has been a very sane and influential voice on
national security issues to include most recently NATO
enlargement and our policy on land mines. But with our
population of vets getting smaller, your voice must get louder.
Some of you out there have paid in blood for our lack of
preparedness in the past. We cannot let that happen ever again.
For tomorrow, the key to keeping our armed force well
prepared is people, quality men and women, the resources to
train them and the experienced, well-educated leaders to make
them all that they can be. I don't have to tell this audience,
but in the urge to save money, we cannot balance the budget on
the backs of our young men and women in uniform or on the backs
of their families.
To remain strong, to remain the best military in the world,
we need to continue to help our veterans, and the cooperation
of Congress and the support of the American people. I know that
we can count on the VFW to come through in these days.
(Applause)
Ladies and gentlemen, our nation approaches the 21st
century from a position of great strength. We will never forget
that it was you, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who helped make
us the best, the strongest nation on earth. Because of you, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, we stand on the threshold of the
second American century. Thank you for a magnificent job.
As for me, my time in uniform grows short. But in the
months I have left and in the years to come, I will look back
on this day with pride. I will remember it as a day when
standing here among old comrades, that I could conclude my time
as a soldier and get ready to start my time as a veteran.
So, my fellow veterans, I salute you. I thank you for this
great honor and may God bless you, and may God bless the
Veterans of Foreign Wars and may God bless this great country
of ours. Thank you very much.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you very much, General. We
are fortunate, indeed, that you have taken time from your busy
schedule to be with us this evening. We are truly honored.
As I told the Secretary of the Army this morning at our
Joint Session, we will continue to work in the areas that you
have just addressed and I also wish to tell you, General, that
the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States will continue
to strive to be the heroes and mentors of all the young men and
women serving in your armed services. Thank you very, very
much, General. (Applause)
I will now turn the program over to our MC for the evening,
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief John Moon.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Thank you very much,
Commander-in-Chief Nier. I would, too, like to thank the
audience for coming, and to all of our honored guests that have
been here.
I will now call on our Chaplain, William J. Bleiler, for
the Benediction.
(Whereupon, National Chaplain Bleiler gave the
Benediction.)
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Thank you very much
and have a wonderful evening.
(Whereupon, the Distinguished Guests Banquet was concluded
at 9:15 o'clock p.m.)
------
SECOND BUSINESS SESSION
TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 19, 1997
(The Second Business Session of the 98th National
Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, held in the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake
City, Utah, was called to order at 9:00 o'clock a.m., with
Commander-in-Chief James E. Nier presiding.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We will call this Business Session
to order. It is 9:00 a.m. I will ask the National Chaplain to
please come forward with the Opening Prayer.
(Whereupon, the Opening Prayer was given by National
Chaplain William Bleiler at this time.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Sergeant-at-Arms, prepare the room
for the Salute to the Colors.
(Whereupon, the National Sergeant-at-Arms led the
Convention in the Salute to the Colors and the Pledge of
Allegiance.)
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the
Opening Ceremonies have been performed.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir. At this time I
will have the Chairman of the Credentials Committee, Richard
Trombla, to come forward and give his report, please.
REPORT OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
COMRADE RICHARD TROMBLA (Post 1174--Kansas): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I am Richard Trombla, Chairman of the
Credentials Committee from the Department of Kansas, Post 1174.
This is a temporary report as of 8:00 o'clock this morning.
The total delegates, 11,999; Department Commanders, 53;
Past Commanders-in-Chief, 27; total National Officers, 38. That
makes a grand total of 12,117 as of this time, Commander-in-
Chief.
INTRODUCTION OF MAJOR GENERAL JOHN P. HERRLING, SECRETARY, AMERICAN
BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Comrades, will you, please, come
in and find your seats. I am about to introduce our first
distinguished guest speaker. Please find your seat so we can
have order.
Sergeant-at-Arms, will you see that is done, please.
NATIONAL SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Yes, sir.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The Veterans of Foreign Wars,
which proudly includes one million World War II veterans among
its membership, unanimously approved a Resolution at our
National Convention in 1994 strongly supporting the
establishment of a World War II Memorial in the District of
Columbia to honor members of the armed forces who served in
World War II and to commemorate the participation of the United
States in that war.
Last month, I appeared before the Commission of Fine Arts,
one of the approving authorities, to urge the Commission to
begin construction of this long overdue World War II Memorial.
We, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, are fully committed to
fulfilling our mandated pledge to support this Memorial and
what it stands for as expressed by the President during the
site dedication ceremony on November 11, 1995.
The American Battle Monuments Commission, which was
authorized by Congress in 1993 to establish a World War II
Memorial in Washington, D.C., has maintained strict compliance
with the applicable laws to see that this Memorial is
appropriately located, designed and constructed.
This morning, I am pleased to introduce a fellow VFW member
and good friend of the VFW, the Secretary of the American
Battle Monuments Commission, Retired Army Major General John P.
Herrling.
Comrades and sisters, please give a warm VFW welcome to the
Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission, Major
General John Herrling. (Applause)
REMARKS BY MAJOR GENERAL JOHN HERRLING
MAJOR GENERAL HERRLING: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
It is a pleasure to be here with you this morning. My purpose
today is to brief you on the status of a memorial for the
servicemen and women who served in World War II, and those on
the home front that sacrificed to defend freedom and democracy
during World War II.
I am the Secretary of the American Battle Monuments
Commission, a federal agency given the responsibility by the
Congress to build the World War II Memorial. My Commission is
also responsible for the care and maintenance of 24 military
cemeteries overseas, 20 in Europe, one in North Africa, one in
Manila, one in Mexico City, and one in Panama.
The cemetery in Panama is run by Mr. Dannie Cooper, a
member of your National Council of Administration. He does a
great job. In these 24 military cemeteries rests 130,000 U.S.
servicemen and women who died in the defense of our country.
Approximately, 91,000 lay in rest in 14 World War II
cemeteries.
The American Battle Monuments Commission is also
responsible for the care and maintenance of 27 federal
monuments, most of which are overseas. Together these
memorials, cemeteries and monuments are among the most
beautiful and well-maintained memorials in the world.
We had approximately nine million visitors to those
memorials, cemeteries and monuments last year. Most are non-
Americans. So, what I would ask you, when you are traveling
abroad, check to see if there is an American military cemetery
near where you are traveling.
A visit to one of our cemeteries is not only inspirational,
it is a moving, emotional experience that you will never
forget. The beauty of the architecture and landscaping and the
endless rows of crosses and Stars of David will both fill you
with pride and sorry.
The realization once again will be brought home that
freedom isn't free. It is paid for with young lives and
national treasures. If you have the opportunity, please visit
one of your overseas military cemeteries.
Now, I would like to spend the next few minutes updating
you on the World War II Memorial and the VFW's active
involvement in this important national project. I want to
personally thank the Commander-in-Chief Jim Nier for coming to
Washington last month and testifying before the Commission of
Fine Arts, one of the approving bodies for this memorial.
Jim Nier's presentation at that hearing was hard-hitting
and convincing. It made it very clear to the chairman and the
members of that Commission the importance of World War II to
Americans across this country. In his remarks, your Commander-
in-Chief said, ``We, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, are fully
committed to fulfilling our mandated pledge to support this
memorial and what it stands for as expressed by the President.
The time has come to move forward with building this national
memorial.''
Later he went on to say, ``Mr. Chairman, speaking on behalf
of the largest organization of overseas veterans, I
respectfully urge the Commission to approve the design concept
that is before you so that the orderly process of design
development can proceed.''
The Commission of Fine Arts was moved by his remarks, and
at the end of the day they reaffirmed the Rainbow Pool site for
the memorial. They also requested changes be made in the design
concept. When it counted, your Commander-in-Chief was there
with a strong and clear message. Jim, thanks very much for that
great support.
One week later, Mr. Ken Steadman, the Executive Director of
the Washington Office, appeared before the National Capital
Planning Commission, the other Washington agency that must
approve both the site for the memorial and its design. As Jim
Nier had done a week earlier, Ken Steadman let the Commission
know that the national leadership of the VFW and its membership
across the country strongly supported the World War II Memorial
site and the design.
Again, the message was strong and clear, and again at the
end of the day the National Capital Planning Commission
reaffirmed the Rainbow Pool site along with asking the American
Battle Monuments Commission to make modifications to the
design. Ken, the American Battle Monuments Commission wants to
thank you for appearing on behalf of the VFW at that very
important hearing.
Throughout this entire process, your National Adjutant
General, Larry Rivers, has been working with me and my staff to
orchestrate the VFW's support for the World War II Memorial.
This is the tough behind the scenes work that pulls it all
together. Larry, thanks for the great job you have done.
I can't tell you how important Jim Nier and Ken Steadman's
testimonies were to these two committees, for there are those
in Washington, D.C. who don't agree that the World War II
Memorial should sit on one of Washington's most prominent
sites.
There are those who strongly disagree with the design
concept for the memorial. These people have a right to their
views, but it is heartening to see that the real support for
the Memorial is coming from Americans across the country, and
the VFW is leading the way. (Applause)
So where are we today? The answer is we have the best site
in Washington on which to build the World War II Memorial. It
sits on the east-west axis of the National Mall between the
Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. We are back to
the drawing board on the design concept, but we are not back to
square one.
We will have to make some major modifications. This is not
unusual for memorials or monuments in Washington, D.C. They all
go through the same degree of scrutiny and modification. Henry
Bacon's original design concept for the Lincoln Memorial was
rejected. He went back to the drawing board and what emerged
was a better design, the Lincoln Memorial that we know today.
Now, the American Battle Monuments Commission will go back
to the drawing board and sometime this fall we will bring a
revised design concept to both the Commission of Fine Arts and
the National Capital Planning Commission. It will be a better
design than what we have today. We will get it approved. In the
meantime, we will continue the fund-raising efforts to raise
the money necessary to build the Memorial.
Let me summarize by saying that the American Battle
Monuments Commission is totally committed to the World War II
Memorial and working hard to get it done before too much more
time goes by. We will continue to need with the VFW's support.
You can help by writing your Senators and Congressional
Representatives, reminding them that this country owes a great
debt to the World War II generation, and you want their support
for the World War II Memorial. At the states and local levels,
you can encourage your governor and the members of the
legislation to support the World War II Memorial by adopting
special legislation in support of the Memorial.
Finally, I would ask each of you to communicate to your
communities the importance of this Memorial and its legacy and
lessons for future generations of America. The World War II
Memorial is not just for Washington, D.C. It is a memorial for
the entire country, and when it is all said and done this
battle will not be won in Washington, D.C., it will be won by
the voices of people in the cities and the community, the
communities across the country.
But we need your help. We need you to join with a strong
voice. You will be joining Senator Bob Dole and millions of
other fellow veterans in very street across America, and you
will be joining former Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan and
Bush, who in a letter asked Americans to support a memorial
which they said ``will inspire future generations to carry on
the legacy of those Americans who stepped forward when their
country needed them.''
With your help and support, we will build a World War II
Memorial and it will be a lasting tribute to an extraordinary
generation of Americans. Thank you very much.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you very much, General. You
can be assured that you will have the support of this great
organization as you establish this long overdue Memorial.
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL AWARD TO COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER BY THE VFW
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Joining us at the podium this
morning is a comrade who has been here many times before. Jack
Carney was the 1992-1993 VFW Commander-in-Chief. His ``Stand
Up--Speak Out'' year marked a major milestone in the history of
our organization.
Today, he serves as the Chairman of the VFW Political
Action Committee. Please join me in giving Past Commander-in-
Chief Jack Carney of the great Department of Florida a very
warm VFW welcome.
Chief. (Applause)
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: Commander-in-Chief, on
behalf of the Board of Directors of the PAC, I am pleased this
morning to present to you a little gift in appreciation for
your support, certainly your friendship, and how important you
have been to us in making our decisions.
Realizing in your travels that you have received two huge
eagles, which will be bookends, we have selected to give you a
coin, an American eagle gold coin, gold bouillon of the
American Eagle. I want to present this to you, Chief, and thank
you very much for serving this organization through the PAC.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thanks, Chief. I want to thank
Jack. Not only was he an outstanding Past Commander-in-Chief,
or Commander-in-Chief, he is doing a tremendous job on the PAC
Committee as well.
PRESENTATION OF ``CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP'' CITATION TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: At this time I would like to
present a very special citation to the Department of Arizona.
For 30 years, the members of the Department of Arizona have
worked together as a team to increase VFW membership throughout
the state. Each member of the Department of Arizona can take
pride in their many years of dedication and hard work that went
in to reaching this milestone.
Now in recognition of those efforts, I would like to call
on Vincent J. Mitchell, the Past Department Commander of
Arizona, to accept this ``Consecutive Years of Membership
Growth'' citation with my thanks and appreciation.
Congratulations to the Department of Arizona. I want to
read the citation. This is for 30 consecutive years of
continued growth. ``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, Certificate of Commendation presented to the Department
of Arizona in recognition of 30 consecutive years of membership
growth evidencing the attainment of three decades of continuous
membership gain by the Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
``In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 19th day of August, 1997.'' This has been signed
by Commander-in-Chief James E. Nier and Adjutant General Larry
Rivers. That is 30 years. Let's give them a hand, folks.
(Applause)
COMRADE VINCENT MITCHELL (Department of Arizona): I would
just like to say that these past Department Commanders in the
State of Arizona deserve a hand also, because if it wasn't for
them in the last 30 years we would not be receiving this award.
Thank you, Arizona.
PRESENTATION OF VFW AMERICANISM AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION TO MR.
JAMES K. KALLSTROM
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Ladies and gentlemen, beginning in
1959 the Veterans of Foreign Wars has presented the prestigious
Americanism Award to an American who has made an outstanding
contribution to our society and the principles of Americanism.
This year's recipient is James K. Kallstrom, Assistant
Director of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and the FBI's chief investigator into the crash
of TWA Flight 800.
Despite speculation and theories as to the July 17, 1996,
crash, Mr. Kallstrom has balanced his investigatory
responsibilities and the need for public information with keen
insight and judgment. With two agencies involved in the
investigation, the FBI from a possible criminal or sabotage
motive and the National Transportation Safety Board for
Accident Investigations, Mr. Kallstrom has clearly defined for
the American public the progress of the investigation and the
responsibilities of the agencies involved, thereby exhibiting
and practicing his, and that of the FBI, clear sense of civic
responsibility.
Mr. Kallstrom's extensive investigative experience, coupled
with a keen sense of responsibility and a commitment in the
public sector to assisting people in times of crisis, are in
keeping with the highest standards and principles of
Americanism.
Please welcome our 1997 VFW Americanism Award recipient,
James K. Kallstrom. (Applause)
I would like to read the citation, please.
``Americanism Award, Gold Medal and Citation presented to
James K. Kallstrom in special recognition of his distinguished
service to the nation as FBI Assistant Director in charge of
the New York Division and Chief Investigator into the crash of
TWA Flight 800. He balances his investigative responsibilities
and the need for public information with keen insight and
judgment, clearly defining the progress of the investigation
and the responsibilities of the agencies involved for the
American public, thereby exhibiting a clear sense of civic
responsibility.
``In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 19th day of August, 1997. Approved by the Council
of Administration.'' This has been signed by James E. Nier,
Commander-in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers, Adjutant General.
Along with this is a $1,500 honorarium. Mr. Kallstrom has
requested the honorarium that accompanies this award be donated
to the U.S. Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation.
RESPONSE--JAMES K. KALLSTROM
MR. JAMES KALLSTROM: Well, good morning, ladies and
gentlemen. Thank you for this very, very high honor. It is a
tremendous tribute to me and my family. I would like to
introduce Susan, who is standing here, Crystal and Erica. As we
all know, we can do nothing without our team and without our
family, who certainly is the principal part of that team.
Thanks to Jim Nier, the National Council and Ken Steadman,
and to his very, very competent staff. It has been my pleasure
dealing with them. Thanks mostly to all of you out there and
the thousands and thousands of great Americans from the VFW
that couldn't be here. You are a wonderful, wonderful
organization.
It has been a tremendous pleasure for my family and myself
to be here with you these last few days, to be with the
backbone of America, to be with what America is all about. I
want you to know how much I appreciate that. You know, we live
in a very different world than we lived in just ten years ago.
That is just one decade ago, since the fall of the Soviet
Union. We see chaos around the world. General Shalikashvili
talked about it last night. We see acts of terrorism. In the
United States, we have seen the World Trade Center, the
conspiracy by the Blind Sheik and his co-conspirators to blow
up the FBI building and the tunnels in the United Nations.
We have seen the fellow named Ramzi Ahmed Yousef and his
co-conspirators fly into the Philippines to down eleven
American flag carrying jumper jets as they transmitted the
Pacific rim back to the United States. So in a lot of ways the
new order, supposedly the new world order, is actually a much
more challenging time for us in the defense of this country,
for us in law enforcement.
It will be more important in the future, not less
important. It will be more important for the leadership, for
the teamwork, for professionalism, for integrity and, yes, for
character. Character does count. All of you represent that so
well and I thank you for that.
It was an honor for me leading the investigation of TWA
Flight 800, I was one man thrust into the spotlight to try to
explain that tremendous tragedy. Whatever the result eventually
is, believe me, it was a tragedy to be with the families of 230
people, people who have lost their children, their wives, their
husbands, their parents. That is an immense tragedy.
For us in law enforcement, it galvanizes the reason why we
have come to work in one. We don't ever want something like
that to ever, ever happen again. I can tell you briefly about
the wonderful team, and it was a lot more than the FBI and the
NTSB.
The Coast Guard played an incredible professional and
heroic role. That evening, ten miles off the coast of a little
town called Moriches, Long Island, young Guardsmen and Coast
Guardswomen, 18, 19, 20 years old, patrolled in their boats and
went to the scene diving into 18 to 20 feet high waves on the
ocean looking for survivors. They were heroes in every sense of
the word.
The Navy did an incredible job picking up from the bottom
of the ocean under very, very difficult situations the 130 feet
of water, three or four feet of visibility, the once proud
jumbo jet with 160,000 pieces with miles and miles of cable
dangling in some eerie tragic scenario.
They put their lives on the line. How dare Pierre Salinger
to say the Navy was responsible for this. What a fool. The Navy
was the heroes of this operation. Every day in my job, 28 years
in the FBI, proceeded by close to four years in the Marine
Corps, every day I use what I learned in the military.
There is nothing more important in my view than national
service. You know, in a lot of ways with DOD, what the military
does and what law enforcement does is sort of blending
together. You know in this age of nuclear proliferation, it is
an unfortunate age, this age of chemical warfare, biological
warfare, and we have seen this.
We saw what was going on in Iraq after Desert Storm. We saw
so-called religious cults in Japan put gas into the Tokyo
subway system and have enough base chemical to make enough gas
to kill almost everybody in the world. This is a different time
and law enforcement and the military now play almost an entire
role of defending not only our national security but our public
safety.
So in a lot of ways you are friends, you are associates,
you are comrades in law enforcement. We are in the same band of
brothers with all of you and all of us that proudly have served
in the United States military.
So on behalf of all the people in the FBI, all of the
wonderful dedicated members of the law enforcement teams, the
federal agencies, all the wonderful dedicated law enforcement
team of the state and local agencies, I humbly accept this
award on their behalf.
I thank you all very, very much for the brotherhood, the
sisterhood, the warmth, the patriotism. I think your sign up
there says it all. It says it all about you: ``We'd do anything
for this Country.'' You are a wonderful important part of this
country. You are the backbone of this country. So be proud. Do
what you do and do it well. God bless all of you and thank you
very, very much. (Applause)
INTRODUCTION OF THE HONORABLE HERSHEL GOBER--ACTING SECRETARY OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: For your information, Mr.
Kallstrom is a former Marine, a Vietnam veteran, and we are
going to see that he will become a Life Member in our great
organization.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am most pleased to introduce to you
a man who truly understands what veterans service means.
This month President Clinton nominated Hershel W. Gober to
be Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Gober
has served as VA's Deputy Secretary since February 4, 1993, and
as Acting Secretary upon the resignation of former Secretary
Jesse Brown on July 1.
Mr. Gober is well known in the veterans community and
brings a wealth of experience from his job as the Chief
Operating Officer of the federal government's second largest
department.
Prior to coming to the VA, Mr. Gober served as Director of
the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. In 1992, he
received the National Association of State Directors of
Veterans Affairs' Annual Melvin T. Dixon Award in recognition
of his work as the nation's most effective State Director.
A veteran who retired from the military after a career with
the Marine Corps and the Army, Secretary-Designate Gober served
two tours of duty in Vietnam. He received numerous military
decorations, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
With a commitment to serving all veterans and with his
clear message that our veterans will not be forgotten, I am
pleased to introduce a friend and VFW Life Member of Post 4515,
Monticello, Arkansas, the Secretary-Designate of the Department
of Veterans Affairs, Hershel W. Gober.
Let's give him a warm VFW welcome. (Applause)
ADDRESS--THE HONORABLE HERSHEL GOBER
VA SECRETARY-DESIGNATE GOBER: Thank you very much,
Commander-in-Chief Nier. Adjutant General Rivers, Auxiliary
President, Distinguished Officers of the VFW, Comrades, Honored
Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Commander-in-Chief Nier, if you will permit me, I am from
Arkansas and we in Arkansas all have an old saying, ``We always
dance with them what brung us.'' So the Arkansas delegation,
where are you? Also where is the New Hampshire delegation?
I thank everybody that supported me and have been so great,
but these folks here, ``they brung me.'' I will always be loyal
to them and always appreciate their support as well as that of
submitting more so many others out there who have been
supportive over these past few years.
I want you to know without your support of you as
individuals and of this great organization that I would not be
standing here in front of you today. For that, I am profoundly
grateful and always will be. Thank you.
You know, I am glad to be away from Washington, because it
is good to get out here where the real people are and, in fact,
people that can understand when I talk to them and they know
what the real issues are affecting this country. But there are
a lot of people in Washington that, as General Shalikashvili
said last night, he talked about the Pentagon, but he could
really talk about Washington.
There are people there who think they are so indispensible.
Of course, those of us that remember when Truman removed
McArthur, we know nobody is indispensible. If anybody ever was,
we thought it was General McArthur. I will run into these
people who think they are so important, and my daddy always
told me, ``Son, take your job very seriously, but do not take
yourself too seriously.''
I am really reminded of a story of an event that occurred
back in Arkansas. I live in a small place called Monticello,
and I live outside there in a place called Possum Valley. It
has got one sign and on both sides it says, ``Entering Possum
Valley,'' and you drive right through it.
It goes back to the days when they were founding the place,
there were a lot of possums there, and that is what they ended
up eating, so they called it Possum Valley. I was driving
through the country there, and I drove by this farm and on this
farm was a pig out in the yard, and it had a wooden leg on one
of his hind quarters. That made me curious.
So I stopped and I asked the farmer, I said, ``Pardon me,
sir, but why does your pig have a wooden leg?'' He said,
``Well, son, that is a very courageous pig.'' He said, ``My
wife and I were asleep one night when a fire started, but that
pig rushed upstairs and woke us up. The whole house burned
down, but we were able to get out.''
I said, ``Well, that is how the pig got the wooden leg, the
leg burned off in the fire?'' He said, ``Nope, in fact, the pig
got out just fine. As a matter of fact, he even went back
upstairs and got the kids out of the house, too.'' I said,
``Well, why does your pig have a wooden leg?'' He said, ``Boy,
with a pig like that, you don't eat it all at one time.'' So I
guess no one is really indispensible.
You know, I like to think about the time the VFW, and I am
the Past Department Adjutant from the State of Arkansas and I
know the importance of Adjutants. It is like the time when the
Chaplain, the Adjutant General and the Executive Director of
the VFW, they were all out fishing.
They were in this boat on this lake and the Chaplain
suddenly remembered that he left his fishing gear in the car.
So not wanting to disturb anyone else, he just stepped out of
the boat and walked across the water and went to the car and
got his fishing gear, and went back and got in the boat and
started fishing.
Well, the Executive Director suddenly remembered that he
got hungry and left his lunch in the car, so he stepped out of
the boat and walked out to the car and got his lunch, and came
back and sat on the boat. Well, the Adjutant General, not
wanting to be outdone and realizing he had to take a walk,
stepped over the boat and went straight to the bottom.
The Chaplain started laughing, and he turned to the
Executive Director and he said, ``Do you think we should have
told him about the rocks?'' The Executive Director said, ``What
rocks?'' (Laughter)
I am pleased to visit with you here. I will try to be
brief. You know, it has been four and one-half years since
Jesse Brown and I arrived at the VA as a team. We arrived with
an agenda. Our agenda was to give the Department of Veterans
Affairs back to the people that it is supposed to serve in this
country.
We formed a partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars
and the other veterans organizations, and in this past four and
one-half years we have seen unprecedented changes in the way
that benefits are delivered to the veterans of this country. We
owe a great deal to Secretary Brown for his leadership and for
doing the right thing for veterans.
I want to pledge to you, as Jimmy Durante used to say,
``You ain't seen nothing yet.'' We are going to move on and
make sure that veterans are never forgotten in this debate in
this country about how to spend its money or who we owe
something to.
The veterans groups in this country have a seat at the
table on policy development. We don't make decisions in the
back room at night. We have meetings and we sit down and we
talk to the veterans leaders, and we get their input and we
make these decisions together.
I will be honest with you, over the past four and one-half
years, with some of the problems we have had with the budget
and a lot of the attacks on the department, it has not been
easy. The VFW has stood right there in the forefront. They have
assumed a position of leadership.
Without the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, we
could not have made the progress that we have made. I am proud
of what we have done. We have expanded benefits for veterans
exposed to Agent Orange, radiation, mustard gas and for former
prisoners of war.
We have effective programs for women veterans that we have
neglected for so long. We have stronger outreach efforts, post-
traumatic stress disorders, and veterans suffering from PTSD,
and homeless vets.
The Persian Gulf vets are receiving medical care and
compensation. You know, we made a decision that we are not
going to let the Persian Gulf illness become another Agent
Orange and wait 20 to 25 years to take care of the veterans.
That is why two years ago we pushed legislation that was passed
by Congress and signed by the President that lets us compensate
these men and women who served their country for undiagnosed
illnesses.
That is the first time in history it has ever happened. We
are extremely proud of that. Our backlogs, we have worked on
our backlog but we have not made enough progress.
In my speech here, the speech writers say I intend to
reduce all the processing time for most claims, I intend to cut
it in half in three and one-half years. My speech writers
evidently have not gotten my message, because I intend to cut
it by 90 percent in three and one-half years.
Now, having said that, it is going to be very difficult.
You know the medical system is off and running and is headed in
the right direction, but we have not made enough progress on
it, and I am going to be working with the people in the VA and
working with the veterans service organizations to find ways
that we can reduce the processing time.
On health care, I know there is a lot of concern within
this audience and within veterans. Veterans, you know, are so
afraid they are going to lose another entitlement. You and I
both know, we have watched it happen over the years and we have
watched the erosion, any time that you try to do something
different it scares us veterans.
That is okay. That is the way it should be. We should be
watching. But I want to assure you that in the mergers and the
integrations, the thing that we are doing is not going to
decrease the care you get, it is going to increase the care you
get. You have got my pledge on that.
We are not going to decrease the care that any veteran is
receiving now; we are going to increase the care. I am not in
the business of closing, I am in the business of opening up
outpatient clinics, more access points for veterans so they
don't have to drive 200 miles, so they don't have to sit in a
waiting room and wait for hours and hours and hours, so they
don't have to wait for 45 minutes or two hours to get a
prescription. I want to tackle those things.
Those are the things that you care about. It is very
simple. My job is easy. I have three areas that I am concerned
with. One of them is quality health care. The other one is
delivery of benefits and the other is burial. That is my
mission.
I have no other mission, except to make sure that veterans
receive the care that they are entitled to. I pledge to you
that we will continue to work on this and I don't want you to
be upset. Don't listen to the rumors. Don't listen to the
gossip.
If you want an answer, you come to the Veterans of Foreign
Wars. They can give you the answer, because they know what we
are doing with our system. They are well aware of what we have
got to do to make it to survive. Make no mistake about it.
If we had not started making some of the changes we are
making right now about three and one-half years ago, we would
be in the business of closing hospitals, we would be in the
business of downsizing, because we wouldn't have had the money
to operate.
Thankfully, we began downsizing. We have cut our staff in
Washington. We have cut our administrative people. The things
that we are consolidating and merging, there is no reason to
have two laundries in one town when you have got one that could
do it.
It is not necessary to have two supply operations when one
can accommodate both. I want to take the money we would save
from doing those things and put back in the hospitals to take
care of veterans. Let people take care of veterans. I want to
open up outpatient clinics.
I want to do the things that the VA should be doing. If you
will work with us on this, like I say, the best way to kill a
rumor about something is going to close or this is going to
happen, or that is going to happen, is to contact us. You can
also contact your VFW. The know all about what is going on,
because we work very closely.
Also, I want to pledge to you that we are going to begin
writing our letters in common sense language. You know, about
three years ago I was visiting one of our facilities. I was
walking through it and I stopped by the office where the
service officers are located.
There were two couples in there. I stepped in and I said,
``Can we help you?'' This one guy said, ``All I want is
somebody to tell me what this letter says.'' The other guy
said, ``I would like you to tell me what mine says.'' There
were two very confused veterans in that room.
So I said that I could read a little bit. I was in the
Marine Corps. Then when I learned how to read and write, I was
in the Army. Now, I wouldn't advise any of you other folks that
are not former Marines to say those kinds of things. It could
be hazardous to your health.
Anyway, I said, ``Let me see if I can read this for you.''
I picked the letter up and I read it. There were two confused
guys in that room but when I finished reading it there were
three confused guys. So what I want them to do is to write a
letter to the veteran that says if you want your benefits, here
is what you have to give us.
I want them to write a letter that says you have an
appointment with Dr. Jones at 10:00 o'clock at building so and
so, and bring this with you and bring that with you. You know,
this is just plain old simple ordinary language. We, in the
military, used to have an acronym for that, and one was KISS:
``Keep it simple, stupid.''
That is the way I want us to do it. I don't want you to
write and talk about Title 38, CFR, and all kinds of stuff.
They don't care about that. The veterans want to know what do I
need to do and where do I need to go and when do I need to do
it? Tell me simply what I need to do. Don't give me some legal
jargon. So we are going to do that and we will call it writing
for real people. Veterans are real people.
I am skipping about half of my speech. That is what I am
doing actually. I knew you would appreciate that. You know, our
budget this year, when the budget talks first started, and I
know there is still a lot of concern among this organization,
because this organization has been out there on the forefront
trying to make sure that veterans receive their fair share of
the budget.
They have done a great job in doing that. When we first
heard about it, it was going to reduce our VA discretionary
care, which is the medical care across the country, by $273
million. But the appropriators put it back in, and they give us
a little bit more.
Now, it is going to be tight, but we think we can operate
because we said we want to bring in additional dollars. We have
always said, you know, veterans will give. The veterans have
always said, ``Sure, we will take our part of the cuts if you
cut everybody else.''
So often they wanted to single out the veterans and we
didn't like that, and we have always said, as was said last
night by General Shalikashvili, we want the budget balanced,
but we don't want it balanced on the back of our men and women
in the military or the veterans. We certainly don't think that
the veterans deserve that. We fought for that as this
organization has.
One thing we are proud about is we get to keep the medical
care cost of recovery. That is the insurance checks that we
collected in our hospitals out there, about $630 million last
year. Now that we get to keep it, I think we will collect more.
That means that your hospital out there, when it collects
this money from a third-party reimbursement, insurance
companies, et cetera, that money is going to stay there in your
hospital and they are going to use it to put in things like
more outpatient clinics, to treat more veterans in the
hospitals.
We have eligibility reform now. All we need is money, and
we can do what we have always wanted to do, which is to let
every veteran that wants to come to the VA hospital to be
treated there. Give them that option. So, with the medical care
cost of recovery we will be able to do that.
The way this thing works is that up until this legislation
passed, we collected this money and then we gave it to the
Treasury. In other words, we were collecting money for the
Treasury, passed it right through and not getting to keep
anything except the administrative costs, which were about 18
percent of the collections.
It is kind of like the two old boys down in Arkansas that
went into business. They were buying pumpkins. They were paying
50 cents apiece for the pumpkins and they were putting them in
a pickup truck and hauling them all the way to Little Rock, a
hundreds miles, and they were selling them for fifty cents
apiece.
After a couple of weeks, old Bob told Bill, ``You know, I
have been thinking about this. Something is wrong. We are not
making any money.'' He said, ``We buy them for fifty cents and
we are selling them for fifty cents.'' Bill said, ``Yeah, but I
got this thing figured out. Next week we are going to get us a
bigger truck.''
Now, that is kind of where we were with the veterans
medical care cost of adjustment. We were collecting money but
not getting to keep it. But now we are getting to keep it.
Another thing we are going to continue fighting for you is
Medicare. You should be able to take our Medicare to any
hospital you want to, including the VA. Right now the only
people in America who are being discriminated against, when it
comes to using this Medicare money anywhere they want to take
it, is the military retirees and veterans.
Of course, military retirees are veterans. That is not
right. If anybody in this country deserves a right to take
their Medicare dollars to a VA hospital that they are perfectly
happy with, or to a military hospital they are happy with, they
should be allowed to do that. It makes common sense.
In Little Rock, for example, the VA Hospital in Little Rock
is connected to the University of Arkansas Medical Center. When
a veteran gets to be 65 years old, they are out of the VA
Hospital, they can't bring their Medicare money to us.
That veteran has got a VA Hospital there that he is very
happy with or she is very happy with. They can't spend their
money there, but yet they can walk right across a little
connecting corridor, the same building, to the University of
Arkansas Medical Center, and they can take Medicare.
Somebody tell me what is the reason on that? It doesn't
make sense, and we are going to continue fighting for it. We
have got some friends in Congress that are on our side on this,
too.
With our budget, we are going to be able to treat 3.1
million veterans, which is an increase of over 135,000 this
year. You know, people say that the VA is folding down. Folks,
at this very moment as we talk, we are treating more patients,
more veterans than we have ever treated before in our history.
We are doing it in more cities, we are doing it more
economically, and the quality of the care is better than it has
ever been. Now, having said that, I know that you are sitting
out there, many of you have VA Hospitals that you swear by,
that you think they are the greatest in the world and you love
the people and you love the doctors.
Some of you out there may have problems. I will be the
first to tell you that, yes, there are still places where there
are problems, but we are honing in on those problems. The new
performance measures that we have put in, the way we are
monitoring these hospitals and the way we are monitoring the
care that we do, surveys we are doing, working with our
shareholders and people that use our facilities, we are
narrowing it down.
We are focusing in on the places where we do have these
problems and we will be glad to address them. I am concerned
about waiting time performances. I stopped by a pharmacy in
Washington, D.C., about two weeks ago to pick up a
prescription. It was just for my allergies.
I never had to take this until I went to Washington, D.C. I
have got it figured out. It is all that stuff in the air up
there that makes you have allergies. I stopped by to get a
prescription. I walked in, and I am the only person in the
pharmacy.
I walked up to the counter, and the guy kept shuffling his
papers, and he finally looked up and he said, ``Can I help
you?'' I felt like saying, ``Yeah, I would like to have my
shoes shined.'' What am I doing at the pharmacy? I want a
prescription. I gave him my prescription.
He looked at it and said, ``When do you want to pick it
up?'' I am looking around and there is no one. ``I would like
to get it right now.'' ``Oh, no, it will be an hour.'' I said,
``Well, you have got one less prescription to fill.'' I took it
away and I went somewhere else.
Customer service, if you want my business you are going to
have to treat me right. That is what we want to do in our VA
Hospitals. Our people have to realize, and I tell them when a
veteran walks in this hospital, remember, that is a member of
my Board of Directors and your Board of Directors.
I have 26.5 million members on the Board of Directors
because I work for every one of you. Every one of you out there
are my boss. I know that. I want our people to understand that
because, you see, when we really get rolling here and we are
collecting this money and we are treating more veterans, the
only way we can do that is make sure that they are satisfied,
because you don't have to come to me. You can go somewhere
else.
I want you to want to come to the VA. I don't want any of
those people out there disrespectful to you. I don't want them
to do that. I want to move them in other jobs and I want them
to go someplace else where they will not be in contact with
veterans.
I want them to understand when that older veteran walks in,
that veteran that is bent over and stooped, he is gray, I don't
want them to see that older veteran. I want them to look deep
in the eyes of that veteran and I want them to see that 19-
year-old Navy guy who drove the landing craft ashore at Omaha
Beach. I want them to see that 19-year-old Ranger who stormed
the shores in Normandy. I want them to see the Marine who was
in Iwo Jima.
I want them to see the nurse that cared for those young men
that fell and not see that older woman there. I don't want them
to see those bent bodies. I want them to see that Marine that
made the march out of Chosen. I want them to see when that
wheelchair pulls up there, I want them to see that young Marine
or that young soldier who walked through the jungles of
Vietnam.
I want them to see that these are not just a bunch of old
people. These are the people that made this country what it is.
These are the people that gave us the freedom and gave me the
freedom to stand in front of this great audience today and have
this great job I have got, and the opportunity to serve you.
I especially want them to understand what the World War II
veteran means. I grew up with you guys and you will always be
my heroes. When I was small, when the war started, my dad
closed up the farm in Arkansas, my two brothers enlisted in the
military.
They were shipping out in Oakland, San Francisco. We closed
up and my dad moved out there and went to work in the shipyard,
and my sister went to work in the shipyard. We stayed there
until the war was won. I remember so many of you, I remember
when you were young.
I think one of the most touching things that I ever heard
was when the President went to Normandy, D-Day, and one of the
greatest lines that sticks in my mind, and I will have to
paraphrase it, but he said, you know, their backs are stooped,
their body is frail and the gait is a little slower than they
used to be, and their ranks are fastly thinning, but when they
were young they saved the world.
I want you to know that I will never forget that, the fact
that I can stand here on this stage and speak the English
language. That is not what the people that were fighting
planned for us in World War II. They already put out the money
that they were going to spend in the United States.
Unfortunately you guys wouldn't cash your checks. I am forever
profoundly grateful for that.
For those of my brothers who served in Korea, you know, we
are going to have a great celebration of the anniversary of
that war. You will no longer be forgotten. My brothers and
sisters who served in Vietnam, thank you for being so vocal
because the fact you were so vocal and wouldn't go away has
served all those that came before you and all those that came
after you in a very good manner. We wouldn't go away, we
Vietnam veterans.
I remember some of my buddies in World War II used to call
us whiners and criers. But let me tell you what we whiners and
criers did. We have made America recognize that there is such a
thing as post-traumatic stress disorder. We are not only
treating in our medical centers Vietnam veterans, we are
treating World War II and we are treating Korean veterans, and
we are treating other veterans.
We also wouldn't go away on the Agent Orange issue. We kept
pushing, we kept pushing. Finally, we recognized it was
something wrong with spraying that stuff on us over there. We
are serving the Persian Gulf veterans well, also. Those
veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, I want to assure you
we will not rest until we know what is wrong with you and we
can answer your questions.
In closing, I want to tell you that it is a great honor to
stand here in this hall. I was in Las Vegas on Sunday and I
spoke to the Disabled American Veterans. I was in this great
big hall. It was the anniversary of the death of Elvis on
Saturday, but that was on Sunday.
I make this last remark, and I would like to say this to my
friends from Arkansas and my other friends out there, ``I
finally made it to the big room.'' Thank you very much.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Mr. Gober. I want to
tell you before you leave, Mr. Secretary-Designate, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars will be in the forefront to make sure
that Congress doesn't vote against veterans. You know where we
stand on Medicare expansion.
SECRETARY-DESIGNATE GOBER: Thank you very much.
PRESENTATION OF THE J. EDGAR HOOVER AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I am pleased to present the J.
Edgar Hoover Award for outstanding service in the field of law
enforcement to an outstanding police officer from the City of
New Orleans. Officer Philibert has been honored by the New
Orleans City Council and other civic organizations for his
service and dedication to duty.
These police officers are truly representative of the
dedicated men and women who serve our communities and the
nation in the field of law enforcement.
He received the city's Medal of Lifesaving for responding
to a call for assistance last July. A van traveling at a high
rate of speed had collided with five other vehicles. Seeing
that three of the vehicles were engulfed in flames and with
people scrambling out of two of them, Officer Philibert could
see hands waving in the third car which was now filled with
thick black smoke.
Crawling up on the hood of one of the cars, he could see a
man and a woman with the flames rapidly spreading toward the
couple. As he got close, the intense heat shattered the
windows.
Despite great danger to himself, Officer Philibert grabbed
the woman's arms in an attempt to pull her out. He realized her
skin was already badly burned and that she was still strapped
in her seat belt. Although in a bad state, the woman was still
conscious enough that Officer Philibert finally made her
understand that she had to release her seat belt. With other
officers pulling him, he managed to pull the woman out through
the passenger window by her hair.
Suffering burns to his hands, arms and face, Officer
Philibert turned back to rescue the man who had managed to free
himself and was partially out of the vehicle. Unfortunately,
the fuel tank ruptured and exploded, engulfing the man in
flames and making any rescue attempt futile.
Officer Philibert's dedication to duty, coupled with his
heroic deeds, have earned him the respect of his colleagues and
are in keeping with the finest traditions of the law
enforcement profession.
Please give a warm VFW welcome to our 1997 VFW J. Edgar
Hoover Award recipient, Police Officer Russell Philibert of the
New Orleans Police Department. (Applause)
I would like to read the citation. ``J. Edgar Hoover Award,
Gold Medal and Citation, awarded to Officer Russell Philibert
in special recognition of his outstanding service,
professionalism, bravery and knowledge in the field of law
enforcement which has earned for him the respect of his peers
and the admiration of the citizens of New Orleans, Louisiana.
``In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 19th day of August, 1997. Approved by the National
Council of Administration.''
This has been signed by me, James E. Nier, Commander-in-
Chief, and Larry W. Rivers, Adjutant General. Congratulations.
Along with that is an honorarium for $1,500.
REMARKS--MR. RUSSELL PHILIBERT
MR. PHILIBERT: I just want to express to you veterans that
I appreciate the award, especially for myself and the New
Orleans Police Department, and the 6th District where I work.
The knowledge of the police work is passed down to all of us by
the veteran police officers. I will continue to protect the
services of New Orleans and America. Thank you.
I would like to give special thanks to Ms. Ruth Aslin, the
police officer who is our coordinator, and for her efforts with
the police work and the investigation. I didn't have time to
put the paperwork together to make this trip. I had a great
journey to Salt Lake City. I would like to thank the Louisiana
crowd, Lafayette. Thanks for all your support, Lafayette. Thank
you. (Applause)
PRESENTATION OF VFW EMERGENCY SERVICES AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Annually, the Veterans of Foreign
Wars presents its Emergency Services Award to an individual for
outstanding contributions to the community in the field of
Emergency Services.
This year we are pleased to present this year's award to a
man who has dedicated his life to serving the community.
Sergeant John Taylor, Director, Search and Rescue,
Snohomish County, in the State of Washington, manages and
coordinates the efforts of 180 volunteers and all search and
rescue in an area that includes the Puget Sound and the Cascade
Mountains with glacier peaks rising to 10,000 feet.
Throughout a distinguished career which included numerous
dramatic rescues, Sergeant Taylor has established a world-
renowned reputation for his expertise and received in 1996 the
Washington Sate Department of Transportation Search and Rescue
Award.
Since 1990, Sergeant Taylor has been responsible for 551
missions searching for more than 1,000 individuals.
Sergeant Taylor joined the Snohomish County Sheriff's
Office in 1968, the day after which he left the Army after
service in Vietnam, which included duty as a door gunner on
Huey helicopters.
Sergeant Taylor's deeds, dedication and experience in the
field of search and rescue over the past 24 years exemplify the
deeds and sacrifices of those of the emergency services who
serve our communities across the nation.
Please give a warm VFW welcome to Sergeant John L. Taylor,
the 1997 recipient of the VFW Emergency Services Award.
Once again I would like to read the citation, my fellow
comrades.
``Emergency Services Award, Gold Medal and Citation
presented to Sergeant John L. Taylor in special recognition of
his distinguished career as Director, Search and Rescue,
Snohomish County Sheriff's Office and in sincere appreciation
for his selfless and dedicated service directing over 551
missions, utilizing 61,554 personnel hours in rescue activities
for Puget Sound to the Cascade Mountains, which resulted in the
search for or rescuing of 1,159 individuals.
``In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 19th day of August, 1997. Approved by the National
Council of Administration.''
This has been signed by myself, James E. Nier, Commander-
in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers, Adjutant General.
Congratulations, Sergeant Taylor.
RESPONSE--SERGEANT JOHN L. TAYLOR
COMRADE JOHN TAYLOR: Well, here I am. I can't believe this.
It is hard sometimes to accept something like this when you are
doing it because that is something you really want to do. That
is what I have been doing all my life. Well, pretty much what I
wanted to do.
I first got involved in the search and rescue when I was 17
years old. I helped a woman that had a broken leg and I felt
good about it. So I told myself I have got to find a job where
I can get paid to do this. I did. I have been working at it
ever since.
I have worked as a volunteer for many years, and then I
worked as a Deputy Sheriff, and then eventually became in
charge of operations for the Sheriff's Office. I not only help
the people of Snohomish County, I go all over. Any place where
they can use any assistance in setting up programs or things of
that nature, I will do it.
I really believe in what I am doing. I am very proud to be
a Vietnam veteran. I am a Life Member of VFW Post 2100 in
Everett, Washington. I really respect and appreciate the VFW as
a whole, all the good things they do, especially for the young
people.
You know, to me, I work with young people, too. When I can
get a high school age person, instead of wanting to go play
video games, who wants to go up and rescue people, I think he
is going to be a better citizen. It is really gratifying to me
to be involved in that. That is what you all are, too.
Again, I want to thank you for this award. Thank you once
again. (Applause)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Along with this award and citation
comes an honorarium in the amount of $1,500. Would you like to
introduce your folks that you have brought with you today?
COMRADE JOHN TAYLOR: I have the Assistant Director for
Emergency Services for Snohomish County, Maxine Henderson. She
is a Veterans of Foreign Wars member. I have Rhonda Anderson
and Ron Stint from our honor guard. They wanted to make sure I
got here.
PRESENTATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S SPECIAL AWARD TO MR. WILSON SMITH,
AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEDAL OF HONOR MEMORIAL
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: One of our very own VFW comrades
comes before us now to receive the VFW Commander-in-Chief's
Special Award. Wilson K. Smith, Jr., served in the United
States Army, 101st Airborne. He came home from Vietnam with a
Silver Star and a Bronze Star. Back from the war, he began a
project that has taken almost 30 years to complete. It is a
memorial to the 85 African-American heroes who have received
the Medal of Honor.
Dedicated in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1991, this beautiful
memorial recognizes the heroic duty of African-Americans from
the Civil War to the Vietnam War. In January of this year, a
replica of the memorial was placed in the Pentagon in
Washington, D.C., to take its place beside other memorials
honoring those who have served our country.
A man who has truly gone above and beyond in honoring his
fellow servicemen, please welcome one of our very own VFW
members from VFW Post 2765, Wilmington, Delaware, Wilson K.
Smith, Jr. (Applause)
I would like to read this special award. ``Commander-in-
Chief's Special Award presented to Wilson Smith, Jr.
``The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States salutes
you for the vision of the African-American Medal of Honor
Memorial and commends you for the tenacity and dedication to
see it to its fruition.
``August 19, 1997, James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief.''
(Applause)
REMARKS BY COMRADE WILSON SMITH, JR.
COMRADE WILSON SMITH: I am very proud of this award, and I
thank you all for having me here. This award is not for me, it
is for the 85 African-Americans who proved themselves in this
country that they love it, and it was worth dying for. I am
here today because the VFW realizes what I was trying to do and
brought me here to show that we, the Vietnam veterans, will
take care of our own. God bless the VFW and the United States
of America. (Applause)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I wish to tell you that your VFW
donated $5,000 to make that memorial in the Pentagon become a
reality. We thank you.
INTRODUCTION OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL CLAUDE M. KICKLIGHTER, DEPUTY
UNDERSECRETARY OF THE ARMY FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Ladies and gentlemen, in three
years we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the start of the
Korean War. In an effort to recognize our Korean War veterans,
their families and to provide the American public with a clear
understanding and appreciation of the lessons and history of
the Korean War, we are fortunate to have with us Lieutenant
General Claude M. Kicklighter, the Deputy Undersecretary of the
Army for International Security Affairs and formerly the
Executive Director of the 50th Anniversary of World War II
Commemorative Committee.
General Kicklighter and the Committee did a marvelous job.
With preparations underway, it is fitting that we prepare to
honor and recognize those who set the stage for America's
determination at the start of the Cold War and whose service
and sacrifices eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet
Union and the end of the Cold War.
I am confident that under General Kicklighter's leadership
and with the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, this
commemoration of the Korean War and its veterans will be a
memorable one.
Please join me in a warm VFW welcome for a good friend of
the VFW and a valued Life Member, Retired Army Lieutenant
General Claude M. Kicklighter. (Applause)
General Kicklighter.
REMARKS--LIEUTENANT GENERAL CLAUDE M. KICKLIGHTER
LIEUTENANT GENERAL KICKLIGHTER: Commander-in-Chief Nier,
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Moon, former Commanders-in-
Chief, National Officers, Fellow Veterans, Ladies and
Gentlemen:
I am extremely humbled and honored to be with this group
again. This is a group of great Americans who have served their
nation in time of war. Thank you also for the opportunity to
participate in the 98th Annual Convention here in this
beautiful Salt Lake City.
This morning I want to briefly talk to you about two
subjects. First, I want to thank the Veterans of Foreign Wars
and all the Departments and Posts that did so much to assist
our nation, a grateful nation, as we commemorated the 50th
anniversary of World War II.
Then, secondly, I would like to provide a quick overview
for the planning of the forthcoming commemoration of the 50th
anniversary of the Korean War. First, thank you for the work
that this great organization, the VFW, did to make the 50th
anniversary of World War II so meaningful.
I can tell you from the bottom of my heart that no
organization in our nation worked as hard as the VFW and
contributed as much as you did.
From December 7th, 1991, the 50th anniversary of the attack
on Pearl Harbor, through Veterans Day, 1995, when our nation
was engaged in a monumental effort to honor and thank our World
War II veterans and their families, especially the families
that lost loved ones in that war, the Gold Star mothers and the
Gold Star wives and the Gold Star children.
This group, above all others, knows that freedom is not
free. Our nation also remembered those who served on the home
front; overnight America to the arsenal of democracy, not only
supported our forces but also supported our allies and were
able to keep them in the force as well.
To help carry out this important mission, our nation turned
to the VFW and other veterans organizations, states and
communities all across our nation and from around the world to
assist in this monumental effort. Their response was
overwhelming.
We asked communities and organizations to join our nation
in an effort to thank and honor our veterans. When we closed
the commemoration, there were 7,780 World War commemorative
communities that were engaged in this mission.
More than 1,000 of those commemorative communities were
Departments, Post and Auxiliaries of the VFW, and that did not
include the commemorative communities that were recruited by
the VFW organizations in the areas where they lived. You were
the leaders in recruiting the support for this mission.
Your effort had a major impact on the outcome. Another
important factor was the VFW magazine, which highlighted World
War II as seen through the eyes of the VFW veterans. These
articles were informative, emotional, educational and put a
human face on the realities of war.
The VFW was the driving force in arranging ceremonies
throughout America and throughout the world to remember our
veterans. During this period, we also emphasized the importance
of education, the importance of learning from this history.
If we learn and if we prepare and remain strong, maybe the
legacy to these children and grandchildren of these veterans of
World War II will become known as the last world war. In
support of education, with the VFW, we have provided materials
to more than 20,000 schools, and one of the most important
parts of that program is the VFW helped put veterans into the
classroom, a true highlight of the educational program with
veterans going into the school sharing their experiences.
The VFW also published two very important and popular
educational materials. One was, ``Through My Eyes'', a pamphlet
written from the views of the children who grew up in World War
II, and the second was a speaker's guide to help all of us
prepare to speak about World War II in our community.
Throughout this period, there were hundreds of major
television programs about that war and as much as anything this
had a tremendous impact on young Americans about what the
legacy of this generation was. Together we worked to tell the
story of women and minorities, a story that had not been
properly told.
They have had a major impact on that war, even though they
had overcome very difficult obstacles to serve and to fight for
survival of this nation. During the commemorative period, we
have remembered those that faced in the major battle of the war
by holding hundreds of commemorative events at home and around
the world, many which were on the battlefields of that war.
The VFW was there every step of the way. Your efforts under
the leadership of your Commanders-in-Chief throughout the
commemorative period played a major role, starting with Bob
Wallace in 1991-'92, who organized and helped us get off the
ground. He was followed by Jack Carney, in '92-'93, who kept
that momentum and kept the VFW leading our nation in this very
important mission. Then George Cramer, in '93-'94, did a great
job in helping us continue this effort. Then as we came to a
close, Gunner Kent was very instrumental in leading the VFW to
stay engaged and to help our nation. Then Paul Spera, in '95-
'96, not only as the Commander-in-Chief, but the Vice
Commander-in-Chief helped us bring this to a very emotional
conclusion.
I think we are very lucky to have the VFW and I am proud to
be a Life Member, that we have such excellent leaders at the
National Headquarters. During this time, Howard Vander Clute,
Mike Gormally, Larry Rivers, Ken Steadman, Bill Smith and so
many others were with us day by day as we planned and helped
our nation form this mission.
Throughout this five-year period, the VFW set the example
for remembering our veterans and their families. As the
commemoration came to a close, we commemorated VJ Day in
September, '95, and in October, '95, the United States Senate
and House of Representatives came together in a joint meeting
of Congress and resolved that Congress would never forget those
who served our nation, and they asked all Americans to join
together in the week of 4-11-95 to bring to a close the
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of World War II.
It was a very moving event in our Congress. The House
chamber was filled with overflow. The joint meeting was co-
chaired by the Speaker and the Vice-President. In response to
the joint meeting, the closing week of November 11th was filled
with emotion, patriotism and special events all across America.
Our nation officially closed the 50th anniversary on
Veterans Day November 11, 1995, in Washington, D.C. The site,
where the World War II Memorial is to be built, was dedicated
by the President. What a beautiful and appropriate site that
is. On that same day, there were many parades all across the
nation, the largest being conducted in New York City.
United our nation is a grateful nation to remember our
World War II veterans and their families. They fought the most
destructive war in history, a war that we were not prepared
for. They fought and won that war and literally saved the
world. Then they came home and took off their uniforms and
built this great America.
One more time I would like to ask the World War II veterans
to stand and let us thank you and salute you. Will you, please,
stand. (Applause)
To be honest, there was no proper way that our nation could
thank this generation. What a special generation.
In 1950, just five years after the end of World War II,
young Americans were again asked to fight another but different
kind of war, the Korea War. In 1945, the U.S. had been the most
powerful armed forces the world had ever seen. When that war
ended, we dismantled the armed forces in a wholesale manner.
In June, 1950, North Korea attacked South Korea, we were
unprepared to fight, and again we had to buy time to prepare to
fight, and we lost that time in loss of young Americans. We
should never let that happen again. It is now time to prepare
and thank and honor our Korean war veterans and their families
as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of that war.
The commemorations will start in June, 2000. We will
highlight the historical importance of the contributions of our
Korean War veterans. Most Americans and many Korean veterans
don't fully understand what was accomplished by that war. We
must correct those misperceptions as we commemorate the Korean
War.
The commemorative event will inform future generations this
nation's heroes fought in Korea. Many were wounded and many
died there. Our veterans left a proud legacy in places like
Inchon, Chosin Reservoir, and hundreds of other places will
forever live in the minds and hearts of the veterans who served
there.
In June, 1953, the war stopped. The fighting stopped, but
the war was not officially ended. We have our armistice and we
have our demilitarized zone. Today armed forces still face one
another across the fortified border. The passage of time has
revealed the legacy of the Korean War veterans and what it
means to our nation, and we are just beginning to comprehend
what was accomplished there 50 years ago.
Today we see a strong democratic, prosperous independent
nation, one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the
product of unsurpassed selfless service, courage, valor and the
determination of our veterans, and by the South Korean veterans
and by the veterans of 20 other nations who fought with us side
by side under the United Nations flag.
From dark clouds of this war came an optimism for a lasting
peace, a hope that the freedom of the South Korean people could
be protected against Communist aggression. That hope, still
very much alive, was bought by a very high price of blood of
our veterans, Korean veterans. Today our troops still stand
guard at the 38th parallel. When the guns fell silent over that
war torn Korea, the cost was high. The loss of lives and
wounded were higher. Many questions were asked why were we
involved in that war? Four decades later, an independent
economical, prosperous and democratic nation of more than 46
million people stand free as a result of that sacrifice.
That nation stands as hope and as a model for the emerging
democracies of the world, and as an example that many are
trying to follow. Contrast this with North Korea, a nation
under the Communist rule of tyranny, nationwide starvation an
uncertain future, heavily armed camps, and the economy in
shambles. What a contrast for the world to see: democracy and
Communism in action.
Truly, this was a victory for peace and freedom and
democracy and for hope for not only the people of South Korea
but the people all over the world. Although our work is
unfinished and we continue to work for a lasting peace and the
possibility of a peaceful reunification of Korea, our Korean
War veterans kept the torch of freedom burning in a nation
under siege for armed aggression from the North, supported by
the Soviet Union and the Russians.
Freedom for South Korea was not free. 35,000 Americans gave
their life, some of the most brutal fighting that we have ever
been in. Another 100,000 were wounded and the losses of South
Korean armed forces and Korean people were staggering.
Civilian losses were awesome; mostly women and children who
got overrun by that war. Today, nearly 50 years later, there
are still many of our veterans and others that are unaccounted
for. Today our nation has another important mission, to plan
and execute the commemoration for the 50th anniversary of the
Korean War.
The VFW will again play a major role in this effort, along
with the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans
Affairs, led by our good friend Gunner Kent, who is already
working with us, and other types of service organizations will
assist our nation in properly thanking and honoring those
veterans from Korea.
We want to take all that we have learned from commemorating
the 50th anniversary of World War II and invest that knowledge
and experience as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Korea.
With your help, we will organize America to ensure that every
Korean veteran knows that a grateful nation has not forgotten
his service 50 years ago.
We want to again request the communities and the schools to
join in this effort all across our land. Together we must now
tell the story correctly, proudly and properly. We want to make
sure that we show our veterans that we have not forgotten them.
At this time I would also like to show you the first
example of the Korean commemorative flag that we are proposing.
You are one of the first groups that will see this. I hope we
can get this up on the screen. As you see this flag, it says,
``The Korean War, Freedom is not Free.''
You see the 22 gold stars around the center of that flag.
We want to hear from you. That is the U.S. and Korea, and our
20 allies. The blue color that you see is the color of the U.N.
flag. This is your flag. We want this flag to be all across our
nation in all of our communities and all of our VFW Posts. So
if you have any thoughts about this, we would like for you to
contact us.
I would like to also show you the official logo for that
war. I hope that you will be able to use this, and I would tell
you that many other additional commemorative products and
educational materials are already being developed and we will
be able to provide these very soon to the organizations as you
help get our nation organized.
Even though we have got over two years before June, 2000,
we need to begin this coming year to get this commemoration
organized and off the ground. In the coming months, we will be
working with your National Headquarters, and in September we
will provide the National Headquarters a copy of the draft
commemorative plan for them to review and provide comments.
In October, we will invite the National Commander and a
delegation to come to the Pentagon in Washington where we will
thoroughly review and go through making sure that we have got
the kind of commemorative program that our veterans deserve.
The VFW will be instrumental in helping us build that program
throughout this next year.
The commemoration officially begins in June, 2000, 50 years
from the time that the war began, and it will end on Veterans
Day, November 11, 2003. There are planned many events each year
throughout our nation, and many of those events will be in
other nations, our allies.
There will be a lot of events in Korea. We are also working
already with the Korean government and the Korean veterans
association. We very much want to make this a very special
event. We will be working and have been working with the 20
nations that were our allies in that war, and we will keep you
informed as we go through this process.
If you have not visited Korea, I would commend to you to
visit Korea. You will see a miracle. You will see a miracle
that happened because of the service and sacrifice of our
veterans. We will always remember our veterans for giving us
this strong and free, beautiful America that we are privileged
to wake up in every morning.
We will also remember all those that gave all their
tomorrows that we can live in this great land. When you are
giving all of your tomorrows at 18 and 19 years old is a very
high price to pay. It has been said any nation that forgets its
veterans ceases to be a great nation.
The VFW will always ensure that America never forgets its
veterans. I want to thank the VFW, my organization, for the
wonderful job you did in assisting our nation in honoring our
World War II veterans. I want to thank you for what I know you
will do again as we lead our nation in thanking our Korean War
veterans.
I also want to thank you for all you do every day in taking
care of those who served our armed forces and what you-all do
in America for our veterans and all the youth in America. You
are what makes America the great nation that is today. Thank
you very much. God bless the VFW, our veterans and their
families, and God bless America. (Applause)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, General. As he is
departing, obviously, he will have our support for this effort.
INTRODUCTION OF BRIGADIER GENERAL WILMA L. VAUGHT, PRESIDENT, WOMEN IN
MILITARY SERVICE FOR AMERICA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, INC.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: 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.
This October, two years after ground-breaking for that memorial
took place, the opening dedication will take place at the gates
of Arlington National Cemetery.
When one considers that almost two million women have
served the U.S. military throughout history, from the American
Revolution through Operation Desert Storm, it is most fitting
that such a memorial receive the backing and 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.
Please join me in a very warm VFW welcome for a fellow VFW
member and the President of the Women's Memorial, Brigadier
General Wilma Vaught.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
REMARKS--BRIGADIER GENERAL WILMA VAUGHT
BRIGADIER GENERAL VAUGHT: Please sit down. Don't encourage
me to give my 20-minute speech. What a pleasure it is to be
back with you today. You know, the Convention in 1986 was the
year the legislation was passed authorizing us to have this
memorial in Washington, D.C.
It was in March, 1987, that I missed the meeting of the
Board of Directors that was being formed to carry out this
process. I was elected President. I want to tell you I have not
missed a meeting of the Board of Directors since. Don't miss
meetings.
When you give money, you sometimes wonder what is going to
happen to it. The VFW has now given us some $99,657. So I am
pleased to report to you that your money has gone to something
good. The next time you go into Arlington National Cemetery and
you look at that wall that has been standing there for sixty
some years, you are going to be glad to made a donation for
this memorial, because truly the main gate in Arlington is
going to be a thing for all of us as Americans to be proud of
instead of the way it has been looking for the last 20 or 30
years.
We have planned a fantastic series of events for
dedication. We are going to have a gala on Thursday, the 16th
of October, followed by a big reunion on the 17th, and then the
dedication at noon on the 18th. That evening we are going to do
a candlelight march and service of remembrance.
The candlelight march will start at the Lincoln Memorial
and walk to the main gate in Arlington. I hope that we will see
some VFW units will participate in that. We are expecting about
30,000 people at the dedication and about 10,000 for the march.
Then the next day, at the amphitheater, we will have a time
to give thanks. That dedication is just one month and 29 days
from today, and as I think about one month and 29 days, I
wonder whether I should be here or back there still working to
get ready. I probably should be back there doing something to
get ready.
But we will be ready, and I want you to encourage the women
who belonged to our Post to come to this dedication. This
memorial is for them. It is a fact thing. They should be there
to be a part of it. Many of the Posts have registered its
women.
I hope, as you search in the community for other women that
should be registered for the memorial, that this helps you get
additional members in the VFW, because I just don't think we
have as many women in the VFW as we should have. So I hope to
see that go up.
I just want you to know from the standpoint of the
foundation, I am committed that every woman veteran who can
make it to Washington, D.C., for the memorial will be able to
take in everything that she wants to take in regardless of
whatever disability she may have.
We are the only organization that has ever made such a
commitment. We did it for the ground-breaking and we are going
to do it again. We will have wheelchairs, or whatever it takes
so that they can participate in their memorial.
I wish I could say the memorial is all finished. It is
about 90 percent finished. There is a huge reflecting pool in
front, about 80 feet across. Yesterday morning when I stopped
before I left, it was full of water. So it is getting there.
But it is not on, it is not going to be all finished even at
the dedication.
Not all the exhibits will be in, because we are still
raising money to pay for those. Please don't stop giving. We
still need you. We have about 250,000 of the 1.8 million women
that served our country registered. I need your help in getting
the rest of them.
I hope you will stop by our booth over here in the Exhibit
Hall and pick up one of our registration forms for the women in
your community in case they are not registered. Also while you
are there, we will try to sell you one of our commemorative
coins--that is the only place you can buy them--or sell you a
necklace for your wife or whatever adulteress relationship you
are in, or whoever you want to buy one for we will sell you
one. What more can I say?
I hope, Mr. Moon, that you will make it all the way over
from Ohio on October 18th to the dedication. Jim, you come up
from Texas. We will welcome you all. I hope you will be there
for it.
I would be remiss if I did not close with a quotation from
one of our women that this memorial is going on. This is from
one of our Army women veterans who said, ``I spent four years
in the Army. Although now I am married and a mother, I still
want to be remembered as a soldier.''
In this memorial we are going to remember every soldier,
sailor, airmen, Marine and Coast Guard person. General
Kicklighter had World War II veterans to stand up, and I
thought most of the audience was standing up. I want to have
the women veterans to stand up, and we will probably have to
search to find them.
Where are you women veterans? Yes, you are here. Thank you
for coming and be there on October 18th. Thank you. (Applause)
INTRODUCTION OF JAN C. SCRUGGS, PRESIDENT VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
FUND
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The most visited memorial in our
nation's capital is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. While each
year millions of visitors have experienced the healing power of
that memorial, millions have not had the opportunity.
Millions don't have the resources to make the journey. Some
find the war's legacy too painful to confront, particularly as
strangers in an unfamiliar city.
One way of reaching out across America to help not only
Vietnam veterans but veterans of all wars, from World War I to
Desert Storm, is through the efforts of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund and its support of the Wall that Heals.
A half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in
Washington, D.C., travels across America, speaking not of the
loss, but of the lives of 58,202 men and women, our parents, or
neighbors and friends.
This traveling memorial transcends the war in Vietnam and
serves to help our nation renew its relationship with veterans
of all wars.
We are fortunate to have with us this morning, the
President of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Jan Scruggs,
who in 1979 had a vision to create a national memorial with the
names of all Americans who gave their lives in the Vietnam War.
Ladies and gentlemen, please help me give a very warm VFW
welcome to Jan Scruggs. (Applause)
REMARKS--JAN C. SCRUGGS, PRESIDENT, VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND
COMRADE JAN SCRUGGS: I greatly appreciate the kind
introduction and I, as many of you, am really looking forward
to October when we see the women's memorial dedicated. This is
just going to be a really great thing.
From the plains of Nebraska to the coast of Maine, from
California's beautiful fertile valleys to the deck of the
carrier of Yorktown in Charleston, South Carolina, the wall
that heals, the half scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial has traveled throughout the country. Wherever this
memorial has been, the volunteers and the great patriots of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars have been there to help the public
better understand this memorial.
We have really gone out of our way to make this an event
for communities that involves the veterans of all the different
military conflicts. We really want to see the people from the
Desert Storm era get involved as well, and we think this is
sort of working.
But to help you all better understand the importance of
this replica and the Wall that Heals, I am wondering if I could
just show you a video that I think will be helpful.
(Whereupon, the video was presented at this time.)
This has been a really great program which I think has
allowed the VFW to get recognition from communities and really
get our message out there in the schools, and it is programs
like this that really show the aging veterans that the VFW is
an organization which is not just looking towards the past,
reliving the past, it is an organization that is really looking
to the future, that is creating programs in the future, that is
reaching out to the nation's veterans.
The VFW has a future because of the leadership that is part
of this organization. It has got a very important future as an
advocate for military veterans, and for this reason I am
certainly more than proud to be a Life Member of this
organization.
I would like to leave with you today with one final
thought. I know every time I come to a Convention politicians
from Washington routinely come here and they routinely say the
things that the crowd wants to hear. They are good at that. But
I will say this, that you should not really believe for a
moment that the veterans' lobby in Washington, D.C., is an
influential lobby.
I will tell you some lobbies that are influential, the
chemical companies, the automobile manufacturers, the
pharmaceutical industry, the medical industry, the doctors.
These are groups that have a very strong and powerful voice in
Washington, D.C. It is really only through the efforts of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars that we have anything, that we have a
little bit of push and shove that we can bring the members out
and talk to the members of Congress and keep them from taking
our benefits away. I hope you will all bear that in mind.
I wish I was a bearer of better tidings. But the VFW has a
future, and the future is to continue to advocate for our
nation's veterans of all military conflicts. Thank you all very
much.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL BY-LAWS, MANUAL OF PROCEDURE AND RITUAL
(Cont'd.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Comrades, yesterday we finished
the debate on three resolutions as part of the Committee on
National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual. At this time
I will ask the Chairman of that Committee, Past Commander-in-
Chief Jack Carney, to come forward and give some updates.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CARNEY: Thank you, Commander-in-
Chief. Just to be fair, with your permission, I would like to
once again state the recommended rejections by our Committee,
so everyone knows what were rejected by the Committee and so
stated yesterday. I will go through it again.
The Committee recommends for rejection B-4, B-5, B-9, B-10,
B-12, B-14, B-15, B-16, B-17, B-18, B-19, B-20, B-21, and
yesterday, after the roll call, B-22, 23 and 26 were rejected.
B-24, B-25, B-27, B-28, B-29, B-30, B-31 and B-32 were rejected
by the Committee.
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I understand that we were asked
to set aside B-25.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is correct, Mr. Chairman. B-
25 was asked to be set aside yesterday.
Microphone No. 1.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Howard Vander Clute, Post
6467, New Jersey, and a Past Commander-in-Chief. I move the
adoption of B-25.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE RALPH CORNO (Post 1302--New Jersey): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Ralph Corno, a delegate from Post 1302,
State Commander of New Jersey, seconds that motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir. There is a motion
on the floor and duly seconded to adopt B-25. We will now
debate B-25.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): As you know, B-8 was defeated. Although it was
recommended for adoption, it was defeated by the body
yesterday. Essentially, that disenfranchised the Department of
New Jersey as having a Council representative on the National
Council of Administration.
B-25, the principal provision is to lower the number of
members within the Department from 70,000 to 65,000 to qualify
for a Council District and thus representation on the National
Council of Administration. I would add, sir, that one of the
principal reasons that our Department and our Conference, even
though it disenfranchised us, in being opposed to it, it would
not give an opportunity to some of the smaller Departments in
the Eastern Conference. We have a concern for them.
Commander-in-Chief, we know that B-25 is flawed, as was B-
8, which you allowed to be heard on the floor and voted on, and
we appreciate that. We appreciate the fact that you are
allowing us, even though this is flawed, to be heard this
morning.
However, in view of the fact that it is flawed, and let me
refer to the flaw. The first part of that section of the By-
Laws, Section 617, states the number of members required,
70,000, and we are asking it to be reduced to 65,000 in our by-
law amendment. This is sponsored by New Jersey alone.
Now, in the last part of that, the penalty clauses in that
By-Law still continue to say 70,000. It is a flawed by-law. I
ask the delegates to consider this since it will be yours to
decide that in the Demeter's Manual, which may prevail in this
case should you decide it does, it clearly says a by-law is
repealed, and this would be the old by-law, ``by a new by-law
which is so inconsistent therewith that both cannot stand.''
The inconsistency is now obvious to you, 65,000 and 70,000.
``The adoption of a new by-law covering the same grounds as the
former one and intended for the same purpose,'' which this by-
law is. It is intended for the same purpose, impliably appeals
and supersedes the earlier by-law.
That is the existing one, ``So that any penalties''--and
here is our problem--``So any penalties imposed by the earlier
or other provisions therein be omitted from the latter by-law
no longer applies.'' So, essentially, if it is approved, as I
see it, it would wipe out the last paragraph of Section 617.
Now, also I would like to quote from the interpretation of
the by-law amendment. It says, ``The primary object in the
interpretation of by-laws is to ascertain and give effect of
the intention of the framers thereof.'' Our intent was to
reduce the figure to 65,000.
Having said all of that, also in the Manual of Procedure
under 617 it is blank. The Council of Administration has the
authority to amend the Manual of Procedure and can amend 617 at
their first meeting to include the penalty clauses and thus
make the by-law complete.
At the next Convention we can come back with a by-law that
everything is covered in the by-law itself. So, Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I think the way it stands now, New Jersey
does not have representation. We think and we feel, and many of
us in the Eastern Conference feel we need more representation
on the National Council of Administration, and we are asking
this delegation here this morning to find it in their hearts to
find representation on the National Council of Administration
for New Jersey. Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE GEORGE PALMATEER (Post 4171--Colorado): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I am George Palmateer from Post 4171,
Colorado. I stand to speak in favor of this amendment. I
believe this could happen to any Department at any time where
there is a dynamic change in the procedures of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars.
I also feel we are creating another Council with four
states involved, and there is already one, which I think is
unfair. I, therefore, speak in favor of the amendment.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, George. There is no one
at Microphone No. 3. There is nobody at Microphone No. 2,
either. Any further debate. Hearing none, the motion is to
adopt B-25. Those in favor of the motion will signify by saying
``aye''; those opposed by the same sign ``no''. The Chair rules
that the motion to adopt fails because it is less than two-
thirds vote.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I call for a roll call
vote. New Jersey calls for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is one.
COMRADE RON RUSKO (Post 9460--Connecticut): Ron Rusko, Post
9460, Stratford, Connecticut, calls for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is two. It takes ten
Departments, comrades.
COMRADE ALMON LONG (Department of Pennsylvania): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Department A votes to go along with New
Jersey.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is three.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE LYNN HALL (Department of Kansas): Commander-in-
Chief, Hall, Department of Kansas, requests a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is four.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE JOSEPH BRAND (Department of Montana): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Joe Brand, Department of Montana, asks for
a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is five.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE GREG WOODRING (Department of Arizona): Arizona
requests a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is six.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE GERARD MISERANDINO (Department of the District of
Columbia): Miserandino, Post 2979, Department of D.C.
Commander, calls for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE VIRGIL MULLINS (Department of New Hampshire):
Virgil Mullins, Post 2618, Department of New Hampshire,
requests a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE PHILIP SCHIFFMAN (Department of New York): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Philip Schiffman, Post 8691, State
Commander of New York, requests a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is nine.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE PETER KRENITSKY (Department of Pennsylvania):
Pennsylvania calls for a roll call vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: That is ten. We will have a roll
call vote. I will ask the Credentials Committee to come forward
and see if there are any changes in the numbers.
COMRADE RICHARD TROMBLA (Post 1174--Kansas): Commander-in-
Chief, as Chairman of the National Credentials Committee, there
is one change. The total delegate strength now is 12,011,
bringing the grand total to 12,129. Commander-in-Chief, that is
the report.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We will take a ten-minute break to
have the roll call vote and caucus. I will hit the gavel at
11:25.
(RECESS.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The ten minutes are up, comrades.
The lights are coming up. It will take a little while. Will the
Department Commanders please do as we did yesterday, line up at
Microphones 1, 2 and 3 in alphabetical order.
COMRADE AL LOEHR (Post 4847--Minnesota): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, I have a question.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE AL LOEHR (Post 7826--Minnesota): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, Al Loehr, Post 7826, East St. Cloud. My question,
Commander-in-Chief, is this. How can we legitimately vote on a
flawed resolution under the direction of our parliamentary
rules?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Just a minute. I will try to get
you the answer. Is the Parliamentarian here, Larry Maher? Give
us a couple of minutes, Al. We will get our Parliamentarian
back. Thank you.
Al, I am going to try to explain this the best I can. It is
my opinion the by-law is flawed. I am going to rule that to
express democracy, we voted on one yesterday, that we will vote
on this one.
COMRADE AL LOEHR (Post 7826--Minnesota): Thank you,
Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Let's have the roll call, please.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: My fellow delegates, let me give
you a recap of the strength. There are 12,011 total delegates,
53 Department Commanders, 27 Past Commanders-in-Chief, 38
National Officers. We ask the State Commanders to line up in
the right order.
(As the Adjutant General called the roll, the following
votes were cast:)
OFFICERS YES NO
Commander-in-Chief Nier X
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Moon X
Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief Pouliot X
Adjutant General Rivers X
Quartermaster General Ridgley--(Voted with Post)
Judge Advocate General Leonard Herrst X
Surgeon General Robert Reif X
National Chaplain William J. Bleiler X
National Chief of Staff Bill E. Lark X
Inspector General Charles Stephens X
DISTRICTS YES NO
District No. 1--Arthur Roy X
District No. 2--William J. Madera X
District No. 3--Armondo C. Azzinaro
District No. 4--Bruce A. Withers X
District No. 5 --John L. Dahman X
District No. 6--Scottie E. King X
District No. 7--Roy C. Womble X
District No. 8--Oliver W. Dial X
District No. 9--George M. Pullie X
District No. 10--Leslie F. Thone X
District No. 11--Bernard J. Boyle X
District No. 12 --William F. Cerny, Jr. X
District No. 13--Jack L. Armagost X
District No. 14--Earl E. Chase--(Voted with Post)
District No. 15--James A. Ferguson
District No. 16 --Dannie Cooper X
District No. 17--Gary L. Clark X
District No. 19--J. Hollis Smith X
District A --Armon J. Long X
District B --Russell R. Rieke X
District C --Ralph U. DeMarco X
District D --George W. Marks X
District E --Gordon W. Kirk X
District F --Wayne A. Buck X
District G --Raymond C. Sisk X
District H --Ferrell Warden X
District I --George J. Lisicki X
District J --Eugene R. Manfrey X
DISTRICTS YES NO
Alabama 216
Alaska 84
Arizona 204
Arkansas 157
California 500 132
Colorado 230 6
Connecticut 226
Delaware 121
District of Columbia 40
Department of Europe 38
Florida 459
Georgia 22 159
Hawaii 40
Idaho 84
Illinois 465 236
Indiana 364
Iowa 139
Kansas 257 21
Kentucky 138
Latin America/Caribbean 27
Louisiana 188
Maine 110
Maryland 347
Massachusetts 373
Michigan 163 320
Minnesota 272 131
Mississippi 142
Missouri 301
Montana 92
Nebraska 188
Nevada 53 21
New Hampshire 115
New Jersey 361
New Mexico 121
New York 325
North Carolina 249
North Dakota 120
Ohio 732
Oklahoma 26 140
Oregon 125
Pacific Areas 75
Pennsylvania 559
Rhode Island 60
South Carolina 96
South Dakota 178
Tennessee 144
Texas 546
Utah 73
Vermont 102
Virginia 216
Washington 175
West Virginia 218
Wisconsin 208
Wyoming 1 53
PAST COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF YES NO
Billy Ray Cameron X
John M. Carney X
Ted C. Connell X
George R. Cramer X
James R. Currieo X
Arthur J. Fellwock X
Walter G. Hogan X
Cooper T. Holt X
Richard W. Homan X
Allen F. Kent X
James L. Kimery X
John W. Mahan X
Clifford G. Olson, Jr. X
Eric Sandstrom X
Joseph A. Scerra X
R. D. Smith, Jr. X
Ray Soden X
Paul A. Spera X
Norman G. Staab X
John Staum--(Voted with Post)
Howard Vander Clute, Jr. X
Thomas C. Walker X
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Commander-in-Chief, that completes
the roll call. Commander-in-Chief, the total delegate strength
is 12,155. A two-thirds vote would be 8,103.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: It will take us just a few minutes
for the Convention Committee to make the tally.
COMRADE GEORGE MEAD (Post 9400--Arizona): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, a point of order. Isn't it two-thirds of
the votes cast, not two-thirds of what you said?
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: That is correct, two-thirds of the
total votes cast.
WINNERS OF INSURANCE DRAWING
ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER GENERAL MAHER: If we have a moment
here, I would like to announce the winners of the insurance
drawings.
For the $25 is Daryl Mobley, Post 3630--Nevada.
The $50 winner is Richard Hafner, Post 5896--Missouri. I
didn't cheat. This is a gentleman from Missouri that is a
winner.
The $100 winner is John N. Fabbro, Post 4208, Florida.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Comrades, while we are getting the
tally, this is an important announcement I am about to make.
Due to the longevity of the debate on the by-laws yesterday and
today, we are going to have to change the time of the All-
American Commander's Breakfast to 7:00 a.m. instead of 7:30,
and we will start the business session tomorrow morning at 8:00
a.m. instead of 9:00.
Please bear with us. We have to do that to get all the by-
laws in. We want to have the debate and we want to have
deliberations, so in order to do that and not move workshops or
cancel them, please bear with us and make note of that 7:00
a.m. for the All-American Breakfast and at 8:00 o'clock a.m.
the business session will start tomorrow morning. That will be
8:00 o'clock sharp.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Wayne Thompson, Post 5601, Department of
Colorado. A point of information. Are you going to conduct any
further business today?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: No, we are not. We have to be out
of here by noon so they can set up for the Patriotic Rally
tonight, plus the workshops start at 1:00 o'clock. That is why
we made the decision to start early tomorrow.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Commander-in-Chief, the roll count
has been completed. There was a total of 12,157 votes cast:
7,746 yes; 4,411 no. Two-thirds of 12,157 would be 8,104. The
yes votes were 7,746. It failed.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The Chair rules that B-25 is
rejected for lack of a two-thirds vote.
I will ask the National Chaplain to please come forward for
the Benediction.
(Whereupon, National Chaplain Bleiler gave the Benediction
at this time.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Sergeant-at-Arms, prepare the room
to Salute the Colors.
(Whereupon, the Salute to the Colors was had.)
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the
Closing Ceremonies have been performed.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We are recessed until 8:00 o'clock
tomorrow morning.
(Whereupon, the meeting was duly recessed at 12:15 o'clock
p.m.)
------
THIRD BUSINESS SESSION WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 20, 1997
(The Third Business Session of the 98th National Convention
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, held in
the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, was
called to order at 8:00 o'clock a.m., with Commander-in-Chief
James E. Nier presiding.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I call this Business Session to
order. I will ask the National Chaplain to please come forward
with the Opening Prayer, please
(Whereupon, the National Sergeant-at-Arms led the
Convention in the Salute to the Colors and the Pledge of
Allegiance and National Chaplain William Bleiler gave the
Opening Prayer from the Ritual.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I will ask the Chairman of the
Credentials Committee to please come forward with his report.
REPORT OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
COMRADE RICHARD TROMBLA (Post 1174--Kansas): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I am Richard Trombla, Chairman of the
Credentials Committee, Department of Kansas. This is a
temporary report.
This Committee had, as of 4:00 o'clock yesterday afternoon,
total delegates, 12,567; Department Commanders, 54; Past
Commanders-in-Chief, 27; total National Officers, 38. That
makes a grand total of 12,686 as of 4:00 o'clock yesterday
afternoon. Commander-in-Chief, this is a temporary report.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I would like to make one
administrative announcement before we move into the
resolutions. The buses will continue to run until 11:00 p.m.
this evening. That is a change in the schedule. The buses will
continue to run until 11:00 p.m. this evening.
At this time I will ask to come forward the Chairman of the
Committee on National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual
for the continuation of his Committee Report. Comrade Carney.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL BY-LAWS, MANUAL OF PROCEDURE AND RITUAL
(Cont'd.)
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JACK CARNEY: Comrade Commander-in-
Chief and Delegates, this morning I will once again for the
benefit of each and every one of us read those that were
rejected by the Committee. The Committee recommends rejection
of the following: B-4, B-5, B-9, B-10, B-12, B-14, B-15, B-16,
B-17, B-18, B-19, B-20, B-21, B-24, B-27, B-28, B-29, B-30, B-
31 and B-32.
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the delegates have already
rejected B-22, B-23, B-25 and B-26.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF PAUL SPERA (Post 144--
Massachusetts): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Paul Spera, a
delegate from Boston, Massachusetts. I move for the adoption of
B-15.
COMRADE JOHN THORNTON (Post 7686--New Mexico): I second the
motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: There has been a motion duly made
and seconded to adopt B-15. B-15 is now open for debate.
Microphone No. 2.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF PAUL SPERA (Post 144--
Massachusetts): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, on Monday afternoon
we had debate on B-13, and in the midst of that debate I went
to the microphone and indicated my opposition to B-13 and that
we had intended in its place to bring up B-15.
I stated on Monday, and I will repeat it again today, I
know there are people in this room who will disagree, but I
believe that for the financial future of our Departments and
our National Organization we must at some point in time raise
the rates on Life Membership.
We must raise the rates in order to raise the pay-outs to
those entities.
Today, $3.50 per member is the by-law that is in effect.
Because of finances, we have been able to pay out $5. This
year, because the interest rates have dropped, we are only
going to be able to pay out $4.50.
You can almost bet that over the next few years that that
rate will lower to $4 and eventually down to the $3.50 for all
Life Members. That is going to place an unfair burden on the
Departments in the National Organization. B-15 is the result of
a lot of work that was done, not by a handful of individuals
but by the entire Eastern Conference.
Last year following the Convention, we decided that what we
would do as a conference was to take a look at the Life
Membership, take a look at the rates, take a look at the pay-
outs, to ask the Department Quartermasters to come in and give
us information.
More importantly, to go back to the Posts where it all
happens, go back to those people that the Life Membership
Program is for. You know, the Life Membership is not about
money on the Post level, the Life Membership Program on the
Post level is about stabilizing that membership, about being
able to sell a member a Life Membership, and never have to be
concerned with collecting their dues again.
That is the importance of a Life Membership Program for the
Posts. So for them, a pay-out, whether it is $3.50, $4.50 or
$5.50, that is not what is important to them. So when we
deliberate, when we met at our first meeting in October and
again in the Washington Conference, and finally in our meeting
in April, what we tried to accomplish, and we think we did with
B-15, we tried to accomplish something that took care of
everyone.
The top rate on B-15 is $245. Most of the people that I
spoke to personally, Post Quartermasters, Membership Chairmen,
Post Commanders, indicated that they felt they could still sell
Life Memberships in the price range that B-15 covers. The
Department Quartermasters that I spoke to indicated that the
$5.50 pay-out that B-15 allows at least improves their position
by $2 for every member that is sold in the future.
Now, this is not going to do anything for the 1.1 million
members that we already have as Life Members. This change will
only take place for every future Life Member that is sold. I
hope that everyone in this room understands that what we are
trying to accomplish is to take care of the Post members in the
first place and yet come up with enough income to make life a
little easier for your Departments and for the National
Organization, because it may fail financially, then the Life
Membership Program means nothing.
I urge every one of you to consider B-15 and assist us in
getting it passed. Thank you very much, Comrade Commander-in-
Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Past Commander-in-
Chief.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, Glen Gardner, Jr., a delegate from VFW Post 3359,
Garland, Texas. I stand in support of this by-law change which
would allow stability and an increase in the amount of fees
that are received back from the Life Members.
I agree with our Past Commander-in-Chief that this amount
of increase will not deter the Life Members, but we, from the
Department level especially must look at what we are going to
be able to do in the future to generate the funds that are
necessary on the Department level and on a National level to
carry on the programs in this great organization. I would
encourage the delegates to support this by-law change. Thank
you, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE RICHARD PIGNONE (Post 3173--California): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Richard Pignone, Post 3173, California. I
rise as a delegate in opposition to any increase in our Life
Membership program, be it B-13, B-15, or any other one. Last
year we had the resounding vote of ``no'' on a Life Membership
increase.
I am also a recruiter. Last year I supported the program
for shotguns. Out of the 18 shotguns that I had last year,
because of where the price stood, the fees, I was able to sign
up 15 Life Members out of 18. I think that is pretty good. I
think that is adding to our program.
It has given us more money, steady money. The Life Member
starts everybody off with a big step, be it a Post Commander,
District Commander, Department Commander or the National
Commander. Having a base of membership, such as the Life
Program, adds to our organization.
It is very hard to go out with an increase of $45 or $200
for the young fellow or the young lady to join our
organization. I, as a recruiter, had a hard time when it was
$200 to get them to pay. They don't have the money. The higher
you go in the Life Membership increase, it is very hard to
bring in a veteran.
They will go maybe for the annual membership. But, my
comrades, we already had a resounding ``no'' the other day. We
had the most Life Membership increase last year than we ever
had. What we are lacking is on the annual membership. That is
where we should be aiming our contract, not at the Life
Members.
With that, Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I thank you very
much and I thank everyone for listening to me. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Wayne Thompson, Post 5061, Department of
Colorado. I would express concerns about the percentage of
increase in the various categories. The Departments of Colorado
and Nebraska submitted By-Law Amendment B-17, which basically
took information that came to us from the National Office and
we proposed an increase, a more modest increase, and in the
event this amendment fails, the motion before us, I intend to
move for the adoption of B-17. So I actually ask for a ``no''
vote on this, sir. Thank you, Comrade Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOWARD VANDER CLUTE (Post 6467--New
Jersey): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Howard Vander Clute, a
delegate from Post 6467, Bergenfield, New Jersey, and a Past
Commander-in-Chief. Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I am in favor
of this by-law.
I think that one of the arguments that was made this
morning quite articulately by the new Council member from
California, was that we signed up so many Life Members last
year as a result of the fact that the fee that was proposed by
National had been defeated at the National Convention.
We were very successful. We went over a million Life
Members. I think we had the biggest increase in our Life
Membership in the entire history of our organization. This By-
Law B-15, I don't know if you are all aware, has a provision in
it that will not become effective until January 1st, 1998.
The biggest influx of Life Members comes during the period
of September, October, November and December. Those are the
times for collecting annual dues and those are the times that
the members have an opportunity to opt for Life Membership.
We will do very well once again, and yet we will have
addressed the integrity of the Life Member Fund. It gives us
two opportunities. I stand in favor of B-15. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE GEORGE PALMATEER (Post 4171--Colorado): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, George Palmateer, Post 4171, Colorado. I
speak in favor of B-15. I like the idea of my Post being
guaranteed $5.50 rather than $3.50. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE ROY HEATH (Post 10047--Nevada): Commander-in-Chief,
Roy Heath, Post 10047, Las Vegas, Nevada, State Quartermaster
for Nevada. We cannot continue to lose money in a small state
like Nevada and operate our programs. That is the grassroots of
this organization for our programs.
Last year, when we defeated this, I went back to Las Vegas
and talked to people. I had one comrade that was 45 years old,
and he belongs to the American Legion Post, and it would cost
him $540 to belong to the American Legion Post for the Life
Membership.
We need to raise it, and I speak in favor of this. We
cannot continue to lose money and run our programs. Thank you,
Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE STEVE JACOBS (Post 5944--California): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I am Steve Jacobs, Senior Vice Commander
from the Department of California, Post 5944. Comrades, I came
to the microphone last year opposing any increase and the
reason was because of the amount of the increase.
This year I come in favor of this motion, because it is a
reasonable increase and will do the Departments good. I believe
we need to vote in favor of this increase. It will not hurt our
Life Membership. I am totally in favor of this resolution.
Thank you, sir.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE CHARLIE SHORT (Post 832--Maine): Commander-in-
Chief, Charlie Short from Post 832, Maine. I stand in support
of B-15. B-15 will be a separate plan from the existing plan.
The existing plan, as we know it right now, is not on the
financial distress, but we can no longer live on 1970 actuarial
tables.
There is nothing else in the world that we can live on in
1970 pay-outs. You don't pay for anything in 1970 prices. But
from 1970 to 1997, there has been at least a 25-percent
increase in the life expectancy of our total population,
comrades. We must accept the responsibility in looking at this
plan and devising a reasonable fee structure, not attempting to
live in 1970 values.
I urgently request that you consider this plan. This is the
start. This accepts our responsibilities to be active and we
need to pass this plan. Thank you, comrades. Thank you,
Commander-in-Chief, for the opportunity to speak.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE JOE RIDGLEY (Post 8220--Missouri): Commander-in-
Chief, I am Joe Ridgley, a delegate from Post 8220, Missouri. I
just want to say before the question comes up, this by-law
amendment was talked--I was asked about preparing the fees and
asking the professional actuary to work the fees on B-15. I did
that.
I want you to know that the fees that are in the by-law are
good fees for that pay-out. I think that we have debated this
for two years and something needs to be done. I believe if you
ask any Quartermaster who is in charge of the financial affairs
of their state, they can tell you the same thing.
The National for the financial integrity, there is not a
question of fees, it is a question of the pay-outs that they
receive back just like we receive dues from annual members. We
have to start someplace. Let's get on with it. We have debated
it long enough. I move the question.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The question has been moved. Is
there a second?
COMRADE WILLIAM LONG (Post 6473--Mississippi): I second the
motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We have a motion that has been
duly seconded to move the question. All those in favor will
signify by saying ``aye''; all those opposed by the same sign.
The motion carries.
The motion is to adopt B-15. Those in favor of the motion
will signify by saying ``aye''; those opposed by the same sign.
The motion carries and B-15 is adopted.
Are there any other resolutions to be set aside?
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Thank you,
Comrade Commander-in-Chief. I am Wayne Thompson, Post 5061,
Department of Colorado. I move for the adoption of B-31. I
would request that the proposed amendment be read to the
members here.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Will you repeat that, Wayne,
please?
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): I move
adoption of B-31, which concerns limitations of actions.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Do I hear a second?
COMRADE FRANK HARRIS (Post 5231--Colorado): I second that
motion, Comrade Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: It has been moved that B-31 be
adopted. B-31 is now open for debate.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Thank you,
Commander-in-Chief. I am Wayne Thompson, Post 5061, Department
of Colorado. I would like to have this read. I can do it myself
or maybe the Chairman can read this. It is very short.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JACK CARNEY: Do you want me to read
the comments?
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Read the
proposal. Do you want me to read it?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: What are you asking for again,
Wayne?
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): I would like
to make sure that all the members here assembled know what the
amendment is. If you would have it read, please.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JACK CARNEY: This is submitted by
the Department of Colorado. It is B-31. Article IX--Discipline.
``Amend Article IX--Discipline, National By-Laws, by adding
as a new section the following:
``Section 908--Limitations of Actions--Two Years.
``An action initiated accusing any member of committing an
offense as set forth in Section 902 shall be commenced within
two years after the cause of action accrues, not thereafter.''
The comments of our Committee is that this proposal
purports to establish a statute of limitations for offenses set
forth in Section 902. In theory, a statute of limitations is an
acceptable idea, but a two-year period may be too short, and
there is no allowance made for the possibility that the offense
hasn't been or couldn't be discovered.
Having such a short period of time, and not having an
exception where the offense has been or could be discovered in
a two-year period, actively encourages offenses to cover up
their theft or fraud. The longer they can hide it, the less
likely they are to be punished. That was the Committee's
comments.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Do you
have any further comments, Wayne?
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Yes, sir.
Thank you, Commander-in-Chief. The reason for this proposed
amendment, comrades, is that in my experience over many, many
years as the State Judge Advocate and prior to that the Deputy
Judge Advocate of the Department of Colorado, we have issues
that are raised that go back many, many years.
We have to make inquiries and investigations, we have to
decide if we want to take action or not. It is very disruptive.
It creates animosity and enmity among us and divides us. We
have some responsibility to treat our comrades fair and with
justice.
They have a right to be charged when we find out about the
offense. They have a right to be disciplined on a timely basis,
and the Department of Colorado, we brought the proposed bylaw
amendment because we think strong about it. We waste many
hours, days and weeks trying to resolve issues that go back
forever.
It is not appropriate. As an example, this two-year statute
of limitation being appropriate, the Colorado Military Justice
Code that we utilize and relates to the National Guard in our
state provides for a statute of limitations of two years.
Specifically, I would like to refer that to you at this
time. ``A person charged with any offense under the code is not
likely to be tried by court-martial or punished under Section
283.114, if it was committed more than two years before the
sworn charges and specifications by an officer exercising some
court-martial jurisdiction over the command or punishment,
under Section 283.114.''
So if it is good for our comrades in the Guard in our
state, it should be good for all of us. If we have an issue
concerning a comrade, then that comrade should be charged on a
timely basis and prosecuted, and either found guilty or not
guilty. It has been too long.
If we leave this issue open, it festers and creates
dissention and problems within the VFW. I move adoption of this
by-law. Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE RON RUSKO (Post 9460--Connecticut): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Ron Rusko, Post 9460, Stratford,
Connecticut. I rise in opposition to this by-law amendment. I
think the National By-Law Committee did the right thing in
asking this Convention to reject this by-law.
What this does, it says that anyone who might have been a
rapist, murderer, a thief, or someone that committed incest,
and it says if you can keep that quiet, as a member of the VFW
for two years, you are home free. They could never bring you up
on charges.
Obviously, we have a great organization. I think it is a
very clean organization. I would like to see it stay that way
and I hope that you, this delegation, will reject this by-law.
Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE LYNN HALL (Post 6240--Kansas): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, Lynn Hall, Post 6240, Department of Kansas State
Commander. As a Past Judge Advocate and as a Judge of a
District Court of Kansas, I rise in favor of this proposal,
basically, because as an example several years ago I sat in
front of a court-martial convened at National on a comrade who
was charged with an offense six years before he was a member of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
At the time the comrade was charged, he was Senior Vice
Commander of the Department on his way in as commander. The
time element in there seemed unfair and unfitting because if he
has a felony count in civil court or criminal court that is
seven years.
Perhaps I may be inclined to kind of agree two years is not
sufficient, but I do concur that we do need a time limitation
on this. After conversation with the member of the By-Laws
Committee last night, I am hopeful should this resolution not
pass, that the By-Laws Committee will come to this Convention
next year with one that provides some statute of limitation. It
never occurred to me that a Quartermaster could hide his
actions for two years and get by with it. I rise in favor of
the motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Lynn.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): I stand in
opposition to the passage of this by-law. As the Chairman of
the By-Laws Committee stated, the disciplinary action of our
by-laws is a very serious portion of our by-laws. It should be
taken that way.
We should have the opportunity, should we find that a
member of this great organization has committed an offense
under this by-law, whether, two, three or four years ago, to go
after that individual and do what needs to be done in the best
interest of this organization to serve. I do not believe that a
two-year time limit put on this would serve this organization
well, and I hope the delegates will vote ``no'' on this
proposal.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE JOHN CANFIELD (Post 1999--California): I speak in
support of the Committee's recommendation to reject the
resolution. Comrades, two years time, a limitation of two years
is not enough, because it takes time to know whether an offense
actually occurs, and if it is a serious offense, then let's
give our organization the necessary number of years to correct
or investigate this situation. I urge support of the
Committee's recommendation to reject.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE LARRY ZIEBARTH (Post 6843--Minnesota): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Larry Ziebarth, Post 6843, Princeton,
Minnesota. We had a comrade in our Post that over a four-year
period of time embezzled $281,000. We spend two and one-half
years getting in court with him. By setting a time limit of two
years, it is just not enough time. I rise to oppose this
resolution.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE WALTER DAVIS (Post 10694--California): Commander-
in-Chief, I am Walter Davis, Post 10694, Department of
California. I say let the Department of Colorado come back next
year with a two-year limitation, but after discovery or after
reasonable diligence should have discovered the offense. Thank
you, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE ART SHULL (Post 2843--North Carolina): I move for
the question.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: There is a motion to move the
question.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE JAMES CARLISLE (Post 10097--Florida): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I second the motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The motion to move the question
has been duly seconded. Those in favor of moving the question
will signify by saying ``aye''; those opposed by the same sign.
The motion carries. The motion is to adopt B-31. Those in favor
of adopting B-31 will signify by saying ``aye''; those opposed
by the sign of ``no''. The Chair rules that B-31 is rejected.
Any other resolutions to be set aside? Seeing no one at the
microphones, we will move into the Manual.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JACK CARNEY: In the Manual of
Procedure, Commander-in-Chief, the Committee felt that Proposed
Amendments M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5, M-7 and M-8 were
housekeeping in nature and dealt with the preparation and
submission of budgets, financial reports and inspection forms.
I move they be adopted.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN STAUM: Comrade Commander-in-
Chief, John Staum, Post 9625, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. I second
that recommendation.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The motion is to adopt. Those in
favor of the adoption will signify by saying ``aye''; those
opposed by the sign of ``no''. The motion carries and they are
adopted.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JACK CARNEY: Comrade Commander-in-
Chief, the Committee recommends the rejection of M-6, M-9, M-
10, M-11 and M-12.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE DOMINIC ROMANO (Post 7330--Connecticut): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I would like to move the adoption of M-11.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Which one do you want to set
aside?
COMRADE DOMINIC ROMANO (Post 7330--Connecticut): M-11, sir.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: M-11 will be set aside.
COMRADE DOMINIC ROMANO (Post 7330--Connecticut): I move for
its adoption.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You are moving for its adoption?
COMRADE DOMINIC ROMANO (Post 7330--Connecticut): Yes.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Now, I need a second.
COMRADE RON RUSKO (Post 9460--Connecticut): I second the
motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Now, M-11, having been duly
seconded, is open for debate.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE DOMINIC ROMANO (Post 733--Connecticut): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, during the Second World War the United
States and Great Britain awarded, the American Campaign Medal
to every service personnel who went overseas for 30 days, and
that medal was awarded from December 7, 1941, to March 2, 1946.
I would just like to bring to your attention the simple
fact that this is a medal that was given or awarded for
overseas duty and it was awarded for non-overseas duty. I have
brought it up since 1980 and, of course, it has not been
successful.
The NDSM is a very similar method. It is awarded since the
Korean War to service personnel who served overseas as well as
those who never left the Continental United States. Many
comments were made at that time, were we going to have a Boy
Scout group?
Why do you want non-combatants in the Veterans of Foreign
Wars? Very simply, Comrade Commander-in-Chief, we have had non-
combatants in the Veterans of Foreign Wars since December 8,
1941. I take Hawaii for an example. Millions and millions of
service personnel went to Hawaii, and if you want to ask me
about it, I was one of them that went to Hawaii. I was awarded
the American Campaign Medal.
Was it hazardous? No. Was it combatant? No. Was it
important? It was very important at that particular time
because that was the supply depot for the Pacific. That is
where we started off in Midway and went all the way to Japan.
In England, the same thing happened. You gentlemen were
loading up the bombs and things so we could bomb Germany and
eventually take over Europe. These were mostly non-combatants
that served in England. There have been many, many instances
where we have been accepting non-combatants in the Veterans of
Foreign Wars.
We accepted the occupation of Japan in '52. We accepted
Germany up to 1955. These were mostly non-combatant. So we have
set a precedent, my comrades. All I can say to you is that I
think that the time has come that we should give more
consideration to the National Combat Service Medal.
If we listened the other day when the head of the Veterans
Administration came to our Convention, he brought up the fact
that World War II veterans are 75 years of age or more. The
Korean veterans are 65 or more. The Vietnam veterans are 55 or
more.
It doesn't take a very brilliant man to figure out what is
going to happen. I happen to be a World War II veteran. I know
that within the next ten years our ranks will be decimated. We
have over one million World War II veterans in the Veterans of
Foreign Wars.
I would say we are going to lose about a half million,
maybe three quarters of a million between now and then. We have
to give consideration of making our organization stronger. If
you remember the head of our Joint Chief of Staff the other
evening made the comment he was so proud of our service
personnel in Bosnia.
He also made the comment that 27 areas of the country, of
the whole world, there are veterans there or service personnel
serving there. He was proud of all of them. Many of those are
not eligible to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Do they have any combat? They would not give them the Armed
Forces Expeditionary Medal, but each and every one has the
National Defense Service Medal. We have never given
consideration to our service personnel in Eastern Europe who
were under the guns of atomic warhead, the submarines that we
had in the magazine, where we chased the Russians all over the
seas.
Our savior in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, because I don't
believe in a last man organization there will always be
conflicts, there will always be veterans and not necessarily
will be veterans that will join our organization. As far as I
am concerned, we should reach out to these veterans.
There are over ten million who have earned the National
Defense Service Medal with overseas duties, and we can either
do it now or we are going to do it later, but we are going to
eventually do it. I ask that you accept M-11.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Dominic. Before we
continue the debate, I am going to ask the Chairman to read M-
11 so all the delegates understand what we are talking about
here.
Mr. Chairman.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JACK CARNEY: Thank you, Commander-
in-Chief. I apologize for not reading the proposal submitted by
the Department of Connecticut. It is Section 101--Eligibility
``Amend Section 101, Manual of Procedure, by adding at the
end of the section, a new eligibility category as follows:
``National Defense Service Medal--27 June, 1950 to a date
to be determined (30 consecutive days or 60 days not
consecutive duty outside the continental limits of the United
States).''
Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE FRANK MARTIN (Post 4750--Oregon): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I am Frank Martin, Post 4750, Department of
Oregon. I speak in opposition to this proposal. As an active
military member of the United States Air Force, I was awarded
the NDSM in the service of Korea, but at the same during the
cold war, Desert Shield operation, and sometime afterwards,
approximately 8,927 people went through basic training at
Lackland Air Force Base were granted that same medal.
You can figure approximately 45 to 55 percent of them went
overseas later, but not before the award of the medal. There is
no way in this proposal that you can verify that these people
who have the NDSM have 30 consecutive days overseas service. I
speak in opposition to this proposal. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE DONALD LINSCOTT (Post 1603--Maine): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Don Linscott, Post 1603, Ogden, Maine. I
also rise, as I have done so for the last 18 years, in
opposition to this particular recommendation. I really hate to
disagree with my fellow comrade Dominic. We seem to agree on
most everything else.
However, the foundation of our organization is built out of
all kinds of pretty little things that history tells us
fascinating tales and the knights in the crusades and the
reason we joined it because nobody can better understand our
language than fellow veterans. As I have always said before,
most of us belong to the American Legion. I dare say most of us
are here and stronger in the VFW because of the individual
pride in the Association that we have. If you want to change
the name of the organization to the Veterans of Foreign
Service, so be it, but as long as we carry the title the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, be proud of it
and forget about taking members in strictly to strengthen the
organization.
Back in 1952 when I took my obligation, I was told there
could be no more award, and that we would reach that day when
nobody else is eligible for the VFW, because at that time,
gentlemen, there would be a long world peace and that above all
is what we are striving for. I hope you will all join me in
rejection of this motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE DONALD O'CONNOR (Post 9066--Connecticut): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Donald O'Connor, Department of Connecticut,
Post 9066, Franklin, Connecticut. I urge every comrade in this
room to vote in favor of M-11.
In 1948, I joined the Navy. After boot camp, I was sent to
New London, Connecticut, to train for submarine aircraft. After
I reported aboard the US Senate, after the US Conchita was
sunk. Another sub, the US Stang came alongside and saved
everyone aboard, but they lost several of their own crew, but
no medals.
In later years, we lost two more submarines, the Pressure
and the Scorpion. These men did not want to die, but they were
out there doing their job. I was on another submarine that went
through the Kiel Canal in Germany in 1951, and we all receive
the European Occupation Medal, which you all know made me
eligible to join the VFW.
In later years, I served aboard the fleet ballistic missile
submarines, which within a minute could have lost missiles on
targets that to this day I don't know what they were. My
service, the silent service was constantly out there and as
were many other armed forces, and they still are.
Comrades, there were no medals given except one, the
National Defense Ribbon. Comrades, given my service and many
others in the history of this organization, and many will serve
this organization in the manner they served this great country
of ours. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE GLEN GARDNER (Post 3359--Texas): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, Glen Gardner, Post 3359, Garland, Texas. I stand in
opposition to this by-law change. I think there are a lot of
eligible veterans out there that have not been signed up yet.
Do I think that our great organization will die away? No.
I think that honest debate should take place in the years
to come on how we maintain this great organization not only for
the communities that we serve, but for the families that we
will still be serving in the armed services in the years to
come. However, I have a problem with the National Defense
Service Medal in the fact that I believe what will happen is
most will not look any further on the 214, other than the medal
section, and they will see the National Defense Service Medal
and they will sign someone up.
Then someone will come back later and say, ``Well, it
happens every once in a while.'' Now, with the American Theater
Ribbon, he didn't serve overseas. That is a problem I have with
it. I believe that it should be an honest debate about opening
the eligibility ranks up, but this is not the way to do it. I
encourage the delegates to vote ``no'' on this proposal.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE CHARLES THROWER (Post 3838--Missouri): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Charles Thrower, Post 3838, Department of
Missouri. I rise in opposition to this resolution for one
reason. We are the elite veterans organization in this country.
I would like to see it stay that way. We don't want to change
the name of this organization. We are the Veterans of Foreign
Wars. I move the question. Thank you, sir.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You are moving the question?
COMRADE CHARLES THROWER (Post 3838--Missouri): Yes, sir.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you.
Microphone No. 1.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ALLEN KENT (Post 9972--Arizona):
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Gunner Kent, a delegate from Post
9972, Sierra Vista, Arizona. We fight this every year. I am
glad to second the motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: It has been moved and seconded to
move the question. Those in favor of moving the question will
signify by saying ``aye''; those opposed by the same sign. The
motion carries. We will move the question. The motion is to
adopt M-11. Those in favor of adopting M-11 will signify by
saying ``aye''; those opposed by the sign of ``no''. The Chair
rules that M-11 is rejected.
Any others to be set aside?
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JACK CARNEY: Comrade Commander-in-
Chief, a point of clarification. M-13 was announced as being
approved, and it was approved. Under the Ritual, the Committee
recommends adoption of R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, R-7, R-8, R-9,
R-10 and R-12. Commander-in-Chief, I move adoption of those.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN STAUM (Post 9625--Minnesota):
I will second that recommendation.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You have heard the motion to adopt
R-2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. Seeing no one at the
microphones, those in favor of adopting these procedures will
signify by saying ``aye''. Those opposed by the sign of ``no''.
The motion carries. They are adopted.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JACK CARNEY: Comrade Commander-in-
Chief, the Committee recommends rejection of R-1, R-11, R-13,
R-14, and R-15.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Seeing no one at the microphones,
they are rejected.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JACK CARNEY: Comrade Commander-in-
Chief, since the By-Laws Committee just went into the Guinness
Book of Records, having been here for four straight days, we
certainly thank you, Commander-in-Chief, for allowing us to be
your Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Let's give them a hand. I think
they have done a wonderful job. (Applause) The Committee is
discharged. Chairman Jack Carney, thanks for a wonderful job
and Vice-Chairman John Staum, thank you.
I will now call on the Chairman of the Committee on Finance
and Internal Organization, Past Commander-in-Chief Ted C.
Connell, for his Committee Report.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND INTERNAL ORGANIZATION
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF TED CONNELL: Thank you, sir. My Co-
Chairman is John W. Mahan, Past Commander-in-Chief. John, will
you come forward. Will the Committee on Finance and Internal
Organization please stand within the audience. Thank you very
much. We asked that they be here and they are. All who are not
here, please turn in your check that you received for expenses.
(Laughter)
I will follow the procedures of this Convention and tell
you which of the resolutions that we adopted first. I will go
to the rejections and the set asides. Our Committee agreed to
adopt Resolutions 204 and 206.
Sir, I move the adoption of those two resolutions.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN MAHAN: I second the motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You have heard the motion to adopt
Resolutions 204 and 206. Seeing no one at the microphones,
those in favor of adoption of 204 and 206 will signify by
saying ``aye''; those opposed by the same sign. They are
adopted.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF TED CONNELL: We have no amendments
to any resolutions, but under due consideration we bring to you
the rejection of the following resolutions: Resolution 201, we
voted to reject. No. 202, reject; 203, reject; 205, reject in
favor of 206, which you just adopted.
Resolution 207, reject; 208, reject; 209, reject; 210,
reject; 211, reject.
Commander-in-Chief, I move that the Committee's report be
adopted.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN MAHAN: I second the motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Seeing no one at the microphones,
they are automatically rejected.
Past Commander-in-Chief Ted Connell, Chairman, and Past
Commander-in-Chief John Mahan, Vice-Chairman, your Committee is
discharged with my thanks. Thank you for a job well come.
We will now have Past Commander-in-Chief Walter G. Hogan
come forward for his Report on General Resolutions.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON GENERAL RESOLUTIONS
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALTER HOGAN: Thank you, Commander-
in-Chief. We have been charged with General Resolutions Nos.
301 through 317. As called for under the procedures, I will
read those that have been accepted.
The following resolutions were accepted by the Committee:
No. 302, No. 303, No. 304, No. 306, No. 309, No. 311, No. 313,
No. 314, No. 315, No. 316 and No. 317. No. 315 is concerned
with the commemorative stamp recognizing the 100th Anniversary
of the Spanish American War of 1898. That is No. 315.
(Whereupon, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Moon assumed the
chair at this time.)
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: We will set aside
Nos.315, 316 and 317 at the present time, so they can review
the matter real quickly. How do you feel about the others?
Back to you, Comrade Hogan.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HOGAN: Comrade Commander, I move
the adoption of those recommended, with the exception of 315,
316 and 317, which we set aside.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Is there a second to
the motion?
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN MAHAN: I second it. SENIOR
VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Any discussion on the motion?
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE PAUL CROTEAU (Post 8203--Florida): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Paul Croteau, Post 8203, North Port,
Florida. I ask to be set aside Resolution No. 312 for
explanation and reconsideration.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Comrade, I can't
understand anything that you are saying. Please speak more
distinctly into the microphone.
COMRADE PAUL CROTEAU (Post 8203--Florida): I am Paul
Croteau, Post 8203, North Port, Florida. I ask to set aside
Resolution No. 312 for explanation and reconsideration.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: It is not under
consideration, sir. Your motion is out of order.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALTER HOGAN: The motion is to
adopt 302, 303, 304, 306, 309, 311, 313 and 314.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Do we have a second to
that motion to adopt? Did we have it before? I am not sure.
COMRADE GENE MANFREY (Post 6827--Florida): I would like to
second the motion.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: We have a motion that
has been duly made and seconded. Those in favor of the adoption
of the resolutions just read, will signify by saying ``aye'';
those opposed by the same sign. They are adopted.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALTER HOGAN: They tell me I will
have to read 315, 316 and 317 in their entirety.
Resolution 315 deals with a commemorative stamp recognizing
the 100th Anniversary of the Spanish-American War of 1898.
``WHEREAS, the 100th Anniversary of the Spanish-American
War will take place in 1998; and
``WHEREAS, the Spanish-American War marked the United
States'' emergence as a world power, a status it holds to this
day; and
``WHEREAS, 72,339 Americans served in the U.S. armed forces
overseas during the war, and 345 were killed in action, 1,577
wounded in action and 2,621 died of disease; and
``WHEREAS, the men who founded the Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States in 1899 were Spanish-American War
veterans; and
``WHEREAS, the U.S. government should recognize this
historic anniversary with a well-publicized and far-reaching
gesture;
``NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States that we petition the
Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee in support of any existing
efforts to create a commemorative stamp honoring the 100th
Anniversary of the Spanish-American War.''
I move its adoption.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Is there a second?
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF PAUL SPERA (Post 144--
Massachusetts): I second it.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Any discussion on the
motion? You have heard the motion that has been seconded. All
those in favor will signify by ``aye''; all those opposed will
signify by saying ``no''. The motion carries.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALTER HOGAN: No. 316 deals with
the World War II National Memorial.
``WHEREAS, World War II was one of the great defining
events in this country's history when the people of the United
States met this threat with an extraordinary display of unity,
courage and resolve; and
``WHEREAS, before the war ended, more than 16 million
Americans served in uniform and some 400,000 made the supreme
sacrifice in defense of freedom; and
``WHEREAS, Congress in 1993 authorized such a memorial and
on Veterans Day 1995, President Clinton dedicated the site by
sprinkling soil from 14 overseas World War II cemeteries where
approximately 160,000 Americas are remembered;
``NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States strongly and enthusiastically
support the World War II Memorial site location between the
Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial on the National
Mall referred to as the Rainbow Pool site; and
``BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we encourage swift approval of
the revised design concept so that the memorial can be
dedicated early in the next century.''
I move for its adoption.
COMRADE LARRY SCUDDER (Post 1273--South Dakota): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Larry Scudder, Department of South Dakota,
Post 1273, a member of this Committee. I second the motion.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: It has been moved and
seconded. Is there any discussion? Seeing no one at the
microphones, I call for the vote. All those in favor will
signify by saying ``aye''; all those opposed will signify by
saying ``no''. The motion carries.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALTER HOGAN: The last one is
Resolution 317 which provides for the maintenance and upkeep of
the USS Maine Memorial in Key West, Florida, by the Department
of the Navy.
``WHEREAS, the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana's harbor
in 1898 sparked the Spanish-American War; and
``WHEREAS, a memorial recognizing this event is located in
Key West, Florida, and is the property of the U.S. Navy; and
``WHEREAS, in recent times this memorial has not been
maintained properly;
``NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States that we go on record as being
supportive of the continued maintenance of the USS Maine
Memorial in Key Largo, Florida, by the Department of the U.S.
Navy.''
I move for its adoption.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: You have heard the
motion. Is there a second?
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE DEAN WHITE (Post 27--Department of Europe): I
second it.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: We have a motion and a
second. Is there any discussion? I see no one at the
microphones. Hearing no discussion, I will call for the vote.
All those in favor will signify by saying ``aye''; all those
opposed will signify by saying ``no''. The motion carries.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALTER HOGAN: Comrade Commander-in-
Chief, that concludes the report of this Committee. I would
like to thank the Vice-Chairman of this Committee, Past
National Commander-in-Chief R. D. ``Bulldog'' Smith, Past
National Commander-in-Chief Bob Currieo, and Past Commander-in-
Chief Paul Spera.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Wayne Thompson, Post 5061, Department of
Colorado. Unless I missed something, I didn't hear the
Committee read the list of rejected proposed resolutions.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: The Chairman said he
thought he read the list of rejections. We will now go to the
list of rejections that were brought forth.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WALTER HOGAN: Comrade Commander,
the Committee recommends rejection of Resolutions 301, 305,
307, 308, 310 and 312.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: The recommendation is
those resolutions read be rejected. Seeing no one at the
microphones, the recommendation set forth by the Chairman will
stand. Those resolutions are rejected.
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF CONGRATULATIONS--50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: At this time it is a
great honor to introduce the Air Force's 50th Anniversary Award
recipient.
Born on September 18, 1947, the United States Air Force has
been flying high ever since. For 50 years, it has played a
major role in preserving our freedom and democracy. From the
Berlin airlift to the air war of Operation Desert Storm, it has
fulfilled the hopes and dreams of its founders, and today, from
military satellites high above our heads, it is leading the
technological revolution in warfare that will ensure America's
position as the greatest military power in the world.
At our VFW National Convention in 1948, just one year after
its founding, the Air Force Chief of Staff, Hoyt S. Vandenburg
said, ``The Air Force is flexed for war, yet it is never
forgetful of its role as a keeper of peace.''
Today as they celebrate their 50th anniversary, the men and
women of the United States Air Force can take great pride in
what they have accomplished. They were always ready for war if
war came, and they have kept the peace.
We are honored today to have with us another great leader
of the United States Air Force, General Eugene E. Habiger,
Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force
Base, Nebraska. He has the responsibility for all Air Force and
Navy strategic nuclear forces.
He began his military career as an Army Infantryman and
then switched over to the Air Force. He logged many hours of
combat time in Vietnam as a B-52 pilot flying the arc light
missions.
Here to accept the VFW Certificate of Congratulations to
the men and women of the United States Air Force is General
Habiger.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Certificate of Congratulations
presented to United State Air Force.
``In special recognition of its venerable status as a
highly respected branch of the Armed Forces of the United
States and in commemoration of its 50th Anniversary we salute
the men and women of the U.S. Air Force who through their
patriotism, dedication and service have created the most
successful Air Force in history, preserving peace and defending
democracy around the world through air superiority.
``In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 20th day of August, 1997.''
This has been signed by James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief,
and Larry W. Rivers, Adjutant General.
RESPONSE--GENERAL EUGENE HABIGER
GENERAL HABIGER: Thanks very much, John. It is indeed,
ladies and gentlemen, a privilege and an honor to stand before
you today, to be among so many heroes, patriots, and each and
every one of you gave a very significant part of your lives so
that America can be free.
For me to come here and accept this award on behalf of the
men and women of the United States Air Force, this is a big
deal. I will tell you as I was in the back listening to you go
through your by-laws, I had no idea that you were such a rowdy
group. I am impressed. I applaud you for that.
I would also tell you that I looked through John and your
Commander-in-Chief's biographies, and we came in the Army the
same year, 1959. He stayed in for over 22 years, and after two
years of wallowing at Fort Benning, Georgia, he decided to get
out and go the better life.
Ladies and gentlemen, this recognition is a big, big deal,
as I said. We are young compared to our colleagues in the Army,
Navy and Marine Corps. We are young compared to your
organization which can trace its troops back 100 years. Our Air
Force molded its legacy in the fire of battle in World War II.
We have proven ourselves time and time again in places like
Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Bosnia, and very much instrumental
with all the other services to help win the longest war this
country has ever fought, the cold war. Your support is
invaluable. I want to underscore invaluable.
Twenty years ago, two out of every three members of
Congress had a military background. Today, two out of three
members of Congress do not have a military background.
Organizations like yours put the issues that are very important
in our national defense on everybody's periscope. What you do
with your scholarship programs, your Speak for Democracy
program is truly memorable. Our young people today need this.
Ladies and gentlemen, beginning three years ago the
services started to teach young people coming into the military
core values. We had to teach the young people coming in the
military about integrity, loyalty, work ethics, and we should
not be teaching those young people that are coming into the
military.
Hopefully, with the kinds of programs that you have
developed we will not have to do that for many years to come.
You hold up what is most dear to us, freedom and equality. You,
better than any other group, understand the brutality of war,
just what the professional arms means in terms of integrity,
loyalty, loyalty goes up the chain of command and down the
chain of command.
You understand why we need a credible, strong and realistic
military force, both today and tomorrow. You, ladies and
gentlemen, have made my life as a senior leader much easier. I
salute you for that. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind as
the Air Force celebrates its 100th birthday 50 years from now,
the senior Air Force leader, probably not me, will stand before
you and again say this is a big, big deal. Thank you very much.
(Applause)
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Thank you, again,
General. We appreciate the contributions that each and every
member of the United States Air Force does each and every day
to preserve our freedom.
PRESENTATION BY MARCH OF DIMES REPRESENTATIVE TO DEPARTMENTS OF
MARYLAND AND NORTH DAKOTA
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Service to veterans,
service to our communities and service to our nation are what
the VFW is all about, and that is why these next presentations
mean so much to all of us. This morning we are going to
recognize two of our VFW Departments and two VFW Posts for the
outstanding contributions they made to the March of Dimes this
past year.
Here to make the presentations is Stanley R. Brewer, a
March of Dimes volunteer since 1970. During that time he has
served in several positions on the greater Salt Lake City
Chapter of the March of Dimes, and today serves on its
Executive Committee.
In addition to his work with the March of Dimes, Mr. Brewer
is also active in many civic programs, including church work
and the Boy Scouts of America. His professional affiliations
include: Senior Vice-President in Charge of Operations at the
Associated Food Stores, Incorporated, here in Salt Lake City,
President of the EMC Land Group, and a member of the Board of
the Wesco Company.
Please join me in giving a warm VFW welcome to Mr. Stanley
R. Brewer of the March of Dimes. (Applause)
MR. STANLEY BREWER: Thank you, John. It is good to be with
you this morning. I spent yesterday in Atlanta, Georgia, with a
company that was trying to define their mission statement, and
we spent most of the day to come up with a few words provided
in that statement for a publication.
I walk in here today and I look at what hangs over that
door on the right. ``We'd Do Anything For This Country.'' That
is short, that is succinct, and I compliment you for it. It is
well said. I might add you have done everything for your
country and in working with the VFW I realize that you are
still committed to do great and wonderful things.
I serve on the Board of Trustees for the March of Dimes and
with me on that Board is P. X. Kelly. General Kelly would have
been the logical person to make these awards today, but could
not get away from Washington. I want you to know that as a Salt
Laker you are very welcome here. We appreciate your coming.
When your people were looking at this as a potential
Convention site, we apologized and said that the sidewalks are
rolled up at 10:00 o'clock, and your leadership said, ``I hope
there is not a ceremony because most of our people are in bed
by that time.''
I am proud to be here with you today and the VFW has been a
dedicated supporter of the March of Dimes since its inception
by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1938. Henry Ford once said,
``You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.''
And that's true.
Thanks to your support and the support of the millions of
volunteers, we have built a reputation to build on success.
Through the combined efforts of scientists, staff and
volunteers like you, the March of Dimes has accomplished many
life-saving breakthroughs for babies, breakthroughs like polio
vaccine, like the intensive care units in thousands of
hospitals around the nation for babies, like the surfactant
therapy that helps premature babies that was brought about by
the March of Dimes funded researchers, efforts of nitrous oxide
that saved the lives of babies with lung disorders.
Despite those remarkable breakthroughs, and the fact that
the infant mortality rate is the lowest it has ever been in our
history, there are 150,000 babies born with birth defects each
year. A low birth rate baby is born every two moments.
Together we must continue to work so that these babies, so
that every baby gets a chance for a healthy start in life.
Thanks, veterans, for standing with us on the front lines and
helping to do battle with birth defects and other disorders
that jeopardize the lives and health of American babies.
You are our partners and our allies in this fight to save
babies lives. Your longstanding dedication to the cause of
healthier babies is both moving and appreciated as much so as
your service to our country on foreign shores. Perhaps Jonas
Salk, the father of the polio vaccine said it best, when he
said, ``The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do
more.''
We thank you for six decades of work well done, for walking
and raising money, in walk-a-thon events across the country,
for sending your people as color guards to kick off March of
Dimes meetings around the nation, and for all of your time and
effort in support of the March of Dimes mission.
We hope that you will accept the opportunity to do more and
help the March of Dimes find vital research funds. Whether we
look it to our proud past and the milestones achieved, to the
challenges we face today, or to those that we are prepared for
in the future, one thing is clear. We can count on the veterans
as our dependable citizen soldiers in the fight to save babies
lives. Thank you.
I am very pleased to take the opportunity to introduce
special people and award them and thank them for what they have
done. Vetta Loveland is the national liaison between the VFW
and the March of Dimes. There are two categories of awards. One
is raising money for the financial support for the March of
Dimes.
We have this year back for the second time in a row, and
one of several appearances, one of the leading fund-raisers in
the nation, the Maryland VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary. We have
Thomas Bunting, the State Commander, and Mary Kobal, their
Auxiliary President, to receive the award. Mary and Thomas, we
cannot thank you enough for the work and efforts that you did
to raise more money than any other state in that regard.
Our second place in this competition is North Dakota, the
North Dakota VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary. Representing them
here is Richard Belling and the Auxiliary President Phyllis
Kinsvogel. Thank you, Richard and Phyllis.
The second award offered is that for outstanding support of
the March of Dimes mission. These are the people that will let
people know what has to be done, let them know what they must
do to provide for healthy babies.
The first place for outstanding support for the March of
Dimes mission was the Salisbury Maryland Post 194 and their
Ladies Auxiliary. With us, we have Jack Lewis, the Commander,
and Leigh Riddles, the Auxiliary President. I will have to
hesitate here for a moment. Thanks to Jack and Leigh.
The last, but certainly not the least, Post No. 5228,
Smiths, Alabama, is number two in outstanding support for the
March of Dimes mission, and their Ladies Auxiliary. I am sorry.
I don't have their names. Are they with us today? They are. We
have the Post Chairman, Bob Wise, and from the Ladies Auxiliary
Louise Wise. He said Casey Miner and Mike Stockard are the
people that really made it happen. Thanks for being with us
today. We love you.
PRESENTATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S SPECIAL AWARD TO MACH 1, INC.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: In recent years, our
VFW Calendar Program has grown by leaps and bounds, and much of
that success is due to the fine artwork incorporated into those
calendars. However, fine artwork costs money and if we had had
to pay for all that artwork, the returns from that program
would have been somewhat less, and we would not have been able
to serve our veterans in the manner they deserve.
The same applies to our VFW Operation Uplink Program,
through which we give telephone cards to active duty personnel
overseas. The artwork for that card was also given to us free
of charge, and that is why I am so happy to make this next
presentation.
Please join me in honoring MACH 1, Inc., a company known
for its military artwork and its generosity toward America's
veterans.
Here to accept the award is the founder and chief executive
officer, Paul P. Farsai.
``Commander-in-Chief's Special Award presented to MACH 1,
Inc., in recognition of their continued support of the VFW and
VFW Foundation Projects.'' This has been dated August 20, 1997,
by James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars.
RESPONSE--MR. PAUL FARSAI
MR. PAUL FARSAI: Good morning. Thank you very much for such
a wonderful award. We were very surprised that we were going to
receive this. We are very honored to be here. Our contribution
is a drop in the ocean. You are the ones that have done it for
this country and what we have done is very minor.
We have devoted ourselves for the last 11 years promoting
the image, a very, very positive image of the armed forces. We
have been recognized by Senators and Congressmen, and the
Department of Defense for our contribution in creating a
positive image for the armed forces. We were honored to provide
their 40th Anniversary Book called ``Summer'', and last year we
were honored for the book for the 50th Anniversary of the Blue
Angels called ``Blue Angels.'' Our products are displayed in
every exchange worldwide and every museum worldwide. We thank
you very much. And, again, I said our contribution is very
minor.
The last thing I would like to read to you, and I did not
plan to refer to this, it came to my head, I prepared a few
words for this beautiful ceremony for MACH 1. These are from
the most wonderful people in the country. I brought a copy of
our mission statement that MACH 1 has. I would like to read it
to you.
``MACH 1, Incorporated, is a publishing company dedicated
to serving God and country. We strive to maintain this for our
employees, our customers and our suppliers in our country. We
are committed to using our imaging and creativity to promote
the word of God and the strength of our nation. It would be
innovative in our approach to follow the principals of dignity
and be a model of excellence.''
Again, on behalf of the corporation, I thank you very much
for honoring us, to have us here. You have done it all. We are
just a small company helping you accomplish what you want.
PRESENTATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S SPECIAL AWARD TO MR. THOMAS
KINKADE
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Christmas is a
wonderful time of year, but what would it be like without
Christmas cards, those cheerful, heartwarming messages of love,
affection and friendship that bring us all together even when
we are miles apart.
It was in that spirit that the VFW began its Christmas Card
Program several years ago. Since then it has grown and through
it our Departments have raised the funds to support our
Veterans Service Program.
The key to success in this program is the quality of the
cards we offer, and that quality is based on the artwork which
is so much a part of the message the card carries.
We have been very fortunate for the past two years in
having the artwork of a nationally recognized artist appear on
our holiday cards. Today it gives me great pleasure to present
our next VFW award to Thomas Kinkade, who has donated his work
to the VFW Christmas Card Program.
Through his unique style of painting, Mr. Kinkade has
become known as the painter of light, and his work has also
appeared in movies and books, and he is recognized as America's
most collected living artist.
It is a great honor for me to present this VFW
distinguished award to an artist whose spiritual faith has been
the inspiration for his work. At this time I would like to
present to you Thomas Kinkade.
RESPONSE--MR. THOMAS KINKADE
MR. THOMAS KINKADE: Thank you. I first want to say that for
a group this size and with this many dedicated Americans, to
bring an artist from California to the stage is a very brave
thing to do. I don't know what it is, but I have been around
artists all my life.
There is a word for artists. That word is weird. Artists as
a rule are people who have not as a general thing contributed
to others, instead have created art for their own benefit. I
will tell you it is really a shame because as I think of the
role of an artist in our culture, it is very akin to the role
of a veteran.
An artist is a protector and a preserver of a way of life.
Think of the power a painting can have to touch a life. I mean
a movie is created and we go see the movie and for 90 minutes
it affects our life. A book is created, and you read the book
and it affects your life for a couple of hours, and then we put
the book back on the shelf.
A song, we listen to it and it could inspire us, but at a
certain point the song is over and you forget about that music.
A painting is there forever. It is an heirloom that is in the
home, it is passed down from generation to generation. In fact,
I often have people come to my shows and tell me, ``Gee, I need
to get three paintings because I have three children. I want to
pass them on.''
That is why I love all those Mormon collectors. They just
keep having kids, you know, and they keep buying paintings
every year, and Catholics, too. It is wonderful. Art can affect
lives, it can touch lives in a deep way. Think back, if you
will, some of you World War II veterans, to the impact that the
paintings, for example, of Norman Rockwell had during World War
II.
You know in the beginning stages of the war some of you
remember there was great dissolution that set in in our
country. There was almost a sense that, gee, why have we
embarked on this great battle? Is this worth the effort? At
that time, Franklin Roosevelt delivered his famous four freedom
speech.
He outlined four basic freedoms that the war was being
mainly fought for: freedom from fear, freedom from want,
freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Yet when he
delivered that speech, there was a sense that those concepts
were so lofty and so high and so unintelligible to the average
person that people would ask themselves, ``Well, gee, what does
that really mean to me?''
Then Norman Rockwell had the inspiration to paint his
famous four freedom paintings. They brought those lofty
concepts down to the place where every person could understand
them. Freedom from what? A family gathered around the table at
Thanksgiving celebrating the abundance that we have in this
beautiful country of ours, freedom of religion, people
gathering around worshipping in their own way, each to the
dictates of their own conscience.
Freedom of speech, a man stands up at the town meeting and
expresses his beliefs, even though perhaps he is saying
something that may not be shared by everybody in the audience,
but still he has that freedom in this country.
Then freedom from fear, my favorite. I have four daughters
and I think of this freedom every night as I tuck them in.
Norman Rockwell's painting portrayed a man tucking his children
into bed. Underneath the arm of the man was a newspaper, and
the headline reads, ``Terror in Europe as Bombs Fall.'' Yet the
man tucks his children into bed knowing they are safe and free
from fear.
Well, art can present ideas to people and it can remind us
of blessings we have in this country. That has been my goal as
a man and as a Christian and an American. I have tried from the
beginning of my career to share God's life with people.
I was never in a war, I was not born at a time and a place
that allowed that experience, but I will tell you I have gained
knowledge of the wartime realities through my association with
my father. My father was a World War II veteran. He landed on
Omaha Beach. He was part of the campaign to liberate Europe.
Last year I had the opportunity to go with my father back
to Europe and revisit the scenes of his wartime experiences. In
fact, we wrote a book about it, and the book is called
``Chasing the Horizon.'' It will be out this fall. It is a
document of two brothers, my brother and myself, who took our
father to Europe to relive his wartime adventures.
I will tell you, you have never lived until you have
traveled through Europe with a 77-year-old war veteran. That is
an experience of traveling through time and seeing things with
fresh eyes. I believe that my association with this
organization was God inspired, and I am thrilled to have had
the chance to be a part of the people who like myself are
attempting with their lives to touch others.
Norman Rockwell or myself do the easy part. We paint
paintings. That is easy. But you in this room have laid your
lives down every day to preserve those same freedoms that we
all believe in. I have been called a painter of light and I
attempt to share light with my paintings. But you men and women
are the people who have kept the light burning in America.
From the bottom of this American's heart, thank you so much
for sharing the light. God bless you guys. (Applause)
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: I will ask at this
time the Sergeant-at-Arms to assist me in bringing Thomas
Kinkade's father, William, up to the podium. So what I have is
a dual presentation that we are making.
The Commander-in-Chief's Award is presented in recognition
of his continued support of the VFW Department cooperative
programs. This is dated August 20, 1997. It has been signed by
James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief. On behalf of the 2.1 million
members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, I want to present to
your father this Life Membership in the Veterans of Foreign
Wars for his great contributions to our country. (Applause)
Normally, the Commander-in-Chief would be here for these
remarks, but he is with the Ladies Auxiliary at the present
time. So I guess you might say I am in somewhat of a self-
serving position right now.
I ask you to please welcome James Chancellor, a Vietnam
veteran and a VFW member of Post 6498, who is here to present a
military service ring he designed and created in recognition of
those who have served in our armed forces of the United States.
Mr. Jim Chancellor.
PRESENTATION BY COMRADE JAMES CHANCELLOR
COMRADE JAMES CHANCELLOR: Fellow friends, thank you very
much for allowing me to speak with you this morning before
making the presentation of our Vietnam veterans ring. Last year
I talked to you about unity and the spirit of a warrior, how I
felt we were all the same, and it didn't matter what country we
fought in or what war, I feel we were all the time. I feel that
way today.
Today, I would like to talk to you about responsibility and
the possibility of ending these great wars. The responsibility
I talked about is that of our government. I think they need to
stand tall, search out the truth and answer the questions.
Let me give you an example. In 1970, when I returned home
from Vietnam, the steel mills in North Indiana were thriving. A
lot of the veterans chose the work force instead of educational
benefits. They worked hard and worked their way up to the
middle management positions.
Then there came downsizing and the loss of thousands of
jobs. Unfortunately, at that time their GI benefits had
expired. I believe any man, any woman, any veteran who has
fought for this country during his lifetime deserves
educational benefits. Anyone should be able to go to the state
sponsored schools any time they want to. This is the
responsibility of the government that I am talking about.
I also want to talk to you a little bit about health
benefits. I think any veteran that has offered his life for
this country, he has lifetime medical benefits, not just
service-connected benefits, but benefits for all veterans. I
think preventative medicine is the best type of medicine and
the least expensive. I think that health benefits should also
be extended lifetime to all veterans.
Another part of the responsibility I am talking about is
answering all the questions. Our government and its elected
officials need to stand up and they need to take the heat if
there is any. They need to answer the questions. If there was
nerve gas done on the World War II veterans, they need to tell
us.
If they know the effects of Agent Orange on our Vietnam
veterans, they need to tell us. If they know why our Persian
Gulf veterans are still suffering, they need to come to us and
tell us. They need to tell us the truth and answer all the
questions, and then an organization like our Veterans of
Foreign Wars and our government working together can answer the
questions.
Now, I would like to talk to you just a second about the
VFW. The Veterans of Foreign Wars has fought endless and
tireless fights, and I shudder to think what this country would
be without our efforts. It is a great organization and I am
very proud to be associated with it.
With every great organization comes great leadership. That
leads me to the presentation of this Vietnam veterans ring,
which is part of the VFW collection. Our now Commander will
serve us well. He is a decorated Vietnam Marine veteran. His
leader is follow or get the hell out of the way attitude has
brought him here to us today.
It gives me great pleasure to present this ring to our
incoming new Commander-in-Chief John Moon.
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Jim, in behalf of
myself and the entire organization, we thank you for your
continued efforts on behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and
each and every veteran in this country. I shall definitely wear
this ring with great pride and honor. Thank you very much.
PRESENTATION OF THE JAMES C. GATES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: 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 deeply honored to present this distinguished
award to Kenneth E. Madison, Sr.
Mr. Madison served in the U.S. Army for 28 years and is a
graduate of the State University of New York. Since his
retirement from the Army, Mr. Madison has served veterans as a
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist in the Copperas
Cove, Texas, Workforce Commission Office.
In an area of Texas where unemployment hovers at eight
percent, Mr. Madison has exceeded the requirements and
standards expected as a specialist. With a focus on placing
veterans into the work force, Mr. Madison has averaged a
remarkable 67 placements a month, which is triple the state
average for Disabled Veterans Outreach Programs. Mr. Madison's
outstanding efforts have gained him a positive reputation.
Monthly, an average of 274 veterans seek his service.
Mr. Madison meets regularly with area employers to promote
the unemployment of area veterans. He has assisted in mass
staffings of Wal-Mart and the Race Trac Service Station, and
set up on-site interviews for veterans with several warehouses
outside of the immediate area. Mr. Madison has participated in
Job Fairs, Chamber of Commerce events, and Transition
Assistance Programs at Fort Hood.
In the past year, Mr. Madison has placed hundreds of
veterans into well-paying and meaningful jobs. One of the most
productive Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists in
Texas and the nation, Mr. Madison has significantly changed the
way the Copperas Cove office serves the employment and training
needs of its local veterans.
Please join me today in recognizing our 1996 James C. Gates
Distinguished Service Award recipient, Kenneth E. Madison, Sr.
``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. James C.
Gates Distinguished Service Award presented to Kenneth E.
Madison, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, Texas
Workforce Commission, Killeen, Texas.
``In recognition of extraordinary achievement and
exceptional leadership in advancing employment opportunities
for our nation's veterans and distinguished service in
supporting the goals and objectives of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States.
``In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 20th day of August, 1997.'' It has been signed by
James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers,
Adjutant General. With this award goes a $1,000 check.
MR. KENNETH E. MADISON: Thank you. (Applause)
(Whereupon, Commander-in-Chief Nier assumed the Chair.)
VISIT OF LADIES AUXILIARY DELEGATION
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I am deeply honored to bring to
this podium the lady that I have had the pleasure and
opportunity of serving with this year. She has been my
counterpart for the ladies. Please give a very warm VFW welcome
to our National President from the great state of Illinois,
Eileen Tanner.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
LADIES AUXILIARY PRESIDENT EILEEN TANNER: Commander-in-
Chief Nier, National Officers, VFW Members, thank you for this
opportunity to greet you once more as the National President of
the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
This has been a great year for the Ladies Auxiliary. We
have topped $3 million in our Cancer Aid Research Fund for the
ninth year in a row. We continue our gold medal sponsorship of
the National Wheelchair Games and we volunteered 2.6 million
hours in VA Medical Centers and other hospitals around the
country.
As you know, Operation Uplink was my special project this
year. I am pleased to report that the Ladies Auxiliary members
donated over $93,000 to this outstanding program. I want to
thank you for your efforts to make Operation Uplink such a
success, and for your cooperation on the many other joint
projects that we do each year. We can all be very proud of the
results that we have achieved together.
I also want to extend my sincere thanks to all of you for
your assistance to me personally during this past year. I know
that many of you were very involved in making my official
visits so enjoyable. I particularly want to thank you, Jim, for
everything that you did to make this year so pleasant. It has
been an honor to serve you. I mean that from the bottom of my
heart.
Now, as a token of my appreciation, I would like to present
you the American Flag and Convention Banner at this special
gathering. It has been a good year and a fun Convention. I am
ready to enjoy a little break then I will be and getting back
to work with my Local Auxiliary which is 9759 in Love Park,
Illinois.
Thank you, Jim, for the opportunity to speak before the
delegates. (Applause)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: With our National President is her
Chief of Staff Jane Ziebarth. I would also like to bring to the
podium at this time the lady that has been beside me for these
past three years, my lovely wife, Kimie. (Applause)
MRS. JAMES NIER: I would like to say thank you very much
for the last three years. You guys have been so nice to me.
Thank you. You have been so nice to Jim and I, both.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: As the ladies are being escorted
down our middle aisle, I would ask my fellow comrades to give
these lovely ladies a VFW round of applause. One final time for
our National President. Let's hear it. (Applause)
PRESENTATION OF NATIONAL LARGE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: This year we are pleased to
recognize the James River Corporation/Consumer Products
Business of Green Bay, Wisconsin, as the Large Employer of the
Year.
The James River Corporation/Consumer Products Business of
Green Bay, a timber products company, produces national brand
name paper towels, napkins, and tissues for retail and
commercial use with a work force of 23,000 located throughout
North America and Europe.
The James River Corporation/Consumer Products business of
Green Bay maintains an exemplary policy of hiring and retaining
veterans. Out of 970 employees, there are 390 veterans of whom
11 are disabled veterans. The company's regulations and
policies include preference for veterans in recruiting,
placement, and promotion.
During Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, the company
went far beyond their legal obligations by providing its active
and reservist employees one week of base pay for every two
weeks of military service. An active and ardent supporter of
the National Guard and Reserve, they compensated employees for
loss of wages while attending their annual active duty
training. Moreover, the company supports military retirees by
crediting military service toward company retirement.
The James River Corporation/Consumer Products Business of
Green Bay is to be commended for its progressive policy of
hiring and retaining veterans. The company justly merits honor
and recognition by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Here with us to receive the award on behalf of the company
is Thomas A. Remondini, Local Veterans Employment
Representative of the Green Bay office of the Jobs, Employment
and Training Services Division, State of Wisconsin.
Comrades, this citation reads, ``Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States, National Large Employer of the Year Award
presented to James River Corporation, Green Bay Mill, Green
Bay, Wisconsin.
``In 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 20th day of August, 1997.'' It has been signed by
James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers,
Adjutant General.
It is with a great deal of honor and pride I present this
award to you, sir. There is an honorarium for $1,000.
(Applause)
RESPONSE--MR. THOMAS REMONDINI
COMRADE THOMAS REMONDINI: Commander-in-Chief, the James
River Corporation/Consumer Products Business of Green Bay,
Wisconsin, thank you for this award. I was also requested by
James River Corporation to ask you to wear this tie that
represents the Green Bay Packers, because they had heard that
the Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is from
Texas. But I found out this morning he is not a Dallas Cowboy
fan. The James River Corporation didn't have all the
information correctly.
I would also like to thank the Employment Committee from
the State of Wisconsin for honoring us as a recipient of the
Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars Award. I want to thank the
National Office of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States in selecting our company and, most importantly, their
continued support of the employment and training programs for
making it possible for veterans to receive employment services
that are justly due to them for the services that you render to
this country at the time of war or at the time of peace.
If it was not for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the two
million plus membership, and the 670,000 plus Ladies Auxiliary,
we would not have the preference that the veterans are justly
due to them. If it was not for these organizations and the
people that are members of the organizations, we would not have
the laws that protect the rights of veterans in their jobs and
in the retraining and the re-employment rights of veterans.
In closing, I want everyone to know that the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States continues to live up to their
motto by remembering the dead by serving the living. I, too, am
a veteran and I am, too, a member of my Post from the Village
of Howard, veterans of Vietnam, serving in the Republic of
Vietnam.
I want to thank you and also James Erwin, I would like to
thank you also very much. This check for $1,000 has already
been earmarked for the homeless shelter in the City of Green
Bay, Wisconsin. (Applause)
PRESENTATION OF NATIONAL SMALL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD TO UNC
AVIATION SERVICES
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: This year we are greatly honored
to present the prestigious VFW National Small Employer of the
Year Award to UNC Aviation Services of Milton, Florida, a
company whose policies and achievements in hiring, promoting
and training of veterans is noteworthy.
UNC Aviation Services is an independent operating
subsidiary of UNC, Incorporated, and has the exclusive mission
of providing aircraft maintenance and training services. The
company has an established record of working with the
Department of Defense, several other federal agencies, and 26
foreign governments for the past 25 years.
Working closely with the Job Service of Florida, UNC has
filled the vast majority of its positions with veterans.
Seventy-five percent of the company's 195 employees are
veterans, to include 16 disabled veterans. An excellent
employer, UNC Aviation Services is to be commended for making
use of local veterans employment representatives and the
Disabled Veteran Outreach Program to hire both recently
separated veterans and military retirees.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is
pleased to confer the National Small Employer of the Year Award
to UNC Aviation Services. Here to accept the award is Paul D.
Stelzner, the company's personnel manager.
The citation reads as follows: Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States, National Small Employer of the Year Award
presented to UNC Aviation Services, Milton, Florida.
``In 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 20th day of August, 1997.'' This has been signed
by James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers,
Adjutant General.
Thank you so much, sir, for all you do for this country's
veterans. Along with this is an honorarium for $1,000.
RESPONSE--MR. PAUL STELZNER
MR. PAUL STELZNER: It is a great honor and privilege to
accept this prestigious award for all our employees. Ladies and
gentlemen, we have one of the finest group of veterans working
for us. Since 1981, until today's date, they have provided the
company 1.1 million hours of maintenance free accidents, and
that is a record that has not been accomplished anywhere
before. They are dedicated workers. Thank you very much.
PRESENTATION OF THE NATIONAL LOCAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
SERVICE AWARD
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We are honored to recognize the
Goldsboro Job Service Office of Goldsboro, North Carolina, for
our National Local Office of the Public Employment Service
Award.
The Goldsboro Job Service Office of the North Carolina
Employment Security Commission has excelled in the provision of
services to veterans and employees alike.
From July of 1995 to June of 1996, the Goldsboro Office
provided job placement, counseling, and other services to over
2,300 veterans. In an area dominated by seasonal, low-paying
agricultural jobs, 47 percent of the veterans received at least
one referral to a job, 21 percent were directly placed and 28
percent were provided substantial service that led to
employment.
In working with local veterans, which included many
disabled veterans, the Goldsboro Job Service Office exhibited
keen insight and understanding of the job market by placing
these veterans in a variety of jobs across the state and
nation.
During the program year, the Goldsboro Office tirelessly
promoted the hiring of veterans through employer visits,
promotional telephone contacts with employers, direct mailings,
news media, and speaking engagements at veterans and civic
organizations. Their staff participated in job fairs and open
houses.
Of special note is the office's participation in the
Retiree's Appreciation Day at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base,
and in the base's Transition Assistance Programs, where the
staff gave classes and briefings to separating military
personnel.
These accomplishments clearly identify the Goldsboro Job
Service 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 Billy W. Patterson, Lead Local
Veterans Employment Representative. (Applause)
The citation reads as follows:
``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, National
Local Office of the Public Employment Service Award presented
to Employment Security Commission of North Carolina, Goldsboro
Job Service Office, Goldsboro, North Carolina.
``In recognition and appreciation for meritorious,
professional and employment service rendered to 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 20th day of August, 1997.''
This has been signed by James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief,
and Larry W. Rivers, Adjutant General. (Applause)
With it goes an honorarium for $1,000.
RESPONSE--MR. BILLY W. PATTERSON
MR. BILLY PATTERSON: On behalf of the staff of the
Goldsboro Employment Security Division and the Department of
North Carolina VFW, I gladly accept this award and thank you
for the opportunity to be here at your Convention. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I would like to call forward the
National Contest Chairman, Bob Brady, to announce our Parade
Winners.
PARADE WINNERS
COMRADE ROBERT BRADY: The results of the Senior Ladies VFW
Color Guard Competition and the Senior Men's Color Guard
Competition, the winners of the men's competitions,
representing VFW Posts 6933 and 9460 of Darien, Connecticut,
the Silent Sixteen.
Come forward for your award, please. The winner of the
Senior Ladies VFW/Auxiliary Color Guard Competition,
representing District No. 6, the Department of Arkansas,
Fairfield Bay, Arkansas.
The next award is to the winner of our Junior ROTC Color
Guard Competitions. Please come forward Griffin High School.
Griffin High School represents the Army.
The Junior Open Field Contest VFW rules is also Griffin
High School, Griffin, Georgia.
The Junior Armed Drill Team, Griffin, High School, Griffin,
Georgia.
Now, the Junior ROTC Unarmed Drill Team is Stebbins High
School, Riverside, Ohio.
The Junior Individual Rifle Contest, the male winner is
Travis Jenkins, Northside High School, Warner Robins, Georgia.
The female winner is Jennifer Grant, Griffin High School,
Griffin, Georgia.
You can see that Griffin cleaned up. They have an excellent
unit. They were competing against 40 other groups and won the
majority of the awards.
The next unit coming in represents the United States Air
Force ROTC Program. They are the winner of the Junior ROTC,
Riverside, Ohio. The Department of Ohio is their sponsor.
The next award will be to our National Ritualistic Team
Champion representing Lieutenant Peter G. Zouck, VFW Post 521,
Owings, Maryland. They are the 1996 Ritualistic Team Champion.
There will be a National Ritualistic Team competition today at
2:00 p.m. in Room 2 down on the first deck, starting at 2:00
o'clock.
Now, the announcement in regard to the winners of the
parade during last evening's Patriotic Rally. The best Senior
Color Guard was the Department of Iowa. The second place winner
was the Department of Michigan and the third place winner was
Aurora Silver Rifles VFW Post 2629, Aurora, Ohio.
The best appearing Senior Ladies Auxiliary Color Guard, the
New Jersey Ladies Auxiliary Color Guard. For your information,
the second place winner goes to the Arkansas Ladies Auxiliary
Color Guard, and the third place winner to the Kansas Ladies
Auxiliary Color Guard.
That is the completion of our report. As I said, the
Ritualistic Team competitions are at 2:00 o'clock this
afternoon in this building.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AND CITATION TO JACK A. MACK,
QUARTERMASTER, DEPARTMENT OF UTAH
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Semper Fidelis is the United
States Marine Corps motto. It means always faithful, and it
also describes a comrade who is joining us here at the podium
to receive the VFW Distinguished Service Medal.
Jack Mack went ashore with the Marines on Guadalcanal in
1942. It was an anniversary of sorts for Jack. He had joined
the Marines just one year earlier, August, 1941. That's right,
August. Jack joined up before the Japs attacked. He was ready
for them when they arrived and he got even with them in
Guadalcanal for the longest and bitterest fought wars, but we
won and we went on to win the war.
Jack Mack knows combat firsthand and he knows veterans
affairs. For 38 years he has been serving the veterans of Utah
and in turn the veterans of America. As the Adjutant/
Quartermaster of the Department of Utah, Jack has played a
major role in everything that this organization has done and in
every victory we have won for America's veterans.
Please welcome a comrade who has always been ready to fight
for our cause, Jack Mack, Post 3586, Salt Lake City, Utah. I
would like to now read the citation. Joining us at the podium
with Jack is Mrs. Mack. It is nice to have you.
``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Distinguished Service Medal and this Citation awarded to Jack
A. Mack.
``In sincere appreciation and grateful recognition of 38
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
Quartermaster of the Department of Utah, evidencing his
exceptional commitment to the programs and purposes of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars.
``In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 20th day of August, 1997.''
That has been signed by James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief,
and Larry W. Rivers, Adjutant General.
Jack, let me personally thank you for your many years of
dedicated and devoted service to this great organization and we
wish you continued success. Thank you so very, very much.
RESPONSE--MR. JACK MACK
COMRADE JACK MACK: Thank you very much. It is our fifty-
second wedding anniversary on Monday, the 25th.
OUTSTANDING VA HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AWARD
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I am pleased to recognize this
year's recipient of the Outstanding VA Health Care Provider
Award, Mrs. Dee Anna Robert, a registered nurse assigned to the
home-based Primary Care Program at the Fresno VA Medical
Center. Mrs. Robert, a specialist in geratology and wellness,
also serves as a case manager for a number of chronically ill
patients. With compassion, understanding and professionalism,
she works closely with the veteran's family, creating a
positive home-like environment for healing and improving one's
medical condition.
Mrs. Robert has also been responsible for introducing the
Valor Nursing Initiative, which is a national VA scholarship
program for nursing students. She currently serves as the
preceptor for several student nurses from both the Fresno and
Dominquez Hill campuses of the California State University.
It is with great pride that I present this year's VFW
Outstanding VA Health Care Provider of the Year Award to Mrs.
Dee Anna Robert from the Fresno VA Medical Center. (Applause)
I would like to read the citation at this time.
``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Outstanding
VA Health Care Provider Award, 1996-1997, presented to Dee Anna
Robert.
``In special recognition of your individual 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.
``In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 20th day of August, 1997.'' This has been signed
by me, James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers,
Adjutant General.
Mrs. Robert, it is with a great deal of pride and honor I
present to you this prestigious award. Thank you so much.
RESPONSE--MRS. DEE ANNA ROBERT
MRS. DEE ANNA ROBERT: I am truly honored. I really didn't
do all this without the help of the Fresno VA. I am into
wellness and, consequently, I work with elderly people who are
stranded in their home because of multiple chronic illnesses. I
assess the VA system and the Fresno VA is wonderful.
I sit in there and say, ``What do I need to get for my
veterans in their homes?'' Each department from the VA Medical
Center tells me what I need to do and the patient is served.
Thank you for honoring me. (Applause)
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AWARD
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: This year we are honored to
present the VFW Outstanding Community Health Care Provider of
the Year Award to Patrick K. Bohmer of Circle Pines, Minnesota.
Mr. Bohmer is the Voluntary Services Coordinator at the
Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He began his
career in 1987, and in that time has turned the volunteer
program at the Veterans Home into one of the most vibrant and
productive programs in the state.
Making himself available to all veteran organizations, he
attends their State Conventions to answer questions and provide
information about Veterans Home programs. As a result of a
fund-raising effort, his program is self-sufficient.
With an abundance of volunteers who work both day and night
assisting veterans, Pat, through his leadership and the efforts
of volunteers has created a variety of recreational and
therapeutic programs. These activities include fishing trips,
bingo games, craft activities, excursion trips to Minnesota
Twins baseball and Viking football games, just to mention a
few.
Active in the VFW, Mr. Bohmer also serves as Vice-Chairman
of the VFW National Homeless Committee. It is apparent that Pat
is highly motivated and committed to helping veterans not only
by both his choice of vocation but his personal involvement
outside his place of employment.
I am honored to present this year's VFW Outstanding
Community Health Care Provider of the Year Award to Mr. Patrick
T. Bohmer of Circle Pines, Minnesota. (Applause)
The citation reads as follows:
``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Outstanding
Community Health Care Provider Award, 1996-1997, presented to
Patrick T. Bohmer.
``In special recognition of your individual 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.
``In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 20th day of August, 1997.'' This has been signed
by me, James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers,
Adjutant General.
Mr. Bohmer, it is with a great deal of pride and honor I
present you with this award and thank you for all you do for
this nation's veterans.
RESPONSE--MR. PATRICK T. BOHMER
COMRADE PATRICK BOHMER: Commander-in-Chief and delegates, I
would just like to say thank you on behalf of the staff and
residents of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis. There
are probably thousands of other people that are much more
deserving of this award than myself. You have humbled me by
presenting me with this.
I would just like to say, because the boss is sitting in
the audience there, there is nothing too good for those
veterans in the Minnesota Veterans Home. I would be remiss if I
didn't ask you people if you have any extra dollars, quarters
or dimes to donate to the Minnesota Veterans Home, feel free to
do so. Thank you very much.
OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: It is a great pleasure for me to
present the VFW Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award. This
is the fourth year that the VFW has presented an award
recognizing an individual for their exemplary service as a VFW
Health Care Volunteer.
This year's recipient is Mary Gomeringer, who is a member
of VFW Post 4876 Ladies Auxiliary in Altus, Oklahoma. She is a
highly dedicated volunteer at the Veterans Center in Clinton,
Oklahoma. She also contributes numerous hours to the VFW
helping veterans in her community.
Mary attends all functions at the Veterans Center assisting
those who are unable to help themselves. She visits veterans
who are bedridden and those who suffer from Alzheimer's
disease. She spends numerous hours shopping for comfort items
and gifts for hospitalized veterans during the Christmas
holidays. She ensures that each veteran receives a special gift
from Santa.
Despite three major operations, Mary refuses to slow down
her volunteer activities. In addition to her work at the
Veterans Center, Mary also volunteers at three local nursing
homes, visiting veterans who are residents.
Through her efforts and her handmade gifts of an afghan
blanket or stuffed animal, she has greatly improved the morale
and the quality of life for those veterans she meets. I am
proud to present this year's VFW Outstanding Volunteer of the
Year Award to Mrs. Mary Gomeringer from Altus, Oklahoma. I
would like to read the citation.
``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Outstanding
Volunteer Award, 1996-1997, presented to Mary Gomeringer in
special recognition of your individual 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.
``In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 20th day of August, 1997.'' This has been signed
by me, James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers,
Adjutant General.''
Mrs. Gomeringer, it is with a great deal of pride and honor
that I present this award to you and thank you for your many,
many volunteer hours to our veterans. Thank you.
RESPONSE--MRS. MARY GOMERINGER
MRS. MARY GOMERINGER: I would just like to thank the VFW
for choosing me and some people, our Past Commander Bob Magill
from Post 486 and Past State Commander, and most of all, my
husband of 42 years, because without his help I couldn't do
half of what I do. Thank you.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: At this time I will call forward
the Chairman of the Committee on National Security and Foreign
Affairs, Past Commander-in-Chief Clifford G. Olson.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CLIFFORD OLSON: Commander-in-Chief
Nier, I want to thank you for the appointment as Chairman of
the National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee. I would
like to introduce my Co-Chairman, Past Commander-in-Chief
Cooper T. Holt. Billy Ray Cameron is the Subcommittee Chairman
on the POW/MIA, along with Past Commander-in-Chief George
Cramer. I want to thank all of you. To the entire Committee, I
truly want to thank you for your input.
I know there are a couple of things that are very
controversial and to your credit came out well. Very briefly, I
will go through the numbers of the resolutions, and will give
you our recommendations, and then I will expect a second to my
motion. If I go too fast, you let me know.
I might say this at the beginning. In most cases, those
that we recommend to approve, as amended, the amendments were
nothing more than accuracy, misspelled words, that sort of
thing. It was nothing truly shattering on the amendments.
No. 404, the Lessons of the Cold War, approved. All of
these are approved.
No. 405, Limit Foreign Ownership of U.S. Businesses and
Properties.
No. 406, Take Action of the Immigration Problem, approved
as amended.
No. 407, Time is Running Out for Castro, approved.
No. 408, Punish Terrorists Now, approved as amended. That
was just to bring it up to date.
No. 409, Strategic Defense is a Strategic Priority,
approved.
No. 410, Honoring Those Who Serve.
No. 411, Oppose Lifting the Defense Department Ban on
Homosexuals in the Armed Forces.
No. 412, Maintain an Effective U.S. Coast Guard.
No. 413, Standing Firm for Freedom, approved as amended
No. 414, National Strategy of Peace Through Strength,
approved.
No. 415, Halt the Erosion of Intelligence Services,
approved.
No. 416, Support for the Republic of Korea, approved as
amended.
No. 417, Support Withdrawal from the Former Yugoslavia,
approved as amended. Again that is to bring it up to date.
No. 419, Oppose U.S. Forces Under Foreign Command,
approved.
No. 420, Support for the Republic of China on Taiwan,
approved as amended. That was for purposes of accuracy.
No. 421, An Independent Commission to Study Women in the
Military.
No. 422, Retain the Selective Service System.
No. 423, Monitor the Panama Canal Carefully.
No. 424, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Service in
Bosnia.
No. 425, Support Legislation for a Special Service Medal
for ``Atomic'' Veterans.
No. 426, NATO Enlargement, approved as amended.
No. 427 is a rejection. I will explain that later.
No. 428, Keeping Faith with American Military.
No. 431, Restore Congressional Control on United Nations
World Heritage Sites, approved as amended.
No. 433, Requesting the Naming of the Next United States
Ship Carrier in Honor of Lyndon Baines Johnson, approved.
No. 436, Require all Eighteen-Year-Old Citizens to Register
for the Draft.
No. 437, Medal Issuance with Combat Action Ribbon.
No. 440, Oppose a Total Ban on Land Mines. I hear you,
comrades. We have 440, 441 and 442 that you do not have copies
of. We have a limited amount of copies of 441 and 442. The
Sergeant-at-Arms might hand them out. There is limited copies.
If you so desire, according to the Convention Rules, I will
read 440 and 441. Both of those we have voted to approve. If I
read them off now, we can include them in my total motion to
accept.
``WHEREAS, recent legislation to ban the use of land mines
by U.S. forces was introduced in the United States Senate and
supported by a large number of Senators, to include those who
are veterans of Vietnam; and
``WHEREAS, television spots to promote the ban as well as
celebrities are making an emotional appeal for support, which
coupled with the Congressional action are gaining momentum for
passage of the ban on land mines; and
``WHEREAS, the reasons most often given in favor of the ban
are that land mines caused many U.S. casualties; they continue
to cause indiscriminate civilian casualties in many countries
(mainly by dumb mines made and laid by other countries); and
that land mines remain deadly for many years; and
``WHEREAS, often in the midst of this emotional appeal are
the facts that: U.S. forces use `smart mines,' preset to
automatically deactivate after time; with the reduction of U.S.
forces, the need for self-destructing mines has increased as a
`combat multiplier;' use of self-destructing mines provide
battlefield commanders and troops the ability to protect
themselves and limit enemy maneuvers; and
``WHEREAS, the Chairman, Vice Chairman and all members of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff and all of the U.S. Field Commanders
oppose the total ban until a replacement capability is
developed or a comprehensive global treaty is in effect; and
``WHEREAS, our military leaders have proposed a ban on
`dumb' land mines with only limited exceptions such as for
Korea;
``NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States that while sharing concern
for the growing humanitarian problems of land mines, we stand
with our military leaders and for the continued security of our
troops in opposing a total ban on land mines until such time as
suitable replacement capability is developed and fielded or a
comprehensive global ban can be completed; and
``BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we agree with and support
the Joint Chiefs of Staff proposal to ban Tdumb' anti-personnel
land mines without a self-destruct or deactivation capability
and recommend it be made the cornerstone of a comprehensive
global treaty.''
That was submitted by the Commander-in-Chief and we voted
to approve it on the Committee.
Resolution 441, Storage for Fissile Nuclear Materials.
``WHEREAS, the United States, along with 25 other nations
in the world that employ commercial nuclear power, have in
excess of 150,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel that poses a
national security risk as well as an international
environmental risk; and
``WHEREAS, this amount of spent nuclear fuel will increase
after the turn of the century as reactors reach the end of
their useful life and are decommissioned; and
``WHEREAS, this international supply of spent nuclear fuel
is largely stored now in temporary steel and concrete
containers as well as cooling ponds at the various reactor
sites; and
``WHEREAS, the only efficient way of dealing with spent
nuclear fuel other than permanent containment is chemical
processing which results in the creating of plutonium or other
fissile materials such as enriched uranium; and
``WHEREAS, under the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,
signatory nations that have nuclear power and have their spent
nuclear fuel reprocessed are entitled to the return of the
resulting fissile materials such as the plutonium which is
produced in that process; and
``WHEREAS, the Russian Federation has underway commercial
agreements with Iran as well as Cuba for the construction of
nuclear reactors; and
``WHEREAS, the Director of Central Intelligence and the
Secretary of Defense reported to Congress in 1966 that if Iran
obtains a nuclear reactor it could develop nuclear weapons
within three years which fact has obvious implications for
international terrorism; and
``WHEREAS, an American private venture group has developed
a comprehensive commercial enterprise to mass produce cost-
effective, massive steel containers for permanent storage of
international spent nuclear fuel and is seeking authorization
to build a permanent above ground storage on an isolated,
privately owned American atoll in the Pacific; and
``WHEREAS, the Russian Federation Ministry of Atomic Energy
(MinAtom) has been offered a partnership in this American
private venture in exchange for not commercially reprocessing
spent nuclear fuel as well as not providing nuclear technology
to nations whose interests are inimical to those of the United
States and Russia as determined by their respective governments
jointly; and
``WHEREAS, the Russian Federation will commit to this
venture as a means of earning significant legitimate income to
ally the dire economic dislocation that threatens democratic
development in the former Soviet Union;
``NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States that we urge the Congress and
the President to consider legislation that will permit the
aforementioned American private venture to proceed in order to
create an American-Russian partnership that will:
``1. Permit the monitored storage of spent fuel from all
nuclear power countries in the world under American aegis at no
cost to the taxpayers in an isolated and very benign manner on
the Island of Wake;
``2. Permit the private American venture to complement, not
compete with ongoing federal government efforts to create a
permanent storage site in the continental United States;
``3. Foreclose reprocessing of absent nuclear as a
commercial venture thereby stopping the proliferation of
plutonium and other fissile materials and thus depriving
international terrorism of a powerful weapon;
``4. Permit the Russian Federation to receive a legitimate
income from a free enterprise venture that will give it
necessary, responsible fiscal underpinning at a critical time
in that nation's democratic process.''
That was submitted by the Commander-in-Chief and it was
voted to be approved by the National Security and Foreign
Affairs Committee.
I move, comrades, that those resolutions be adopted as
recommended by the Committee.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BILLY RAY CAMERON: Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I second that motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You have heard the motion for the
adoption. It has been duly seconded Seeing no one at the
microphones, those in favor of the adoption will signify by
saying ``aye''; those opposed by the same sign. They are
adopted.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CLIFFORD OLSON: The Committee on
National Security and Foreign Affairs voted or decided on
Resolution 427 that was rejected in favor of 428 which you just
approved.
No. 434, Ban Manufacture, Sale and Use of Depleted Uranium
Weapons, that was voted to reject, and also 442, To Issue the
Presidential Unit Citation to All U.S. Navy Armed Guard During
World War II. That was voted to be rejected.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Seeing no one at the microphones,
they are rejected.
Comrade Past Commander-in-Chief Olson, you are relieved of
your duties and thanks for a job well done.
I have just been told that the Speaker of the House is on
his way, so we are going to suspend the debate on the Committee
resolutions. I would like for Jim Rowoldt to come forward to
announce the Buddy Poppy winners.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE RON DORSEY (Post 856--Texas): I would like to have
clarification on those that you just named for rejection, were
just those two resolutions? That was not all of them, was it?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: If I understand it correctly, the
Chair related 427 was rejected in favor of 428, and the other
one was 434. The Committee is going to handle the others.
NATIONAL BUDDY POPPY CONTEST WINNERS
COMRADE JIM ROWOLDT: Thank you, Comrade Commander-in-Chief.
In the essence of time, I would like to ask the Commanders from
the Department of California and also the Department of
Minnesota to come forward, please. As many of you are aware,
the One Million Club was established a few years ago to pay
special recognition to those Departments whose buddy poppy
sales and distribution equaled or exceeded one million.
This year's recipients are the Department of California,
who led the nation in sales of 1,143,500, followed by the
Department of Minnesota with 1,01,000. I would ask that these
Commanders come forward with the Commander-in-Chief to receive
their special awards.
To the Department of California, over One Million Club,
1996-'97, presented to the Department of California Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States.
``In special recognition and sincere appreciation of the
Department's support for the Buddy Poppy Program as evidenced
by ten consecutive years of over one million in sales.'' This
has been signed by Commander-in-Chief James E. Nier and Larry
W. Rivers, Adjutant General.
To the Department of Minnesota, over One Million Club,
1996-'97, presented to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States to the Department of Minnesota.
``In special recognition and sincere appreciation of the
Department's support for the Buddy Poppy Program as evidenced
by over one million in sales.'' This has been signed by James
E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers, Adjutant
General.
Very quickly, I would also like to thank all of those Posts
and Auxiliaries that presented their Buddy Poppy displays this
year. I would like to announce that the winners of Category 1,
which is the public promotion of buddy poppy sales, window,
booth parade displays, sales promotions, the first place was
Caseyville Memorial Post and Auxiliary 1117, Caseyville,
Illinois.
Second place goes to Post 10188 and its Ladies Auxiliary,
Tucson, Arizona.
Third place goes to VFW Post 5221 and its Ladies Auxiliary,
Calhan, Colorado.
Category 2, for memorial or inspirational display, first
place, Golden Post and Auxiliary 4171, Golden, Colorado.
Second place goes to Elmer Goche Post and Auxiliary 3922,
Wadena, Minnesota.
Third place winner is the Robert V. Lindsey Post and
Auxiliary 10041, Bethel, Alaska.
Category 3, artistic or decorative use of Poppies, the
first place winner is Deer Park Memorial Post and Auxiliary
3067, Deer Park, Washington.
Second place goes to Rogers Rye Post 2283, Russellville,
Arkansas.
Third place goes to Roscoe Post and Auxiliary 2995, Roscoe,
Illinois.
Category 4, Memorial or inspirational display used by
Junior Girls Units and Sons of the VFW Units. The first place
winner is McDonald Linn, Chicago Ridge Junior Girls Unit, VFW
Post 2255 and Auxiliary, Chicago Ridge, Illinois.
Second place goes to W. Carl Reed Junior Girls Unit, VFW
Post and Auxiliary 9095, Little Rock, Arkansas.
The third place winner for the Memorial Junior Girls Unit
is Post 5691 and its Auxiliary, Collinsville, Illinois.
We have eight honorable mentions. They are Post 9299 and
its Ladies Auxiliary, Alvarado, Texas.
Also Lyndonville Post and Auxiliary 10038, Lyndonville,
Vermont.
Category 2, Trenton Post and Auxiliary 7963, Trenton,
Illinois. Also Robert E. Stoddard Post and Auxiliary 4343,
Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Category 3, Paul A. Johnston Post and Auxiliary 2918,
Torrington, Wyoming. And Kingman North Post and Auxiliary
10386, Kingman, Arizona.
Finally, Category 4, St. Mihiel Post and Auxiliary 247,
Omaha, Nebraska; and the Clarence Hoyt Post and Auxiliary 9217,
Liberty, New York.
Thanks to each and every one of you for continued support
of the VFW Buddy Poppy Program. It is a service oriented
program. Thank you all.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Delegates, the Commander-in-Chief
and his officers are now greeting the Speaker of the House, so
we will take about a two or three-minute break prior to the
entrance of the Speaker.
INTRODUCTION OF THE HONORABLE NEWT GINGRICH, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE,
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I am most pleased to introduce our
next distinguished guest. Now serving his tenth term in
Congress as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt
Gingrich is one of the most talked about, written about
political figures in the nation.
Time magazine named him ``Man of the Year'' for 1995
saying, ``Newt Gingrich belongs in the category of the
exceptional. Today, because of Newt Gingrich, the question is
not whether a balanced budget plan will come to pass, but
when.''
Comrades, as you are all well aware a balanced budget did
pass and was signed into law early this month.
Forbes magazine said, ``Never in American history has a
Speaker of the House pushed through so much sweeping,
substantive legislation as Newt Gingrich is doing.''
Mr. Gingrich co-founded the Congressional Military Reform
Caucus, the Conservative Opportunity Society and the
Congressional Space Caucus, and has served as Co-Chairman of
the House Republican Task Force on Health since the 102nd
Congress.
He is acknowledged as the chief architect of the Republican
``Contract with America.''
The son of a career soldier, Mr. Gingrich taught history
and environmental studies at West Georgia College for eight
years before being elected to Congress in 1978. We are pleased
to have Mr. Gingrich with us this morning. Accompanying him
today is Representative Merrill Cook from the Second District,
Department of Utah. Please join me in a warm VFW welcome for
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
ADDRESS--THE HONORABLE NEWT GINGRICH
THE HONORABLE NEWT GINGRICH: Thank you, Jim, for that
introduction, and I want to thank all of you for allowing me to
be here. I want to congratulate you in advance, John Moon, for
his promotion and plan that has no obligation to remember since
my wife is also a Buckeye, although from the other side of the
state. We do have a family tie.
I might point out to all of you, as Jim was telling you, my
commitment to and concern for veterans starts with my immediate
family. When you are an Army brat, you grow up in places like
Fort Riley and Fort Benning, and you spend part of your
childhood at schools in places like Orlean, France, or
Stuttgart, Germany.
It is driven home to you again and again that America is
free because young men and women risk their lives, leave their
families, go to distant places, and that it is vital that we
remember those who risk everything in order that we and our
children can live in freedom.
It is in that spirit that I wanted to come here and share
with you some thoughts about national security, about veterans
health, about veterans preference, and, frankly, about the kind
of country we need to become to be worthy of the sacrifice that
was made by so many over recent years.
Let me start by saying that your good friend and mine, a
World War II veteran named Bob Dole, asked me to thank you for
the warm reception he has always gotten and asked me to report
to you that we are going to complete the World War II Veterans
Memorial. It is going to be built.
It tells you a little of what is wrong with the politics
and bureaucracy of Washington, D.C., that the bill to create a
World War II Memorial was signed into law on May 25, 1993. That
means that it has already been longer since the bill was signed
than the entire Second World War for American forces, and we
still have not gotten it finished.
It tells you a little about why we have trouble stopping
drugs and winning the war on drugs and why we have trouble
reforming education to make sure our children get educated,
particularly our poorest children in the poorest neighborhoods
where so often they have the poorest schools.
We can't even cut through the red tape and the politics
just to get a memorial built. My dad passed away last fall. He
was a veteran of World War II. As all of you know, there are
other veterans passing away and we should cut through the tape
and get this done and we should take a lesson about what is
wrong with the way the federal government works.
That is, is this that complicated and this difficult to do
something this good and this simple and this straightforward?
As the Speaker of the House, you have my commitment that I will
be working with Senator Dole and with the President to make
sure this gets done, gets done quickly and that we have the
appropriate ceremony opening it in the right way for our World
War II generation to recognize that they are being remembered
and their dedication and their contribution was vital to the
future of not just America but to defeating Nazi Germany and
defeating Imperial Japan, was important for the future of the
entire human race.
We owe a debt of gratitude to those that spent those years
saving freedom as we know it. Also, in the tradition of
freedom, I have worked for many years now with Congressman
Gerald Solomon on the simple issue of being prepared to
recognize that our flag is unique, that it is a symbol that
binds us and unites us, and that the flag is deserving of
respect and protection.
We passed, once again, the Constitutional Amendment to
protect the flag in the House and it is now in the Senate where
I believe they are two votes short. I want to commend you and
thank you for all you have done in support of the flag of our
country.
I will ask each of you when you go back home, contact your
United States Senators and ask them when it comes up for a vote
in the Senate to give us the right to legally protect the flag
within our constitutional system, because it is the symbol of
America all over the world. (Applause)
Let me also say that I am going to be joining your
organization and writing a letter to the Postmaster General and
to his Advisory Committee on behalf of a centennial stamp. It
seems to me that it is useful to remind people of things like
the issuance of stamps for historic events.
Your centennial in 1999 is an important side of commitment
and dedication by Americans serving their country. So I commend
you for proposing that. The fact that you had one for your 75th
Anniversary should not in any way stop us from recognizing your
100th Anniversary.
You notice when the country needs you, they don't cite
procedure for why they have not got the draft, why they are not
also going to ship you overseas and why they are not prepared
to do things. So, you can also turn to the country and say,
``Let's recognize the VFW for 100 years of serving veterans and
serving patriotism.'' I will be working on that.
Let me also say that the United States House has passed a
very important bill. Your team in Washington worked on it very
hard. That is HR 240 on veterans preferences. It is inexcusable
that as we move into peace time, having won the Cold War, even
the Pentagon is not enforcing veterans preference among
government contractors. There is something wrong with that.
So we passed unanimously out of the House the reassertion
of the importance of veterans preference and the reassertion
that contractors have to file they are following veterans
preference. It is now in the Senate and with your help we will
get it passed and sent to the President to reassert, unlike all
these arguments about quotas, set asides and special
privileges, veterans preference is an earned preference, earned
at the risk of life and limb, earned by leaving your family and
earned by serving your country. It is morally right that we
insist that veterans be recognized in this way. (Applause)
Let me just note for a second that in addition to veterans
of past conquests, one of the things that made the VFW very
important is you always have been committed because of your
experience to making sure that our young men and women in
uniform had the best equipment, the best training.
Those of you who were veterans at the beginning of World
War II will remember that on Wake Island in the Philippines, at
Pearl Harbor, we suffered a lot because we weren't ready. Those
of you who were veterans of Korea will remember Task Force
Smith and the fact that young Americans under-trained, under-
equipped, frankly found themselves in hopeless situations
against a military army in the opening weeks of that war.
You will recognize that it is vital in peace time, as
General Washington and later President Washington reminded us,
``If you want peace, prepare for war.'' It is vital in peace
that we provide the resources, the leadership and the training,
that we buy the equipment so that if for any reason we are
required to risk our children's lives in combat they will enter
that combat with the best trained, the best equipped force in
the world.
I look at the difference between Task Force Smith, brave,
patriotic, courageous young Americans. What happened in Desert
Storm where we won decisively, convincingly and with an
extraordinary great skill, while the Iraqis paid for their lack
of preparation. We saved our lives by doing the right thing. I
know that all of you will join me in insisting that we have the
right defense budget, spent in the right way, to make sure that
our men and women in uniform have every opportunity to serve
their country and survive. That is what we owe them.
If they will serve us by risking their lives, we should
serve them by being prepared. Once you have served your
country, and there is no question but we need to invest in
resources and we need to do what is necessary for the defense.
We have been very committed among House Republicans to make
sure we spend money intelligently and we spend it as needed.
Once you have served your country, there is also a question
of what happens when you come home and you are a veteran? I
have spent a great deal of time the last four or five years
looking at health-care issues. I want to take a minute or two
to talk about health care as it relates to veterans and the
Veterans Administration.
I want to propose a standard and a Commission to look at
that standard that I hope you will agree through this
Convention to work with us to get established. This is what I
would like to propose. We should have a Commission on the 21st
Century health care for veterans, that that Commission should
look at all of the breakthroughs, the national general health
with the genetic breakthroughs with research, the new
biotechnologies, with the new computerizations, and we should
say to ourselves how do we design and invest over the next ten
years so that every Veterans Hospital and every veterans
outpatient care center has access to the best consultants in
the world, has access to the best technology in the world.
I have met with an ophthalmologist from UCLA, who is a
pioneer in doing very, very specialized eye surgery. He
actually does operations in his laboratory at UCLA, in Los
Angeles, on patients in Beijing, China. Because his technology
is so precise that he can do a better job by satellite than the
doctor in China without the modern technology can do standing
over the patient.
The Mayo Clinic now, one of the greatest health centers in
the world, is investing more and more in providing telemedicine
all across Minnesota and all of North and South Dakota, so if
you have a car accident or a farming accident, say, with your
tractor or combine, you have a unique spinal injury, you just
don't go to the local doctor who may see one spinal case in 20
years, you are electronically having all your information sent
immediately to the finest specialists in the world through the
Mayo system.
That specialist may deal with 10 or 15 cases a week and is
looking at all that information and talking to your local
doctor and saying here is exactly the most modern therapy
available right this minute. Suddenly, you are connecting
people not just for the best doctor in your hospital, but to
the worldwide capability to bring the most cutting edge of
knowledge right to the point of contact for your particular
needs.
Now, there is no reason that we can't have for the veterans
in this country a nationwide, even worldwide capability to
connect you and your local Veterans Hospital where you and your
local veterans outpatient clinic, not just the best person at
the VA, but the best researcher in the world with your
particular problem.
As we are learning, for example, in looking at the Gulf War
syndrome, sometimes a local doctor doesn't have a clue. Then
you start talking to someone else who has done advanced
research and they talk to someone else, and suddenly a whole
lot of things come together that you didn't have with one
veteran in one hospital talking to one doctor.
What I would like to do, and one of the reasons I was so
delighted when you gave me the opportunity to come here, I
would like to announce today launching a 21st Century veterans
health-care initiative, working directly with the VFW to create
the kind of Commission that has the best medical researchers
and the best medical systems in the world represented, so we
can develop over the next two years an ability to think about
how we bring to bear the best care.
Let me give you an example. We have been doing a lot of
study on preventative care. My mother-in-law is now in her
eighties. She is a diabetic. Now, I became fascinated, because
over 20 years she has monitored this. Some of you may have done
the same thing.
Let me ask the question, if you don't mind sharing this
with your neighbors, how many happen to be diabetic? That means
it is very common. Type 2, when you get older, is increasingly
common. It is part diet and partly genetic. I was fascinated
because she has really been trained to take care of herself and
measures her blood sugar several times a day, and she gives
herself insulin, and she exercises.
So I began to talk to the Center for Disease Control in
Atlanta, a great research institution. They reported to me,
first of all, that diabetes leads to going blind, it leads to
heart disease, it leads to losing your kidneys, and it can lead
to where you have to have your feet amputated.
One out of every four dollars spent in Medicare relates to
diabetes. That is how prevalent it is. What is even more
amazing, if you have the right preventative care and tested and
find out as early as possible whether or not you have diabetes,
and half the people that have diabetes don't know it. We have
eight million diabetics today and our estimate is there are
eight million more, including some of you, who have not been
screened. We don't check for it automatically.
So often you have diabetes for six or seven years before
you learn about it. By the time you learn about it, you learn
it because you have a heart problem or eye problem, or kidney
problem. Here is what they told us. If we diagnose it early and
if you learn how to take care of yourself, 90 percent of the
people who go blind will not lose their eyesight.
Now, how will that make a difference in your life? Nine out
of ten are going to go blind next year don't go blind. Two out
of every three will lose their kidneys and have to go on
dialysis, but they don't have to lose their kidneys if they
have the right care. Two out of three who have heart disease,
and end up in Intensive Care, or may have to bypass or
ultimately will have a heart transplant, may die because they
have a heart attack without knowing about it. Two out of three
could be saved. Two out of three had their feet amputated could
be saved.
What is it worth? It turns out, by the way, not only is
your life better but we save the money, because if we don't
have to send you for the dialysis, we don't have to pay for it.
If you don't go blind, we don't have to give special
supplemental Social Security income for going blind.
If you don't lose your feet, you are not in the hospital
getting fitted because you are now an amputee. If you don't
have heart disease, you don't end up in the Intensive Care. It
turns out you get better quality of life at lower cost by doing
the right thing, and yet almost nowhere in America do we do the
right thing.
What I am suggesting, when I talked about the 21st health
care, is not just science and research and all that, but it is
also what do we already know that we are not applying that will
improve the quality of life? One out of every ten of you will
end up having diabetes.
Therefore, it is very important that we have preventative
care. We are moving ahead with preventative care on other
issues, involving not only cancer and other things, because we
believe that it is very important, as early as possible, to get
the detection.
Let me again ask for a show of hands. How many of you have
been through some kind of early cancer where you caught it in
time and you were able to have intervention? These are the
kinds of preventative approaches and techniques that modern
science made possible.
We are not talking about some explosive cost, we are
talking about the less expensive system because people are
healthier because they do the right thing early instead of
waiting for the emergency.
So I come today to pledge to you my support working with
the VFW to create the right kind of Commission to redevelop the
best possible medicine in the 21st Century. Isn't that exactly
parallel to what I said before about the national security?
If you are young, you ought to have the best equipment and
best training to go in combat and the best advantage. After you
have served your country, after you get older, you should have
the best health care, the best medicine and best technology
because you have earned that because of the risk that you have
taken for your country. (Applause)
Let me also say that we are committed to industry
resources. This year we added $600 million for veterans health
care. We know that is not enough. We know the federal
government by itself will never fully be enough and that is why
we are working in finding new ways to provide for third-party
payment to Veterans Hospitals.
We will be launching a pilot project to develop a Medicare
policy so there will be care at the VA Hospitals. If we had the
best care at the lowest cost, we should be able to save
Medicare money and also get resources for veterans' care by
allowing the two systems to work together, and that would be
better for every American.
We will be working with you to develop a pilot project on
how to make that successful and how to learn to increase the
resources that are available in your local veterans medical
system. We think that is the right way to do it.
Let me in my closing remind you in a sense what a marvelous
country this is and what you have achieved in your lifetime
with the risk that you took and by being involved. You know,
you are here as volunteers. You are here because you care
enough to take the time to spend the money to work in your
local organizations or the local VFW, to work in your state
organizations, to come to your national.
You are here because you know what freedom is really all
about. It is being willing to work, and that if America has
been good to you, you have an obligation to find fellow
Americans to be good enough and most of you find yourselves
visiting other veterans who are not in as good of health and
may not have succeeded as well economically and may be a little
lonely.
You know when you visit them at times it changes their
lives because you have offered them hope and you have offered
them human connection that makes them feel better. I spent
yesterday and the day before in San Diego and Los Angeles, huge
cities on the edge of the Pacific.
I saw just the extraordinary diversity of America. Those
who are from those areas and have been there know what I am
talking about. You see people with Asian background. That is a
too narrow line. It is different in Cambodia, Vietnam,
Pakistan, Indonesia, or the Philippines.
You can lump them all together as Asians, but there is a
lot of different cultures and a lot of different things. There
are folks with the Latino background. It is also a little
disconcerting for me to say Brazilians are Spanish, because
they are not that Spanish.
European descent, I happen to be German-Scotch-Irish. Many
of you are of European descent and to find out that Newt is not
exactly a Swede. The old reigning Italians are not Norwegians.
This gets to be a much bigger category. African-Americans and
West India have African descent for the American.
Native Americans, I mention this to all of you because I
think that sometimes we don't stop a minute and look around and
smile. This is the most remarkable country in the history of
the world. If you are serving in Bosnia and Serbia and you may
hate each other, you may have three generations of families
killing each other, but when you migrate to America you both
end up in the same neighborhood and your kids both go to the
same school, they both end up on the same football team or
soccer team or baseball team.
They don't fight over the families past hatred, they put on
the same uniform and go out on the playing field and play as
one team. They worry about beating the other team. Suddenly,
magically, they just work together. As you know, there are
great American stories of them suddenly deciding to marry each
other and the families have to accept that.
That is called love. It happens all the time. We somehow
come together and I have always believed that what you
represent, and maybe this is because of my dad's 27 years of
serving in the Army, but what you represent is the patriotism
to protect that freedom and the citizenship after you leave the
military to continue to be active because you cared, not
because you have to.
You are not drafted into the VFW, not because it is your
career, you are not paid. But you do it because in your heart
you know that your children and your grandchildren are going to
have a better country if you honor the veterans, if you remind
them of the cause of freedom and if you remind them of when it
counts.
We can all pull together as one country and as one country
get better. Congress should say to you that we honor those who
serve America and that we agree with you they deserve the best
possible medical care, and we agree with you that their
children deserve the best possible equipment and best possible
training so we can continue to protect freedom, so we can
continue to show the world what a great country filled with
good people can do, to give everybody of every background their
creator and their chance for happiness.
Thank you for all you do. We appreciate very much working
with your leadership on these very important issues.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: My fellow comrades, we are going
to continue through with the Business Session. We have a lot of
work to do yet. So, please, bear with us. We will not be taking
a break for lunch. We have got two more Committee Reports and
the nominations. That will end our Business Session.
I will ask to come forward President Betty Gibbs and the
Executive Director Susan Shoultz.
VISIT OF NATIONAL HOME REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT BETTY GIBBS: National Commander-in-Chief,
National Officers and Members, thank you, Commander Jim, for
allowing us to come before this assembly to say a few words. I
would like to extend from myself, for the Board of Trustees and
the staff an invitation at any time to visit our National Home.
At the National Home, our children receive more than a roof
over their heads. They are given love, security, guidance and
raised with traditional family values. We wish to thank all of
you for the support that you have given us over the years.
From all of us at the National Home, we do have this little
remembrance from us, Commander. Will the trustees, please,
stand who are here. I don't know if I can see you. From
District 3, Allen Jones. From District 8, Ed Sanders. From
District 9, Carol Weber, who is Vice-President. From District
No. 11 is Charles Cloud, Jr.
Now, I would like to introduce our Executive Director Susan
Shoultz. I know she has a few words to say and she will
introduce Chris Feltner, our Buddy Poppy Boy for this year.
REMARKS BY DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS SUSIE SHOULTZ
MRS. SUSAN SHOULTZ: To our Commander-in-Chief, Officers,
and to you, the fine comrades of this organization: I am here
to report to you that we have had another good year at the
National Home. We have served 86 individuals over this past
fiscal year.
We have finished under budget in terms of expenses and over
budget in terms of revenue this year. That is the second year
in a row. So we are on a good trend here. The Board and I
realize this is not the time to sit back and rest. This is the
time to plan for the future, to address the issues that need to
be addressed in order for us to continue the mission.
That mission is caring for children and continuing as a
living memorial to those like yourself who went when this
country called. We want to continue to remember you and that is
part of our mission as well. I want to thank you for the
support that you have given to the Buddy Poppy Program, which
obviously helps the children at the National Home.
I would also like to thank all Departments, every Post, and
each individual who has worked this past year to help provide
for the children of the National Home. We are grateful for your
hard work and your continued commitment to the National Home
and the children.
Now, of course, I have the opportunity to introduce to you
one of our children, a young man who came to us three years
ago. I will let Chris tell you all about himself. Chris is a
fine example of how you are helping young people. I would like
to present to you your Buddy Poppy Boy for 1997-98, Chris
Feltner. (Applause)
REMARKS BY BUDDY POPPY CHILD
MR. CHRIS FELTNER: Hi. My name is Chris Feltner. I come
from Waterford, Michigan. I have been living at the VFW Home
for three years. I am nine years old. I like science, math and
social studies. I have one brother and one sister. Their names
are Gregg and Renee.
I also have a cousin, who is named Eric. He is turning 13,
August 20th. I have a house parent whose name is Audrey. He is
very nice and he takes good care of me. One of my friends at
the VFW Home is Michael and he likes to camp as I do. I met a
friend by the name of Chuck. He is a nice guy. He did Elvis lip
singing and wore funky clothes, and has got Elvis sideburns. He
did Elvis with me.
My old house parent, Pat and my old house parent, Gary, and
my brother and my sister, in the fall we rake leaves and jump
in it with Sue, Audrey and Pat. Thank you. (Applause)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: He will be around to get any pins
you might have. He is a smart young man. We will move on with
our business now. I will ask to come forward the Chairman of
the POW/MIA Committee, Past Commander-in-Chief Billy Ray
Cameron.
REPORT OF VFW POW/MIA SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BILLY RAY CAMERON: Thanks,
Commander. Once again, I would like to thank Commander-in-Chief
Nier for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Chairman of
the Subcommittee on POW/MIA. My Vice-Chairman, George Cramer,
did a great job and I would like to thank the Committee.
We had a good, hard working Committee, and we worked
diligently and went through these resolutions. So what I will
do at this time is read the resolutions that the Committee
approved, and then I will save for last the ones that were
rejected. Some of these were approved with amendments. The only
amendments made were to correct figures and dates, and things
like that. There was nothing that changed the resolutions.
The first resolution is 401, Support Public Awareness
Projects. This resolution was approved by the Committee.
The second resolution was No. 402, Seek Opportunities to
Resolve the Korean War POW/MIA Issue. This was approved, as
amended in the dates.
The next resolution was No. 403, VFW Supports Kuwait's
Demand for an Accounting of its MIAs. This resolution was
approved by the Committee.
The next one was Resolution 418, Assist Vietnam's Recovery
of MIAs as a Sign of Good Faith. This one was approved.
The next one that was approved was Resolution 432,
Americans who are Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. This
was approved by the Committee.
Resolution No. 435 is approved by the Committee, support
for the POW/MIA Flag to Fly Over Federal Post Offices and
Federal Buildings. That was approved, as amended.
The last resolution that was approved by the Committee was
taken up this morning as we reconvened. That was Resolution
443, Oppose Downsizing the Defense Department POW/MIA Office.
That was approved.
So, Commander, I make a motion we approve these
resolutions.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF GEORGE CRAMER (Post 6869--
Illinois): I second the motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You have heard the motion duly
made and seconded to adopt those resolutions. Is there anyone
at the microphones. I will call for the vote. Those in favor of
adopting will signify by saying ``aye''; those opposed by the
same sign. They are adopted.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BILLY RAY CAMERON: The Committee
decided to reject Resolution 429, De-Normalization of Ties with
Vietnam.
Also we rejected Resolution 430, Withhold Aid Until Full
Accounting of POW/MIA's. That was rejected for Resolution 402,
which we approved. This was rejected for Resolution No. 402.
Resolution No. 438, House Resolution 409, was rejected by
the Committee.
No. 439 was rejected in favor of 435 which we approved. No.
439 was POW Flags Be Flown on All Federal Buildings.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Is there anyone at Microphone No.
1? Is there anyone at Microphone No. 2?
Yes, Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE RON DORSEY (Post 856--Texas): Commander-in-Chief,
Ron Dorsey, Post 856, Texas. On behalf of my 200 members I
would like to make a motion that we accept Resolution 438.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: There is a motion to accept No.
438.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE TONY BORGAS (Post 2866--Missouri): I second the
motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We have a motion and a second to
accept Resolution 438. We will now debate No. 438.
COMRADE RON DORSEY (Post 856--Texas): Gentlemen, to accept
this motion is a no brainer. All this resolution does is to
reinstate those pertinent specifics that were clipped out of
the original Missing In Action '96 by Senator John McCain. I
will read to you briefly what will be reinstated by the support
of this resolution.
The requiring of new base files personally every three
years for thirty years, and penalizing those which willfully
withhold information and those that direct withholding
information about the case. It reinstates the provision that if
the recovered body is not identified by visual means,
certification to exempt is required.
It is broadening the definition of new information to the
appointment of legal counsel for this purpose, when a renewed
or new material is made. The establishment of a by-law for
Korean unaccounted for, or when last known alive or expected of
being alive.
Gentlemen, all this resolution does is to reinstate those
things. By reinstating these elements, you are supporting your
POWs and their families. Not to do so is basically to support
the politicians who really don't give a damn about us. So, if
you are sincere about it, and I will tell you we asked the
Committee members why they chose to reject this and they had no
reason.
This is another reason why you need to question your
Committee members. You need to have members who are relatively
informed. If you are sincere about supporting the POWs, I hope
you are because they have got a fight, then you will accept
this resolution as part of our policy. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Anyone else at any other mikes?
There is no further debate.
Yes, Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Wayne Thompson, Post 5061, Department of
Colorado. This issue is really not well known to me or probably
most of us. Can we have the Committee comments why they voted
to reject, please?
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BILLY RAY CAMERON: Yes. The
resolution was very, very unclear. The wording was very
unclear, and we had a letter from the Department Commander,
which I will ask our Vice-Chairman to read, explaining exactly
why we opposed it.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF GEORGE CRAMER: Thank you, Mr.
Chairman. Commander-in-Chief and delegates to the 98th National
Convention: I beg your indulgence because this letter is a
little lengthy. It is from the general counsel of the
Department of Defense and the Honorable Floyd Spence, Chairman
of the Committee on National Security, with a copy to our
Washington Office.
It says: ``This is in response to your request for the
views of the Department of Defense on HR 409, 105th Congress, a
bill to amend Title X, United States Code, to restore the
provisions of Chapter 76 of that title relating to missing
persons as in effect before the amendment made by the National
Defense authorization and for the fiscal year 1997.
``The Department of Defense proposes HR 409. The Department
considers certain aspects of HR 409 as detrimental to the full
accounting of missing persons. First, we do not support
coverage of our civilian and contract employees. The Secretary
of State was tasked to conduct a study to determine the impact
of that provision and until this analysis is complete, it is
premature to include these personal categories.
``Second, we do not support reinstating a requirement of
the Unit Commander to make a preliminary status report within
48 hours rather than the ten days as currently legislated.
Field Commanders must be briefed to prosecute their wartime
duties. Reducing a Commander's time from ten days to 48 hours
is unrealistic in any given best scenario as a Commander's full
attention is on the battle.
``Consistent with the legislation's intent to render a full
accounting, sufficient time must be allowed for those most
familiar with the missing person's status to ensure a thorough
investigation. In this instance, thoroughness is more critical
than speed. The extension of reporting requirements of 48 hours
to ten days will allow a thorough and complete investigation.
``Third, the Department of Defense does not support the
requirement for Unit Commanders to transmit preliminary status
reports through a Theater Component Commander, TCC, rather than
directly to a Service Secretary. We believe this requirement
would tax the TCC and his staff and thus becoming a further
combat distraction. In the event of a major conflict, this
provision would severely detract the war effort.
``The Commander's report should be continued to be
forwarded to the Service Secretary for action, with the TCC
being provided advisory copies. Although we object to routing
the Commander's report to the TCC, we would support a
requirement to provide the TCC with advisory copies.
``Fourth, while the Department supports current law which
requires the inquiry after the end of one year and thereafter
upon the receipt of new information, it opposes the
requirements to convene Status Review Boards every three years
for thirty years even absent the availability of new
information.
``This presupposes that the U. S. Government does not hold
the interest of missing persons as a compelling factor for
determination of their status and also implies that a proper
evaluation is germane and new information would not be made. We
believe this requirement would be financially and
administratively burdensome on the Department and would cause
unnecessary suffering and travel expenses to family members and
would send an improper messages to the services that will not
pursue cases unless there are formal hearing processes.
``Lastly, the Department disagrees with the provisions on
penalties for wrongful withholding of information. Criminal
provisions could be used as means for filing frivolous, false
and spurious charges against innocent government employees who
would then be obligated to undergo the stress and expense of
defending themselves.
``With the emotional nature of this work, our personnel are
often accused of withholding information from their case files
of missing persons. Such allegations in the past consistently
have been proven groundless. Attaching criminal liabilities to
such charges would create a working environment where
recruitment and retention of personnel would be severely
affected.
``It also would require personnel to spend time and
resources aggressively defending their conduct rather than
working to resolve their differences. This would create an
environment which would jeopardize analytical objectivity. The
language of HR 409 also implies the lack of trust and
professionalism with regard to Comrade Commander, the analyst,
the service casualty officer and other personnel involved in
the POW/MIA issue.
``The investigative and legal burden that this criminal
provision is certain to impose will have a debilitating effect
on the process of the POW/MIA issues. The Office of Management
and Budget advises that from the standpoint of the
administration's programs, there is no objection to the
presentation of this report for consideration of the
Committee.''
That is why we rejected this resolution.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Any further debate? Seeing no one
at any microphones, the motion is to adopt No. 438. Those in
favor of adopting No. 438 will signify by saying ``aye''; those
opposed by the same sign. No. 438 is rejected.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BILLY RAY CAMERON: Let me again say
thank you to the Commander-in-Chief. I want to tell everyone
here today that the Veterans of Foreign Wars is still the lead
organization in the POW/MIA issue. I had the privilege and
opportunity to travel to Vietnam and it was not a vacation. It
was a hard-working trip. You would have been proud of your
Chief.
When we gave the North Vietnamese the documents for
location of over 1,600 graves, there was all kinds of TV and
print media that covered this event. I think it spoke well for
the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Thank you, Commander-in-Chief,
for giving me this opportunity. Thank you, George Cramer, my
Co-Chairman.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE RUSSELL RIEKE (Post 5694--Illinois): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Russell Rieke, Post 5694, Department of
Illinois. I need just a point of information from Billy Ray.
You said Resolution No. 429 was rejected in favor of which
resolution?
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF BILLY RAY CAMERON: No. 429 was
rejected.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you very much, Past
Commander-in-Chief Billy Ray. I thank you and your Vice-
Chairman, Past Commander-in-Chief George Cramer. Your Committee
is relieved of its responsibilities. I thank you for a job well
done. Let's give them a round of applause. (Applause)
At this time I will call forward the Chairman of the
Committee on Veterans Service Resolutions, Past Commander-in-
Chief Allen F. ``Gunner'' Kent.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON VETERANS SERVICE RESOLUTIONS
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ALLEN KENT: It is better late than
never. Commander-in-Chief, I would like to report that the
Committee on Veterans Service Resolutions convened at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 17, 1997. The instructions were read and roll
call was taken and preliminary matters were discussed.
The Committee was divided into three Subcommittees to help
deliberate the 71 resolutions which were assigned to this
Committee. The Subcommittees were established as follows:
Subcommittee 1, Medical Programs and Veterans Benefits
Entitlements was chaired by Daniel Crocker from Michigan, and
the Vice-Chairman was Richard Branson from Georgia. The staff
advisors were Dennis Cullinan and James Jewel.
Subcommittee 2 was chaired by Gary Herbert from Alaska and
the Vice-Chairman was Sam Rosenthal from Utah. The staff
advisors were Sid Daniels and Bill Frazier.
Subcommittee 3 was on Other Benefits, and that was chaired
by Tom Hanson of Minnesota and the Vice-Chairman was George
Householder from Ohio. The staff advisor was Bill Dozier and
Jim Magill.
Before proceeding to this report, comrades, I would like to
take a moment to express the Committee's appreciation to Fred
Juarbe, Jr., Director of National Veterans Service, Sid
Daniels, Director of National Employment Service, and James
Magill, Director of National Legislative Service for their
valued technical guidance to the Committee.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Past
Commander-in-Chief Norm Staab, from the great Department of
Kansas, for serving as Vice-Chairman of this important
Committee. A special note also of thanks to Jimmy Lee Wallace,
Special Assistant to the National Veterans Service, who acted
as secretary of the Committee and coordinated the results of
our deliberations.
Commander-in-Chief, with your permission, I will begin the
Committee Report by presenting those resolutions the Committee
recommends to be approved as written.
Past Commander-in-Chief Staab will then proceed to report
those resolutions that were approved as amended. Then I will
conclude the report by presenting the resolutions the Committee
recommends for rejection. If for any reason you or the
delegates to this Convention would like a resolution set aside,
please so indicate after I have completed each segment of the
report.
I will now proceed by reading the resolution numbers which
the Committee recommends for approval as written:
Resolutions Nos. 602, 605, 609, 611, 613, 615, 617, 618,
619, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 630, 634, 641, 653, 660, 663,
665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670 and 671.
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the Committee recommends and I
move that these be approved as written.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NORMAN STAAB (Post 6240--Kansas): I
second that motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The motion has been duly made and
seconded for adoption.
Is there any discussion?
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE WILLIAM SAUNDERS (Post 579--Wyoming): Commander-in-
Chief, William Saunders, Post 579, Department of Wyoming. I
move to set aside Resolution 660.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Resolution 660 will be set aside.
Any other discussion on the motion to adopt? If not, those in
favor of the motion will signify by saying ``aye''; those
opposed by the same sign. The motion carries.
We will come back to Resolution 660 at the end, Bill.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ALLEN KENT: I would like to call on
Past Commander-in-Chief Norman Staab, and he will read the
resolutions that were approved, as amended.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NORMAN STAAB: Thank you, Commander-
in-Chief. Approved as amended, and most of these were really
grammatical errors and they were just corrected. We have
Resolutions 601, 603, 604, 606, 607, 608, 610, 612, 616, 620,
633, 637, 640, 645, 658, 659, 661, 664. That is all of the
resolutions that have been approved as amended.
I move we accept these, as amended.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ALLEN KENT: I second the motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The motion has been moved and duly
seconded to adopt these resolutions, as amended. Seeing no one
at any of the microphones, those in favor of adopting these
resolutions, as amended, will signify by saying ``aye''; all
those opposed by the same sign. They are adopted.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ALLEN KENT: Finally, I present the
last series of resolutions, which the Committee recommends
rejection, or rejects in favor of another resolution. I will
read the resolution number again. If a delegate would like any
of these resolutions to be set aside, make a note of the
resolution number and request such action after I have
completed the report of the final group of resolutions.
No. 614 was rejected in favor of 601.
No. 626 was rejected in favor of 669.
No. 627 was rejected. The action urged by this resolution
is technically unsound. Also, this is a private organization
and not a federal organization. Therefore, this is not a
federal legislative issue.
No. 628 was rejected in favor of 618.
No. 629, Request Establishment of a New U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs Out-Patient Clinic in Northern Virginia, the
action urged by this resolution has been accomplished.
No. 631 was rejected in favor of 671.
No. 632, Change Surplus Appropriation Rescission Act to
Public Law 79301, rejected in favor of No. 620.
No. 634, Oppose Abolishment of Veterans Employment and
Training Service, was rejected in favor of No. 668.
No. 636 was rejected in favor of No. 668.
No. 638 was rejected in favor of 637.
No. 639 was rejected. The action urged by this resolution
may be increased veterans benefits.
No. 642 was rejected in favor of 616.
No. 643 was rejected in favor of 616.
No. 644 was rejected in favor of 665.
No. 646 was rejected in favor of 625.
No. 647 was rejected in favor of 603 and 608.
No. 648 was rejected in favor of 609.
No. 649 was rejected in favor of 620.
No. 650 was rejected in favor of 664.
No. 651 was rejected in favor of 622.
No. 652, the action urged by this resolution is not within
the jurisdiction of a National Committee.
No. 654 was rejected in favor of 668.
No. 655, due to a situation change in this area, the
Department of California no longer feels this is a priority
issue.
No. 656 was rejected in favor of 625.
No. 657 was rejected in favor of 634.
No. 662 was rejected. The action urged by this resolution
is against long-standing VFW policy to support medical care for
the allied veterans of the United States. Those are your
rejections.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You have heard the list. Seeing no
one at the microphones, those resolutions stand rejected.
There was a motion to adopt Resolution No. 660, which was
set aside. We will now debate 660.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE WILLIAM SAUNDERS (Post 5769--Wyoming): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I move that we reject Resolution 660 on the
basis that it is a Veterans Affairs realignment and should have
been--
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The motion is out of order.
There is a motion already on the floor. You can speak in
opposition. We are now debating No. 660. Bill, there is already
a motion on the floor to adopt. You can speak in opposition.
You can't move to reject it, but you can speak in opposition.
COMRADE WILLIAM SAUNDERS (Post 579--Wyoming): I speak in
opposition to that resolution simply for the fact that I sat on
this Committee and in the original Committee Report we had
moved to reject this specific resolution, and then resurrected
it to bring it on the floor.
I believe that this is a program that should have been
handled by the Minnesota delegation of Veterans of Foreign Wars
and the Director in that specific area, which happens to be
Minneapolis.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Department of Colorado):
In the Committee, I will make this very briefly, it concerns
really dealing with the national resources, and I am speaking
in opposition to the motion. I would like to focus on it just
briefly.
I ask you to reject Resolution 660. The issues contained in
there concern the facilities in the Department of State of
Minnesota, and we know that those comrades are still very
sincere and very concerned about what is happening to the VA
Medical Centers there.
We hope they can accomplish what they would like to
accomplish to serve our comrades and sisters at the Department
level using local community support and the political resources
of the Department of Minnesota.
The question is can our National Office staff, with limited
resources, take all of these issues throughout the United
States? We have thousands of similar issues to deal with. We
have many in our Department of Colorado, in the State of
Colorado.
If we want to increase our National Office staff by ten or
twenty-fold, then, yes, we can work on these issues. But we
cannot expect this very limited staff to try to resolve each
and every one of these issues at the local level. I think it is
a local issue.
I think that the Department of Minnesota is going to be
fully capable of dealing with it and I, therefore, ask that
this motion be defeated. Thank you, sir.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE AL LOEHR (Post 4847--Minnesota): First of all,
Commander-in-Chief, I would like to set the record straight on
this resolution. It is not a parochial issue. Our hospital at
St. Paul cares for over 1,000 patients. We are noted for our
psychiatric treatment.
We are noted for our post-traumatic stress syndrome
program. We are known for our gerontology program, our
outpatient treatment, et cetera. We take veterans from all over
the country in St. Cloud. Our opposition to this is the
staffing question of the Director being brought in from
Minneapolis to manage our facility two days a week and the
remaining days of the week will be operated under the direction
of a CEO of some sort.
I believe that we are dedicated as a veterans organization
to make sure that we represent the veterans that we have in
this nation and that need our help and need it so badly. This
idea of coming out and bringing forth the argument that because
we support the issue that affects two hospitals that is
completely two different missions.
I just alluded to the programs that we have in St. Cloud.
In Minneapolis, 80 miles away, we have a GMS hospital called
General Medical Surgical. We don't do any surgery up in St.
Cloud. We send them to Minneapolis. The question we have with
this, and with the Department of Veterans Affairs, is simply
this.
We are concerned about the administrative structure that is
being proposed in this integration movement. Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, I move for the best interest of all veterans that
this resolution be approved.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: There is a motion already on the
floor.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE RICHARD BRANSON (Post 5080--Georgia): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Richard Branson, a delegate from Post 5080,
Department of Georgia. The basic question in here is whether we
want full continuum care for veterans or whether we want to
micro-manage where this care is going to be provided.
The resolution that we have already passed was Resolution
601, which was Reform of Eligibility for Access to VA Health
Care, and we are requesting that legislation be enacted to
mandate the full continuum care. I don't think that it is our
place to tell how that care will be provided or where it will
be provided, just so long as it is provided.
I believe the secretary agreed on this very same point. I
think that we should reject Resolution 660 in favor of
Resolution 601.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE DANIEL CROCKER (Post 796--Michigan): Thank you,
Commander-in-Chief. My name is Dan Crocker, a delegate from
Michigan, VFW Post 769, Port Huron, Michigan. I stand here with
my colleague from Georgia in opposing this resolution.
We stood here where you stand right now, and heard the
Secretary-Designate make some promises to us yesterday, and
those promises dealt with change within the VA. I have to
question that in terms of the mission change. It is not a
change of mission, it is a change from inpatient to outpatient.
We have all seen it in our private sectors where we may go
in the hospital for a gall bladder surgery as an outpatient.
And years ago it was four or five days. Now it will be two days
and you are up and walking in one day. In the VA, we have to
look at it this way, the VA is getting out of the hospital-care
business and getting into the health-care business. That is
very important as we deal with this issue.
Those promises that he made yesterday was to expand health
care and not to diminish the quality of health care. How did he
propose to do that? He did that with excess points. Throughout
the nation, some of our states already have those outpatient
clinics already in place and up and running.
Michigan has four of them right now and other states across
the nation are getting on line. So yesterday I had the
opportunity to go to the VA workshop. During that workshop,
this integration came about, and every one of those individuals
that spoke on integration had nothing but positive remarks
regarding integration of medical centers.
Our Committee, when we met, our initial contact or our
initial decision, as the comrade from Wyoming just said, we
rejected in favor of 601 and we still look at that favorably.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE FRED JUARBE (Post 401--New Mexico): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Fred Juarbe, Jr., VFW Post 401,
Albuquerque, New Mexico. The purpose of integration is to
provide more accessible health care and better health care. The
primary effort in integrating services is to do away with the
top heavy positions, duplicated services and increased services
that can be provided in the arena of health care to veterans
facilities.
If you have two Directors who are making in excess of
$100,000, one in St. Cloud and one in Minneapolis, and you can
remove one of those positions and dedicate some of those funds
to direct clinical services to veterans, the purpose of the VFW
is to provide greater service to veterans is accomplished.
Our national office has established a technical assessment
center asking all the comrades to provide input of the impact
for major changes that are taking place within VA health care.
We have asked them to provide that input so we can correct any
problems, track any expense and bring this evidence to the
Secretary of Health and the Under Secretary of Health and to
Congress where additional resources are needed.
We will be monitoring the impact and if done correctly by
being able to provide visiting physicians from Minneapolis to
conduct special clinics at St. Cloud, services will be improved
to the veterans up there. Those are the things that we will be
monitoring and we are convinced that opposing the integration
of St. Cloud and Minneapolis or any other integration that can
improve service to veterans and improve access to health care
would be against everything we are doing.
We want to allow the VA to streamline themselves, to
monitor themselves and gear itself up to provide health care to
all of our nation's veterans.
With that, Commander-in-Chief, I urge that Resolution 660
be rejected.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you. Seeing no one at any of
the mikes. the motion is to adopt Resolution 660. All those in
favor of adopting 660, please signify by saying ``aye''; all
those opposed by the sign of ``no''. No. 660 is rejected.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ALLEN KENT: Thank you very much,
comrades. I would like to thank very much the Veterans Service
Committee for hanging in there for three days. Will you stand
up. I would like to thank you for your hard work on the
Committee. Thank you very, very much.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Gunner. Past Commander-
in-Chief Gunner Kent and Vice-Chairman Norm Staab, your
Committee is relieved of its duties and I thank you for a job
well done. Thank you very much.
Microphone No. 1, please.
COMRADE KENNEDY (Post 3877--Minnesota): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, Kennedy, Post 3877, Minnesota. I would like to move
for reconsideration of No. 206. I seriously doubt if the
members realized that if this goes through they will be
stepping into a position to admit the Merchant Marines.
PARLIAMENTARIAN LARRY MAHER (Department of Missouri): Did
the comrade vote with the majority on that?
COMRADE KENNEDY (Post 3877--Minnesota): It was a unanimous
vote.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE AL LOEHR (Post 4847--Minnesota): I second the
motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: There is a motion to reconsider
Resolution 206 that has been duly seconded.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE KENNEDY (Post 3877--Minnesota): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, with respect to the motion, it was a unanimous vote
and, therefore, it can be brought back to the floor for
reconsideration. I seriously doubt if the members would
carefully read that resolution, which would put us in a
position as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of approving the
admission of the members of the Merchant Marines into our
organization, that they would turn it down.
This morning we turned down a resolution to reject members
who were eligible for the National Defense Medal, and certainly
I think that they were in a better position to be admitted than
members of the Merchant Marines. Thank you kindly for your
attention.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir. You have heard the
debate. Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE STAN LOWE (Post 9439--Wyoming): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, I speak in support of Resolution 206.
COMRADE JOHN VRITJAK (Post 1612--Illinois): A point of
order. Comrade Commander-in-Chief, Jack Vritjak, Post 1612,
Department of Illinois. I have a point of order. When the rules
of the Committee were presented, I believe that if you look at
Item No. 13 it stated that no motion or resolution passed at a
previous meeting can be reconsidered at the following meeting
without previously giving notice.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I don't believe that is correct. I
believe it can be the same day. It was done today.
COMRADE JOHN VRITJAK (Post 1612--Illinois): The resolution
was presented yesterday, was it not?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: It was today.
COMRADE JOHN VRITJAK (Post 1612--Illinois): I am sorry. I
stand corrected.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Continue with your debate.
Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE STAN LOWE (Post 9439--Wyoming): Thank you,
Commander-in-Chief. I am the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs
Council in the State of Wyoming. I am not appearing here in any
official role, but I want to share with the comrades something
here today. The results of my study of this question about the
service of the United States Merchant Marines.
PARLIAMENTARIAN LARRY MAHER (Department of Missouri):
Comrade, the matter before the house is just the motion to
reconsider at this time. You should confine your remarks to the
motion to reconsider rather than on the merits of the
underlying motion.
COMRADE STAN LOWE (Post 9439--Wyoming): I am sorry. I will
withhold my comments at this time.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Microphone No. 2.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ALLEN KENT (Post 9972--Arizona):
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, we are talking about a moot point,
because whether this resolution is accepted or rejected, By-Law
B-9 and M-9 were rejected, which cover the Merchant Marines.
They can't get in if we do this resolution or not.
COMRADE RON RUSKO (Post 9460--Connecticut): There is a
point of order on what Gunner Kent just said. If you remember
correctly, comrades, last year the same thing was done with
Korea. There is a charter change. That is only done this year
is a charter change.
Once the Congress changes that charter, they would be
accepted. If what Gunner said is true, then you would have to
have voted the by-laws out for the members of Korea, because
you were approving them the same last year and you didn't vote
anything for them this year.
The same thing will happen again. So this particular motion
on this resolution has already been adopted, will actually
allow the organization once the Congress has approved that.
PARLIAMENTARIAN LARRY MAHER (Department of Missouri): I am
not arguing with you, Ron. Your point is well taken. Gunner's
point is well taken. Just so we get this thing off on the right
foot, the By-Laws and Manual of Procedure amendments that would
have tried to admit members of the Merchant Marines under the
by-laws failed.
Resolution No. 206, it failed primarily because--let me
back up. There is no provision in the charter that would permit
members of the Merchant Marines to be in this organization.
Resolution No. 206, which was passed this morning, although
perhaps inadvertently, would require that the Commander-in-
Chief go to Congress and petition for a change in our national
charter to permit the admission of Merchant Marines.
Following that, assuming that was done, there is at least
an argument, and I think it is a valid one, then the
organization would have to consider whether it wanted to amend
its by-laws to permit Merchant Marines to enter or not because
I believe that we don't have to have by-laws that admit
everyone that the national charter will permit. That is an
argument for a different day.
Aside from all that, the only issue on the floor right now
is the motion to reconsider, and we probably ought to confine
our remarks to the motion to reconsider. Once that is taken
care of, then we will deal with the main motion.
COMRADE RON RUSKO (Post 9460--Connecticut): Could I ask you
just one question? Is it not true that the supreme power of
this organization is vested in its charter?
COMRADE LARRY MAHER (Department of Missouri): No, the
supreme power of this organization is vested in this Convention
which adopts by-laws. I don't really prefer to get into this
discussion now, Ron, because of some technical reasons.
It is possible that, for instance, and I will give you an
example, we have in our by-laws a citizenship requirement for
membership in this organization. That citizenship requirement
is not in the national charter. It is not in the congressional
charter. So we have a more restrictive by-law than our present
congressional charter. That is the same argument that applies.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ALLEN KENT: Also, Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, regarding by-laws, I believe, and I may be
mistaken, but I don't believe this resolution was read and I do
not believe that the membership understands exactly what this
resolution will do as far as admitting Merchant Marines.
I have always been against the National Defense Medal, but
yet we are going to let the Merchant Marines come in. We don't
have any proof at all except that says they have been
somewhere. Some of them may have been under fire, a lot of them
have not been under fire.
I think that we ought to look at this and I think the
membership should hear this resolution and it should be read in
its entirety so they understand clearly exactly who they are
going to admit into this organization. Thank you, Commander.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Comrade at Microphone No. 1, do
you want to discuss the motion to reconsider?
COMRADE DALE VERNON (Post 3568--Alabama): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I am a member of this Committee that
considered this. I spoke in favor of it. I told them the people
in Alabama would be amazed if I supported this, but I supported
it for the following reasons.
From early 1943 to October, 1945--
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: My fellow comrade, I hate to cut
you off, but you are discussing the merits of the motion and
the only motion we are considering right now is to reconsider.
COMRADE DALE VERNON (Post 3568--Alabama): I wanted to tell
them why they ought to admit the Merchant Marines.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: If we pass the motion to
reconsider, then we will discuss the resolution.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF RAY SODEN: I move the previous
question for reconsideration.
COMRADE BUFORD MAPLES (Post 5985--California): I second
that motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: The motion on the floor, which has
been duly seconded, is to reconsider the motion. Those in favor
of reconsidering Resolution 206 will signify by saying ``aye'';
those opposed by the same sign. We will not reconsider No. 206.
All of the Committees have now reported. All resolutions
have been considered. I thank all the Committees for an
outstanding job and all the Committee members.
INTRODUCTION OF PAST COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: At this time I will take this
opportunity to introduce all of the Past Commanders-in-Chief
that are registered with us at this Convention. If you are
either here in the audience or on the stage, please rise and be
properly recognized.
They are Billy Ray Cameron; John Carney; Ted C. Connell;
George Cramer; James R. Currieo; Arthur J. Fellwock; Robert A.
Hansen; Wally G. Hogan; Cooper T. Holt; Richard W. Homan; Allen
F. Kent; James L. Kimery; Clyde A. Lewis; John W. Mahan; Robert
T. Merrill; Clifford T. Olson, Jr.; Eric Sandstrom; Joseph
Scerra; R. D. ``Bulldog'' Smith; Ray R. Soden; Paul A. Spera;
Norman G. Staab; John J. Stang; John S. Staum; Howard E. Vander
Clute, Jr.; Thomas C. ``Pete'' Walker; Robert E. Wallace; and
Larry W. Rivers. Let's give these Past Commanders-in-Chief of
this great organization a round of applause. (Applause)
Thanks, Past Commanders-in-Chief for your continued
dedication and willingness to serve this great organization.
INTRODUCTION OF SERGEANTS-AT-ARMS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: At this time we see standing
behind me our Sergeants-at-Arms. Let me express my appreciation
to a group of men that we see annually at our National
Convention. They come here to this Convention and they are up
early in the morning and the first ones in the hall.
They arrange for the seating and special occasion, and they
keep order in the hall. They try to seat everybody and maintain
that order that is necessary during the meeting itself. These
folks don't get a lot of money to do this. It is obviously a
labor of love for them. I am sure that everyone recognizes that
they do an outstanding job for us. The Sergeants-at-Arms, and
his assembled staff here, I would like to introduce them.
The Sergeants-at-Arms, from the great state of
Pennsylvania, George F. Sarver, Jr. The Assistant Sergeants-at-
Arms are from Post 4159, Michigan, Fred Von Hinken, Jr.; from
Post 2083, Connecticut, Nicholas Polansky; from Post 1645,
Massachusetts, Carl C. Aiello; from Post 6240, Kansas, Barry
Hoffman; from Post 4206, Florida, Bill Miller; from Post 2275,
California, Keith McDonald; Joe Schirmers from the State of
Minnesota; from Post 1911, Dan Brown, the state of Ohio; from
Post 9134, North Carolina, Gary Barringer.
These are the gentlemen that every time something goes
wrong we start screaming at them. If something goes right, we
forget to say thank you to them. I want to publicly say thank
you to each and every one of them, the members of this team.
I am so proud of each one of you, and you handle yourselves
as professionals. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve
with each and every one of you. Thanks so much on behalf of all
of us for what you do for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Let's
give them a round of applause.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
ADJUTANT GENERAL LARRY RIVERS: In accordance with the
provisions of Public Law No. 620, 90th Congress, approved
October 22, 1968, I move the minutes of this 98th National
Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
be submitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives for
printing as a House document.
QUARTERMASTER GENERAL JOE L. RIDGLEY: I second the motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You have heard the motion duly
made and seconded. Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none,
those in favor of the motion will signify by saying ``aye'';
those opposed by the same sign. The motion is accepted.
NOMINATION OF OFFICERS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We will now go into the Nomination
of Officers for the 1997-'98 VFW year. I now open the
nominations. By the way, before I start these nominations, if
you are going to make a nomination or a second, please come up
on the dais. Please be prepared. Nominations are now open for
the Commander-in-Chief for 1997-'98.
I recognize Roger Taylor, State Commander of the Department
of Ohio.
NOMINATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
COMRADE ROGER TAYLOR (Post 2873--Ohio): Commander-in-Chief,
National Officers, Department Officers and Distinguished
Delegates to this 98th National Convention of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States:
I stand before you a proud man, a proud member of this
great organization, a proud friend of a man who has served this
organization with distinction at every level. I stand before
you for the purpose of placing in nomination for the highest
office of Commander-in-Chief the name of a great American and a
former Marine. I speak of none other than our distinguished
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief John E. Moon.
John has served with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division
in Vietnam. He has been awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with
three Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnamese
Cross of Gallantry and the Combat Ribbon and the National
Defense Service Medal.
While home on leave from Vietnam, he joined Post 5665,
Sherwood, Ohio. Then a few years later, in 1975, he was
attracted to Grover Hill, Ohio, by a young lady, and John
joined Post No. 2873 in Grover Hill. Since being in Grover Hill
Post 2873, he has served three times as Post Commander, twice
being named to All State Post Commander, and has served 14
terms as Post Adjutant.
Simultaneous with his Post activities, John found time to
serve the County Council and was District Commander in 1974-
'75. Demonstrating his leadership ability, he was then elected
Commander of the Department of Ohio, the first Vietnam veteran
to obtain this high office. John proved his leadership
abilities and was named All American and Department Commander.
He then went on to serve the organization on the national level
as National Council Member, and served on the National Budget
Committee as well as several other Committees.
In civilian life, John has served four consecutive terms as
Mayor of his small rural community. Under his guidance, the
town implemented many initiatives which resulted in numerous
improvements. He participated in many local, regional and state
civic activities. John has earned a degree in Business
Administration. Our candidate for Commander-in-Chief brings us
a well-rounded education, both academically and through life
experiences.
Every step of the way during his Veterans of Foreign Wars
career, John has been supported by his lovely wife, Susie, and
his entire family. Susie is very active in the Ladies Auxiliary
and served as the Department of Ohio President in 1990-'91.
John has served this organization as Junior Vice Commander-
in-Chief and Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief the last two years,
representing the Commander-in-Chief and the 2.1 million members
of this great organization on assignments all around the world.
John has the dedication, he has the knowledge and he has
the Veterans of Foreign Wars in his heart. He will do what is
right for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and this nation's
veterans.
It is a proud moment for me to place in nomination for the
high office of Commander-in-Chief the name of a true American
and a veteran's veteran, from Post No. 2873, Department of
Ohio, John E. Moon.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I recognize John L. Dahman,
National Council Member, of Post 1421, Fort Wayne, Indiana, for
the purpose of a second.
COMRADE JOHN DAHMAN (Post 1421--Indiana): Thank you very
much, Commander-in-Chief. Commander-in-Chief, National
Officers, Past Commanders-in-Chief, Department Commanders and
Delegates to this 98th Annual Convention, it is with honor and
pride that I stand before you today.
I am going to tell you a little bit about John Moon. John
and I became friends about ten years ago. You kind of wonder
why a person from Indiana is seconding the nomination for a
candidate out of Ohio. I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which is
up in the Northeast corner of the State of Indiana, about ten
miles from the state line of Ohio.
John lived in Grover Hill, Ohio. As you heard, he had been
Mayor there for 16 years. Well, there isn't 2.1 million
residents in the town of Grover Hill, but if they were here
today they would tell you that John Moon is a great leader of
his community and will be a great leader of our organization.
I said ten years ago I first met John Moon, when he was
campaigning for National Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, he was
campaigning with Past Commander-in-Chief Cramer. John came over
to Indiana, and he knew I was supporting George Cramer at the
time, but that didn't stop him from becoming friends and
continuing to come back to Indiana.
He came to Indiana many, many times, not just for our
conventions and our conferences, but he came over for our camp-
outs, our golf tournaments, our bowling tournaments. One time
he came to Indiana just to see one of our Past Commanders in
the hospital who he was a friend of in Indianapolis. It is a
long way from Grover Hill to Indianapolis.
Then John decided, when he was beaten by George Cramer, he
supported him and backed him 100 percent. Then John came back
out again, and he had Jim Goldsmith and Dwaine Wilson opposing
him for National Junior Vice in the Big Ten. John represented
himself with dignity, and when he won, he was a very proud
winner, but he was also respectful to the two individuals that
he ran against.
We all know John, when he became National Junior Vice
Commander-in-Chief, he was on an airline and he got up to get
out of his seat and someone opened the overhead and a briefcase
fell down on his back and his neck. That gave him quite a bit
of trouble.
He was in the hospital quite some time for minor
operations, but that never stopped John from going out and
working in the different Departments he was in. If you have
ever met John, he is a very outspoken person. He is always
energetic and he is always ready to go out and get involved
with people.
At this time it gives me a great honor to second the
nominations for a great American and will be a great leader of
our organization. I second the nomination of John Moon for
National Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I recognize Al Loehr, Past State
Commander, Post 4847, St. Cloud, Minnesota.
COMRADE AL LOEHR (Post 4847--Minnesota): Comrade Commander-
in-Chief, Past Commanders-in-Chief, Members of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars:
It certainly is a distinct honor and privilege to be here
today to stand at this podium to second the endorsement of a
man who has labored hard and is a true and dedicated
individual, coming from modest beginnings to the high office of
Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
I have known this man for many, many years. I have tested
him and I found that one of the most important attributes he
has is the wonderful demeanor he has, even though things get
rather serious at times in our great organization. I look
forward to hearing and seeing him run for the Senate in the
halls of Congress and speaking to the President of the United
States regarding the concerns and issues of our great
organization, the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
John Moon will go down in history as one of the great
leaders of our organization. I am proud and honored to stand
here today in front of all of you and express my total support
to a great incoming Commander-in-Chief, John E. Moon, from
Ohio.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Are there any other nominations
for Commander-in-Chief? Once, twice and three times. The
nominations will remain open until tomorrow morning.
Nominations are now open for Senior Vice Commander-in-
Chief.
NOMINATION OF SENIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN MAHAN (Post 1116--Montana):
Commander-in-Chief, I am John Mahan, and it is my privilege as
Past Commander-in-Chief some 39 years ago that I nominate my
friend and associate from Helena, Montana, Thomas Pouliot, the
Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief now, to the Senior Vice
Commander-in-Chief.
Tom is from a family that all have been VFW members, the
father, his mother in the Auxiliary, and he has ten brothers
and sisters. That is the reason he has to be tough. If you are
a child with eleven in the family, you better fight and win to
succeed, which he has done.
Tom entered the Navy. Upon his release from the Navy, he
attended college. He graduated from San Jose State College in
California, and then went to Montana and graduated from the law
school with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree. He was Post
Commander of Post 1116, then District Commander, All-American
State Commander.
He has been Chairman of the Legislative Committee and a
member of most Committees, and has worked throughout the years
on the Voice of Democracy and the Loyalty Day programs. Tom was
elected last year as Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief. In my
opinion, he has done an outstanding job and will continue to do
an outstanding job as Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, which I
now nominate him for. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I must apologize. I didn't
announce that the man that made his nomination was John W.
Mahan, Past Commander of Post 1116, Helena, Montana.
I will now recognize for a seconding speech Past Commander-
in-Chief Eric Sandstrom, Post 969, Tacoma, Washington.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ERIC SANDSTROM (Post 969--
Washington): Comrade Commander-in-Chief, a year ago I stood in
front of this podium in Louisville, Kentucky, and said I was
very, very solemn that a Marine would nominate a little swabby
as Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief. Well, I have to admit that I
was a little wrong. A swabby he will always be and that is
fine. But little, no, I was wrong. In my mind and heart, he
stands very, very tall.
I also said a year ago that he had a cute wife. I was
absolutely right. It is a great honor at this time for me, a
Marine, to second the nomination of Tom Pouliot, who is a tall,
tall swabby, as Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief of this great
organization.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I recognize for a second George F.
Riedel, Past State All-American Commander, Post 969, Tacoma,
Washington.
COMRADE GEORGE RIEDEL (Post 969--Washington): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Past National Commanders, Officers and
Delegates to this 98th Annual Convention of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars:
It gives me a great deal of pleasure, personal pleasure, to
second the nomination of Tom Pouliot for the office of National
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief. We have all enjoyed and
certainly respect the counsel that Tom has provided to our
Posts, our Districts and our Departments during this past year.
We certainly look forward to his tenure as Senior Vice
Commander-in-Chief. I must admit that I do empathize with Eric
and the Marine Corps, as a retired member of the largest
organization of fighting men in the United States, the U.S.
Army, we, too, recognize the qualities of our super swabby. So
let's put Tom where he belongs in the office of the National
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Are there any other nominations
for Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief? Once, twice and three
times. Hearing none, the nominations will remain open until
tomorrow.
Nominations are now open for Junior Vice Commander-in-
Chief. I will recognize Past Commander-in-Chief Clifford G.
Olson, Post 8699, Milton, Massachusetts.
NOMINATION OF JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CLIFFORD OLSON: Thank you,
Commander-in-Chief. Comrades, I come before you today to place
in nomination the name of a deserving and dedicated comrade,
John W. Smart, to the high office of Junior Vice Commander-in-
chief. He enlisted in the Army, and I will not make any comment
about who is the best or whatever by the previous speaker.
He enlisted in the Army when he was still in high school
and was immediately shipped to Vietnam. He served with the
176th Assault Helicopter Company in Chu Lai, the American
Division, earning the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam
Service Medal with four Bronze Stars.
At 19 years of age, while still serving in Vietnam, he
joined the Fuller-Covey Post No. 2181 in Exeter, New Hampshire.
Like the rest of us, John was still young when he returned from
Vietnam, and he decided to do as many before him had done, he
decided to enjoy life to the fullest. He did.
While enjoying this life, he knew there was a debt to be
paid. He knew he had a duty to perform, that debt and duty was
one and the same. He knew he had to help others. He chose to
help people in general by becoming a firefighter. He chose to
help veterans in particular by becoming active in the Veterans
of Foreign Wars.
This comrade's history needs to be told, because there may
be some who are unaware of his true dedication to helping
others. He became active in Post 2181 and was elected Post
Commander in 1976. He went on to be named Captain of the All-
State Team of Post Commanders.
In 1979, he transferred to Post 483 in Nashua, New
Hampshire. This dedicated comrade continued to work and make
his mark on the system in the Department of New Hampshire. His
knowledge and dedication to the purposes and ideals of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars did not go unnoticed. The members of
the Department of New Hampshire saw fit to elect him to the
office of State Commander, the first Vietnam veteran, and the
youngest person ever to have been elected to that high office
in New Hampshire.
Under his leadership, the Department of New Hampshire
excelled, and he was named an All-American Department
Commander. This comrade has served well on many committees and
in many capacities. He served as the National Chief of Staff
and three times he was the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the
Buddy Poppy Committee. He served on the National Youth
Activities Committee. He was Chairman of the Eastern States
Conference and administered various other assignments and
positions.
While carrying on these duties, he found time to serve as
the Department Adjutant since 1985, and then he continued in
the capacity of Quartermaster since 1990.
Besides his activities in the Veterans of Foreign Wars on
behalf of the nation's veterans, he continues to be concerned
for his fellow citizens in New Hampshire. He was elected to
serve as a State Representative, and while in that capacity
served on the Committee for Public Protection and Veterans
Affairs.
He was selected by then Governor Sununu to serve on the
Board of Managers of New Hampshire's Veterans Home and he
continues to serve that home as the present Chairman of the
Board of Managers.
While serving veterans through his active role in the
Veterans of Foreign Wars and his civic involvement as a State
Representative, this dedicated comrade continued to work full-
time as a Nashua firefighter for over 20 years.
I have shared with you his dedication to the veteran, I
have spoken of his knowledge and of his devotion to duty, and I
have mentioned everything except the only thing that outranks
his desire to serve the VFW.
I want to let you know he has a wife, two married children,
John, Jr. and Cheryl, and three grandchildren, Chelsea, Taylor
and Damon. I might also add that he has a tremendous amount of
support from his entire family, and particularly his wife,
Mary, who is extremely active being a Past State President and
currently serving as the State Secretary.
This comrade will be a credit to the great Eastern
Conference. He is dedicated, knowledgeable and possesses the
desire and indeed the ability to lead the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States into the next century.
It is my distinct honor and a personal privilege to place
in nomination for the high office of Junior Vice Commander-in-
Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for the year 1997-1998,
an outstanding comrade and friend from the great State of New
Hampshire, Post 483, John W. Smart.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I recognize for the purpose of a
second John M. Packard, Past State Commander, Post 8546, Salem,
New Hampshire.
COMRADE JOHN PACKARD (Post 8546--New Hampshire): Chief and
National Officers, and especially our past National Chiefs, it
is a pleasure and honor for me to second the nomination of John
Smart.
I have nominated John for positions through the District
and State Department.
He has always been a credit to the state and well-
qualified. I salute him. It has been an honor as my adopted
son. He is a young veteran, and anything under 80 is young.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I recognize for the purpose of a
second Robert W. Madigan, Past State Commander, Post 483,
Nashua, New Hampshire.
COMRADE ROBERT MADIGAN (Post 483--New Hampshire):
Commander-in-Chief, National Officers and Delegates to the
National Convention:
It is an honor for me to stand here today to second the
nomination of John W. Smart for Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Are there any other nominations
for Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief? Once, twice and three
times. Hearing none, the nominations will remain open until
tomorrow morning.
Nominations are now open for Quartermaster General.
I recognize for the purpose of a nomination William J.
Radigan, State Adjutant-Quartermaster, Post 3061, Vermillion,
South Dakota.
NOMINATION OF QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
COMRADE WILLIAM RADIGAN (Post 3061--South Dakota): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, National Officers, Comrades of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars of the United States:
I appear before you today for the purpose of making a
nomination for the office of Quartermaster General. I am joined
here today by my comrades that have served in the same office
that I do as the State Quartermaster-Adjutants in various
states. I would like to introduce them at this time.
They are Cleve Cox from the Department of North Carolina,
Darrell Bencken from the Department of Kansas, and Dave Roath,
from the Big Ten Conference. Also retired Bill McCarthy, my
friend, from the Department of Massachusetts. We have with us
also Stan King, the new Quartermaster-Adjutant for the
Department of Massachusetts.
Twenty-one years ago, a young Vietnam veteran with a degree
in Business Administration from the University of Missouri
applied for employment at the VFW National Headquarters. His
application was reviewed and he was found to be the type of
individual that they wanted to hire.
He served for a year as manager to the Accounting
Department at the National Headquarters. They recognized that
this young man had potential and in 1976-'77 they appointed him
as Director of the Life Membership Per Capita Tax Department.
He served us well.
In 1985, they had an opening where they needed a very
competent individual to fill a position, and they chose the
person I am going to nominate. He served for six years as
Director of the VFW Emblem and Supply Department.
In 1991, the organization needed an Assistant Quartermaster
General. With all the experience and the things he had done,
the way he had done them, they chose the person I am going to
nominate.
In 1995, all of us gathered at the National Convention took
it upon ourselves to elect him as Quartermaster General. He has
done a great job. So, this afternoon, I am honored and I feel
it is a great privilege for me to nominate the individual that
has been educated for his job, who has been trained in the
operation of this organization by holding almost all of the
leadership positions in the Quartermaster General's Office, who
has served for four years as Assistant Quartermaster General
and then now has served us for a number of years as
Quartermaster General.
The people like me, that come from small places, some of
you have never heard of Vermillion, South Dakota, find it is a
great honor to nominate such an individual for an office in the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. It is a great
privilege for me this morning to nominate Joe Ridgley, Post
8220, Belton, Missouri, for the office of Quartermaster
General.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: For the purpose of a second, I
recognize David L. Roath, State Adjutant-Quartermaster, Post
5606, Kansas City, Missouri.
COMRADE DAVID ROATH (Post 5606--Missouri): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief and Delegates to the 98th National
Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States:
It is indeed an honor and privilege for me to stand before
you today to second the nomination of an outstanding and
dedicated comrade. This is a comrade who is presently serving
us as our Quartermaster General for the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States.
Joe has been faced with some controversy since assuming the
office of Quartermaster General, but he has faced these
controversies with one thing in mind, that was to do what is
best for the organization. I know that Joe will continue to do
what is in the best interest of our organization no matter what
the controversy may be
It is an added pleasure for me to second the nomination as
Joe is a member of my Department, the Department of Missouri,
where he is a Life Member of VFW Post 8220 in Belton, Missouri.
I, along with the other Department Quartermasters of the Big
Ten Conference, the Southern Conference, the Eastern Conference
and the Western Conference, represented here today proudly
second the nomination of Joe Ridgley as Quartermaster General
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Thank
you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Are there any other nominations
for the office of Quartermaster General? Once, twice, three
times. Hearing none, the nominations will remain open until
tomorrow.
Are there any nominations for Judge Advocate General? I
recognize for the purpose of a nomination Dominic Romano, State
Quartermaster, Post 7330, Oakville, Connecticut.
NOMINATION OF JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL
COMRADE DOMINIC ROMANO (Post 7330--Connecticut): My
comrades, I stand before you very proudly to present one of
Connecticut's finest for the position of Judge Advocate
General, Brian J. Kennedy. Brian was born in Brooklyn, New
York.
He was educated and went to college there and as a
sophomore he joined the United States Marine Corps. He served
with distinction in the Marine Corps and eventually went to
Vietnam. He received many decorations. One of them, of course,
was the Vietnam Service Medal.
Upon returning from his stint in the Marines, he went back
to school to earn his law degree, and he then moved to
Connecticut in 1980. He joined the Putnam Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post. He served in every capacity in that Post, including
Post Commander. He served the District through the chairs and
also he became our District Commander. He served our Department
as the State Inspector and, of course, as the Judge Advocate.
It is with pride and pleasure I present to you from
Connecticut for Judge Advocate General Brian Kennedy.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: For the purpose of a second, I
recognize Donald O'Connor, State Commander, Post 9066,
Franklin, Connecticut.
COMRADE DONALD O'CONNOR (Post 9066--Connecticut): Thank
you, Commander. When I wrote these notes of what I was going to
say good morning, comrades, but I cannot do that. I have to say
good afternoon. It is a great honor to stand before you at this
podium. I never thought I would get this far, but here I am.
I am not here for me but to second the nomination of Brian
Kennedy for the high office of Judge Advocate General. I have
known Brian Kennedy almost 20 years. He has been a member of my
District, District No. 4. He has served with distinction
throughout the years.
His wife, Irene, has also served with distinction, and she
is now serving as the Department Chaplain for the Ladies
Auxiliary. This is a truly VFW family and Brian Kennedy will be
a great asset to the Moon-Pouliot-Smart team. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Are there any other nominations
for Judge Advocate General? Once, twice, three times. Hearing
none, the nominations are closed. The nominations will remain
open until tomorrow.
Nominations are now open for Surgeon General. For the
purpose of a nomination, I will recognize Wayne J. Thompson,
Jr., State Judge Advocate, Post 5061, Denver, Colorado.
NOMINATION OF SURGEON GENERAL
COMRADE WAYNE THOMPSON (Post 5061--Colorado): Good
afternoon, comrades. My name is Wayne Thompson, Post 5061,
State Judge Advocate, former Judge Adjutant General from the
Department of Colorado. I appear here today to nominate our
next Surgeon General, Henry F. Sexauer, for the 1997-'98 term.
Hank is a Life Member of VFW Post No. 1, Denver, Colorado.
He has been very, very active in the affairs of the Department
of Colorado. Hank has an outstanding record of medical and
health-care services.
Hank enlisted in the U.S. Army Medical Corps on August 29,
1939, and served in the Panama Canal Zone, Southwest Pacific
and in the Philippines. He was discharged on October 29, 1945.
Hank then enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force Reserves and
continued as a member for 25 years.
He was called back on active duty in January, 1973, to
assist in the deactivation of the 136 Medical Units of the Air
Force Reserves. Hank retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserves
in September, 1979, as Chief Master Sergeant E-9. Hank has a
long extensive career in the medical field, including providing
a full range of direct health-care services to patients.
He serves as a hospital administrator for the U.S. Public
Health Service, assigned to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. He has
been a real health-care professional and has the mental,
physical capacity, experience and dedication to make an
outstanding Surgeon General.
Hank is also fully committed to veterans and their
families. I do hereby nominate Henry F. Sexauer as Surgeon
General and ask for your vote. Thank you very much, comrades.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: For the purpose of a second, I
recognize Frank Harris, State Commander, Post 5231, Mancos,
Colorado.
COMRADE FRANK HARRIS (Post 5231--Colorado): Thank you,
Commander. Greetings to all of our National Officers, Past
Officers and to our comrades out there. It is with great
pleasure to second the nomination for Hank Sexauer to become
our National Surgeon.
This guy has been a leader from the day one, as Wayne just
read off to you. He is a doer. He has got the same attitude he
has when everybody was called to action many years ago in the
Second World War, he felt he had a job to do then and he has
done it.
Hank has got that same attitude today. Never once has he
dropped the ball when he has a job to do. He has always
completed it. It is with great pleasure that myself and the
Department of Colorado second the nomination for Hank Sexauer
as your next National Surgeon General. Thank you very much.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Are there any other nominations
for Surgeon General? Once, twice, three times. The nominations
will remain open until tomorrow.
The National Chaplain designee has requested that his
nomination take place in the morning and the chair will
respectfully recognize that request.
If there is nothing further to come before this session, I
will call on the National Sergeant-at-Arms to perform our
Closing Ceremonies.
(Whereupon, National Chaplain Bleiler gave the Benediction
at this time.)
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the
Closing Ceremonies have been performed.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: We will resume business at 9:00
o'clock a.m. tomorrow morning.
(Whereupon, the meeting was duly recessed at 1:30 o'clock
p.m.)
------
FOURTH BUSINESS SESSION
THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 21, 1997
(The Fourth Business Session of the 98th National
Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, held in the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake
City, Utah, was called to order at 9:00 o'clock a.m., with
Commander-in-Chief James E. Nier presiding.)
CALL TO ORDER
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I call this Business Session to
order. I will ask the National Chaplain to please come forward
and offer the Invocation.
(Whereupon, National Chaplain William J. Bleiler gave the
Opening Prayer.)
SALUTE TO COLORS AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
(Whereupon, the National Sergeant-at-Arms led the
Convention in the Salute to the Colors and the Pledge of
Allegiance at this time.)
FINAL REPORT OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: At this time I will call forward
the Chairman of the Credentials Committee for his final report,
Chairman Richard Trombla.
COMRADE RICHARD TROMBLA (Post 1174--Kansas): Commander-in-
Chief, I am Richard Trombla, Chairman of the Credentials
Committee from Department of Kansas, Post 1174. Comrades, this
is a final report at this Convention with the total delegate
strength.
Total delegates, 12,724; Department Commanders, 54; Past
Commanders-in-Chief, 27; National Officers, 38. That is for a
grand total of 12,843.
Commander-in-Chief, this is the final report of this
Committee and we want to thank you for the privilege we have
had working with you and we ask you to dismiss us at this time.
INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS OF NATIONAL CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I would like to introduce the
members of the Credentials Committee so they can be recognized,
please.
First, we have the Chairman, who just reported, Richard
Trombla, from Kansas; from Delaware, we have Elwood B.
Rickards; from Illinois, James Mascola; from Minnesota, James
Kennedy; and from Missouri, James H. Willis. I thank all you
gentlemen for an outstanding job. I think you deserve a round
of applause. Let's give them a round of applause. (Applause)
At this time I dismiss the Committee on Credentials and
thank them once again for a job well done. Thank you,
gentlemen.
PRESENTATION OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
PAUL A. SPERA
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: ``Call to Duty'' was the theme of
the comrade who will join us here in just a moment, and under
his leadership during the 1995-1996 year we answered that call.
As our Commander-in-Chief that year, Paul A. Spera met the
challenges facing veterans and led us to victory after victory.
From veterans health-care eligibility reform to a shut-down
of the federal government that also threatened veterans, Chief
Spera met each problem head-on, and led the way in answering
the ``Call to Duty.''
Paul joined the VFW in 1966, while he was still serving in
Vietnam with the 39th Signal Battalion. Even then he was very
good at getting a message across. Back in the States, he
quickly became a very active member in VFW Post 144 in Boston,
Massachusetts.
Two terms as Post Commander, followed by a year as District
2 Commander, and then in 1982-'83, Paul served as Department
Commander, and he wasn't just a Department Commander, he was an
All-American Department Commander.
In August of 1995, at our National Convention in Phoenix,
Arizona, he was elected VFW Commander-in-Chief. Almost
immediately, he expressed VFW concern about our troops being
sent to Bosnia, and that, as you know, is still a major concern
of ours. Though skeptical of the policy sending them there, the
VFW supports those troops 100 percent and toward that end Chief
Spera made a personal visit to Bosnia, and while there handed
out the first Operation Uplink phone cards.
Personal and meaningful involvement in everything he did
was the trademark of his year as Commander-in-Chief. Under his
leadership, the VFW reached new milestones and set new records.
And we are proud to say that we answered the ``Call to Duty.''
Today it gives me great pleasure to welcome to this podium
Past Commander-in-Chief Paul A. Spera of VFW Post 144 in the
great Department of Massachusetts, and to present him with the
VFW Distinguished Service Award.
I would like to read the citation if I may.
``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Distinguished Service Medal and this Citation awarded to Paul
A. Spera, Commander-in-Chief, 1995-'96, in sincere appreciation
and special recognition of his total dedication and commitment
to the highest ideals to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, and his continuing efforts to supports its
programs and purposes, to exceptional leadership during the
1995-'96 administrative year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars
demonstrated its ability and willingness to once again answer
the `Call to Duty' for our nation's 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 21st day of August, 1997.'' This has been signed
by James E. Nier, Commander-in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers,
Adjutant General.
Paul, it is with a great deal of honor and pride I present
to you this citation and thank you for the wonderful job you
did as the Commander-in-Chief of this great organization in
1995-'96. (Applause)
RESPONSE BY IMMEDIATE PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF SPERA
IMMEDIATE PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF SPERA: Thank you very
much, Commander-in-Chief Nier. To all of the national officers,
and especially to all of you, my comrades, thank you very much
for this very high honor. I especially want to thank you for
all that you did during the 1995-'96 administrative year to
make the ``Call to Duty'' year any success that it had, is due
to the most part for what you did. I want to thank you for all
of that.
I especially want to thank you for welcoming me back out
into the audience where I will spend the rest of my VFW career
on the floor of the Convention with my comrades, back where I
started. Thank you very much.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Comrades, if you will bear with me
just a moment, I received a FedEx letter in the hotel yesterday
from the Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright. I would like
to take just a moment to read it.
``Let me extend my enthusiastic greetings to the members of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States as you gather
in Salt Lake City for your 1997 Annual Convention. As veterans
of the United States Armed Forces, you have shown great
patriotism through your military service to the country and in
your support of those who continue to serve around the world
today.
``You recognize that nothing is more fundamental to
America's national security than the quality and readiness of
America's men and women in uniform. As Secretary of State, I
also know that our ability to exert political influence and act
as a constructive force for peace abroad depends in part on the
strength of our defenses and at times on the critical threat of
force to back up our diplomacy.
``I commend the members of the VFW for the legacy of
strength and leadership you have contributed to our nation for
close to a century. Your support for normalization relations
with Vietnam, for the chemical weapons convention and for our
troops overseas, to efforts such as your Calling Card program,
benefit not only your members but all Americans. You meet this
year at a remarkable time in our nation's efforts abroad.
``With the end of the Cold War, we face both new dangers
and also tremendous opportunities to improve America's security
by reinforcing recent progress abroad toward democracy,
stability and security. It is my understanding that your
Convention will consider a resolution on the addition of new
members to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The
enlargement of NATO can help to strengthen history's most
successful military alliance and help prevent a war that
claimed so many lives in this century.
``It will bolster democratic stability and prosperity in
Central Europe and erase the outdated Cold War dividing line
that Stalin imposed on Europe a half century ago. The VFW
support for this historic event would be an important
contribution toward the success for the enlargement and a new
era of peace in Europe. I salute your singular dedication to
protecting America's national security, and I extend my best
wishes for an enjoyable Convention and every future success. /
s/ Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State.''
I will point out that we adopted the resolution to expand
NATO, so I am sure she will be very pleased. Is there any other
business to come before this Convention? Is there any other
business to come before this Convention?
If not I will call on the Adjutant General at this time who
will read the nominations for the National Home Trustees.
NOMINATIONS FOR NATIONAL HOME TRUSTEES
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Commander-in-Chief Nier, the
nominations for the VFW National Home Trustees are as follows:
Third National Home District, comprised of Pennsylvania,
District of Columbia and Delaware, Benjamin Pernol, Jr., Post
No. 3792, Middletown, Delaware.
For Fourth National Home District, comprised of Ohio, West
Virginia and Maryland, Lawrence Krugman, Post 1079, Elyria,
Ohio, and Calla D. Frederick, Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post No.
3081, Grafton, West Virginia.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, Larry. At this time we
will proceed with the election of officers. Nominations are now
open for the position of Commander-in-Chief. Yesterday, the
name of John E. Moon, from the great state of Ohio, was placed
in nomination. Are there any other nominations for the position
of Commander-in-Chief? Once, twice and three times. The
nominations are closed.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE GEORGE COX (Post 6772--Ohio): Comrade Commander-in-
Chief, George Cox, Department of Ohio, Senior Vice Commander
from Post 6772, Ohio. Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I move that
the nominations be closed for the high office of Commander-in-
Chief and our Adjutant General cast one unanimous ballot for
John E. Moon for Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars. Thank you.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 3.
COMRADE BILL HAWK (Post 9381--Ohio): I second that motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir. You have heard the
motion. Is has been duly seconded. Is there any discussion?
There isn't any discussion, I hope. Those in favor will signify
by saying ``aye''; those opposed by the same sign. The motion
carries.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Commander-in-Chief Nier, it is
with a great deal of pleasure I cast one unanimous ballot for
John E. Moon for the office of Commander-in-Chief of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF-ELECT MOON: Thank you very much. You
know, one of the first thrills an individual experiences after
the election of this high office of Commander-in-Chief is that
traditional march in the convention hall. At the time that
James Nier was elected Commander-in-Chief in Louisville,
Kentucky, he was hospitalized and unable to lead the
traditional march that we always have.
At this time I would ask the great state of Texas and the
Southern Conference to join in the center aisle with Commander-
in-Chief James Nier and his wife, Kimmy, and that the VFW Band
strike up ``As the Caissons Go Rolling Along'' in honor of our
Commander-in-Chief Jim and Kimmy. Please do that at this time.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Nominations are now open for
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief. Yesterday the name of Thomas A.
Pouliot, from the great state of Montana, was placed in
nomination for the position of Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief.
Are there any other nominations for Senior Vice Commander-in-
Chief? Once, twice, three times. Hearing none, the nominations
are closed.
I recognize Microphone No. 2.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN MAHAN (Post 1116--Montana):
Commander-in-Chief Nier, I move that the Adjutant General of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States cast one
unanimous ballot for Thomas Pouliot for Senior Vice Commander-
in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir. I need a second to
the motion.
COMRADE WILLIAM SAUNDERS (Department of Wyoming): I second
the motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You have heard the motion and the
second. It has been duly seconded. Any discussion on the
motion? Hearing none, the motion passes.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Commander-in-Chief, I am honored
to cast one unanimous ballot for Thomas Pouliot for Senior Vice
Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Nominations are now open for
Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief. Yesterday, the name of John W.
Smart, from the great state of New Hampshire, was placed in
nomination. Are there any other nominations for Senior Vice
Commander-in-Chief? Once, twice, three times. The nominations
are closed.
The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 1.
PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CLIFFORD OLSON (Post 8699--
Massachusetts): There being no further nominations, I move that
the Adjutant General cast one favorable and unanimous ballot
for John W. Smart from New Hampshire for the office of Junior
Vice Commander-in-Chief for 1997-1998.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you.
The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE VIRGIL MULLINS (Department of New Hampshire): I
second that motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You have heard the motion as been
duly made and seconded. Is there any discussion on the motion?
Hearing none, those in favor of the motion will signify by
saying ``aye''; those opposed by the same sign. The motion
carries.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Commander-in-Chief, I am honored
to cast one unanimous vote for John Smart for Junior Vice
Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Nominations are open for the
position of Quartermaster General. Yesterday the name of Joe L.
Ridgley, from the great state of Missouri, was placed in
nomination. Are there any other nominations for the position of
Quartermaster General? Once, twice, three times. Hearing none,
the nominations are closed.
The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE CHARLES THROWER (Post 3838--Missouri): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, Charles Thrower, VFW Post 3838, Cape
Girardeau, Missouri. I move nominations for the office of
Quartermaster General be closed and the Adjutant General be
instructed to cast one unanimous ballot for the election of Joe
L. Ridgley for the high office of Quartermaster General of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE TONY BORGAS (Post 2866--Missouri): I second that
motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir. You have heard the
motion duly made and seconded. Any discussion on the motion?
Hearing none, all those in favor will say ``aye''. The motion
carries.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Commander-in-Chief, I am proud to
cast one unanimous ballot for Joe L. Ridgley for the office of
Quartermaster General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Nominations are now open for Judge
Advocate General.
Microphone No. 1.
COMRADE DOMINIC ROMANO (Post 7330--Connecticut): I move
that nominations be closed and our Adjutant General cast one
unanimous ballot electing Brian J. Kennedy as Judge Advocate
General.
COMRADE DONALD O'CONNOR (Post 9066--Connecticut): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I am Donald O'Connor, Post 9066, Franklin,
Connecticut. It takes two sailors to get this Marine on the
road. I second the nomination.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: You have heard the motion that has
been duly seconded. Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none,
the motion carries.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Commander-in-Chief, I am honored
to cast one unanimous ballot for Brian Kennedy for the office
of Judge Advocate General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Nominations are now open for
Surgeon General. Yesterday afternoon the name of Henry F.
Sexauer was placed in nomination. Are there any other
nominations for the position of Surgeon General? Once, twice,
three times. Hearing none, nominations are closed.
The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE FRANK HARRIS (Post 5231--Colorado): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I am Frank Harris, Department of Colorado,
Post 5231. It is with pride that I move the nominations be
closed and that the Adjutant General be instructed to cast a
unanimous ballot for our candidate, Henry Sexauer, for National
Surgeon General.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you.
The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE LARRY MITCHELL (Post 8121--Colorado): I second the
nomination.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir. You have heard the
motion that has been duly seconded. Any discussion on the
motion? Hearing none, the motion carries.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Commander-in-Chief, I am honored
to cast one unanimous ballot for the election of Henry F.
Sexauer for the office of Surgeon General of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Nominations are now open for the
position of National Chaplain. I called to the podium for the
purpose of making a nomination, Eugene H. George, Past State
Commander, Post 9969, Del City, Oklahoma.
COMRADE EUGENE GEORGE (Post 9969--Oklahoma): Comrades,
Sunday morning we nominated and elected in the Southern
Conference as the Chaplain for the incoming year. We went to
the caucuses and made the introductions, and I see no sense in
rehashing, carrying on another 25 or 30 minutes, so at this
time, Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I hereby place the name in
nomination for National Chaplain Dean Derieg from the State of
Oklahoma.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: For the purpose of a second, I
recognize Robert B. Thomas, Past State Commander, Post 1098,
McAlester, Oklahoma.
COMRADE ROBERT THOMAS (Post 1098--Oklahoma): Commander-in-
Chief and Comrades of the greatest veterans organization in the
world, it is an honor and privilege to second the nomination
for Dean Derieg. I have been fortunate to know Dean for well
over ten years. I have been in Committee meetings with him.
I have been in meetings where he was Commander, where he
was a member. He is always a gentleman and he is always a VFW
member. At this time I want to second the nomination for Dean
Derieg for National Chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Are there any other nominations
for the position of National Chaplain? Once, twice, three
times. The nominations are closed.
Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE CHARLES HUCKABY (Department of Oklahoma): Comrade
Commander-in-Chief, I move the nominations cease and that the
National Adjutant General cast one unanimous ballot for
Reverend Dean Derieg for National Chaplain.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir.
The Chair recognizes Microphone No. 2.
COMRADE HARLAN BJORGO (Department of Oklahoma): Commander-
in-Chief, I second that motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thank you, sir. You have heard the
motion. It has been duly seconded. Any discussion on the
motion? Hearing none, the motion carries.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Commander-in-Chief, I am honored
to cast one unanimous ballot for Dean Derieg for National
Chaplain of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS-ELECT
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: At this time I will ask the
Assistant Adjutant General to come forward, please, for the
announcement of the National Council Members-Elect.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: Thank you, Commander-in-Chief.
Sergeant-at-Arms, will you, please, escort the Commander-in-
Chief-Elect to the floor of the Convention for the presentation
of caps to the National Council Members-Elect. The National
Council Members-Elect are as follows:
District No. 1, Robert W. Madigan.
District No. 3, Raymond J. Boyle.
District No. 5, James R. Mueller.
District No. 7, Leroy Ford.
District No. 9, William J. Hendren.
District No. 11, William P. Shannon.
District No. 13, Lewie B. Cooper.
District No. 15, George H. Palmateer.
District No. 17, Frank Risewick.
District No. 19, Richard J. Fruge.
District A, Charles R. Feltenberger.
District B, Rick Frank.
District C, T. William Bossidy.
District F, Richard L. Lehner.
District G, Richard R. Pignone.
District J, James DePass.
Let me announce the names of the returning members of the
National Council of Administration. As your name is called,
please stand and be recognized.
District No. 2, William J. Madera.
District No. 4, Bruce A. Withers.
District No. 6, Scottie E. King.
District No. 8, Oliver Wayne Dial.
District 10, Leslie F. Thone.
District 12, William F. Cerny.
District 14, Earl E. Chase.
District No. 16, Dannie Cooper.
District D, George W. Marks.
District E, Gordon W. Kirk.
District No. H, Ferrell E. Warden.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF APPOINTMENTS BY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF-ELECT
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: At this time I would like to call
Commander-in-Chief-Elect of the Veterans of Foreign Wars John
E. Moon to the podium for the announcement of his appointments
for the ensuing year.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF-ELECT MOON: Thank you,Commander-in-
Chief.
First, I would like to announce the appointment of Larry W.
Rivers, VFW Post 1736, Department of Louisiana, as the Adjutant
General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. I
am deeply honored to do so. (Applause)
I have asked James J. Thiel, VFW Post 717, Department of
Indiana, to serve as my National Chief of Staff. I would also
like to ask his wife to please step forward and present him
with his official cap.
For Inspector General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for
1997-'98, I will appoint Daniel Bartholomew, VFW Post 3144,
Department of Minnesota. And I would like you to come forward
and present Dan with his official cap.
Following the conclusion of this Convention, the National
Sergeant-at-Arms for 1997-1998 will be Barry Hoffman from VFW
Post 6240, Department of Kansas.
REMARKS BY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Comrades, sisters, ladies and
gentlemen, the next item on the agenda is remarks by the
Commander-in-Chief. I want to take this opportunity to say
thank you to John Moon for allowing Kimmy and I to march around
this great hall this morning, the opportunity that I didn't
have a year ago. John, I am forever, ever grateful for that.
I want to thank my Post, my District, my Department and the
Southern Conference and the members of the Ladies Auxiliary for
their support during my campaign, and certainly for the support
during these last three years. My comments will be very brief
because this is John Moon's day.
There are some other folks I need to thank. I want to thank
the Kansas City staff, I want to thank the Washington office
staff for their continued support. No one ascends to this
position and succeeds without being surrounded by good people.
I have indeed been surrounded by some of the finest people,
some of the finest staff members that we could possibly have in
these two offices. I commend both of those offices, Larry and
Ken Steadman, and all their staff for the outstanding job they
have always done.
I want to thank my wife, Kimmy, for always being with me
and beside me when she was able to be. She has been an
inspiration to me. It takes a very understanding wife in this
great position, and I certainly have had one. Kimmy, I want to
publicly express my thanks and love to you. Thank you.
(Applause)
I want to thank all of you for what you do for your Posts,
your Districts, your Departments, your Auxiliaries. I want to
thank you for what you do for America's veterans. I want to
thank you for what you do for America. But most importantly, to
me I want to thank you for being our friends.
I cherish friendship. I love meeting new people, making new
friends. We have done that around the country and, in fact,
around the world this past year. I have fond memories. It has
been a wonderful, wonderful rewarding experience, one that I
shall never, ever forget.
I am looking forward to serving on the Council of
Administration, and I pledge to John Moon my total support for
whatever he decides to do in his year. That is the way it has
to be. I am looking forward, as I said, to traveling. John has
already given me some assignments, and I am looking forward to
that very much.
I am not saying goodbye, my fellow comrades, I am saying
until we have the opportunity to be together again. I thank
you, and may God bless you and may God continue to bless this
great nation in which we live. Thank you all very, very much.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I was just told I am officially a
short-timer, but that is okay. I am not at all sad, folks. I am
looking forward to spending some time with my wife and enjoying
my own home for a while.
At this point, we will proceed with the Installation of
Officers. I would ask my Inspector General, who is acting as
the National Chief of Staff, to please escort the Installing
Officer to a position to my right.
I present to you the Installing Officer, Past Commander-in-
Chief Walter G. Hogan.
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
INSTALLING OFFICER HOGAN: Having been duly authorized, I
will now proceed with the Installation of the National
Officers.
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the term for which you and your
subordinate officers were elected or appointed has now expired.
It is my duty to ascertain the following. Have the officers for
the ensuing year been duly elected?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: They have, sir.
INSTALLING OFFICER HOGAN: Have the books of the Adjutant
General and the Quartermaster General been examined and
approved by the National Council of Administration?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: They have, sir.
INSTALLING OFFICER HOGAN: Does the Adjutant General have on
file proof of eligibility for all officers to be installed
during this installation?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: He does, sir.
INSTALLING OFFICER HOGAN: I would remind any officer not
having proof of eligibility on file and not being installed at
this time, the by-laws prescribe you must within 60 days of
election or appointment submit to the Adjutant General for his
file a copy of your proof of eligibility.
Are the funds in the hands of the Quartermaster General?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: They are, sir.
INSTALLING OFFICER HOGAN: And ready to be turned over to
his successor when duly installed?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: They are, sir.
INSTALLING OFFICER HOGAN: Do you have the charter in your
possession?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: I do, sir.
INSTALLING OFFICER HOGAN: You will now surrender the gavel
to me. Past Commander-in-Chief James E. Nier, you have now been
relieved of your duties as Commander-in-Chief of this
organization. It is proper to remind you that in assuming the
chair of Past Commander-in-Chief it will be your duty and
privilege to counsel and otherwise assist your successor
through the experiences that you have gained during your term
of office. You will now station yourself at my right.
Sergeant-at-Arms, as the Adjutant General reads the list of
officers, you will present the officers-elect at the alter.
ADJUTANT GENERAL RIVERS: They are as follows:
Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, Thomas E. Pouliot.
Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, John W. Smart.
Quartermaster General, Joe L. Ridgley.
Judge Advocate General, Brian J. Kennedy.
Surgeon General, Henry F. Sexauer.
National Chaplain, Dean Derieg.
National Chief of Staff, James Thiel.
Inspector General, Daniel Bartholomew.
District Council Members:
District No. 1--Robert W. Madigan
District No. 2--William J. Madera
District No. 3--Raymond J. Boyle
District No. 4--Bruce A. Withers
District No. 5--James R. Mueller
District No. 6--Scottie E. King
District No. 7--Leroy Ford
District No. 8--Oliver Wayne Dial
District No. 9--William J. Hendren
District No. 10--Leslie F. Thone
District No. 11--William P. Shannon
District No. 12--William F. Cerny, Jr.
District No. 13--Lewie B. Cooper
District No. 14--Earl E. Chase
District No. 15--George H. Palmateer
District No. 16--Dannie Cooper
District No. 17--Frank Risewick
District No. 19--Richard J. Fruge
District A-- Charles R. Feltenberger
District B--Rick Frank
District C--T. William Bossidy
District D--George W. Marks
District E--Gordon W. Kirk
District F--Richard L. Lehner
District G--Richard R. Pignone
District H--Ferrell E. Warden
District J--James DePass
Past Commander-in-Chief--James E. Nier
Adjutant General--Larry W. Rivers
Commander-in-Chief--John E. Moon
INSTALLING OFFICER HOGAN: National Officers-Elect of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, I will
administer to you the Officers' Obligation.
You will raise your right hand, touch the flag of our
country with your left hand and repeat after me. Will everybody
please rise.
(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 Congressional Charter, 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, monies, 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 HOGAN: As you were.
Comrade Chaplain.
NATIONAL CHAPLAIN BLEILER: Almighty God, our God and divine
protector, give Thy blessings upon these, our comrades, who now
become fellow officers. We beseech you, O Lord, who are ever
present amongst us. Grant the wisdom unto them so that during
their deliberations they continue to favor Thee, our glorious
country and the veterans organization.
May Thy strength sustain them, may Thy power preserve them,
may Thy hand protect them in the faithful and fruitful
performance of their duties. Amen.
INSTALLING OFFICER HOGAN: Comrade Sergeant-at-Arms, will
you, please, escort the officers to their stations.
National Officers of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, you now occupy the position of honor to which
your comrades have elected you. You learn well the
responsibilities entrusted to you so you may intelligently
discharge the duties you are to undertake.
The Congressional Charter, By-Laws and Ritual of our
organization prescribe in detail the duties of your respective
offices. By virtue of the confidence placed in you for your
election or appointment, we assume that you will acquaint
yourselves thoroughly with your duties.
National Council of Administration members, you will stand
and face the dais. National Sergeant-at-Arms, you will escort
the Commander-in-Chief to my station. Comrade Commander-in-
Chief-Elect John E. Moon, before administering your obligation,
it is proper to remind you of certain duties.
You will be personally responsible for the charter of this
organization. At the end of your term of office, you will
deliver it to the officer appointed to install your successor.
It is your duty to see that all National Officers perform their
duties to the best of their ability.
You shall keep yourself informed on all proposed
legislation which may affect the welfare of potential and
actual comrades of this organization, and strive for adoption
of only those measures which will be beneficial.
You will be required to devote all of your time to the many
duties of your office. You are expected to make a special study
of the Congressional Charter, By-Laws and Ritual of this
organization so that you may render firm and impartial
decisions on important questions referred to you.
As Commander-in-Chief, you will be regarded by your
comrades and by the general public as typifying wise and
vigorous leadership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States. May all of your efforts and accomplishments
bring credit to your administration and to our organization.
Comrade Commander-in-Chief-Elect John E. Moon, are you
willing and ready to assume your solemn obligation?
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF-ELECT MOON: I am.
INSTALLING OFFICER HOGAN: You will raise your right hand,
touch the flag of our country with your left hand, give your
name as I give mine, and repeat after me.
(Whereupon, Commander-in-Chief-Elect Moon received the
following obligation: ``In the presence of Almighty God and the
officers and delegates of this order here assembled, I, John E.
Moon, 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 Ritual and By-Laws 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, monies and other properties of this organization in my
possession or under my control.''
``I do 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 HOGAN: As you were. Officers, you will
assume your station. Comrade Commander-in-Chief, I now place in
your possession our Charter and I present you with this gavel,
which is the emblem of your authority. Use it firmly, but with
discretion.
All National Officers, you will stretch forth your right
hand and repeat after me: ``Comrade Commander-in-Chief John E.
Moon, to you I pledge my sincere allegiance.'' As you were.
Comrade Commander-in-Chief, officers and delegates of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, I now proclaim
the National Officers duly installed and this organization in
working order for the ensuing year.
Commander-in-Chief John Moon, I personally would like to
thank you for the high honor of installing you as the
Commander-in-Chief and I pledge to you my continued support in
your year as Commander-in-Chief. God bless you and save
journeys in your travels.
PRESENTATION OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL TO CURTIS M. JEWELL
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Thank you very much, Past
Commander-in-Chief Wally Hogan. It is indeed a pleasure for me
this morning to be standing here and to call to the podium a
comrade who for many, many years has served our organization.
If I could have the Sergeant-at-Arms to go to the center of the
aisle and please escort Curt Jewell to the podium.
Curtis Jewell joined the VFW in 1947, soon after returning
from World War II, where he served as a crew member in the Air
Transport Command in the China-Burma-India theater of
operations, the guys who flew the ``hump'' carrying cargo into
China.
From his first position of the VFW, that of Post Commander,
Curt showed an outstanding leadership ability. In just two and
a half years, he took that Post's membership from 369 members
to 1,036. Now, that takes leadership. That work won him an
appointment as the Department of Ohio Chief of Staff.
In 1955, he was elected Department Commander, the youngest
person to ever hold that position in Ohio. Following that, he
served for many years as the Department's Adjutant/
Quartermaster, and in 1965 he joined the staff at VFW National
Headquarters as the Assistant Adjutant General for Programs. In
1988, he was appointed Assistant Adjutant General for
Administration. He retired from National in 1991.
There were other appointments and positions, as well, and
in all of them, Curt Jewell showed ``Courage Under Fire'' in
serving his fellow veterans.
It gives me a great deal of pleasure to present him with
the VFW Distinguished Service Medal. Please welcome Comrade
Curt Jewell, Post 1090, Warren, Ohio.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: ``Veterans of Foreign Wars
Distinguished Service Medal and this Citation awarded to Curtis
M. Jewell.
``In sincere appreciation and grateful recognition of over
five decades of distinguished and loyal service to the Veterans
of Foreign Wars as a dedicated employee, extraordinary
professional and gifted administrator fulfilling the positions
of Department of Ohio Commander, Department of Ohio Adjutant/
Quartermaster, Chairman of the Big Ten Conference, National
Director of Public Relations, National Director of Community
Activities, National Director of Program Activities and
culminating in his elevation to the position of Assistant
Adjutant General, a position he held for 24 years, the duties
and responsibilities of which he performed faithfully with
unparalleled expertise and integrity in support of the highest
ideals and objectives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States.
``In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and
the official seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, this 21st day of August, 1997.'' That has been signed
by John E. Moon, Commander-in-Chief, and Larry W. Rivers,
Adjutant General.
Curt, I am deeply honored to be able to present to you this
distinguished award. (Applause)
RESPONSE--COMRADE CURTIS M. JEWELL
COMRADE JEWELL: Commander-in-Chief John Moon, to all the
Past Commanders-in-Chief of which I had the privilege of
working for some 25 or 29 of them, all great men who served and
contributed to this great organization.
You know, I thought this morning that something was amiss.
I want to tell you, John, one more lap around this hall, if
this event had not taken place in the 20th century, I might not
have been here to witness it myself. Three laps around this
hall was just about all I could handle.
Fifty years ago I joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States, in 1947. I have had the privilege since that
time to serve the Veterans of Foreign Wars, as John has alluded
to, and my fellow veterans. I have attempted to do it in all
honesty, sincerity and integrity that I could muster.
I can honestly say that in the more than 40 years that I
served at the Post, at the Department and as an employee at
National Headquarters, I never once looked back with regret or
remorse for the association, the acquaintances that I have
made. The friendships that were developed over these years have
and will last a lifetime.
It was an exhilarating experience to work for the great men
who led this organization throughout the twenty odd years that
I served those Commanders-in-Chief and worked with the
comrades, my comrades at the national, state and local levels.
I take great pride that in some of the programs which were
developed during the course of those years, as an example, the
good comrades down in Ohio, a program of 40 years standing, the
selection of an outstanding high school athlete is still
carried on thanks to Rich Howell and the Associated Press.
There are others like organizing new Posts, seminars, the
starting up of bringing in the Department Senior Vice
Commanders three to four months before they assumed office as a
Department Commander. It was my feeling, and fortunately it was
one of Julian's good days when you could talk to him, I
convinced him that it was much better to bring the men in and
give them a running start on the great responsibility that they
were going to assume once they became Department Commander,
because they didn't have time to think about it then.
And they are continuing those types of programs because we
are living in a rapid society where you have to get up in the
morning and start running or you are going to be left behind. I
had the privilege of working through toward goals. I think
there was a little over a million members when I joined the
National Headquarters staff in 1962.
Then came that glorious year when we passed the two million
mark and we are still there and still going. The pride, the
development, the achievements, some of which I have spoken of,
are all in the past. All we have to look forward to is the
future. The time is running out on a lot of them. It can be
done.
A fair example of that, and pardon me if I refer to the
Commander of Ohio last year, seven times an All-American
Commander; never once would he quit or say that something
couldn't be done. I called him the morning after he had been
announced and advised that he was an All-American to
congratulate him, and his wife told me that he had already gone
to work.
Probably the truth of the matter is he was probably out
working for the VFW. But, in any event, I don't want to get too
carried away. It is difficult enough to even be here. I want to
thank those, especially John Moon, who is most responsible for
the recognition and honor that has been bestowed upon me here
today.
I say to you and I say it quickly. It is not a singular
honor, and I accept it in behalf of all of you out there and
all of the hundreds and thousands who preceded you that I have
had the privilege of working with to make this organization the
success that it has been these past 40 years that I have been
associated with it.
I appreciate the friends, service and cooperation, the
hospitality that was extended wherever I went. I miss most the
absence of those near and dear associates and friends who are
not here today which I number without naming any for fear I
would leave some one deserving individual recognition out. They
are missed, but their contribution remains as it always will.
I would be remiss, however, if I did not take a personal
privilege and mention the name of one man who made it all
possible, when 35 years ago I received a telephone call, and I
was out in the field, not farming, not working, I was trying to
conduct and make my livelihood as a salesman.
I wasn't doing a very good job at that. They said, ``You
have a call from Kansas City.'' So I went to the phone and I
called them. That one man that made it all possible was Julian
Dickinson. He offered me a job. I tried to get more money. He
said, ``Take it or leave it. I can't do it. I will see you here
Monday.''
I said, ``Julian, it isn't possible. I owe something to my
present employer.'' I said, ``I will be there in two weeks.''
So on March 15, 1962, I entered through the portals of the
National Headquarters where I served, and I am still
appreciative of that as ever.
But without a calculator, my service ended March 15, 1991,
29 years later. The only regret I have standing here, and it is
with mixed emotion, because my wife could not be here. She
didn't know and I didn't know, or I might not have been here
myself.
But she should be standing here beside me because of the
sacrifices she made, and my son who grew up with his dad's
activities running here and running there for the VFW. I have
tried in so many ways to make it up to him. I wish both could
be here to share this moment and this memory with me.
I don't know whose water I am drinking, but I am going to
help myself because I just have one more thing to say. I only
hope and pray that this momentous occasion will not be lost or
misplaced so that I will be able to share this with them and my
grandchildren when I return home.
Above all, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your
friendship and above all your loyalty to the Veterans of
Foreign Wars and to myself as a person, I will never, never
forget you and this occasion. Thank you all.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
PRESENTATION OF PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF LAPEL PIN AND GOLD LIFE
MEMBERSHIP CARD
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: If I could at this time have Past
Commander-in-Chief James Nier come to the podium. Will Kimmy
Nier please come to the podium also. Past Commander-in-Chief
James Nier, I would like for this organization to pay its
greatest respect to you, and I ask your wife to pin your Past
Commander-in-Chief's pin on you at this time.
Jim, also come forward again. It is with the deepest amount
of honor and respect that I present to you your Gold Life
Membership Card.
``Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States certifies
that James E. Nier is a Life Member of VFW Post 2819.'' Jim,
congratulations.
IMMEDIATE PAST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NIER: Thanks, John.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: And a little token, Jim. You are
going to be on the team this year so I will have to give you
this.
If I could have the wives to please come forward and we can
start the placement of the hats and the pins, then we will get
into, unfortunately, my acceptance speech, which you guys know
how long I talk. I have already forgotten my wife, Susie.
(Whereupon, Commander-in-Chief Moon called on the wives at
this time to place the caps on the newly-elected officers.)
ACCEPTANCE ADDRESS BY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Thank you so much for the rousing
reception given to me and my fellow VFW National Officers.
To Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Tom Pouliot, Junior Vice
Commander-in-Chief John Smart and all National and Department
Officers, to all Past Commanders-in-Chief, and especially to
you, my fellow VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members and friends, I
say thank you for your support and your confidence you have
placed in me.
I humbly accept this high office and your trust in me. I
pledge my total commitment to you and this great organization
of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
I am so grateful to many people. As I stand before you, I
am mindful that no person can be elected to this high office
without the support, confidence, guidance and trust of the many
hard-working men and women who are leaders of the Post,
District, Department and Conference from which they come.
I am very thankful for Paul Spera giving me the opportunity
to serve as Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief. Thank you, Paul. To
an individual to my right, who I have learned so much from, who
has been more than just a great friend, but just like a brother
to me, Immediate Past Commander-in-Chief Jim Nier, who I owe a
great deal of love, respect and honor. Jim, thank you very
much.
To all the Departments that make up the Big Ten Conference,
thank you for the opportunity which you have given me. I am
indebted to each and every one of you and I intend to pay you
back by working to make sure that this organization continues
to grow and prosper on behalf of all of our veterans.
To my own Post, although it may be small, VFW Post 2873 and
our great Ladies Auxiliary, I will always remember the
confidence and support they have shown me through the years. To
my District No. 1, and as I look out here to the great State of
Ohio, each and every one of you have done so much to put me in
this position, I will be eternally grateful.
Another individual from the great State of Ohio who can't
be here, who just underwent heart surgery and still is
recuperating, who spent so many tireless hours and so many days
away from his job to help me reach this high office, John
Wasylik, Past Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars.
A special thanks comes here because no one will ever be
able to know the amount of support she has given me. That is to
my wife Susie who has always been there fighting, fighting,
fighting and fighting to see to it that I got into this
position as Commander-in-Chief. To you, Susie, I love you very
much
I have to get a little break here to get my composure back.
If I could introduce real quickly, I brought most of Grover
Hill with me. Not quite all the family, my son couldn't be
here. He is on jury duty in Florida, and my daughter just
started back to school in Western Carolina University, so they
will be joining me at the homecoming.
Valerie and her friend Kevin, granddaughter Samantha and
grandson, as I affectionately call him, ``Dutch.'' To my son
Dave, daughter-in-law Dawn, my mother-in-law and very, very
dear friend, Ronnie. Then there is the lady we call Aunt Faye,
and my brother's fiance, Sue; my niece, Michelle, and her
friend Gabe Yoder, my nephew, Gary. Will you all give them a
hand, please. (Applause)
I am holding my brother up for a minute. I have some
friends back here, great friends. Norm and Bonnie Landers from
the great state of Kentucky. There is one individual I
introduced to you and his wife are relatives of the family, our
cousins, but he said to someone when he came out here, ``How
did you get here from Grover Hill?'' ``I am only the yard
man.'' These are good friends of the family, the John Wilkins
from Grover Hill.
He may be my Post Quartermaster, he may be my State
Commander, but above all he is my greatest friend, Roger
Taylor, and his wife Chris. I have introduced one hero to you
already, and that is my wife. She has really been there.
Another hero is, my brother, Larry, that joined the VFW after
much insistence, but he spent three years in Vietnam, and the
three years he spent there he tried to keep me out of Vietnam,
so he is a hero to me that he will never know how much I really
think of him and how much I love him. (Applause)
My remarks this morning will not set out John Moon's agenda
for the 1997-'98 VFW year. There is no Moon agenda, only a VFW
agenda, which has been set, not by me but by you, the
membership. Having approved and passed a wide range of
Resolutions, our members have now spoken.
With our agenda set and our concerns expressed, I pledge as
your Commander-in-Chief the total commitment of the Moon-
Pouliot-Smart-Ridgley-Rivers-Kennedy-Sexauer-Derieg team, an
assembly of Veterans of Foreign Wars officers that you have
chosen to be placed in this position, along with the Department
Commanders, our ``Courage Under Fire'' Commanders, we do, in
fact, pledge that we will work hard to carry out your mandates.
We will work hard to make the VFW a positive force for this
country and her veterans and we will work hard to ensure that
the faith, trust and confidence that you have placed in the
Moon-Pouliot-Smart team will pay dividends, not only for the
VFW but for our nation, our communities and America's veterans.
Our success or failure depends not so much on what I say
here this morning but what we, all of us working together in
partnership, do in the coming year.
As we begin a new year, let me begin by reaffirming the
partnership between the VFW and our great Ladies Auxiliary. To
National President Connie Atkinson and her staff, I pledge full
cooperation and support. The VFW is a stronger, better
organization because of the Ladies Auxiliary. Your support and
hard work have truly enriched the work and reputation of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
During the coming year the Moon-Pouliot-Smart team will
speak with courage and conviction for the VFW on a wide range
of important issues. It is a different world today than it was
five years ago or even three years ago. We are in a period of
great change, a period of transition, not only nationally and
globally, but also within the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
I look to my right again and I commend an individual who
took a chance and took a shot to ensure that change could
begin. Jim Nier, I thank you for getting us on this great
change that we have for the future.
Our VFW membership, while not on a steep decline, gradually
changes each year. The challenge before us is to reach those
millions of eligible veterans who know and support the VFW but
have not had the opportunity to opt for membership in our great
organization.
The challenge before us is to make the VFW a force for
change, a force for action. That means we must work hard to
project the image of the VFW as a positive force, not only for
veterans but for our communities and for our nation.
And what better way to project that positive VFW image than
through our continued co-sponsorship with the VA and the
National Veterans Golden Age Games next May at Leesburg,
Virginia.
These games, which are designed to improve the quality of
life of our older veterans, provide the opportunity to help our
fellow veterans in our communities and at the same time improve
our image.
While the challenges we face today are taking place in a
positive environment, we are at peace, we are economically
prosperous, we cannot be complacent. We must change
indifference into concern. We must change challenges into
opportunities. We must change individualism into unity.
Important decisions are being made daily affecting
veterans. With thousands of homeless veterans walking the
streets, with an aging veteran population and the need for
long-time care ever increasing, with the ever elusive cause and
cure for the disabilities confronting some of our Persian Gulf
veterans, with health-care costs remaining high and Congress
looking for ways to save money, it is clear that we have our
work cut out for us.
And speaking of saving some money, let me take a few
moments to tell you of a Korean War veteran, a veteran who for
over 30 years after that war worked as a farmer in his home
state. He worked very hard, made a fair living, and asked for
very little, only some VA care and compensation for his wounds
suffered years ago during the Korean War.
But one particular day, when he asked a VA employee
familiar with his case for further assistance, the VA employee
turned him down, citing unusual and extraordinary costs
associated with his case. You see, this man, who for 30 plus
years, farmed for a living, had lost both arms, one eye and
part of his foot in Korea and the cost for his prosthetics was
$14,000.
He is a wonderful person, he is a vibrant man, he is a
great individual, a dear friend of mine. He is my third hero.
His love for people, whose love for life is expressed by the
distinct clacking and beat of his prosthetic arms coming
together in appreciation and excitement for friends, family and
life. What his VA case employee wanted, was a less active man.
What this VA employee was asking was for him to give up a piece
of his life.
But thanks to veterans organizations like the VFW, the
situation was quickly assessed, the employee transferred and
our Korean veteran did get his new arms.
Our work is definitely cut out for us. It only takes one
isolated incident such as I just mentioned to destroy a system
designed to care for our veterans.
This morning the biggest challenge before the VFW, you and
me as veterans advocates, is to ensure not only the
survivability of the VA system, but that it be the best
provider of health care to you, the veterans of America, and
the former defenders of our country.
Today, the VA medical system is transforming itself from a
hospital-based provider of inpatient services to an outpatient
oriented practitioner of modern health care. What this means is
higher quality care. It also means providing more timely care
to a greater number of veterans at conveniently accessible
locations. It is not going to be an easy job.
Our critics point to a declining veteran population as
reason not to spend more money on veterans' programs. With a
rapidly aging veteran population that is unequally spread
throughout the nation, the VA is attempting to redistribute its
resources among its various medical Service Networks and place
them where they will do the most good.
Be assured that the VFW will carefully monitor the process.
We will not tolerate any inequities nor will we tolerate any
veterans suffering unduly as a consequence of this sharing
concept. We will and shall alert Congress and the
administration that the VFW will be constantly on guard to
ensure that no veteran currently receiving VA health care be
denied care as a result of this alignment.
As the VA transforms itself to the more modern health care
concepts and practices for the 21st Century, we must have the
courage to face those who would thwart this needed change. Let
there be no doubt that in the coming months, we will all be
called to exercise ``Courage Under Fire'' as we take a leading
role in ensuring that VA provides access to quality health care
to all veterans who need or want it.
To honor that commitment, I am pleased to announce today
that the VFW Washington Office will open a new toll-free
hotline on September 1, 1997, 1-800-VFW-1899.
We will also distribute VFW posters as shown on the screen
to all our departments and to the VA medical facilities
advertising our VFW hotline and encouraging veterans to tell
us, with complaints and compliments, how they are being treated
and how the medical care is at that particular facility.
This information will be fed to the National Veterans
Service staff in our VFW Tactical Assessments Center located in
the Washington Office. Our staff will take necessary corrective
action with appropriate VA personnel and use your comments,
suggestions and ideas to compile and develop a better picture
of how well VA is doing in providing quality, timely health
care to veterans.
Rest assured that we will challenge those who would
undermine the quality as well as the accessibility of veterans
health care. Be equally assured that we will not be overwhelmed
by the number and complexity of the issues that confront us. We
welcome the challenge with ``Courage Under Fire'' and will
proceed with the courage and conviction that we will do what is
best for our nation's veterans. We are committed to the premise
that the American people want fair and equitable treatment for
the service and sacrifice made by our nation's veterans.
When we were formed 98 years ago, we were formed for one
purpose, to protect the rights and entitlements of every
veteran who has honorably served. As overseas wartime veterans,
we know what it means to take care of one another, and we know
the importance of maintaining a strong national defense.
History tells us, and the VFW has always backed a strong
national defense as being in our national interest. Let me
reaffirm my commitment to that premise. If we are to remain a
great nation, if we are to remain a free people, then we must
stand by our young men and women in uniform.
We continue to be alarmed by the downsizing of our military
forces, the multitude of missions they are expected to
undertake, to include chasing war criminals in Bosnia. The VFW
has always supported a strong national defense. But peace
keeping missions and the resettlement of refugees may be taking
the edge off the combat readiness of our forces.
We are proud of the young men and women who are willing to
fight and die for this great country. If we ask them to serve,
to stand in harm's way, we must ensure that they have the very
latest and best resources to do the job. Their courage, their
commitment to maintaining our nation's freedom demands not only
our respect and admiration but our support. We will pursue
every opportunity to show our support and tell our military men
and women the VFW story.
And what better way to show our military that support than
providing them with VFW telephone calling cards through
Operation Uplink, a program jointly supported by the VFW and
our Ladies Auxiliary.
We must also be there for the men and women when they make
that transition from the military to civilian life. America's
veterans deserve to be full-fledged participants in today's
strong economy, an economy which veterans help build and
defend. Your VFW will work hard to protect and enhance
employment and job opportunities because our young military men
and women deserve to make the smoothest transition to civilian
life.
There are many, many other important issues. We are
encouraged by the presence in Vietnam of Ambassador Pete
Peterson, a former Congressman and POW, and his support for
Joint Task Force--Full Accounting and their ongoing work to
account for our missing.
We are equally encouraged by the recent negotiations with
North Korea which is leading to increased joint search and
recovery for our missing men in that reclusive country.
However, we must insist that our own government move quickly,
seize every opportunity, and maintain its commitment and the
current effort. The answers to our missing can only come by
working with our governments to do more.
We are always mindful of those families who have lost a
loved one and seek closure and healing. We must not relent nor
will we rest until we have the fullest possible accounting of
the MIAs.
As economic stability and growth bolster our NATO allies in
Europe and as Eastern Europe competes for membership in NATO,
we believe that a carefully paced, non-threatening enlargement
of the NATO alliance will enhance the peace and stability in
Europe.
Throughout this century, our nation fought in World War I,
World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf and many
other conflicts and crises. Today, I proudly stand before an
audience of those veterans who served and who through their
``Courage Under Fire'' made great sacrifices to keep our nation
free. You stood by our nation in perilous times and today we
will stand by you, America's veterans, to provide a better
world.
This has been a tremendous Convention. Important decisions
have been made. If I were to sum up our work at this
Convention, I would say our delegates have instructed us, in no
uncertain terms, to work hard to ensure our nation's security
and to see that veterans are treated fairly. It is now up to
each of us to carry out the mandates of our membership.
Today, we begin a new year, a new journey. As we prepare to
honor the VFW's centennial anniversary, as we prepare to begin
a new millennium, we are beginning a trip into America's
future, and the future of the VFW. But we are not going as
sight-seers, we are going as builders.
We are going to have a hand in shaping the world we live
in. We are not going to accept what is given; we are going to
build what we need. Working together, we will turn indifference
into concern, and concern into action. Working together, we
will strengthen our VFW programs to build an America that holds
promise for young and old alike.
I pledge to you my best efforts and the best efforts of the
Moon-Pouliot-Smart team during our 1997-'98 VFW year. If we are
to succeed, we must travel this difficult road together. But
with your help and with ``Courage Under Fire'' we will succeed.
Thank you very much.
(Whereupon, the assembly extended a prolonged standing
ovation.)
COMRADE LAWRENCE LeFEBVRE (Post 552--Michigan): There being
no further business to come before this Convention, and the
officers having been duly elected and installed, I move that
the 98th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States be closed sine die.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: We have a motion on the floor. Do
we have a second?
COMRADE GEORGE LANGE (Post 284--District of Columbia): I
second the motion.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: The motion has been properly made
and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none, we will call for a
vote. All those in favor will signify by saying ``aye''; all
those opposed will signify by saying ``no''. The motion
carries.
The Council meeting will be starting at high noon today.
That will be in the Ballroom at the Salt Palace Convention
Center.
At this time, Comrade Chaplain, come forward, please.
Sergeant-at-Arms, prepare the room for the retirement of the
Colors.
(Whereupon, the Honor Guard retired the Colors at this
time.)
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: National Chaplain, we will have
your closing prayer.
(Whereupon, National Chaplain Derieg gave the Closing
Prayer from the Ritual.)
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS SARVER: Comrade Commander-in-Chief, the
Closing Ceremonies have been performed.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF MOON: Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and
sisters, this now concludes the 98th National Convention.
(Whereupon, the Convention was duly adjourned at 11:45
o'clock a.m., sine die.)
------
AMENDMENTS TO NATIONAL BY-LAWS AND MANUAL OF PROCEDURE AND
RITUAL CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL BY-LAWS, MANUAL OF
PROCEDURE AND RITUAL
B-1 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee. Proposed
by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 202--By-Laws.
Amend Section 202, National By-Laws, by deleting in its
entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``Posts may, by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the members
present and voting at a regular or special meeting called for
such purpose adopt By-Laws governing the Post provided each
member has been notified and provided a copy of the proposed
By-Laws at least seven (7) days in advance by first class mail
and such By-Laws do not conflict with the Congressional
Charter, By-Laws, Manual of Procedure, Ritual, or laws and
usages of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States or
the By-Laws of the Department having jurisdiction. By-Laws
approved by a Post shall be forwarded as provided in the Manual
of Procedure prior to becoming effective. Unless otherwise
provided for in the Post By-Laws, Post By-Laws may be amended
by a Post by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a
stated meeting thereof provided, however, such amendments have
been read at the preceding stated meeting and each member
notified at least seven (7) days in advance by first class mail
of the contents of the amendments and date on which proposed
amendments are to be presented for adoption.'' (Approved)
B-2 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee. Proposed
by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 413 -ELIGIBILITY TO OFFICE.
Amend Section 413, National By-Laws, by adding the
following to the last sentence:
``, except as provided for in Section 514 of these By-
Laws.'' (Approved)
B-3 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee. Proposed
by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 521- COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION--COMPOSITION, POWERS AND DUTIES.
Amend Section 521(c), National By-Laws, by deleting the
last sentence in the first paragraph. (Approved)
B-4 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee. Proposed
by Commander-in-Chief)
ARTICLE V--DEPARTMENTS
Amend Article V, National By-Laws, by adding the following
after Section 521:
``SECTION 522--CONFERENCES (DIVISIONAL SOCIETIES).
(a) Formation, Chartering.
(1) For the purposes set forth in this Section only,
Departments shall be organized into Conferences. There shall be
four (4) Conferences: Eastern, Southern, Western and Big Ten.
a. The Eastern Conference shall consist of the Departments
of: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Europe, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
b. The Southern Conference shall consist of the Departments
of: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
c. The Western Conference shall consist of the Departments
of: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho,
Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon,
Pacific Areas, Latin America/Caribbean, Utah, Washington and
Wyoming.
d. The Big Ten Conference shall consist of the Departments
of: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Upon the request of a newly chartered Department or a
Provisional Department, and with the concurrence of the
affected Conference, the National Council of Administration is
authorized to assign a newly chartered Department or a
Provisional Department to a Conference. The National Council of
Administration may also authorize a transfer of a Department
from one Conference to another Conference, provided that the
Department and each of the affected Conferences give their
written concurrence. Otherwise, a Department may only be
organized into a different Conference by amendment to these By-
Laws.
(2) Purposes of Conferences. Conferences are organized to
permit the Departments organized therein to coordinate their
respective efforts in attaining the objectives of this
Organization, confer regarding matters of mutual interest and
concern and select candidates for national offices. Commencing
with election year 2000 each Conference, on a rotating basis
(West--East--South--Big 10), shall provide a candidate or
candidates for the office of Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief.
Election of the Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief shall be as
prescribed in Section 609 of the Manual of Procedure.
Conferences shall have no power or authority to direct or
administer the affairs of the National Organization,
Department, District, County Council or Post or otherwise
recommend or establish rules and regulations governing them,
except as specifically set forth in these By-Laws.
(3) Charters. Charters of Conferences shall be authorized
by the National Council of Administration, signed by the
Commander-in-Chief and countersigned by the Adjutant General.
No Conference shall be recognized or function as such unless
acting under an unforfeited charter.
(b) Governing Body; Composition.
Each Conference shall be governed by its Conference
Meetings. A Conference Meeting shall consist of delegates
appointed or elected by Departments. Conference By-Laws shall
prescribe the manner in which the number of delegates shall be
established. Each Department shall determine the manner in
which its delegates shall be selected and the manner in which
the Department shall exercise its voting strength.
(c) By-Laws.
Each Conference shall adopt By-Laws governing the
Conference, provided such By-Laws may not conflict with the
Congressional Charter, By-Laws, Manual of Procedure, Ritual or
laws and usages of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States. By-Laws in place and any amendments approved by a
Conference shall be forwarded as provided in the Manual of
Procedure.
(d) Conference Meetings; Quorum; Caucuses.
(1) Each Conference shall have at least one meeting each
year called an Annual Meeting. Conferences may hold additional
Meetings or call Special Meetings as prescribed by Conference
By-Laws. The times for Conference Meetings shall be prescribed
by Conference By-Laws.
The minimum number of Departments to be represented and
minimum number of delegates to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at a Conference Meeting shall be
prescribed in Conference By-Laws.
(2) Each Conference shall conduct at least one Caucus
Meeting during the National Convention. Conference By-Laws
shall prescribe the manner in which the number of delegates
shall be established. Each Department shall determine the
manner in which its delegates shall be selected and the manner
in which the Department shall exercise its voting strength.
(e) Surrender or Forfeiture of Charter.
Voluntary Surrender. A Conference may voluntarily surrender
its charter only upon a vote at a Conference Meeting after due
notice of such proposition is given, in writing, to every
Department organized into the Conference and to the Commander-
in-Chief. If two-thirds (2/3) of the Departments vote to
surrender the charter, the Conference Chairman shall, within
thirty (30) days, request that the Commander-in-Chief cancel
the charter. For purposes of this section, voting shall be by
unit rule and each Department shall have but one vote.
Disposition of Property. In case of surrender or forfeiture
of a charter, all of the property of the Conference, including
books of record and papers and money belonging to it, shall be
immediately recovered by the Commander-in-Chief and turned over
to the Quartermaster General in trust for disposition as
directed by the National Council of Administration for the
purposes set forth in the Congressional Charter.
In case of surrender or forfeiture of a charter, the
National Council of Administration in the case of trust funds
or trust property, or both, shall carry out the intent and
purposes of such trust to the extent of such funds or property,
or both.
(f) Suspension and Revocation of Charter.
(1) Actions by the Commander-in-Chief---Suspension. The
Commander-in-Chief may suspend the charter of a Conference for
a period of up to sixty (60) days for the same reasons and in
the same manner as a Department Charter may be suspended
pursuant to Section 509.
(2) Actions by the Commander-in-Chief---Revocation. The
Commander-in-Chief may cancel or revoke the charter of a
Conference for the same reasons as Department charters may be
canceled or revoked pursuant to Section 509. Before the
Commander-in-Chief may cancel or revoke the charter of a
Conference, the Conference Chairman and the Commander of each
Department in the Conference shall be notified in writing of
the proposed cancellation or revocation and of the grounds
therefor. Unless the Conference Chairman or at least five (5)
Department Commanders of Departments in the Conference notify
the Commander-in-Chief in writing within fifteen (15) days of
the receipt of notice from the Commander-in-Chief that a
hearing is desired, the cancellation or revocation of charter
shall be effected. In the event that a hearing is requested,
said hearing shall be held within thirty (30) days of the
receipt of the notice that a hearing is desired, at a time and
place and in a manner designated by the Commander-in-Chief, and
shall be before the Commander-in-Chief. Representatives of the
Conference shall be permitted to present evidence in its
behalf. The Commander-in-Chief shall thereafter, and within
thirty (30) days, decide the matter.
If the Conference is not already under a suspension at the
time that the notice of proposed cancellation or revocation is
given, the Conference shall thereafter be under suspension as
provided above, and the Commander-in-Chief shall appoint
trustees who shall act in the manner herein provided for a
suspended Conference.
(3) Appeal to the National Council of Administration. In
the event that the Commander-in-Chief should determine, after
hearing, that the Conference charter should be revoked and
canceled, the Conference or at least five (5) Department
Commanders of Departments within the Conference, may appeal
said revocation and cancellation to the National Council of
Administration. Such an appeal shall be in the manner
prescribed for an appeal to the National Council of
Administration under Section 109 of these By-Laws and the
Manual of Procedure.
(4) Establishment of Trusteeship. Upon the imposition of
any suspension of charter under this Section, the Commander-in-
Chief shall establish a trusteeship consisting of from three to
fifteen trustees. Said trusteeship shall be conducted in the
manner prescribed for Departments in suspension pursuant to
Section 509.
(5) In the event of cancellation or revocation of a
Conference charter, disposition of its property and trust funds
shall be as provided for surrender or forfeiture of charter in
the manner prescribed for Departments under Section 508.
(g) Conference Dues.
Each Conference may assess dues pursuant to Conference By-
Laws. Dues shall be assessed against Departments in the
Conference and not against members in the respective
Departments. Conferences may, by Conference By-Laws, establish
penalties for nonpayment of Conference dues or other financial
obligations, including loss of voting privileges.
(h) Solicitation: Fund-raising.
Conferences shall not be permitted to solicit funds or
donations nor shall Conferences be permitted to engage in any
fund-raising activity other than activities incident to the
conduct of Conference Meetings.
(i) Eligibility to Office.
Any member in good standing in a Post in a Department
within the Conference shall be eligible to any Conference
office, provided that no member shall hold two elective
Conference offices at the same time. Conference officers,
elected or appointed, may concurrently hold offices other than
Conference offices.
(j) Elected and Appointed Officers; Chairmen and
Committees.
(1) The elective officers of each Conference shall be the
Conference Chairman, one or more Vice Chairmen, and the
Treasurer. Conference By-Laws may provide for the election or
appointment of a Conference Secretary, Chaplain and Sergeant-
at-Arms. There shall be no other elective or appointed
Conference officers.
(2) In accordance with Conference By-Laws, the Conference
may elect or the Conference Chairman may appoint such chairmen
and committees as may be required or otherwise necessary to
carry out the responsibilities and functions of the Conference.
(3) No officer, committee chairman or committee member
shall be paid a salary or other compensation for his services,
provided, however, the Conference may authorize the
reimbursement of reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by
such persons related to conducting Conference business.
(4) Conference officers, elected and appointed, shall
submit proof of eligibility to the Secretary. Conference
officers shall not be installed or assume the duties of their
office until proof of eligibility has been submitted and
properly reviewed. Such proof of eligibility shall be open to
and reviewed by the Conference Chairman, Secretary and
Treasurer prior to installation to office. In the event an
elected or appointed officer fails to submit proof of
eligibility within sixty (60) days of election or appointment,
any right of the officer to hold the office shall be forfeited
and the office declared vacant.
(k) Nomination, Election, Installation and Term of Office.
Conference officers shall be nominated, elected or
appointed, and installed in the manner prescribed in Conference
By-Laws. The term of office of Conference officers shall be one
(1) year.
An officer elected and installed shall continue to hold
office for the period for which elected and until his successor
is installed, unless the position is declared vacant pursuant
to provisions in Conference By-Laws. Appointed officers and
committee members shall hold office during the pleasure of the
appointing officer. An officer or committee member must remain
in good standing in a Post in a Department in the Conference.
(l) Officers, Duties and Obligations.
The Conference officers, elective and appointive, shall
have such duties and obligations as prescribed in these By-
Laws, the Ritual and Manual of Procedure and such other duties
and obligations as may be prescribed in Conference By-Laws not
inconsistent with these By-Laws.
(m) Vacancies and Removal of Elective Officers.
The manner of removal of elective officers and filling of
vacancies shall be prescribed in the Conference By-Laws.
(n) Voting.
Each Conference shall adopt Conference By-Laws setting
forth the manner of voting at Conference Meetings and in
conducting elections.
(o) Incorporation of Provisions Applicable to Departments.
Except as otherwise provided herein, for purposes of the
following By-Laws, and corresponding provisions of the Manual
of Procedure, the regulations applicable to Departments shall
apply to Conferences in like manner:
Section 105
Section 702
Section 703
Section 707
Section 708
Section 709
Section 719
Section 720
Section 805
(p) Miscellaneous Provisions.
(1) A Department aggrieved by a decision of the Conference
Chairman or Conference with respect to matters within the
purview of the Conference shall have the right to appeal to the
Commander-in-Chief.
(2) Conferences may incorporate in the same manner and
under the same terms as other units, pursuant to Section 708,
provided that the Conference may select a state of
incorporation. Conferences may organize corporations for the
purpose of conducting meetings pursuant to Section 708.
(3) A Conference shall be a unit for purposes other than
Section 709 of these By-Laws, as provided in Section 720 of
these By-Laws.
(4) Conference Meetings shall be governed by the provisions
of Section 1001 of the Manual of Procedure. Unless otherwise
provided in Conference By-Laws, the Order of Business shall be
as provided in Section 1002 of the Manual of Procedure.''
(Disapproved)
B-5 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee. Proposed
by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 607--ELIGIBILITY TO OFFICE.
Amend Section 607, National By-Laws, by adding the
following after the word ``office'' in the first sentence:
``, except as provided for in Section 522 of these By-Laws
and the Manual of Procedure'' (Disapproved)
B-6 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee. Proposed
by Commander-in-Chief)
Amend Section 610 (a) (12), National By-Laws, by deleting
the words ``commissions or'' (Approved)
B-7 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee. Proposed
by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 610--Officers, Powers and Duties.
Amend Section 610 (d) (14), National By-Laws, by deleting
the first paragraph in its entirety and inserting in lieu
thereof the following:
``Annual Budget. Prepare a tentative budget for the
financial operations of the ensuing year. Said budget shall set
forth all anticipated income and estimated expense. Restricted
funds shall be budgeted separately in every instance, and the
budget shall be in balance. Final action must be taken on the
adoption of the budget at the first stated meeting of the
National Council of Administration, and, when adopted, the
budget shall be the expenditure guide for the ensuing year.''
(Approved)
B-8 (Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 617--REGIONAL NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION MEMBERS-HOW
ELECTED.
Amend Section 617, National By-Laws, by deleting the second
sentence of the second paragraph and inserting in lieu thereof
the following:
``The regional districts designated D, E, and H shall elect
a National Council Member in even-numbered years for a two year
term and Districts A, B, C, F, and J shall elect a National
Council Member in odd-numbered years for a two year term.''
Amend Section 617 further by making changes and additions
to the enumeration of Departments comprising the National
Council Districts as set forth below:
``3. Maryland, New Jersey
4. District of Columbia, Delaware, Europe, Rhode Island''
(Approved)
B-9 (Proposed by Department of Wyoming)
SECTION 101--ELIGIBILITY.
Amend Section 101, National By-Laws, by inserting after the
words ``duty or retired'' in the first sentence the following:
``or as a merchant marine officer or seaman who served in
oceangoing service during World War II'' (Disapproved)
B-10 (Proposed by Departments of Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho,
Montana, Nebraska, and Virginia)
SECTION 102--APPLICATIONS--AFFILIATION OF NEW MEMBERS.
Amend Section 102, National By Laws, by deleting the third
(3) paragraph in its entirety. (Disapproved)
B-11 (Proposed by Department of Texas)
SECTION 102--APPLICATIONS--AFFILIATION OF NEW MEMBERS.
Amend Section 102, National By-Laws, by deleting the fourth
paragraph in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the
following:
``Department Members At Large. Anyone eligible for
membership who is unable to join or does not desire membership
in a post may become a Department Member At Large of the
Department upon application to the Department Adjutant, proof
of eligibility and payment of annual dues in amount to be
determined by the Department Council of Administration. The
Department Quartermaster shall transmit to the Quartermaster
General ten dollars ($10.00) of dues collected for each Member
At Large on a monthly consolidated report.'' (Approved)
B-12 (Proposed by Department of Delaware)
SECTION 111--LIFE MEMBERS.
Amend Section 111, National By-Laws, by deleting all
therein and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``(a) Life Members: Any person who is a member in good
standing of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
may become a life member by payment of the proper life
membership fee to the Post Quartermaster. A member in good
standing as a Member At Large may become a life member by
paying the proper fee to the Adjutant General, or Department
Adjutant in the case of Department Members At Large. Any person
otherwise eligible for membership, but not previously a member,
may become a life member upon election to membership in
accordance with Section 103, payment of an admission fee in
accordance with Section 104 and submission of a life membership
application and payment of the proper life membership fee to
the Post Quartermaster. A former member otherwise eligible for
reinstatement to membership may become a life member upon
reinstatement to membership in accordance with Section 106,
payment of such reinstatement fee as may be assessed by the
Post and submission of a life membership application and
payment of the proper life membership fee to the Post
Quartermaster.
Life Membership fees shall be charged in accordance with
the following fee schedule with changes in fees effective on
January 1, 1998.
ATTAINED AGE LIFE MEMBER FEE
Through 30 $290.00
31-40 $280.00
41-50 $265.00
51-60 $240.00
61-70 $200.00
71-80 $150.00
81 & over $100.00
Fee to be determined using applicant's age at December 31
of the current calendar year in which the application is
submitted, regardless of actual birth date.
Upon receipt of the required fee, the Post Quartermaster
shall immediately forward payment, together with the life
membership application of the individual, through the
Department Quartermaster (if required by Department), to the
Quartermaster General. The life membership shall become
effective immediately upon the receipt of the fee by the
Quartermaster General. The Quartermaster General shall deposit
all sums received by him for life membership in a special fund
called the ``Life Membership,'' and shall issue a suitable life
membership card.
A life member shall not be subject to further membership
dues levies of any kind and shall have all the benefits and
privileges of Post, Department and National membership
ineligible for membership shall forfeit his life membership, in
which case he shall be entitled to a proportionate refund of
life membership fees paid. A member who shall be discharged
from the organization by reason of disciplinary action shall
forfeit his life membership. In such event no refund of fees
paid will be made.
Death of a life member following the issuance of the checks
paying his per capita tax for the next calendar year to
National Headquarters, his Department, and Post, shall not be a
cause for a refund of said per capita tax for that calendar
year.
(b) Life Membership Committee: The Life Membership
Committee shall consist of the Commander-in-Chief, the Senior
vice Commander-in Chief, the Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief,
the Adjutant General and the Quartermaster General. Such
committee shall also be known as the Board of Trustees of the
Life Membership Fund. The Quartermaster General shall be
treasurer of the Life Membership Committee and shall have
custody of the Life Membership Fund.
The Life Membership Committee shall administer the Life
Membership Fund, investing and reinvesting funds to the best
interest of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
An amount, as determined by Life Membership Committee after
consultation with professionals in actuarial science, shall be
paid in September of the current year for the following
calendar year to Posts, Departments and National Headquarters
on all life members recorded as of August 31 of the then
current calendar year and in addition, the same amount shall be
paid in January of the following year for persons who have
become life members during the period September 1 to December
31, as provided by in the following plans:
(1) Plan A, B and C Life Members: To the extent funds are
available in the Life Membership Fund for Plan A, B, and C life
members, payments shall never be less than three dollars and
fifty cents ($3.50) per capita tax to the National Headquarters
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, three
dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) to the Department Headquarters,
and three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) to the Post to which
each life member belongs.
(2) Plan D Life Members: To the extent funds are available
in the Life Membership Fund for Plan D life members, payments
shall never be less than seven dollars ($7.00) per capita tax
to the National Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States, seven dollars ($7.00) to the Department
Headquarters, and seven dollars ($7.00) to the Post to which
each life member belongs.'' (Disapproved)
B-13 (Proposed by Departments of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Pacific Areas and West Virginia)
SECTION 111--LIFE MEMBERS.
Amend Section 111, National By-Laws, by deleting all
therein and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``(a) Life Members: Any person who is a member in good
standing of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
may become a life member by payment of the proper life
membership fee to the Post Quartermaster. A member in good
standing as a Member At Large may become a life member by
paying the proper fee to the Adjutant General, or Department
Adjutant in the case of Department Members At Large. Any person
otherwise eligible for membership, but not previously a member,
may become a life member upon election to membership in
accordance with Section 103, payment of an admission fee in
accordance with Section 104 and submission of a life membership
application and payment of the proper life membership fee to
the Post Quartermaster. A former member otherwise eligible for
reinstatement to membership may become a life member upon
reinstatement to membership in accordance with Section 106,
payment of such reinstating fee as may be assessed by the Post
and submission of a life membership application and payment of
the proper life membership fee to the Post Quartermaster.
Life Membership fees shall be charged in accordance with
the following fee schedule with changes in fees effective on
January 1 of the year indicated.
ATTAINED AGE LIFE MEMBER FEE LIFE MEMBER FEE LIFE MEMBER FEE
1998 (PLAN D) 2000 (PLAN E) 2004 (PLAN F)
Through 30 $220.00 $265.00 $310.00
31-40 210.00 255.00 295.00
41-50 195.00 235.00 275.00
51-60 175.00 210.00 245.00
61-70 150.00 180.00 210.00
71-80 115.00 135.00 160.00
81 & over 75.00 90.00 105.00
Fee to be determined using applicant's attained age at
December 31 of the current calendar year in which the
application is submitted, regardless of actual birth date.
Upon receipt of the required fee, the Post Quartermaster
shall immediately forward payment, together with the life
membership application of the individual, through the
Department Quartermaster, to the Quartermaster General. The
life membership shall become effective immediately upon the
receipt of the fee by the Quartermaster General. The
Quartermaster General shall deposit all sums received by him
for life memberships in a special fund called the ``Life
Membership Fund,'' and shall issue a suitable life membership
card.
A life member shall not be subject to further membership
dues levies of any kind and shall have all the benefits and
privileges of Post, Department and National membership as long
as he shall live; provided, however, a life member who shall
subsequently be found ineligible for membership shall forfeit
his life membership, in which case he shall be entitled to a
proportionate refund of life membership fees paid. A member who
shall be discharged from the organization by reason of
disciplinary action shall forfeit his life membership. In such
event no refund of fees paid will be made.
Death of a life member following the issuance of the checks
paying his capita tax for the next calendar year to National
Headquarters, his Department, and Post, shall not be a cause
for a refund of said per capita tax for that calendar year.
(b) Life Membership Committee: The Life Membership
Committee shall consist of the Commander-in-Chief, the Senior
Vice Commander-in-Chief, the Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief,
the Adjutant General and the Quartermaster General. Such
committee shall also be known as the Board of Trustees of the
Life Membership Fund. The Quartermaster General shall be
treasurer of the Life Membership Committee and shall have
custody of the Life Membership Fund.
The Life Membership Committee shall administer the Life
Membership Fund, investing and reinvesting funds to the best
interest of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
An amount, as determined by the Life Membership Committee after
consultation with professionals licensed in actuarial science,
shall be paid in September of the current year for the
following calendar year to Posts, Departments and National
Headquarters on all life members recorded as of August 31 of
the then current calendar year and in addition, the same amount
shall be paid in January of the following year for persons who
have become life members during the period September 1 to
December 31, as provided by in the following plans:
(1) Plan A, B, and C Life Members: To the extent funds are
available in the Life membership Fund for Plan A, B, and C life
members, payments shall never be less than three dollars and
fifty cents ($3.50) per capita tax to the National Headquarters
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, three
dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) to the Department Headquarters,
and three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) to the Post to which
each life member belongs.
(2) Plan D, E, and F Life Members: To the extent funds are
available in the Life Membership Fund for Plan D, E, and F life
members, payments shall never be less than the following
schedule. Payments to be made in an equal per capita tax amount
to the National Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States, the Department Headquarters, and the Post to
which each life member belongs.
Plan D Life Members Plan E Life Members Plan F Life Members
after January 1, 1998 after January 1, 2000 after January 1, 2004
$5.00 $6.00 $7.00''
(Disapproved)
B-14 (Proposed by Department of Oregon)
SECTION 111--LIFE MEMBERS.
Amend Section 111, National By-Laws, by deleting all
therein and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``(a) Life Members: Any person who is a member in good
standing of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
may become a life member by payment of the proper life
membership fee to the Post Quartermaster. A member in good
standing as a Member At Large may become a life member by
paying the proper fee to the Adjutant General, or Department
Adjutant in the case of Department Members At Large. Any person
otherwise eligible for membership, but not previously a member,
may become a life member upon election to membership in
accordance with Section 103, payment of an admission fee in
accordance with section 104 and submission of a life membership
application and payment of the proper life membership fee to
the Post Quartermaster. A former member otherwise eligible for
reinstatement to membership may become a life member upon
reinstatement to membership in accordance with Section 106,
payment of such reinstating fee as may be assessed by the Post
and submission of a life membership application and payment of
the proper life membership fee to the Post Quartermaster.
Life Membership fees shall be charged in accordance with
the following fee schedule with changes in fees effective on
January 1 of the year indicated:
ATTAINED AGE LIFE MEMBER FEE LIFE MEMBER FEE LIFE MEMBER FEE
1998 (PLAIN D) 2000 (PLAN E) 2004 (PLAN F)
Through 30 $220.00 $265.00 $310.00
31-40 210.00 255.00 295.00
41-50 195.00 235.00 275.00
51-60 175.00 210.00 245.00
61-70 150.00 180.00 210.00
71-80 115.00 135.00 160.00
81 & over 75.00 90.00 105.00
Fee to be determined using applicant's attained age at
December 31 of the current calendar year in which the
application is submitted, regardless of actual birth date.
Life Membership fees shall be raised only by vote of the
National Convention. There will be no exceptions to this
requirement.
Upon receipt of the required fee, the Post Quartermaster
shall immediately forward payment, together with the life
membership application of the individual, through the
Department Quartermaster, to the Quartermaster General. The
life membership shall become effective immediately upon the
receipt of the fee by the Quartermaster General. The
Quartermaster General shall deposit all sums received by him
for life memberships in a special fund called the ``Life
Membership Fund'', and shall issue a suitable life membership
card.
A life member shall not be subject to further membership
dues levies of any kind and shall have all the benefits and
privileges of Post, Department and National membership as long
as he shall live; provided, however, a life member who shall
subsequently be found ineligible for membership shall forfeit
his life membership, in which case he shall be entitled to a
proportionate refund of life membership fees paid. A member who
shall be discharged from the organization by reason of
disciplinary action shall forfeit his life membership. In such
event no refund of fees paid will be made.
Death of a life member following the issuance of the checks
paying his capita tax for the next calendar year to National
Headquarters, his Department, and Post, shall not be a cause
for a refund of said per capita tax for that calendar year.
(b) Life Membership Committee: The Life Membership
Committee shall consist of the Commander-in-Chief, the Senior
Vice Commander-in-Chief, the Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief,
the Adjutant General and the Quartermaster General. Such
committee shall also be known as the Board of Trustees of the
Life Membership Fund. The Quartermaster General shall be
treasurer of the Life Membership Committee and shall have
custody of the Life Membership Fund.
The Life Membership Committee shall administer the Life
Membership and, investing and reinvesting funds to the best
interest of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
An amount, as determined by the Life Membership Committee after
consultation with professionals licensed in actuarial science,
shall be paid in September of the current year for the
following calendar year to Posts, Departments and National
Headquarters on all life members recorded as of August 31 of
the then current calendar year and in addition, the same amount
shall be paid in January of the following year for persons who
have become life members during the period September 1 to
December 31, as provided by in the following plans.
(1) Plan A, B, and C Life Members: To the extent funds are
available in the Life Membership Fund for Plan A, B, and C life
members, payments shall never be less than three dollars and
fifty cents ($3.50) per capita tax to the National Headquarters
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, three
dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) to the Department Headquarters,
and three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) to the Post to which
each life member belongs.
(2) Plan D, E, and F Life Members: To the extent funds are
available in the Life Membership Fund for Plan D, E, and F life
members, payments shall never be less than the following
schedule. Payments to be made in an equal per capita tax amount
to the National Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States, the Department Headquarters, and the Post to
which each life member belongs.
Plan D Life Members Plan E Life Members Plan F Life Members
after January 1, 1998 after January 1, 2000 after January 1, 2004
$5.00 $6.00 $7.00''
(Disapproved)
B-15 (Proposed by Department of Connecticut)
SECTION 111--LIFE MEMBERS.
Amend Section 111, National By-Laws, by deleting all
therein and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``(a) Life Members: Any person who is a member in good
standing of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
may become a life member by payment of the applicable life
membership fee to the Post Quartermaster. A member in good
standing as a Member-at-Large may become a life member by
paying the applicable fee to the Adjutant General or Department
Adjutant in the case of Department Members-at-Large. Any person
otherwise eligible for membership, but not previously a member,
may become a life member upon election to membership in
accordance with Section 103, payment of an admission fee in
accordance with Section 104 and submission of a life membership
application and payment of the applicable life membership fee
to the Post Quartermaster. A former member otherwise eligible
for reinstatement to membership may become a life member upon
reinstatement to membership in accordance with Section 106,
payment of such reinstating fee as may be assessed by the Post
and submission of a life membership application and the payment
of the applicable life membership fee to the Post
Quartermaster.
(b) Life Membership Fees: Life Membership fees shall be
charged in accordance with the following Plan D fee schedule
effective January 1, 1998:
ATTAINED AGE PLAN D LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEE
Through 30 $245.00
31 to 40 235.00
41 to 50 215.00
51 to 60 195.00
61 to 70 165.00
71 to 80 125.00
81 and over 85.00
The applicable fee from the life membership fee schedule
set forth herein will be determined using the applicant's
attained age as of December 31st of the current calendar year
in which the application is submitted regardless of actual date
of birth.
Upon receipt of the applicable fee, the Post Quartermaster
shall immediately forward payment together with the life
membership application of the individual to the Quartermaster
General (or, if required by the Department, through the
Department Quartermaster to the Quartermaster General). The
life membership shall become effective immediately upon the
receipt of the fee by the Quartermaster General. The
Quartermaster General shall deposit all sums received for life
membership in a special fund called the Life Membership Fund
and shall issue a suitable life membership card.
A life member shall not be subject to further membership
dues levies or life membership fees of any kind and shall have
all the benefits and privileges of Post, Department and
National membership as long as the member shall live; provided,
however, a life member who shall subsequently be found
ineligible for membership shall forfeit such life membership,
in which case such life member shall be entitled to a
proportionate refund of life membership fees paid. A life
member who shall be discharged from the organization by reason
of disciplinary action shall forfeit such life membership. In
such event, no refund of fees paid will be made.
(c) Life Membership Committee: The Life Membership
Committee shall consist of the Commander-in-Chief, the Senior
Vice Commander-in-Chief, the Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief,
the Adjutant General and the Quartermaster General. Such
committee shall also be known as the Board of Trustees of the
Life Membership Fund. The Quartermaster General shall be
treasurer of the Life Membership Committee and shall have
custody of the Life Membership Fund. The Life Membership
Committee shall administer the Life Membership Fund, investing
and reinvesting funds, to be the best interest of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars of the United States.
(d) Per Capita Tax:
(1) Plan D: An amount, as determined by the Life Membership
Committee after consultation with professionals licensed in
actuarial science, shall be paid in September of the current
year for the following calendar year to Posts, Departments and
National Headquarters on all life members recorded as of August
31 of the then current calendar year and, in addition, the same
amount shall be paid in January of the following year for
persons who have become life members during the period
September 1 to December 31, provided, however, that to the
extent funds are available in the Life Membership Fund,
payments shall never be less than five dollars and fifty cents
($5.50) per capita tax to National Headquarters of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars of the United States, five dollars and fifty
cents ($5.50) to the Department Headquarters, and five dollars
and fifty cents ($5.50) to the Post to which each life member
belongs.
(2) All Prior Plans: An amount, as determined by the Life
Membership Committee after consultation with professionals
licensed in actuarial science shall be paid in September of the
current year for the following calendar year to Posts,
Departments and National Headquarters on all life members
recorded as of August 31 of the then current calendar year,
provided, however, that to the extent funds are available in
the Life Membership Fund, payments shall never be less than
three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) per capita tax to
National Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) to the
Department Headquarters, and three dollars and fifty cents
($3.50) to the Post to which each life member belongs.
Death of a life member following issuance of the checks
paying the member's per capita tax for the next calendar year
to National Headquarters, Department and Post shall not be
cause for a refund of such per capita tax for that calendar
year.'' (Approved)
B-16 (Proposed by Departments of District of Columbia and
Massachusetts)
SECTION 111--LIFE MEMBERS.
Amend Section 111, National By-Laws, by deleting all
therein and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``(a) Life Members: Any person who is a member in good
standing of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
may become a life member by payment of the proper life
membership fee to the Post Quartermaster. A member in good
standing as a Member At Large may become a life member by
paying the applicable fee to the Adjutant General or Department
Adjutant in the case of Department Members At Large. Any person
otherwise eligible for membership, but not previously a member,
may become a life member upon election to membership in
accordance with Section 103, payment of an admission fee in
accordance with Section 104 and submission of a life membership
application and payment of the applicable life membership fee
to the Post Quartermaster. A former member otherwise eligible
for reinstatement to membership may become a life member upon
reinstatement to membership in accordance with Section 106,
payment of such reinstating fee as may be assessed by the Post
and submission of a life membership application and payment of
the applicable life membership fee to the Post Quartermaster.
(b) Life Membership Fees: Life membership fees shall be
charged in accordance with the following Plan D fee schedule
effective September 1, 1997:
ATTAINED AGE PLAN D LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEE
Through 30 $220.00
31 to 40 210.00
41 to 50 195.00
51 to 60 175.00
61 to 70 150.00
71 to 80 115.00
81 and over 75.00
The applicable fee from the life membership fee schedule
set forth herein will be determined using applicant's attained
age as of December 31 of the current calendar year in which the
application is submitted regardless of actual date of birth.
Upon receipt of the applicable fee, the Post Quartermaster
shall immediately forward payment together with the life
membership application of the individual to the Quartermaster
General (or, if required by the Department, through the
Department Quartermaster to the Quartermaster General). The
life membership shall become effective immediately upon the
receipt of the fee by the Quartermaster General. The
Quartermaster General shall deposit all sums received for life
memberships in a special fund called the Life Membership Fund
and shall issue a suitable life membership card.
A life member shall not be subject to further membership
dues levies or life membership fees of any kind and shall have
all the benefits and privileges of Post, Department and
National membership as long as the member shall live; provided,
however, a life member who shall subsequently be found
ineligible for membership shall forfeit such life membership,
in which case such life member shall be entitled to a
proportionate refund of life membership fees paid. A life
member who shall be discharged from the organization by reason
of disciplinary action shall forfeit such life membership. In
such event, no refund of fees paid will be made.
The following life membership fee schedules are provided for
incorporation in this proposed amendment in lieu of the fee
schedule for a $5.00 payout to provide for a $5.50, $6.00 or
$7.00 payout:
ATTAINED AGE L/M FEE L/M FEE L/M FEE
($5.50 Payout) ($6.00 Payout) ($7.00 Payout)
Through 30 $245.00 $265.00 $310.00
31--40 235.00 255.00 295.00
41--50 215.00 235.00 275.00
51--60 195.00 210.00 245.00
61--70 165.00 180.00 210.00
71--80 125.00 135.00 160.00
81 & over 85.00 90.00 105.00
(c) Life Membership Committee: The Life Membership
Committee shall consist of the Commander-in-Chief, the Senior
Vice Commander-in-Chief, the Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief,
the Adjutant General and the Quartermaster General. Such
committee shall also be known as the Board of Trustees of the
Life Membership Fund. The Quartermaster General shall be
treasurer of the Life Membership Committee and shall have
custody of the Life Membership Fund. The Life Membership
Committee shall administer the Life Membership Fund, investing
and reinvesting funds, to the best interest of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States.
(d) Per Capita Tax:
(1) Plan D: An amount, as determined by the Life Membership
Committee after consultation with professionals licensed in
actuarial science, shall be paid in September of the current
year for the following calendar year to Posts, Departments and
National Headquarters on all life members recorded as of August
31 of the then current calendar year and, in addition, the same
amount shall be paid in January of the following year for
persons who have become life members during the period
September 1 to December 31, provided, however, that to the
extent funds are available in the Life Membership Fund,
payments shall never be less than five dollars ($5.00) per
capita tax to National Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States, five dollars ($5.00) to the
Department Headquarters, and five dollars ($5.00) to the Post
to which life member belongs.
(2) All Prior Plans: An amount, as determined by the Life
Membership Committee after consultation with professionals
licensed in actuarial science, shall be paid in September of
the current year for the following calendar year to Posts,
Departments and National Headquarters on all life members
recorded as of August 31 of the then current calendar year,
provided, however, that to the extent funds are available in
the Life Membership Fund, payments shall never be less than
three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) per capita tax to
National Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) to the
Department Headquarters, and three dollars and fifty cents
($3.50) to the Post to which each life member belongs.
Death of a life member following issuance of the checks
paying the member's per capita tax for the next calendar year
to National Headquarters, Department and Post shall not be
cause for a refund of such per capita tax for that calendar
year.
(e) Effective Date: Notwithstanding the provisions of
paragraph 2 of Section 1301 of the National By-Laws, this
amendment shall become effective on September 1, 1997.''
(Disapproved)
B-17 (Proposed by Departments of Colorado and Nebraska)
SECTION 111--LIFE MEMBERS.
Amend Section 111, National By-Laws, by deleting all
therein and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``(a) Life Members: Any person who is a member in good
standing of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
may become a life member by payment of the proper life
membership fee to the Post Quartermaster. A member in good
standing as a Member At Large may become a life member by
paying the applicable fee to the Adjutant General or Department
Adjutant in the case of Department Members at Large. Any person
otherwise eligible for membership, but not previously a member,
may become a life member upon election to membership in
accordance with Section 103, payment of an admission fee in
accordance with Section 104 and submission of a life membership
application and payment of the applicable life membership fee
to the Post Quartermaster. A former member otherwise eligible
for reinstatement to membership may become a life member upon
reinstatement to membership in accordance with Section 106,
payment of such reinstating fee as may be assessed by the Post
and submission of a life membership application and payment of
the applicable life membership fee to the Post Quartermaster.
(b) Life Membership Fees: Life membership fees shall be
charged in accordance with the following Plan D fee schedule
effective September 1, 1997:
ATTAINED AGE PLAN D LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEE
Through 30 $220.00
31 to 40 210.00
41 to 50 195.00
51 to 60 175.00
61 to 70 150.00
71 to 80 115.00
81 and over 75.00
The applicable fee from the life membership fee schedule
set forth herein will be determined using the applicant's
attained age as of December 31st of the current calendar year
in which the application is submitted regardless of actual date
of birth.
Upon receipt of the applicable fee, the Post Quartermaster
shall immediately forward payment together with the life
membership application of the individual to the Quartermaster
General (or, if required by the Department, through the
Department Quartermaster to the Quartermaster General). The
life membership shall become effective immediately upon the
receipt of the fee by the Quartermaster General. The
Quartermaster General shall deposit all sums received for life
memberships in a special fund called the Life Membership Fund
and shall issue a suitable life membership card.
A life member shall not be subject to further membership
dues levies or life membership fees of any kind and shall have
all the benefits and privileges of Post, Department and
National membership as long as the member shall live; provided,
however, a life member who shall subsequently be found
ineligible for membership shall forfeit such life membership,
in which case such life member shall be entitled to a
proportionate refund of life membership fees paid. A life
member who shall be discharged from the organization by reason
of disciplinary action shall forfeit such life membership. In
such event, no refund of fees paid will be made.
(c) Life Membership Committee: The Life Membership
Committee shall consist of the Commander-in-Chief, the Senior
Vice Commander-in-Chief, the Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief,
the Adjutant General and the Quartermaster General. Such
committee shall also be known as the Board of Trustees of the
Life Membership Fund. The Quartermaster General shall be
treasurer of the Life Membership Committee and shall have
custody of the Life Membership Fund. The Life Membership
Committee shall administer the Life Membership Fund, investing
and reinvesting funds, to the best interest of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States.
(d) Per Capita Tax:
(1) Plan D: An amount, as determined by the Life Membership
Committee after consultation with professionals licensed in
actuarial science, shall be paid in September of the current
year for the following calendar year to Posts, Departments and
National Headquarters on all life members recorded as of August
31 of the then current calendar year and, in addition, the same
amount shall be paid in January of the following year for
persons who have become life members during the period
September 1 to December 31, provided, however, that to the
extent funds are available in the Life Membership Fund,
payments shall never be less than five dollars ($5.00) per
capita tax to National Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States, five dollars ($5.00) to the
Department Headquarters, and five dollars ($5.00) to the Post
to which each life member belongs.
(2) All Prior Plans: An amount, as determined by the Life
Membership Committee after consultation with professionals
licensed in actuarial science, shall be paid in September of
the current year for the following calendar year to Posts,
Departments and National Headquarters on all life members
recorded as of August 31 of the then current calendar year,
provided, however, that to the extent funds are available in
the Life Membership Fund, payments shall never be less than
three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) per capita tax to
National Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) to the
Department Headquarters, and three dollars and fifty cents
($3.50) to the Post to which each life member belongs.
Death of a life member following issuance of the checks paying
the member's per capita tax for the next calendar year to
National Headquarters, Department and Post shall not be cause
for a refund of such per capita tax for that calendar year.
(e) Effective Date: Notwithstanding the provisions of
paragraph 2 of Section 1301 of the National By-Laws, this
amendment shall become effective on September 1, 1997.''
(Disapproved)
B-18 (Proposed by Department of New Jersey)
SECTION 111--LIFE MEMBERS.
Amend Section 111, National By-Laws, by deleting all
therein and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``(a) Life Members: Any person who is a member in good
standing of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
may become a life member by payment of the applicable life
membership fee to the Post Quartermaster. A member in good
standing as a Member-At-Large may become a life member by
paying the applicable fee to the Adjutant General or Department
Adjutant in the case of Department Members at Large. Any person
otherwise eligible for membership, but not previously a member,
may become a life member upon election to membership in
accordance with Section 103, payment of an admission fee in
accordance with Section 104 and submission of a life membership
application and payment of the applicable life membership fee
to Post Quartermaster. A former member otherwise eligible for
reinstatement to membership may become a life member upon
reinstatement to membership in accordance with Section 106,
payment of such reinstating fee as may be assessed by the Post
and submission of a life membership application and payment of
the applicable life membership fee to the Post Quartermaster.
(b) Life Membership Fees: Life membership fees shall be
charged in accordance with the following Plan D fee schedule
effective January 1, 1998:
ATTAINED AGE L/M FEE
($5.50 Payout)
Through 30 $245.00
31--40 235.00
41--50 215.00
51--60 195.00
61--70 165.00
71--80 125.00
81 & over 85.00
The applicable fee from the life membership fee schedule
set forth herein will be determined using applicant's attained
age as of December 31 of the current calendar year in which the
application is submitted regardless of actual date of birth.
Upon receipt of the applicable fee, the Post Quartermaster
shall immediately forward payment together with the life
membership application of the individual to the Quartermaster
General (or, if required by the Department, through the
Department Quartermaster to the Quartermaster General). The
life membership shall become effective immediately upon the
receipt of the fee by the Quartermaster General. The
Quartermaster General shall deposit all sums received for life
memberships in a special fund called the Life Membership Fund
and shall issue a suitable life membership card.
A life member shall not be subject to further membership
dues levies or life membership fees of any kind and shall have
all the benefits and privileges of Post, Department and
National membership as long as the member shall live; provided,
however, a life member who shall subsequently be found
ineligible for membership shall forfeit such life membership,
in which case such life member shall be entitled to a
proportionate refund of life membership fees paid. A life
member who shall be discharged from the organization by reason
of disciplinary action shall forfeit such life membership. In
such event, no refund of fees paid will be made.
(c) Life Membership Committee: The Life Membership
Committee shall consist of the Commander-in-Chief, the Senior
Vice Commander-in-Chief, the Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief,
the Adjutant General and the Quartermaster General. Such
committee shall also be known as the Board of Trustees of the
Life Membership Fund. The Quartermaster General shall be
treasurer of the Life Membership Committee and shall have
custody of the Life Membership Fund. The Life Membership
Committee shall administer the Life Membership Fund, investing
and reinvesting funds, to the best interest of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States.
(d) Per Capita Tax:
(1) Plan D: An amount, as determined by the Life Membership
Committee after consultation with professionals licensed in
actuarial science, shall be paid in September of the current
year for the following calendar year to Posts, Departments and
National Headquarters on all life members recorded as of August
31 of the then current calendar year and, in addition, the same
amount shall be paid in January of the following year for
persons who have become life members during the period
September 1 to December 31, provided, however, that to the
extent funds are available in the Life Membership Fund,
payments shall never be less than five dollars ($5.00) per
capita tax to National Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States, five dollars ($5.00) to the
Department Headquarters, and five dollars ($5.00) to the Post
to which each life member belongs.
(2) All Prior Plans: An amount, as determined by the Life
Membership Committee after consultation with professionals
licensed in actuarial science, shall be paid in September of
the current year for the following calendar year to Posts,
Departments and National Headquarters on all life members
recorded as of August 31 of the then current calendar year,
provided, however, that to the extent funds are available in
the Life Membership Fund, payments shall never be less than
three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) per capita tax to
National Headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) to the
Department Headquarters, and three dollars and fifty cents
($3.50) to the Post to which each life member belongs.
Death of a life member following issuance of the checks
paying the member's per capita tax for the next calendar year
to National Headquarters, Department and Post shall not be
cause for a refund of such per capita tax for that calendar
year.
(e) Effective Date: Notwithstanding the provisions of
paragraph 2 of Section 1301 of the National By-Laws, this
amendment shall become effective on September 1, 1997.''
(Disapproved)
B-19 (Proposed by Departments of Connecticut and New York)
SECTION 610--OFFICERS, POWERS AND DUTIES.
Amend Section 610 (a) (6), National By-Laws, by inserting
after the words ``Adjutant General'' the following:
``Assistant Adjutants General'' (Disapproved)
B-20 (Proposed by Departments of Connecticut and New York)
SECTION 610--OFFICERS, POWERS AND DUTIES.
Amend Section 610 (f) (12), National By-Laws, by deleting
in its entirety and renumbering the remainder of the section.
(Disapproved)
B-21 (Proposed by Departments of Connecticut and New York)
SECTION 610--OFFICERS, POWERS AND DUTIES.
Amend Section 610 (g), National By-Laws, by adding the
following:
``Assistant Adjutants General shall be full-time
salaried officers of the organization.'' (Disapproved)
B-22 (Proposed by Departments of Arizona, Colorado,
Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, Nebraska, New
Jersey, New York, and Washington)
SECTION 610--OFFICERS, POWERS AND DUTIES.
Amend Section 610 (d) (13), National By-Laws, by adding the
following:
``provided, however, that said compensation shall not exceed
$150,000 per annum.'' (Disapproved)
B-23 (Proposed by Departments of Arizona, Colorado,
Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, Nebraska, New
Jersey, New York, and Washington)
SECTION 610--OFFICERS, POWERS AND DUTIES.
Amend Section 610 (f) (10), National By-Laws, by adding the
following:
``provided, however, that said compensation shall not exceed
$150,000 per annum.'' (Disapproved)
B-24 (Proposed by Department of Mississippi)
SECTION 615--NATIONAL COMMITTEES.
Amend Section 615, National By-Laws, by deleting ``4.
Political Action Committee'' in the first paragraph and
renumber.
Amend Section 615 further by deleting in its entirety sub-
section (d) and redesignate sub-section (e) sub-section (d).
(Disapproved)
B-25 (Proposed by Department of New Jersey)
SECTION 617--REGIONAL NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION MEMBERS--HOW
ELECTED.
Amend Section 617, National By-Laws, by deleting the words
``in excess of 70,000 members'' in the first sentence of the
second paragraph and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``in excess of 65,000 members'' (Disapproved)
B-26 (Proposed by Departments of Arizona, Colorado,
Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, New Jersey, New
York and Washington)
SECTION 618--NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION--COMPOSITION, POWERS
AND DUTIES.
Amend Section 618 (c), National By-Laws, by adding to the
second paragraph the following:
``provided, however, that the salaries of the Quartermaster
General and the Adjutant General respectively shall not exceed
$150,000 per annum.'' (Disapproved)
B-27 (Proposed by Department of Washington)
SECTION 702--POLITICS.
Amend Section 702, National By-Laws, by deleting the last
paragraph in its entirety. (Disapproved)
B-28 (Proposed by Department of Mississippi)
SECTION 702--POLITICS.
Amend Section 702, National By-Laws, by deleting in its
entirety the last paragraph. (Disapproved)
B-29 (Proposed by Department of New Mexico)
SECTION 714--CONTROL OF MAILING LISTS.
Amend Section 714, National By-Laws, by deleting all
therein and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``The names and address of the members of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States shall be considered
confidential and shall not be made available for commercial or
political use.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting
the VFW, its National Organization or any subordinate Unit 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.
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 VFW members, shall contain the
name, and current mailing address of all members of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, including
members-at-large as set forth in By-Laws' Article I, Section
102, Members-At-Large, having a mailing address within the
boundaries of the State, Territory, Foreign Possession or
Country, making up such Department, and shall remain under the
control of the Commander-in-Chief and shall be used only for
such purposes as he may authorize.'' (Disapproved)
B-30 (Proposed by Department of Colorado)
SECTION 714--CONTROL OF MAILING LISTS.
Amend Section 714, National By-Laws, by deleting all
therein and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``The names and address of the members of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States shall be considered
confidential and shall not be made available for commercial or
political use.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting
the VFW, its National Organization or any subordinate Unit from
soliciting or authorizing solicitation of its membership in
support of the activities of a Political Action Committee duly
authorized and organized by the VFW.
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 VFW members, shall contain the
name, and current mailing address of all members of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, including
members-at-large as set forth in By-Laws' Article I, Section
102, Members-At-Large, having a mailing address within the
boundaries of the State, Territory, Foreign Possession or
Country, making up such Department, and shall remain under the
control of the Commander-in-Chief and shall be used only for
such purposes as he may authorize.'' (Disapproved)
B-31 (Proposed by Department of Colorado)
ARTICLE IX--DISCIPLINE.
Amend Article IX--Discipline, National By-Laws, by adding
as a new section the following:
``Section 908--Limitation of Actions--two years.
An action initiated accusing any member of committing an
offense as set forth in Section 902 shall be commenced within
two years after the cause of action accrues, and not
thereafter.'' (Disapproved)
B-32 (Proposed by Department of Alabama)
SECTION 1301--AMENDMENTS.
Amend Section 1301, National By-Laws, by deleting the
words, ``fifteen days'' in the first paragraph and inserting in
lieu thereof the following:
``thirty-five days'' (Disapproved)
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MANUAL OF PROCEDURE
M-1 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee. Proposed
by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 209--CONSOLIDATION OF POSTS.
Amend Section 209, Manual of Procedure, by deleting the
second paragraph in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof
the following:
``If such consolidation be so approved, the name, number
and location to be assigned the consolidating Posts, must be
approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of any and
all the Posts consolidating present at a meeting called for
such purpose, after at least two (2) weeks notice in writing
has been given to all the members of the Posts concerned of
such meeting and purpose. Such facts shall be certified to the
Department Commander. The Department Commander shall forward
such certification to the Commander-in-Chief, who shall issue
without charge a Certificate of Charter reciting the facts of
such consolidation. The Certificate of Charter shall rank from
the date of the senior Post's charter.'' (Approved)
M-2 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 517--OFFICERS AND CHAIRMEN, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS.
Amend Section 517 (a) (4) f 1, Manual of Procedure, by
deleting all after the words, ``Commander-in-Chief ,''.
(Approved)
M-3 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 517--OFFICERS AND CHAIRMEN, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS.
Amend Section 517 (a) (4) f 3, Manual of Procedure, by
deleting the words, ``the Adjutant General and to''. (Approved)
M-4 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 517--OFFICERS AND CHAIRMEN, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS.
Amend Section 517 (a) (4) j, Manual of Procedure, by
deleting the last sentence in its entirety. (Approved)
M-5 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 517--OFFICERS AND CHAIRMEN, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS.
Amend Section 517 (a) (9) a, Manual of Procedure, by
deleting the words, ``Adjutant General, the'', in the first
sentence of the second paragraph. (Disapproved)
M-6 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
ARTICLE V--DEPARTMENTS
Amend Article V, Manual of Procedure, by adding as a new
Section the following:
``SECTION 522--CONFERENCES (DIVISIONAL SOCIETIES).
(a) Formation, Chartering.
For certain limited purposes, Departments may be organized
into Conferences which shall have authority to act only in
furtherance of those purposes. Unlike Posts and Departments, a
Conference is not an organization of members, but an
organization of the Departments making up the Conference. Each
Department retains all of its power and authority and the
corresponding duties and obligations, except to the limited
extent that a Conference may act as provided in the By-Laws and
Manual of Procedure.
(b) Governing Body; Composition.
(c) By-Laws.
A Conference may adopt or amend By-Laws at an Annual
Conference Meeting. Copies of By-Laws, including amendments,
adopted by a Conference shall be forwarded to the Commander-in-
Chief. No By-Laws or amendments adopted by a Conference shall
become effective until reviewed by the Commander-in-Chief or
his designee for compliance with the Congressional Charter, By-
Laws, Manual of Procedure, Ritual or laws and usages of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
For purposes of determining the two-thirds (2/3) vote
necessary to adopt or amend Conference By-Laws, Department
voting shall be governed by unit rule, notwithstanding other
provisions in Conference By-Laws.
(d) Conference Meetings; Quorum; Authorized Attendees;
Caucuses.
In the event Conference By-Laws provide for special
meetings, the By-Laws shall also provide for notice in writing
to Departments of the time and place of such meeting and the
business to be transacted, such notice to be given in
sufficient time to afford a reasonable opportunity for
attendance. No business shall be transacted at any special
meeting except that for which the meeting was called.
(e) Surrender or Forfeiture of Charter.
(f) Suspension and Revocation of Charter.
(g) Conference Dues.
(h) Solicitation; Fund-raising.
With respect to fund-raising activities incident to the
conduct of Conference Meetings, such activities may only be
undertaken with a prior vote of a Conference Meeting. The
Conference shall assure that solicitations, activities and
projects do not violate any applicable governmental law,
ordinance or regulation nor bring or tend to bring opprobrium
or embarrassment upon the Conference, the Departments organized
into it or the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
The name, seals, badges and emblems of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States shall not be used in connection with
any solicitations, activities or projects not in compliance
with the foregoing.
Fund-raising organizations or individuals conducting
solicitations, activities or projects for a profit incident to
a Conference Meeting shall not be engaged or used by a
Conference for such purpose unless pursuant to a written
agreement.
(i) Eligibility to Office.
(j) Elected and Appointed Officers; Chairmen and
Committees.
(k) Nomination, Election, Installation and Term of Office.
Conference officers shall be nominated and elected by
ballot or roll call at the annual Conference Meeting in a
manner which shall be prescribed in Conference By-Laws.
Conference officers shall be installed before adjournment
of the annual Conference Meeting. The installation shall be
conducted by a member in good standing. The Conference Chairman
shall select the installing officer.
(l) Officers and Chairmen, Duties and Obligations.
(1) Duties of Conference Chairman. Among the duties of a
Conference Chairman, he shall:
a. Preside at all meetings of the Conference, conducting
such meetings in accordance with Article X of the By-Laws and
Manual of Procedure and other applicable parliamentary
procedures.
b. Enforce strict observance of the laws and usages of this
organization, including Conference By-Laws and the
Congressional Charter, National By-Laws, Ritual and Manual of
Procedure and all lawful orders from proper authorities.
c. Insist that Conference business and activities are
conducted in such a manner that they do not violate any
applicable governmental law, ordinance or regulation nor bring
or tend to bring opprobrium of embarrassment on the Conference
or the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
d. Decide all questions of law and usage governing the
activities of the Conference, subject to an appeal pursuant to
these By-Laws.
e. Approve all expenditure vouchers for Conference funds
drawn upon the Treasurer, before the same shall be paid, and
countersign all checks for the disbursement of Conference
funds, unless Conference By-Laws otherwise provide.
f. Assure that the office of Conference Treasurer is bonded
according to Section 703 of these By-Laws. The bond premium
shall be paid from the funds of the Conference.
g. Assure that all reports are correctly prepared and that
all the business of the Conference is handled with dispatch.
h. Enforce Conference and National Convention mandates and
perform all other duties required of him by the Conference and
Conference By-Laws, the National Convention and the National
By-Laws, Ritual and Manual of Procedure and the laws and usages
of the organization or orders from proper authority.
Failure without just cause to perform these duties may
result in removal from office.
(2) Duty of Conference Vice Chairmen. The Conference Vice
Chairmen shall assist the Conference Chairman in preserving
order, preside in the absence of the Conference Chairman,
provide such advice and assistance as may be required and
perform such other duties as are usually incident to such
office or may from time to time be required by the laws and
usages of the organization or lawful orders from proper
authority.
(3) Duty of Conference Treasurer. Among the duties of a
Conference Treasurer, he shall:
a. Receipt and Custody of Funds and Other Property. Receive
and properly account for all monies due and payable to the
Conference, as the By-Laws provide, and give an official
written receipt for all monies, other than checks, received by
him. He shall be the official accountable officer of the
Conference and the Treasurer of all Committees of the
Conference handling funds and in his care shall be placed all
securities, funds and accountable property of the Conference.
b. Disbursement of Funds. Expend Conference funds only upon
proper authorization of the Conference or in accordance with
Conference By-Laws.
c. Checks Countersigned. All checks for the expenditure of
Conference funds shall be numbered in sequence, and in addition
to the signature of the Treasurer, shall be countersigned by
the Conference Chairman, unless otherwise provided in
Conference By-Laws.
d. Bond. Give good and sufficient security, in accordance
with Section 703 and in an amount established in Conference By-
Laws for the faithful discharge of his duties, the cost of
which shall be paid from Conference funds.
e. Reports--Financial. Immediately following the close of
the fiscal year, prepare in detail a final statement of all
monies received and expended during the year, together with
cash balances at the beginning and end of the year, a statement
of funds and cash and bank balances, and a statement as to the
financial worth of the Conference.
f. Transfer of Records and Funds. He shall transfer to his
successor in office, without delay, all books, records, papers,
monies and other property of the Conference in his possession
or under his control.
g. General. Comply with, and perform all other duties
required of him by the Conference, Conference By-Laws,
Conference Chairman, National Convention and the National By-
Laws, Ritual and Manual of Procedure, the laws and usages of
the organization and lawful orders from proper authority and
perform such other duties as may be incident to his office.
(4) Duty of Conference Secretary. Among the duties of a
Conference Secretary, he shall:
a. Correspondence. Be the official corresponding officer
for the Conference. He shall attest to all official
communications and reports with his signature and the seal of
the Conference.
b. Files. Maintain complete files for the following:
1. Correspondence.
2. Copies of the Proof of Eligibility submitted by officers
pursuant to Section 522j.
3. Such other files as may be directed by the Conference.
c. Minutes. Assure that a complete record is made of the
minutes of all meetings of the Conference and preserve and
distribute copies of same as directed. He shall call the roll
or, under his supervision, cause the same to be called at all
official meetings and shall read to the body assembled, or
cause to be read under his supervision, all official
communications, resolutions, or other information pertinent to
the meeting and consistent with the records of his office.
d. Reports. As directed by the Conference Chairman or
Conference Meeting, compile and render such reports and data as
is consistent with the general duties of his office, insofar as
his records will permit.
e. Transfer of Records. He shall transfer to his successor
in office, without delay, all books, records, papers and other
property of the Conference in his possession or under his
control.
f. General. Comply with, and perform all other duties
required of him by the Conference, Conference By-Laws,
Conference Chairman, National Convention and the National By-
Laws, Ritual and Manual of Procedure, the laws and usages of
the organization and lawful orders from proper authority and
perform such other duties as may be incident to his office.
(5) Duty of Conference Chaplain. The Conference Chaplain
shall, during the Conference Meeting, see that fitting tribute
is paid to our departed comrades. He shall perform such other
duties as may be usually incident to his office or as may from
time to time be required of him by the laws and usages of the
organization or lawful orders from proper authority.
(m) Vacancies and Removal of Elective Officers.
(n) Voting.
(o) Incorporation of Provisions Applicable to Departments.
(p) Miscellaneous Provisions.
(q) Candidates for National Office.
Candidates for National Office shall not campaign outside
their Conference before August 1 of the year preceding the
election. Travel outside the candidates home conference for
campaign purposes, by the candidate or others representing the
candidate or acting on his behalf, shall be limited to regular
meetings of the various Conferences, Department Conventions and
the National Convention. (Disapproved)
M-7 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee. Proposed
by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 708--Incorporation of Units--Permission to Incorporate.
Amend Section 708, Manual of Procedure, by deleting the
word ``Constitution'' in the first paragraph and inserting in
lieu thereof the following, ``Congressional Charter''.
(Approved)
M-8 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee. Proposed
by Commander-in-Chief)
SECTION 1101--FORMATION, CONTROL, AND DISBANDMENT OF AUXILIARIES.
Amend Section 1101 (f) (1), Manual of Procedure, by
deleting the third (3) paragraph in its entirety and inserting
in lieu thereof the following:
``Budget. No less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting
of the National Council of Administration of the Ladies
Auxiliary at which the annual budget is adopted, the National
Treasurer shall submit a proposed budget to the National
President and each member of the National Council of
Administration of the Ladies Auxiliary. Immediately following
the adoption of the annual budget by the National Council of
Administration of the Ladies Auxiliary, she shall submit a copy
of the approved budget to the Commander-in-Chief.'' (Approved)
M-9 (Proposed by Department of Nebraska)
SECTION 101--ELIGIBILITY.
Amend Section 101, Manual of Procedure, by adding at the
end of the ``Eligibility Guide'' the following:
``Merchant Marines of the United States 7 Dec 1941
Service beyond the United States of America 2 Mar 1946
(territorial limits for 30 consecutive days or
60 nonconsecutive days).'' (Disapproved)
M-10 (Proposed by Departments of Nebraska and Wyoming)
SECTION 101--ELIGIBILITY.
Amend Section 101, Manual of Procedure, by adding at the
end of the ``Eligibility Guide'' the following:
``Merchant Marines of the United States 8 Sept 1939
Service beyond the United States of America 27 July 1954
(territorial limits for 30 consecutive days or
60 nonconsecutive days).'' (Disapproved)
M-11 (Proposed by Department of Connecticut)
SECTION 101--ELIGIBILITY.
Amend Section 101, Manual of Procedure, by adding at the
end of the section, a new eligibility category as follows:
``National Defense-- 27 June 1950
Service Medal to a date to be
(30 consecutive days or determined
60 days not consecutive duty
outside the continental
limits of the United States).'' (Disapproved)
M-12 (Proposed by Departments of Colorado and New Mexico)
SECTION 714--CONTROL OF MAILING LISTS.
Amend Section 714, Manual of Procedure, by deleting the
second paragraph in its entirety. (Disapproved)
M-13 (Proposed by Department of Minnesota)
SECTION 803--MANUFACTURE AND USE OF SEALS, EMBLEMS, BADGES, INSIGNIA
AND UNIFORMS.
Amend Section 803, Manual of Procedure, by inserting the
following at the end of the last paragraph of sub-heading
``Optional Uniforms and Headgear'':
``That if organizational emblems are worn on VFW Color
Guard Headgear, one of them must be the Cross of Malta.''
(Approved)
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 of the
United States under the heading ``ORDER OF BUSINESS (Post)'' on
page 16, paragraph 2, by deleting the word ``government'' in
the second sentence and inserting in lieu thereof the word
``constitution''. Disapproved)
R-2 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee. Proposed
by Commander-in-Chief)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States under the heading ``INSTITUTING NEW POST'', sub-
heading Officers'' Obligation on page 46, by deleting the word
``Constitution,'' in the third line. (Approved)
R-3 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States under the heading ``INSTALLATION OF POST
OFFICERS'', sub-heading Officers'' Obligation on page 50, by
deleting the word ``Constitution,'' in the first sentence of
paragraph 1. (Approved)
R-4 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States under the heading ``INSTALLATION OF POST
OFFICERS'' on page 51, sixth (6) paragraph by deleting the
words ``Constitution, Ritual and the By-Laws'' and inserting in
lieu thereof the following ``By-Laws and Ritual''. (Approved)
R-5 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States under the heading ``INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
(National and Department)'', sub-heading Officers'' Obligation
on page 60, by deleting the word, ``Constitution,''. (Approved)
R-6 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States under the heading ``INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
(National and Department)'' on page 61, by deleting the
following in the first line of the first paragraph,
``Constitution, Ritual and the By-Laws'' and inserting in lieu
thereof the words, ``By-Laws and Ritual''. (Approved)
R-7 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States under the heading ``INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
(National and Department)'' on page 61, by deleting the word
``Constitution,'' in the second sentence of the sixth
paragraph. (Approved)
R-8 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States under the heading ``INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
(National and Department),'' sub-heading Prayer on page 62, by
deleting the following in the first line ``Constitution'' and
inserting in lieu thereof the following, ``Congressional
Charter''. (Approved)
R-9 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States under the heading ``INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
(National and Department),'' sub-heading Commander-in-Chief's
Obligation on page 63, by deleting the following in the first
sentence ``Constitution, Ritual and By-Laws'' and inserting in
lieu thereof the words, ``By-Laws and Ritual''. (Approved)
R-10 (Recommended by National By-Laws Review Committee.
Proposed by Commander-in-Chief)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States under the heading ``INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
(National and Department),''sub-heading Prayer on page 63, by
deleting the word ``Constitution,'' in the first line.
(Approved)
R-11 (Proposed by Department of Ohio)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States under the heading ``Special Prayers'' on page 4
by adding at the end of the section on page 8 the following:
``A Prayer for Our Founding Fathers
Almighty Father, as we honor the founding fathers of our
beloved Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of
America, we wish to recall their motives.
As dedicated citizens of our Great Republic, they answered
the call to duty for the preservation of our national
existence, to maintain our sovereignty and guarantee our
continued general welfare and by this new refined dedication,
showed how much they valued the United States of America.
This new dedication showed how much they cared for their
comrade buddies, their home and the people back home.
You know, Oh Lord, Heavenly Father, with the blessings and
happiness they deserve, grant that ``One Nation Under God'':
may continue to prosper now and for the future ages.
God Bless the Veterans.
Amen.'' (Disapproved)
R-12 (Proposed by Department of Illinois)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States under the sub-caption ``Chaplain'' on page 17, by
deleting the word ``departed'' in the first line of the prayer.
(Approved)
R-13 (Proposed by Department of Kentucky)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars by
inserting after PLATE 6 on page 80 the following: PLATE 6A
(Disapproved)
R-14 (Proposed by Department of Kentucky)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars by
deleting PLATE 7 on page 81 and inserting in lieu thereof the
following: PLATE 7
(Disapproved)
R-15 (Proposed by Department of Kentucky)
Amend the Ritual of the Veterans of Foreign Wars by
deleting PLATE 8 on page 84 and inserting in lieu thereof the
following: PLATE 8
(Disapproved)
RESOLUTIONS CONSIDERED BY COMMITTEE ON GENERAL RESOLUTIONS
No. 201 (Submitted by Department of Connecticut)
NO AGE LIMIT FOR SONS OF VFW
(Disapproved)
No. 202 (Submitted by Department of Iowa)
IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
(Disapproved)
No. 203 (Submitted by Department of Pacific Areas)
URGE ELIMINATION OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP FOR LADIES AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP
(Disapproved)
No. 204 (Submitted by Department of Colorado)
PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY FOR NATIONAL MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that the National Organization require recruited
members-at-large to provide documented proof of eligibility;
exactly as required by individual posts. (Approved)
No. 205 (Submitted by Departments of Connecticut and Nebraska)
AMEND CONGRESSIONAL CHARTER, SECTION 5-- MEMBERSHIP
(Disapproved)
No. 206 (Submitted by Departments of Nebraska and Wyoming
CONGRESSIONAL CHARTER AMENDMENT, SECTION 5-- MEMBERSHIP
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, petition Congress to amend their Congressional
Charter to allow membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States, if they served thirty (30) consecutive days
or sixty (60) non consecutive days out of the continental
limits of the United States of America and have been issued
discharges or DD 214 forms with proof of such service be
allowed to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Congressional Charter, Section
5-- Membership be amended to read:
(CONGRESSIONAL CHARTER)
AN ACT
SECTION 5-- MEMBERSHIP
A person may not be a member of the corporation created by this
Act unless that person--
(1)served honorably as a member of the Armed Forces of
the United States in a foreign war, insurrection, or
expedition, which service has been recognized as
campaign-medal service and is governed by the
authorization of the award of a campaign badge by the
government of the United States; or
(2)while a member of the Armed Forces of the United
States, served honorably on the Korean peninsula or in
its territorial waters for not less than 30 consecutive
days, or a total of 60 days, after June 30, 1949;
(3)while a member serving in the Merchant Marines of
the United States who served honorably beyond the
United States territorial limits for 30 consecutive
days or 60 non consecutive days with honorable
discharges or DD 214 forms, from 7 December 1941 to 2
March 1946. (Approved)
No. 207 (Submitted by Department of Illinois)
RESERVE ONE PAGE OF VFW MAGAZINE FOR VFW NATIONAL HOME
(Disapproved)
No. 208 (Submitted by Department of Texas)
NATIONAL VETERANS MEMORIAL TOWER
(Disapproved)
No. 209 (Submitted by Department of Minnesota)
SUBTRACT DECEASED FROM 100% MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
(Disapproved)
No. 210 (Submitted by Department of California)
PROHIBIT POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS
(Disapproved)
No. 211 (Submitted by Department of Minnesota)
CONTINUATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM
(Disapproved)
No. 301 (Submitted by Department of Colorado)
TERM LIMITS
(Disapproved)
No. 302 (Submitted by Department of Georgia)
NAME LAKE CITY, FLORIDA VA HOSPITAL COLIN P. KELLY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we respectfully request that the Veterans
Administration Hospital, located at Lake City, Florida be named
in honor of the late Colin P. Kelly. (Approved)
No. 303 (Submitted by Department of Nebraska)
MANDATE ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED STATES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we reaffirm mandates of previous
conventions to seek legislation mandating English as the
official language of the United States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we seek legislation to: 1)
limit bilingual education to short term transitional programs
only; and 2) effect a speedy return to voting ballots in
English only; and 3) make more opportunities available to
immigrants for learning and maintaining the English language a
condition for naturalization; and 4) enact legal protections
for the English language, at state and national levels through
the designation of English as our official language. (Approved)
No. 304 (Submitted by Department of Nebraska)
REQUEST FOR CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW OF THE FEDERAL FLAG CODE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we call upon our representatives in the
Congress of the United States to have a complete review of the
existing Federal Flag Code so that we secure consistent respect
for the flag of the United States of America. (Approved)
No. 305 (Submitted by Department of Nebraska)
FLAG DESECRATION
(Disapproved)
No. 306 (Submitted by Department of Missouri)
ENDORSE RESTORATION OF THE KANSAS CITY LIBERTY MEMORIAL
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we go on record as being supportive of the
restoration, expansion, and continued operations of the World
War I, Liberty Memorial, at Kansas City, Missouri. (Approved)
No. 307 (Submitted by Department of Wisconsin)
MAKE OUR NATIONAL FLAG A NATIONAL MONUMENT WHEREVER FLOWN
(Disapproved)
No. 308 (Submitted by Department of Wisconsin)
PROTECTION OF DESECRATION OF THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(Disapproved)
No. 309 (Submitted by Department of New Jersey)
AWARD THE MANUFACTURING OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR TO ANOTHER
COMPANY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, to urge President Clinton and Congress to
reverse a Pentagon decision to continue doing business with
this company; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this contract be awarded to
another company whose integrity is above reproach. (Approved)
No. 310 (Submitted by Department of New York)
ERECT MEMORIAL ON TINIAN ISLAND (MARIANNA ISLANDS)
(Disapproved)
No. 311 (Submitted by Department of California)
ISSUANCE OF UNITED STATES POSTAL STAMP
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the United States Postal Service to
issue a stamp featuring the likeness of Audie L. Murphy
thereon, in commemoration of his heroic deeds and service to
the United States of America. (Approved)
No. 312 (Submitted by Department of Florida)
CONSTITUTIONAL POWER TO FUND VETERANS EARNED ENTITLEMENTS
(Disapproved)
No. 313 (Submitted by Department of Minnesota)
AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF THE ATOMIC BOMB STAMP OF AUGUST 6, 1945
(Approved)
No. 314 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
OPPOSE SALE OF PERSHING HALL
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we oppose any change in present regulations
covering this property that would permit its outright sale, and
therefore violate the original purpose of the acquisition of
the property, including its original objective, that of a
memorial. (Approved)
No. 315 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
COMMEMORATIVE STAMP RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPANISH-
AMERICAN WAR OF 1898
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we petition the Citizens' Stamp Advisory
Committee in support of any existing efforts to create a
commemorative stamp honoring the 100th anniversary of the
Spanish-American War.
(Approved)
No. 316 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
WORLD WAR II NATIONAL MEMORIAL
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States strongly and enthusiastically support the WWII
memorial site location between the Washington Monument and the
Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall referred to as the
Rainbow Pool site; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we encourage swift approval of a
revised design concept so that the memorial can be dedicated
early in the next century. (Approved)
No. 317 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
PROVIDE FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF THE USS MAINE MEMORIAL IN KEY
WEST, FLORIDA, BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States that we go on record as being supportive of the
continued maintenance of the USS Maine Memorial in Key Largo,
Florida, by the Department of the U. S. Navy. (Approved)
No. 401 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUPPORT PUBLIC AWARENESS PROJECTS
BE IT RESOLVED, by 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 lists of POW/MIA
Chairmen; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that each Department exercise
maximum initiative 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, subordinate to the
U.S. Flag, at any function at which it is proper to fly the
U.S. Flag;
(b) encourage support of information exchange at Post
levels;
(c) 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. (Approved)
No. 402 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO RESOLVE THE KOREAN WAR POW/MIA ISSUE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that the VFW is encouraged by the recent U.S.-
North Korean Joint Operation to resolve the status of Americans
still unaccounted for in Korea; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that with renewed vigor, the VFW
urge the U.S. and Republic of Korea governments to increase
their contact with the North Korean and Chinese governments, to
pursue and expand the current joint effort to include the live
POW issue 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, continue its active efforts to resolve the issue
of Korean War POW/MIAs. (Approved as Amended)
No. 403 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
VFW SUPPORTS KUWAIT'S DEMAND FOR AN ACCOUNTING OF ITS MIAS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign of the United
States, that we strongly urge the United Nations, the United
States Government and other governments to take such action as
necessary either unilaterally, through our allies, or the
United Nations, that will force Iraq to account for those
Kuwaiti citizens still missing. (Approved)
No. 404 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
THE LESSONS OF THE COLD WAR
BE IT RESOLVED, by 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 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.
(Approved)
No. 405 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
LIMIT FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF U.S. BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES
BE IT RESOLVED, by 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
and/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. (Approved)
No. 406 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
TAKE ACTION ON THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the President and the Congress in
the strongest terms to heed these ominous warnings and focus
their attention on the immigration problem; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we petition the President and
the Congress to expand and strengthen the Customs and
Immigration services and the U.S. Coast Guard, and enact such
emergency measures as necessary to prevent smuggling of illegal
aliens and stop, detain and deport potential terrorists or
those with ties to terrorist groups; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, as appropriate and when well
trained and supervised, military resources be employed to
assist in stopping the flow of illegal aliens into the country.
(Approved as Amended)
No. 407 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR CASTRO
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we 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 in conjunction with his
isolation, to hasten the time until Castro's dictatorship is
overthrown and Cuba can regain its freedom. (Approved)
No. 408 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
PUNISH TERRORISTS NOW
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we continue to urge that the U.S. should
take decisive action against all terrorists and bring to
justice those responsible 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 and pressing our allies to support a
quarantine on those ``outlaw countries'' guilty of inciting,
harboring or aiding and abetting terrorists;
(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 and other terrorist states
found to support and harbor terrorists; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that our civilian leaders and
military commanders should take all necessary steps to ensure
U.S. servicemen and women stationed abroad are adequately
protected against the threat of terrorist attacks and that both
foreign governments and U.S. authorities be held accountable
for such lapses in security that endanger the lives of our
servicemen and women. (Approved as Amended)
No. 409 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
STRATEGIC DEFENSE IS A STRATEGIC PRIORITY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we support both a deployable theater
missile defense and a strategic missile defense before the end
of this century as a priority defense requirement. (Approved)
No. 410 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE
BE IT RESOLVED, by 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. (Approved)
No. 411 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
OPPOSE LIFTING THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT BAN ON HOMOSEXUALS IN THE ARMED
FORCES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we unequivocally oppose the efforts of the
President and homosexual organizations to force the military
services to accept and/or retain homosexuals and urge that this
matter be taken before the Supreme Court to seek final 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.
(Approved)
No. 412 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
MAINTAIN AN EFFECTIVE U.S. COAST GUARD
BE IT RESOLVED, by 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
interdiction and enforcement, military readiness, pollution
control, maritime safety, search and rescue missions as well as
their many other duties and missions. (Approved)
No. 413 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
STANDING FIRM FOR DEMOCRACY AND LIBERTY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we will always stand firm for liberty, and
in furtherance of the ideals of liberty and democracy, we
support a foreign policy that nourishes the newly won liberties
in Europe and elsewhere, and we maintain our military strength
against both the possibility of the reversal of Europe's
liberties and the threats to other important regions of the
world. (Approved as Amended)
No. 414 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
NATIONAL STRATEGY OF PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH
BE IT RESOLVED, by 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) maintaining an American military presence in Europe and
Asia to stabilize the military balance in these regions and
help our friends and allies to defend themselves from
aggression;
(c) maintaining such strategic, nuclear and conventional
military forces (including Active, Reserve and National Guard
components) trained and equipped with such high technology
weapons and equipment and with sufficient bases and
infrastructure which in the judgment of our military leaders
are more than equal to the current threats and adequate to meet
our current defense requirements;
(d) helping formerly communist controlled countries in
their process of converting to freely elected democratic
governments;
(e) maintaining effective security and intelligence
capabilities to prevent strategic surprise from any quarter;
and
(f) employing the leadership necessary to inspire, focus
and unite the national will and international unity to further
our goal of peace and freedom. (Approved)
No. 415 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
HALT THE EROSION OF INTELLIGENCE SERVICES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we reject deep reductions in our national
intelligence agencies, instead supporting appropriate expansion
and funding to ensure that we will have adequate warnings 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.
(Approved)
No. 416 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUPPORT FOR THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the Government of 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, and promote the security
in the Pacific and Asian regions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States, in concert
with its allies, bring pressure to bear on North Korea to
comply with the nuclear safeguard accord of the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to be a responsible country in the
community of nations and to come to the table for peaceful
dialogue directly between the South and North. (Approved as
Amended)
No. 417 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUPPORT THE WITHDRAWAL FROM THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that to prevent further endangerment to our
troops, we support the view that unless unforeseen
circumstances arise, the U.S. forces assigned to Operation
Joint Guard should be gradually withdrawn from the former
Yugoslavia while transferring remaining responsibilities to
other NATO members. (Approved as Amended)
No. 418 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
ASSIST VIETNAM'S RECOVERY OF MIAS AS A SIGN OF GOOD FAITH
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that at each level of the VFW--National,
Department, District, County Council, Post--strenuous efforts
be made to collect any information which might be of value in
determining the fate of Vietnam's 300,000 MIAs and of
assistance in the recovery of their remains; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge all levels of the VFW
to solicit all Vietnam veteran members (and non-members) for
any information or material that could be used to determine the
fate of Vietnamese MIAs and their graves. Such information and
material include battlefield souvenirs especially if they
contain names or other identifying information; personal
effects such as photos, letters, identification documents,
taken from casualties; sketch maps, photos, overlays (annotated
with dates and locations if possible) which would be of help in
identifying Vietnamese grave sites; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that VFW National Headquarters
publicize this effort and provide Departments with materials
which might be used in further publicizing our efforts and that
the VFW Washington Office act as the collecting point and
repository of all such information obtained from our members
and the public at large; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that on subsequent trips to the
region by VFW National Officers, such information be turned
over to Vietnamese authorities as an expression of our desire
to assist them in recovering their MIAs and to encourage their
greater effort in helping us reach the fullest possible
accounting of our MIAs. (Approved)
No. 419 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
OPPOSE U. S. FORCES UNDER FOREIGN COMMAND
BE IT RESOLVED, by 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; and
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. (Approved)
No. 420 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUPPORT FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON TAIWAN
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that while recognizing the settlement of the
legitimacy question remains an issue between the two countries
we support and urge the admission of the Republic of China on
Taiwan to the United Nations and other international bodies so
that those agencies can be useful in fostering a spirit of
cooperation and assisting the resolution of the legitimacy
question; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the President and the
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 to include the previously
approved sale of F-16 aircraft to the Republic of China on
Taiwan as may be necessary to maintain adequate defense
capabilities to provide for military balance and stability in
the area; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the United States
Government to employ the full range of its economic, diplomatic
and military influence if it is necessary to contain the
overtly aggressive posture of the Peoples Republic of China and
to use this influence to further the peaceful settlement of
remaining disputes. (Approved as Amended)
No. 421 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO STUDY WOMEN IN THE MILITARY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we go on record as opposing assignment of
women within the Armed Forces to jobs that call for them to
aggressively seek out, close with and kill or capture enemy
forces; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the Congress to
establish an independent commission to examine all facets of
the security, training, assignments and role of women in the
military and to withhold approval of any further personnel
changes until the commission has had time to make its
recommendations. (Approved)
No. 422 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
RETAIN THE SELECTIVE SERVICE
BE IT RESOLVED, by 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 retain the Selective Service System.
(Approved)
No. 423 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
MONITOR THE PANAMA CANAL CAREFULLY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign of the United
States, that we urge the President and the Congress to closely
monitor conditions in the Republic of Panama, to be prepared to
take whatever steps are necessary to protect the Canal and to
ensure continued freedom of passage, and to carefully reexamine
the conditions of Panama and the region before the scheduled
turnover with a view to balancing the views, concerns and
interests of Panama, its neighbors and the United States.
(Approved)
No. 424 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN BOSNIA
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we call for award of the Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal for service in the following Balkans
operations (retroactive to June 1, 1992): Provide Comfort (air
drops over Bosnia and medical teams in Croatia), Deny Flight
(air missions flown from Italy and carriers in the Adriatic
Sea), Able Sentry (Macedonia), Sharp Guard/Maritime Monitor
(enforcement of embargo) and Joint Endeavor (Bosnia) and Joint
Guard until terminated. (Approved)
No. 425 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUPPORT LEGISLATION FOR A SPECIAL SERVICE MEDAL FOR ``ATOMIC'' VETERANS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we go on record in support of legislation
which would award a special service medal for ``Atomic''
veterans. (Approved)
No. 426 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
NATO ENLARGEMENT
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we support the enlargement of the NATO
Alliance and the extension of the United States mutual defense
commitment to the countries of Poland, Hungary and the Czech
Republic as it is important to the security of that region, our
own vital interests in the region as well as world peace; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this enlargement be
accomplished in a non-threatening manner so as not to force
other countries into an opposing alliance and that in order to
project a peaceful image we urge consideration be given to
adoption of a declared policy that U.S. forces and weapons will
not be stationed, based or deployed (except for training) in
the countries of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
(Approved as Amended)
No. 427 (Submitted by Department of Kentucky)
CONDEMN EL SALVADOR'S ACTIONS
(Disapproved)
No. 428 (Submitted by Department of Vermont)
KEEPING FAITH WITH THE AMERICAN MILITARY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the Department of Defense to
provide written factual assurances to the Congress, the public
and our Military that legal protections are in place to bring
to trial those guilty of murder or assassination of members of
our military; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Congress of the United States
and the Administration find an agreeable solution to insure
that the murderers in El Salvador are brought to trial and
punished. (Approved as Amended)
No. 429 (Submitted by Department of New York)
DE-NORMALIZATION OF TIES WITH VIETNAM
(Disapproved)
No. 430 (Submitted by Department of Texas)
WITHHOLD AID UNTIL FULL ACCOUNTING OF POW/MIA'S
(Disapproved)
No. 431 (Submitted by Department of Wisconsin)
RESTORE CONGRESSIONAL CONTROL ON UNITED NATIONS WORLD HERITAGE SITES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the Congress to review this action
to restore congressional controls and to cancel all United
Nations controls over territories of the United States, and
that the Congress shall take immediate actions to restore its
controls, and that the Congress shall assume its constitutional
roles, as provided in Article IV, Section 3; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the leadership of the nation
be reminded that at the cost of nearly 1,000,000 lives
countless years of debilitated and diminished lives of the
victims of battle, the missing and orphaned, have all endured
to insure the freedom and independence of the people and their
nation for over 220 years. If the need has arises, they are
there, and as always, they are willing to pay the price again,
again and again! (Approved as Amended)
No. 432 (Submitted by Department of Virginia)
AMERICANS WHO ARE PRISONERS OF WAR OR MISSING IN ACTION
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, to urge the President of the United States of
America and every member of the U.S. Congress to speak out on
every occasion to expedite the return of those U.S. Servicemen
who are still Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. (Approved)
No. 433 (Submitted by Department of California)
REQUESTING THE NAMING OF THE NEXT UNITED STATES SHIP (CARRIER) IN HONOR
OF LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we request the United States Navy name the
next commissioned Nuclear Carrier in honor of Lyndon Baines
Johnson. (Approved)
No. 434 (Submitted by Department of California)
BAN MANUFACTURE, SALE AND USE OF DEPLETED URANIUM WEAPONS
(Disapproved)
No. 435 (Submitted by Department of California)
SUPPORT FOR THE POW/MIA FLAG TO FLY OVER FEDERAL POST OFFICE'S AND
FEDERAL BUILDINGS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we go on record in support of flying the
POW/MIA flag at post offices and federal buildings. (Approved
as Amended)
No. 436 (Submitted by Department of Minnesota)
REQUIRE ALL EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD CITIZENS TO REGISTER FOR MILITARY DRAFT
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we request the President of the United
States and the Congress of the United States to support
legislation that would require all United States citizens, both
male and female, be required to register for the Military Draft
upon reaching their 18th birthday. (Approved)
No. 437 (Submitted by Department of Minnesota)
MEDAL ISSUANCE WITH COMBAT ACTION RIBBON
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we petition the Secretary of the Navy to
issue a medal in conjunction with the Combat Action Ribbon, of
such design as to indicate the arduous conditions under which
it is earned. (Approved)
No. 438 (Submitted by Department of Minnesota)
HOUSE RESOLUTION 409
(Disapproved)
No. 439 (Submitted by Department of New Jersey)
POW FLAGS TO BE FLOWN ON ALL FEDERAL BUILDINGS
(Disapproved)
No. 440 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
OPPOSE A TOTAL BAN ON LAND MINES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States that while sharing concern for the growing
humanitarian problems of land mines, we stand with our military
leaders and for the continued security of our troops in
opposing a total ban on land mines until such time as suitable
replacement capability is developed and fielded or a
comprehensive global ban can be completed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we agree with and support the
Joint Chiefs of Staff proposal to ban ''dumb'' anti-personnel
land mines without a self-destruct or deactivation capability
and recommend it be made the cornerstone of a comprehensive
global treaty. (Approved)
No. 441 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
STORAGE FOR FISSILE NUCLEAR MATERIALS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States that we urge the Congress and the President to
consider legislation that will permit the aforementioned
American private venture to proceed in order to create an
American-Russian partnership that will:
1. permit the monitored storage of spent fuel from all
nuclear power countries in the world under American aegis at no
cost to the American taxpayer in an isolated and very benign
manner on the Island of Wake;
2. permit the private American venture to complement, not
compete with ongoing federal government efforts to create a
permanent storage site in the continental United States;
3. foreclose reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel as a
commercial venture thereby stopping the proliferation of
plutonium and other fissile materials and thus depriving
international terrorism of a powerful weapon; and
4. Permit the Russian federal to receive a legitimate
income from a free enterprise venture that will give it
necessary, responsible fiscal underpinning at a critical time
in that nation's democratic process. (Approved)
No. 442 (Submitted by Department of Washington)
ISSUE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION TO MEMBERS OF U. S. NAVY ARMED GUARD
(Disapproved)
No. 443 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
OPPOSE DOWNSIZING THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT POW/MIA OFFICE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we believe the downsizing of the Defense
Department's POW/MIA Office would have the following effects:
It would slow the momentum of a POW/MIA effort that has
taken years to develop.
It would prevent us from taking full advantage of new
opportunities that might become available to resolve this
issue.
It would send the wrong signal that the United States is
downsizing its effort to recover our missing men to those
countries where the search for our men still continues, or as
in the case in Korea, where the search has just begun; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars
goes on record as adamantly and unalterably opposed to any
downsizing of the effort or of the resources put into the
effort to reach the fullest possible accounting of our missing
men. (Approved as Amended)
No. 601 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
REFORM OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ACCESS TO VA HEALTH CARE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that Congress enact legislation affecting
eligibility of VA health care by providing all veterans with
mandated access to the full continuum of VA health care.
(Approved as Amended)
No. 602 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
ADEQUATELY FUND THE VETERANS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the Congress in its annual
appropriations, to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs
construction to allow it to carry out a 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. (Approved)
No. 603 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS' BUDGET
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the Congress of the United States
to pass a budget and appropriations for the Department of
Veterans Affairs which will fully fund and maintain the
integrity of the benefits and entitlements programs and enhance
Department of Veterans Affairs health care system. (Approved as
Amended)
No. 604 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
AMEND THE UNIFORMED SERVICES FORMER SPOUSES' PROTECTION ACT
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, seek to amend PL 97-252, ''The Former Spouses'
Protection Act, '' to allow for the termination of court-
ordered payments to ex-military spouses upon remarriage; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars
seek legislation that would prohibit forcing a service member
from making payments to his former spouse on the date the
service member first becomes eligible to receive retired pay if
the service member elects to remain in the service; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars
seek legislation that ensures any increase in retired pay
resulting from increased service or promotion after a divorce
is final becomes the sole property of the service member.
(Approved as Amended)
No. 605 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
CONCURRENT RECEIPT OF RETIREMENT PAY AND VETERANS DISABILITY
COMPENSATION
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we strongly advocate legislation to be
enacted to permit the concurrent receipt of longevity military
retirement pay without reduction of the Department of Veterans
Affairs disability compensation. (Approved)
No. 606 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
AMENDED TAX RETURNS FOR MILITARY RETIREES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that Congress amend current law whereby a
military retiree will be allowed to file amended tax returns
involving receipt of VA disability compensation beyond the
current three-year limitation. (Approved as Amended)
No. 607 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
EXCLUDE GUARD AND RESERVE INCOME WHEN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI)
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge Congress to enact legislation that
standardizes Unemployment Insurance eligibility rules to the
extent that Guard and Reserve income will be excluded for
purposes of determining eligibility for Unemployment Insurance.
(Approved as Amended)
No. 608 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
ESTABLISHMENT OF A WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON VETERANS BENEFITS POLICY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we support legislation authorizing
establishment of a White House Conference on Veterans Policy
with the mission of improving veterans benefits. (Approved as
Amended)
No. 609 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFIT PROGRAM (FEHBP) FOR MILITARY RETIREES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the Congress to enact legislation
requiring the Department of Defense to offer military retirees
the full range of FEHBP under the same terms as do all other
federal departments, agencies, and the post office. (Approved)
No. 610 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
FULL FUNDING FOR THE GUARD AND RESERVE MOBILIZATION INSURANCE PROGRAM
(MIP)
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge Congress and the Department of
Defense to ensure full funding for the continuance of the
Mobilization Insurance Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we
urge the Department of Defense to honor in full, the claims
submitted by those reservists and guardsmen who paid monthly
premiums into the Mobilization Insurance Program. (Approved as
Amended)
No. 611 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF ON-THE-JOB-TRAINING (OJT) PROGRAM FOR RECENTLY
SEPARATED VETERANS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the Administration and Congress to
take immediate action towards the creation of and
implementation of a nationwide On-the-Job-Training Program, on
a pilot basis, for recently separated service members.
(Approved)
No. 612 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
THIRD-PARTY REIMBURSEMENT
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that legislation be enacted to allow the
Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to collect and
retain all third-party reimbursements without offset from its
appropriation. (Approved as Amended)
No. 613 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
ENTITLEMENT TO NURSING HOME CARE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge Congress to amend Public Law 104-
262 to mandate the provision of nursing home care for all
veterans. (Approved)
No. 614 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
REFORM OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ACCESS TO VA HEALTH CARE
(Disapproved)
No. 615 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
VETERANS' PREFERENCE IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
BE IT RESOLVED, by 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 and all efforts to reduce this
preference; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we continue to speak out
forcefully and publicly on the issue of veterans' preference.
(Approved)
No. 616 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
DOD MEDICARE SUBVENTION
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we request Congress authorize Medicare
Subvention to military treatment facilities. (Approved as
Amended)
No. 617 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S VETERANS
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICE (VETS)
BE IT RESOLVED, by 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 current VETS mission. (Approved)
No. 618 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR THE LOCAL VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT REPRESENTATIVES
(LVERS) AND DISABLED VETERANS' OUTREACH PROGRAM SPECIALISTS (DVOPS)
BE IT RESOLVED, by 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 LVERS and DVOPS positions as required by Title
38. (Approved)
No. 619 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
PROVIDE FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF THE CEMETERY AT FORMER CLARK
AIR BASE IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the United States Government, by
legislative or administrative action, to seek a long term
solution to the neglect of the Clark cemetery; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that until a long term solution is
reached the Veterans of Foreign Wars seek support from all
available sources to assist the VFW Posts in the Philippines
with the annual cost of the repair and upkeep of the Clark
Cemetery. (Approved)
No. 620 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
BENEFITS FOR FILIPINO VETERANS AND SCOUTS WHO SERVED WITH THE U. S.
ARMED FORCES DURING WWII
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we support legislation to recognize
veterans of the organized military forces of the Government of
the Commonwealth of the Philippines, while such forces were in
the service of the Armed Forces of the United States during
World War II, as having been active service for purposes of
equal benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars
support additional legislation that directs the Secretary of
Army to issue a certificate of service to every national of the
Philippine Islands deemed by the Secretary to have performed
any military service in aid of the Armed Forces of the United
States during World War II. (Approved as Amended)
No. 621 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATION OF VETERANS PREFERENCE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we strongly urge Congress to enact
legislation which provides that intentional violation of a
provision of the Veterans' Preference Act is a ''prohibited
personnel practice'' and therefore is subject to corrective and
disciplinary action, and intervention by Office of the Special
Counsel. (Approved)
No. 622 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
VA MEDICARE SUBVENTION
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we support the swift enactment into law of
legislation authorizing VA to collect and retain Medicare
dollars. (Approved)
No. 623 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
EXCLUSIVE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS (VA)
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the Congress to establish separate
appropriations subcommittees exclusive to the Department of
Veterans Affairs in both the House and Senate. (Approved)
No. 624 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
FUNDING OF SBA VETERANS PROGRAMS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that the Veterans of Foreign Wars support the
strengthening and funding of an effective veterans
entrepreneurship program in the U. S. Small Business
Administration. (Approved)
No. 625 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUPPORT FOR PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we continue to urge the Department of
Veterans Affairs to establish an open ended presumptive period
until the medical and scientific community determines an
appropriate time in which conditions associated with Gulf War
service will manifest; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the Department of
Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide
health care for all veterans whose health has been adversely
affected by the Persian Gulf War and to conduct all necessary
tests to determine the causes of these illnesses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, veterans of the Persian Gulf War be
afforded the same rights and privileges guaranteed to all other
veterans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the Department of
Veterans Affairs to act in accordance with 38 USC, 1117, and
develop, at the earliest possible date, appropriate definitions
or diagnoses of the illnesses associated with service in the
Persian Gulf; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the Departments of
Defense, Health and Human Service and Veterans Affairs, and the
Congress to fund appropriate research into the causes of these
illnesses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the VFW continue to closely
monitor this issue, identify and research problems, and urge
appropriate corrective action to assist Persian Gulf War
veterans and their families. (Approved)
No. 626 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
INCREASE IN RETIRED PAY FOR SILVER STAR MEDAL RECIPIENTS
(Disapproved)
No. 627 (Submitted by Department of Kentucky)
AMEND TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY RETIREMENT FOR VETERANS
(Disapproved)
No. 628 (Submitted by Department of Wyoming)
PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR LVER & DVOP PROGRAMS
(Disapproved)
No. 629 (Submitted by Department of Virginia)
REQUEST ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUT-
PATIENT CLINIC IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA
(Disapproved)
No. 630 (Submitted by Department of Nebraska)
NORFOLK VETERANS HOME
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the Department of Veterans Affairs
to allocate a total $10.5 million in Federal contribution in
FY-97 thereby allowing new construction to begin at the
earliest date before any events occur that could lead to these
veterans losing their home. (Approved)
No. 631 (Submitted by Department of Pennsylvania)
LIMIT THE RIGHT OF BURIAL IN A NATIONAL CEMETERY OF A VETERAN CONVICTED
OF A CAPITOL CRIME
(Disapproved)
No. 632 (Submitted by Department of District of Columbia)
CHANGE SURPLUS APPROPRIATION RESCISSION ACT PL 79301
(Disapproved)
No. 633 (Submitted by Department of District of Columbia)
RESTORE GRANT IN AID HOSPITAL PROGRAM TO THE FILIPINO WORLD WAR II
VETERANS IN THE PHILIPPINES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we petition the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, the President and the Congress to restore the Grant In
Aid Hospital Program under the management of the Manila
Regional Office to assist in the medical treatment of surviving
Philippine-based World War II veterans. (Approved as Amended)
No. 634 (Submitted by Department of Maryland)
RETENTION OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES
(USUHS)
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we petition the Congress of the United
States of America to guarantee continuation of USUHS in
perpetuity; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Department of Veterans
Affairs assign primary authority and responsibility for
analysis of Persian Gulf War Syndrome to USUHS; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Department of Veterans
Affairs expand USUHS resources to insure the aforementioned.
(Approved)
No. 635 (Submitted by Departments of Idaho, Florida, Kentucky
and Texas)
OPPOSE ABOLISHMENT OF VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICE
(Disapproved)
No. 636 (Submitted by Department of Alabama)
OBJECT TO THE ABOLISHMENT OF VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICE
(Disapproved)
No. 637 (Submitted by Departments of Idaho, Nebraska, Oklahoma
and Rhode Island)
VA TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF COST OF CARING FOR VETERANS RESIDING IN
STATE VETERANS HOMES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we support VA per diem payments that equal
33.33% of the national average cost of providing care in a
State Veterans Home; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Congress approves full funding
of the State Veterans Home construction grant priority one
projects for fiscal year 1998; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to provide medications, without charge, to
veterans who are eligible for Aid and Attendance payments and
are receiving nursing care and related medical services in a
State Veterans Home, as authorized under Title 38, Section 1712
(d), United States Code, without jeopardizing or reducing VA
per diem payments provided to said State Veterans Homes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the President and
Congress to pledge their full support to the State Veterans
Home Program as it is the most cost-effective nursing care
alternative used by VA. (Approved as Amended)
No. 638 (Submitted by Department of New Hampshire)
STATE VETERANS HOMES
(Disapproved)
No. 639 (Submitted by Department of Texas)
SAME DISABILITY RATING BY SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AND DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
(Disapproved)
No. 640 (Submitted by Department of Texas)
RETAIN EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR AMERICA'S VETERANS/DISABLED VETERANS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we oppose any such elimination of federal
direction and control over the employment assistance
entitlements earned by America's veterans/disabled veterans
through their honorable service. (Approved as Amended)
No. 641 (Submitted by Department of Texas)
FUNDING OF NATIONAL VETERANS' TRAINING INSTITUTE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we petition Congress to support full
funding of the National Veterans' Training Institute as
required by PL 100-232. (Approved)
No. 642 (Submitted by Department of California)
SUPPORT HR 414 MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT FOR MEDICARE ELIGIBLE MILITARY
RETIREES
(Disapproved)
No. 643 (Submitted by Department of California)
SUPPORT HR 192 ''UNIFORMED SERVICES MEDICARE SUBVENTION DEMONSTRATION
PROJECT ACT''
(Disapproved)
No. 644 (Submitted by Department of California)
SUPPORT HR 167 ''VETERANS TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1997''
(Disapproved)
No. 645 (Submitted by Department of California)
RECOGNIZE THE PERFORMANCE OF HONOR GUARD FUNCTIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE
NATIONAL GUARD AT FUNERALS FOR VETERANS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we support legislation to recognize, as a
Federal function, National Guard participation at veterans
funerals. (Approved as Amended)
No. 646 (Submitted by Department of California)
SUPPORT HR 466 AND S. 211, THE ''PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS COMPENSATION
ACT OF 1997'' COMPANION BILLS
(Disapproved)
No. 647 (Submitted by Department of California)
SUPPORT H.R. 335, COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF AMERICA'S VETERANS
(Disapproved)
No. 648 (Submitted by Department of California)
SUPPORT HR 76, AUTHORIZE MEDICARE ELIGIBLE MILITARY RETIREES THE OPTION
TO ENROLL IN THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM
(Disapproved)
No. 649 (Submitted by Department of California)
SUPPORT S. 96 RECOGNIZING CERTAIN FILIPINO VETERANS WHO PERFORMED
MILITARY SERVICE WITH THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES DURING WW II
(Disapproved)
No. 650 (Submitted by Department of California)
SUPPORT H.R. 240 VETERANS PREFERENCE IN FEDERAL JOBS
(Disapproved)
No. 651 (Submitted by Department of California)
SUPPORT H.R. 1362, MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT FOR MEDICARE ELIGIBLE
VETERANS A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT IN SELECTED VA HOSPITALS
(Disapproved)
No. 652 (Submitted by Department of California)
CALIFORNIA VETERANS BOARD APPOINTMENTS
(Disapproved)
No. 653 (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 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. (Approved)
No. 654 (Submitted by Department of California)
SUPPORT TO MOVE VETERANS BACK TO THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF U.S. CODE TITLE
38, CHAPTERS 41, 42 AND 43 OF VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICE
(Disapproved)
No. 655 (Submitted by Department of California)
FUNDING FOR VA MEDICAL CENTER AT TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE
(Disapproved)
No. 656 (Submitted by Department of California)
SPECIAL HEALTH CARE FOR PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS
EXPOSED TO MYCOPLASMIC INFECTIONS
(Disapproved)
No. 657 (Submitted by Department of California)
RETENTION OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY OF THE HEALTH SCIENCES
(USUHS)
(Disapproved)
No. 658 (Submitted by Department of California)
NATURALIZATION PROCESS FOR FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we support legislation for the
naturalization of World War II Filipino veterans. (Approved as
Amended)
No. 659 (Submitted by Department of Washington)
RETAIN 15-DAY PAID MILITARY LEAVE FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the Congress not to enact any
legislative change to the current law, PL 90-588, to reduce or
eliminate the 15 days of fully paid ''military leave'' to
federal civil servants who are also reservists or national
guard members, when on active duty for training, or on active
duty limited to a two week period each year. (Approved as
Amended)
No. 660 (Submitted by Department of Minnesota)
OPPOSE THE INTEGRATION OF THE ST. CLOUD AND MINNEAPOLIS DVA MEDICAL
CENTERS
(Disapproved)
No. 661 (Submitted by Department of Minnesota)
EXEMPT ALL SERVICE- CONNECTED VETERANS FROM CO-PAYMENTS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we oppose charging 0% service-connected
veterans co-payments for non-service connected medical care.
(Approved as Amended)
No. 662 (Submitted by Department of Minnesota)
VFW OPPOSES SHORTCUTS TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP
(Disapproved)
No. 663 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR VA BENEFICIARIES AND MILITARY RETIREES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge Congress to provide timely annual
increases in an amount at least commensurate with the Consumer
Price Index (CPI) for all Department of Veterans Affairs'
beneficiaries and military retirees. (Approved)
No. 664 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN THE VETERANS' PREFERENCE ACT OF 1944
AND ALL SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we vigorously support enactment of
legislation that strengthens the Veterans' Preference Act of
1944 and all subsequent amendments. (Approved as Amended)
No. 665 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUPPORT PRIORITY OF SERVICE FOR VETERANS TO ALL FEDERALLY FUNDED JOB
TRAINING PROGRAMS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge the Congress to pass legislation
which will mandate priority of service for all eligible
veterans to all federally funded job training programs.
(Approved)
No. 666 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
IMPROVED VA HOSPITAL FACILITIES FOR WOMEN VETERANS
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that Congress provide funding to the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) specifically for the purpose of
improving the quality of hospital facilities and services
available to women veterans at VA hospitals. (Approved)
No. 667 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SERVICE CONNECTION FOR THE RESIDUALS OF TOBACCO USE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we go on record opposing any form of
legislation which would prohibit service connection for the
residuals of tobacco addiction when such is established under
the same standard for service connection as in any other
disability which may be incurred as a result of military
service in the line of duty. (Approved)
No. 668 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
SUPPORT A STRONG VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICE
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we support a viable and effective VETS
which has the maximum resources and capability to continue
fully serving veterans into the next century. (Approved)
No. 669 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
INCREASE IN RETIRED PAY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we recommend the secretaries of the Armed
Forces adopt a consistent policy that will allow the review of
requests for the 10% increase in retired pay from enlisted
military retirees who have been awarded the Silver Star, the
Distinguished Flying Cross, the Soldier's Medal, the Navy and
Marine Corps Medal, the Airman's Medal or the Coast Guard Medal
. (Approved)
No. 670 (Submitted by Department of Colorado)
SUPPORT LEGISLATION PROVIDING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND SERVICES TO
VIETNAM VETERANS' CHILDREN WITH SPINA BIFIDA
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States, that we urge Congress to amend the Agent Orange
Benefits Act of 1996 to provide Vietnam veterans' children with
spina bifida with comprehensive health care coverage, attendant
services, independent living services, up to 48 months of
educational assistance, adaptive housing and transportation
assistance; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Act be amended to include
outreach and service coordination assistance to: (1) ensure
that Vietnam veterans' children with spina bifida and their
families are aware of their eligibility for VA benefits and
services, and when needed, in fully accessing such benefits;
(2) assist such children in protecting Supplemental Security
Insurance and other federal and federally supported benefits
and services from unwarranted reduction or termination due to
the receipt of assistance under the Act; and (3) assist such
children in accessing other specialized human services for
persons with severe disabilities offered by federal, state, and
local government agencies and other human services
organizations. (Approved)
No. 671 (Submitted by Commander-in-Chief)
DENY BURIAL IN FEDERAL FUNDED CEMETERIES TO INDIVIDUALS CONVICTED OF
FEDERAL CAPITAL CRIMES
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States that we support legislation to preclude burial in
a federal funded cemetery for person guilty of first-degree
murder of federal officials in conjunction with the commission
of other federal crimes. (Approved)
NATIONAL CONVENTION COMMITTEES
COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL BY-LAWS, MANUAL OF PROCEDURE AND RITUAL
Chairman: John M. Carney, Past Commander-in-Chief, Florida
Vice Chairman: John S. Staum, Past Commander-in-Chief, Minnesota
(Ballroom G, Salt Palace Convention Center)
Department Name Post No.
Alabama Charles H. Ayers 6837
Alabama Lester E. Kapelka 5850
Alaska Leander P. Carr 9978
Arizona George K. Mead 9400
Arkansas Bobby G. Julian 6527
California Hisashi Isosaki 8985
California Buford L. Maples 5985
California Richard R. Pignone 3173
California Denis F. Wells 8327
Colorado Mike Bokan 1771
Colorado John R. Lewis 4051
Connecticut Edward L. Burnham 1724
Connecticut Ronald Rusakiewicz 9460
Connecticut Robert A. Stevens 10690
Delaware Paul R.Phillips, Jr 2863
Dist. of Col. Benjamin F. Willis 9755
Europe Richard A. Reed 10810
Florida Raymond D.Brennan, Jr 10131
Florida James W. Carlisle 10097
Florida Niel R. Ramsdell 11146
Georgia John F. Gwizdak 5080
Hawaii Norbert K. Enos 2875
Illinois Norman J. Busch 5915
Illinois Eddie J. Griffith 1301
Illinois George R. Lobb 3579
Indiana James M. Leavitt 5782
Indiana James J. Thiel 717
Iowa Muriel E. Allan 3633
Iowa Leslie G. Portwood 817
Kansas Ronald W. Collins 1520
Kentucky Alexander J. Feher 5171
Kentucky Leroy Ford 5480
Latin Amer/Carib Dannie Cooper 3822
Latin Amer/Carib Marion H. Lasater 3876
Maine Gerard T. Morin 9935
Maryland John P. Matthews 6506
Massachusetts Theodore R. Eaton 2104
Massachusetts William J. Madera C o A
Massachusetts William L. Mc Carthy 864
Massachusetts John T. Tynan 561
Michigan Assad Allie 147
Michigan William P. Bennett 7573
Minnesota Michael D. Brainard 6587
Minnesota Robert W. Reif Surgeon General
Mississippi Lowell E. Gibson 3806
Missouri Paul E. Connors 30
Missouri James R. Mueller 5077
Montana William C. Mc Kinney 903
Nebraska Billy C. Smith 7028
Nebraska Dwaine D. Wilson 1652
Nevada Walter J. Dybeck, Jr 10047
New Hampshire John M. Packard 8546
New Jersey John G. Mooney 711
New Jersey Donald L. Scott 7247
New Mexico Tyrone M. Benson 7686
New York Daniel J. Dwyer 161
New York Elton C. Klein 478
North Carolina Johnie M. Dyson 9881
North Dakota Paul S. Aaberg 6139
Ohio Lawrence Krugman, Jr 1079
Ohio Daniel N. Long 1069
Ohio Myron E. Young 9571
Oklahoma Roderick V. Himber 4876
Oregon Johnnie A. Baugh 1383
Pacific Areas Thomas I. Elliott 9467
Pennsylvania Thomas J. Dougherty 3474
Pennsylvania Allen Q. Jones 21
Pennsylvania Frank J. Zenzer 676
Rhode Island John Sivo 2396
South Carolina Johnnie C. Robinson 2889
South Dakota Howard J. Hermanson 791
Tennessee Joe A. Murphy, Jr 1289
Texas Glen M. Gardner, Jr 3359
Texas Buddi C. Harlan 4010
Texas Robert J. Lyons 8246
Texas John E. Mc Kelvey 9078
Texas Earnest G. Mudd 8541
Texas Ferrell E. Warden C o A
Texas William B. Warren 8564
Utah Ernest T. Evans 2579
Vermont Thomas H. Meehan 1332
Virginia Charles B. Wilkerson 9808
Washington Donald E. Bracken 2289
Washington George F. Riedel, Jr 969
Washington John Uram 10018
West Virginia Scottie E. King C o A
West Virginia Eugene W. Walker 4484
Wisconsin Bernard J. Boyle 2823
Wisconsin William M. Klein 2112
Wisconsin Edward F. Stockel 7896
Wisconsin William J. Wenger 8216
Wyoming Charles E. Fresorger 579
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND INTERNAL ORGANIZATION
Chairman: Ted C. Connell, Past Commander-in-Chief, Texas
Vice Chairman: John W. Mahan, Past Commander-in-Chief, Montana
(Room 255A, Salt Palace Convention Center)
Department Name Post No.
Alabama Travis W. Ledbetter 3016
Alabama Telfair J. Mashburn 3568
Alabama Charles R. Stephens Inspector General
Alaska Robert S. Green 1685
Alaska George A. Pikus 7056
Alaska Joseph B. Sadlier 4352
Arizona Gary N. Harlan 10188
Arizona Vincent J. Mitchell 9972
Arizona Vincent A. Rigo 2135
Arizona William J. Silva 836
Arkansas Bobby D. Hoggard 4517
Arkansas Raymond J. Smorol 4513
Arkansas Charles O. Wright 8347
California Leonard W. Bartels 8547
California Richard L. Eubank 85
California Gerald A. Leffin 3868
California Joseph F. Martin 9223
Colorado Raymond L. Ammerman 3631
Colorado James E. Mauck 2601
Colorado Orlen L. Wolf 4171
Connecticut Brian J. Kennedy 1523
Connecticut Natt A. Mc Intire 1672
Connecticut William B. Watson 3263
Delaware William G. Schaen 475
Delaware William W. Wailes 475
Dist. of Col. Kenneth J. Allen, Jr 341
Europe Harold Hedges 9334
Europe Norman J. Hirschman 10658
Florida Alex H. Damalas 10097
Florida Ray L. Ford 10554
Florida Ronald G. Lee 2473
Florida Robert P. Loftus 4643
Georgia Ray L. Christie 5080
Georgia Robert K. Nelson 3200
Georgia William J. Wilson 7007
Hawaii Leonard W. Lover 94
Hawaii James K. Woolsey 94
Idaho Leonard L. Celmer 11065
Idaho J P. Montgomery 3465
Illinois John H. Buettner 6368
Illinois Edward F. Jarnell, Jr 8081
Illinois Tom Morgan 1592
Illinois Russell H. Villwock 3579
Indiana John L. Barnes 7119
Indiana John L. Dahman C o A
Indiana David G. Havely 5864
Indiana Glendon R. Hinshaw 1111
Iowa Patrick J. Shanahan 788
Iowa James L. Shelton Jr 941
Kansas Wayne M. Bushell 1714
Kansas Elmer L. Holman 7521
Kansas David W. Jones 56
Kansas Burt Kiewert 7271
Kentucky Roger L. Adams 10017
Kentucky Jeff A. Phillips 1170
Latin Amer/Carib James E. Cook 3822
Latin Amer/Carib Walter F. Griggs 40
Louisiana Stanley P. Breaux 3665
Louisiana James B. Robertson 8107
Maine Joseph L. Duguay 8835
Maine Donald W. Linscott, Jr 1603
Maine Peter F. Miesburger 9389
Maryland John J. Gistedt 2678
Maryland Thomas J. Hercek 467
Maryland Robert L. Miedzinski 2632
Massachusetts Antone G. Andrews 697
Massachusetts Gordon L. Crosby 1526
Massachusetts William J. Curran 1526
Massachusetts Robert A. Malmberg 1526
Massachusetts Louis J. Robicheau 507
Michigan Cecil A. Mc Goon 2780
Michigan Donald V. Nettler 9507
Michigan Frank L. Skrumbellos 1008
Michigan Jack C. Stevens 2358
Michigan Barry F. Walter 4005
Minnesota Daniel Bartholomew 3144
Minnesota Harold Genrich 1222
Minnesota Merlin O. Hanson 1639
Mississippi James W. Austin 3036
Mississippi Frederick T. Barnes 10024
Mississippi Donald L. Verucchi 9573
Missouri Maxie W. Bryant 35
Missouri C C. Kapono 6278
Missouri Samuel L. Smithson 4294
Missouri Donald W. Watts 5553
Montana Bruce J. Frye, Jr 3596
Montana John M. Hoyt 3107
Nebraska John L. Iossi 3704
Nebraska George A. Lee 1652
Nebraska John F. Olson 3704
Nebraska Earl Stiner, Jr 3421
Nevada Le Roy J. Heath 10047
Nevada Gilbert R. Wagner 3848
New Hampshire Michael S. Annis 2860
New Hampshire Kevin P. Mc Keating, Jr 483
New Hampshire Robert T. St Onge 8214
New Jersey Carlbert Heard 2294
New Jersey George J. Lisicki C o A
New Jersey Harry W. Morecroft 6061
New Jersey John T. Sweeney 1302
New Mexico Roland La France, Sr 10124
New Mexico Robert O. Perea 2951
New Mexico Frank J. Rivali 1793
New York Vincent A. De Martino 5253
New York James M. Longendyke 1386
North Carolina Michael T. Burris 2615
North Carolina William J. Hendren 2031
North Carolina George E. Walker 7315
North Carolina Raymond J. Yamrus 7318
North Dakota Kent L. Anderson 9068
North Dakota Robert L. Volk 1868
Ohio Clifford E. Bauer 3360
Ohio Robert C. Cockrell 1082
Ohio Ronald C. Dohnal 4441
Ohio James T. Hampton 1662
Ohio Keith E. Harman 3035
Ohio George W. Marks C o A
Ohio Shorty Wehr 5356
Oklahoma Donald A. Firkins 9969
Oklahoma Clemens Kozak 1199
Oregon Charles D. Fuller 966
Oregon James C. Hanley 1833
Oregon Doyle E. Souders 2807
Pacific Areas Paul T. Gasperson 9612
Pennsylvania John Adamecz, Jr 245
Pennsylvania Charles R. Feltenberger 2435
Pennsylvania Donald J. Gobbel 33
Rhode Island Benjamin Pezza 4651
Rhode Island S Wolstencroft, Jr 8955
South Carolina Melvin L. Emore 641
South Carolina Frasier S. Wall 10420
South Dakota William F. Cerny, Jr C o A
South Dakota Daryl L. Halling 3164
South Dakota Fay J. Hendricks 6149
South Dakota Alvin Pistorius 3342
South Dakota Lorne F. Ruzicka 3312
Tennessee William Berkley, Jr 1291
Tennessee William A. Mc Nairy 4577
Tennessee Roy C. Womble 5019
Texas Michael F. Day 6386
Texas Justo S. Guerra 4146
Texas James C. Henderson, Jr 6796
Texas David H. Slider 6441
Texas Peter Stack 4344
Texas Emmett A. Stelzer 6797
Texas John Velasquez 4692
Utah Roy S. Brown 8307
Utah Gary L. Clark C o A
Utah Dennis L. Parizek 1481
Utah Theodore B. Rimpau 1546
Vermont Merritt A. Edwards 6689
Vermont Ralph H. Elwell 1332
Virginia James L. Booth 2216
Virginia John L. Fanshaw, Jr 7819
Virginia Phillip L. Hewitt 9808
Washington Frank A. Kunz 6268
Washington Charles T. O Donahue 10018
West Virginia Billy E. Javins 8129
West Virginia Foster E. Matthews 2523
West Virginia Wesley J. Thomas 573
Wisconsin Milo L. Cunningham 1318
Wisconsin John A. Miller 9537
Wyoming Harold E. Lowe 4343
Wyoming Kenneth E. Weber 2918
COMMITTEE ON GENERAL RESOLUTIONS
Chairman: Walter G. Hogan, Past Commander-in-Chief, Wisconsin
Vice Chairman: Paul A. Spera, Past Commander-in-Chief, Massachusetts
Vice Chairman: James R. Currieo, Past Commander-in-Chief, Arizona
Vice Chairman: R. D. Smith, Jr., Past Commander-in-Chief, Georgia
(Ballroom D, Salt Palace Convention Center)
Department Name Post No.
Alabama William J. Burgess 6020
Alabama Oliver W. Dial C o A
Alabama Jack F. Ivy 2702
Alaska Robert R. Klotz 9785
Alaska John W. Minnick 9365
Alaska Jack S. O Neal 9569
Alaska William Timmons 9978
Arizona John I. Halstead, Sr 3632
Arizona Donald E. Maynard 7968
Arizona Lawrence E. Reinhardt 9972
Arkansas Martin O. Cowley 2259
Arkansas B J. Garrett 8124
Arkansas Clarence L. Moore 5742
Arkansas William D. Taylor 7769
California Gerald D. Anderson 2835
California Benjamin Berroteran 4696
California Robert S. Hockenhull 2337
California Lyman L. Indermuehle 8547
California Steven D. Jacobs 5944
California Cornelius P. O Connor 2967
California Guilio P. Santa Maria 2835
California Jerald E. Thomas 9657
Colorado Theodore G. Argys 3820
Colorado Phillip Garcia 7945
Colorado Ronald J. Lattin 2461
Colorado Arthur F. Ledesma 3971
Connecticut Edward S. Banas 10004
Connecticut Francis C. Brought 10201
Connecticut Andrew F. Flanagan 10219
Connecticut Rodman M. Fulton 9965
Connecticut Laurence Pitcher 6933
Delaware Albert J. Imperial, Jr 7447
Delaware Walter J. Kula 3257
Delaware Charles E. Price 3792
Dist. of Col. John P. Breen 2979
Dist. of Col. Walter H. Brown 9755
Dist. of Col. Albert O. Burke 7358
Europe George W. Eby 10692
Europe Phillip F. Gatchell 9845
Florida Lester W. Davis 10093
Florida John F. Key, III 7256
Florida Eugene R. Manfrey C o A
Florida Robert A. Mc Dade 9236
Georgia Robert E. Bates 5376
Georgia Ray E. Brooks 2785
Georgia Dan Bullard, III 658
Georgia Donald F. Ziegler 6447
Hawaii Roy K. Machado 3027
Hawaii Aloysius Spenser, Jr 3850
Idaho Thomas E. Monson 63
Idaho Robert A. Wayment 10328
Illinois Joseph L. Berg 5691
Illinois Willard Livingston 1308
Illinois Robert J. Mc Mahon 2298
Illinois Vincent J. Medina 5149
Illinois William R. Moran 2240
Illinois Ralph C. Wieter 805
Illinois Robert P. Witcher 7980
Indiana Roger E. Baker 6841
Indiana David R. Cole 1832
Indiana R L. Johanningsmeier 1257
Indiana Richard L. Jordan 2067
Indiana Audie W. Rainbolt 1693
Indiana Dwight O. Smith 6904
Indiana Earl S. Walton 360
Iowa Cecil A. Buschbom 839
Iowa Roger D. Schwieso 941
Iowa Daryl R. Shinker 2349
Kansas James F. Graham 2715
Kansas Richard A. Hill 7437
Kansas Robert F. Petterson 6242
Kansas Beul B. Ross 1650
Kansas Mckinley Smith 8773
Kentucky William J. Apple 1170
Kentucky Thomas I. Blain 5421
Kentucky Ronald M. Myers 1096
Latin Amer/Carib G A. Crowther 15039
Latin Amer/Carib Clifford P. England 3822
Latin Amer/Carib Edward R. Lesesne 100
Louisiana Ernest W. Bryant 7286
Louisiana Jack Coursey 5951
Louisiana Richard J. Fruge 5153
Louisiana Joseph Guidry, Sr 3121
Maine Thomas D. Andrus 9429
Maine Philip M. Farrell 11299
Maine Raymond R. Lupo 1761
Maine Arthur J. Roy C o A
Maine Alan M. Winter 9150
Maryland Nicholas T. Bassetti 9083
Maryland Raymond J. Boyle 6027
Maryland Kenneth L. Britter 9862
Maryland Clayton A. Deaver 1858
Maryland Kenneth F. Perry, Sr 6027
Maryland Clinton Townsend 3626
Maryland Lawson E. Van Ormer 6027
Massachusetts Walter G. Gansenberg 834
Massachusetts Eugene F. Hakala 1812
Massachusetts Michael J. Imbracsio 639
Massachusetts Arthur D. Lettiere 1272
Massachusetts Arnold W. Paterson 8608
Massachusetts William T. Rehm 722
Massachusetts Cornelius F. Sharron 9566
Michigan James M. Galen 6802
Michigan Richard E. La Fave 5670
Michigan Richard L. Lehner 1735
Michigan Raymond G. O Neill 147
Minnesota Patrick T. Bohmer 246
Minnesota Calvin D. Ferber 612
Minnesota Francis J. Ginther 210
Minnesota Gordon W. Kirk C o A
Minnesota Ted B. Theodorsen 6320
Mississippi Jerry W. Beaird 3806
Mississippi James E. Gordon 4100
Mississippi Bobby G. Sanders 10734
Mississippi J H. Smith 1983
Missouri Charles A. Brewster 5553
Missouri Ralph H. Fiehler 4219
Missouri James F. Harrelson 4539
Missouri Melvin L. Page, Sr 2069
Missouri Clarence W. Reed 6337
Missouri Calvin C. Vogelsang 3838
Montana Francis E. Croucher 1125
Montana Duane R. Johnson 4099
Montana Erich J. Maki 4198
Montana Jean A. Nesheim 4925
Montana Robert T. Schwegel 6786
Nebraska Jack L. Armagost C o A
Nebraska Allan D. Diederich 8334
Nebraska Eugene L. Kuhn 3704
Nebraska Arnold L. Miller 2280
Nebraska James J. Pacas 4836
Nebraska Walter J. Witt 2243
Nevada Sherwin F. Cihlar 10047
Nevada Jon S. Grubbs 8250
Nevada Daryl L. Mobley 3630
Nevada Odis Ward 10047
New Hampshire Frank E. Casey, Jr 816
New Hampshire John M. Lilly 1698
New Hampshire Robert W. Madigan 483
New Hampshire Steven R. Rousseau 8214
New Jersey Joseph T. Del Grippo 335
New Jersey Joseph G. Menza 493
New Jersey Greg Policastro 493
New Jersey John D. Reed, Sr 7859
New Jersey Adam J. Rosinski 4699
New Jersey George T. Van Allen 7504
New Jersey Donna L. Wertz 6590
New Mexico Earl C. Earnest 8703
New Mexico Joe F. Ford 401
New Mexico Lawrence R. Frappier 3015
New Mexico Joe D. Salas 401
New York Anthony M. Ferrarese 16
New York Robert A. Seagrave 2940
New York Vincent J. Siesta 546
New York Jack I. Simons 9217
New York Roy Spanower 5558
New York Harry C. Wurth 5253
North Carolina Arthur W. Eller 1142
North Carolina Charles E. English 2573
North Carolina Harlan C. La Bar 2057
North Carolina Betty H. Rowland 9100
North Dakota Harry Renschler 1326
North Dakota Kasimir Schmaltz 6831
Ohio James Comedy 3383
Ohio John M. Griffin 6772
Ohio Frank Hofstetter, Jr 2947
Ohio James M. Miller 451
Ohio Gerald J. Ward 5713
Ohio John D. Whirrett 3521
Oklahoma Doss E. Baker 8580
Oklahoma Howard W. Driskill 2745
Oklahoma Eugene H. George 9969
Oklahoma David L. Turpin 10282
Oregon Harold E. Goin 2468
Oregon Ronald A. Harlan 661
Oregon Samuel F. Jeffers 3970
Oregon Merlin K. Pepion 3440
Pacific Areas E R. Milward 2485
Pennsylvania Glenn C. Dashner 464
Pennsylvania John De Dominicis 764
Pennsylvania Walter K. Debes 20
Pennsylvania Neale H. Deibler 6493
Pennsylvania John M. Gunn, Sr 2506
Pennsylvania Gary L. Moon 631
Pennsylvania Ronald G. Tyler, Sr 1462
Rhode Island John J. Barone 8955
Rhode Island Henry H. Kramer 329
Rhode Island Anthony J. Scudieri 10011
South Carolina Bobby K. Bryant 9539
South Carolina Eugene Moore 641
South Carolina Robert A. Olsen 3433
South Carolina Vernon D. Shumaker 641
South Dakota Delane E. Fickbohm 6149
South Dakota James E. Fortin 750
South Dakota Kenneth Jorgenson 750
South Dakota Walter F. Joynt 1273
South Dakota Larry L. Scudder 1273
Tennessee Ronald N. Cameron 11160
Tennessee Otha M J. Kerr 5266
Tennessee John H. Scott 4848
Tennessee W C. Swink 4798
Texas Charles L. Cannon, Jr 5076
Texas Anthony J. Emmite 6378
Texas Anthony W. Graf 1815
Texas Clifford W. Kinson 9299
Texas Robert G. Parrott, Jr 8790
Texas George B. Sparkman 9181
Texas Robert W. Speake 1922
Texas Lavern H. Terbl 9168
Texas Alexander Vernon 9191
Utah Duane Hall 5560
Utah Thomas M. Kennedy 3586
Utah Melvin T. Richeson 7442
Vermont W T. Myette 9653
Vermont Richard M. Partington 5125
Vermont John J. Zuba 1034
Virginia Ernest B. Glynn 7327
Virginia Lawrence F. Mattera 5500
Virginia Paul T. Moore 4491
Virginia Clifford F. Williford 3160
Washington Charlie H. Adamson, Jr 2289
Washington Clayton R. Hoffman 2329
Washington Richard A. Petersen 10018
Washington Darrell M. Pilat 1263
West Virginia Robert A. Jackson 6450
West Virginia Robert B. Kesling 573
West Virginia John Oliverio 629
West Virginia A A. Spagnuolo 573
Wisconsin George Pfielsticker 305
Wisconsin Joel P. Walker 1904
Wyoming Richard F. Ament 6125
Wyoming Herb J. Carstens 579
Wyoming David Ferris 10375
Wyoming Pete Quinnell 7756
COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Chairman: Clifford G. Olson, Jr., Past Commander-in-Chief, Massachusetts
Vice Chairman: Cooper T. Holt, Past Commander-in-Chief, Tennessee
(Ballroom F, Salt Palace Convention Center)
SUBCOMMITTEE ON POW/MIA
Chairman: Billy Ray Cameron, Past Commander-in-Chief, North Carolina
Vice Chairman: George R. Cramer, Past Commander-in-Chief, Illinois
Department Name Post No.
Alabama Gerald S. Brock 2702
Alabama Benjamin R. Minshew 49
Alaska John P. Guinn 10041
Alaska Harvey A. Johnson 9569
Arizona George T. Diehl, Sr 3715
Arizona Roland J. Fuerst 9972
Arizona Dennis E. Kane 3632
Arizona John M. Knowles 2364
Arkansas Harold N. Harris 2952
Arkansas Carthel B. Parrott 3543
California Robert C. Marr 7283
California Gene B. Patrick 7283
California Kenneth L. Stevens 9223
California Harry H. Tanabe 9879
Colorado George R. Gore 4265
Colorado George H. Palmateer 4171
Colorado John H. Sentena 4051
Colorado Harland E. Smith 1781
Connecticut Thomas C. Deere 6726
Connecticut Benjamin T. Lord, Jr 5095
Connecticut William H. Woodbury 1724
Delaware Edwin Moran 7447
Dist. of Col. Philip L. Buchanan 4332
Dist. of Col. Lynn R. Hill 7284
Europe Sidney L. Jenkins 10436
Europe Dean A. White 27
Florida Richard Fitzgerald 7721
Florida Normand R. Gaouette 8681
Florida Elijah L. Summerfield 6180
Georgia William R. Johnson 658
Georgia Leonard D. Ott 6330
Georgia Johnnie M. Shiver 4830
Hawaii Jesus Lagueras 10850
Hawaii Donald J. Raven 2432
Idaho Randall E. Russell 2136
Idaho Henry P. Vanderhoef 10444
Illinois Daniel F. Campus 367
Illinois John W. Johnston 7190
Illinois Maurice H. Kerckhove 2153
Indiana Leo W. Farnsley, III 3281
Indiana Jerell O. Herston 5864
Indiana George A. Magurany 802
Iowa Larry J. Bender 788
Iowa Robert S. Randall 839
Kansas Richard G. Clutts 7271
Kansas Lewie B. Cooper 1174
Kansas Larry D. Dalton 1654
Kansas Larry G. Graham 7521
Kansas Denny L. Lawson 1186
Kentucky Robert E. Colasanti 10281
Kentucky Emmett C. Johnson 5662
Kentucky Francis L. Wimsatt 5421
Latin Amer/Carib Thomas L. Hobbs 6565
Latin Amer/Carib Aurora G. Toth 100
Louisiana Floyd J. Landeche 3665
Louisiana William M. Procter 1736
Louisiana James E. Westbrook 3784
Louisiana J N. Young 8971
Maine Rosemarie Lane 9459
Maine Myron H. Pierce 9787
Maine Erlon B. Rose 3335
Maryland Elwood S. Knight, Jr 7937
Maryland Alfred N. Simmons 8509
Massachusetts Roland F. Durrell 1272
Massachusetts John F. Leonard 639
Massachusetts Edward W. Parks 2188
Massachusetts Ronald A. Patalano 529
Massachusetts Norman P. Richard 6538
Massachusetts Tyler Thomas 144
Michigan Dale Brubaker, Jr 3941
Michigan Wayne A. Buck C o A
Michigan James N. Goldsmith 4139
Michigan Eric L. Halvorsen 5065
Michigan John J. Harrow, Jr 3724
Michigan Patrick H. Patterson 6756
Minnesota Joe J. Mach 210
Minnesota James D. Vetter 4020
Minnesota Frank J. Volk 2717
Minnesota Larry G. Ziebarth 6843
Mississippi Albert O. Cummings 4272
Mississippi Paul R. Sims 4488
Missouri Jack P. Adams 3404
Missouri Glenn E. Davis 4294
Missouri Eugene L. Hoeltge 5077
Montana Earl E. Chase C o A
Montana Donald C. Enquist 1087
Montana Charles C. Mc Cahon 1755
Montana Wade S. Smith 3831
Nebraska Kenneth R. Collins 7029
Nebraska John R. Liebsack 2503
Nevada Bernard J. Juran, III 3819
Nevada Michael H. Musgrove 2350
New Hampshire Donald R. Caron 7015
New Hampshire Jerry A. Parenti 8546
New Jersey Richard C. Bradshaw 4589
New Jersey Fredrick Di Pietro 8840
New Jersey Donald E. Marshall, Jr 9503
New Jersey Joseph E. Scott, Jr 1333
New Mexico Felix J. Coca 2951
New Mexico William E. Festing, Jr 3277
New York Robert E. Barnhart 686
New York T W. Bossidy 7466
New York Frank P. Cappa 455
New York Arthur E. Koch, III 6780
New York Samuel C. Pilato 307
North Carolina Alvin F. Edwards 5352
North Carolina Steve M. Jones 9337
North Carolina A G. Parker 8719
North Dakota Joseph Shoman 7564
Ohio Russell D. Doan 5108
Ohio George M. Rinkowski 5530
Ohio Terry A. Roan 3124
Ohio Joseph P. Seibert 6428
Oklahoma Orville Lettkeman 4465
Oklahoma Anna M. Love 3649
Oregon Raymond K. Buhrmaster 2807
Oregon Alfred L. Foust 4273
Oregon Raymond Kennedy 3473
Pacific Areas Richard A. Keeley 9612
Pennsylvania William C. Allen 7213
Pennsylvania John A. Biedrzycki 418
Pennsylvania Michael J. Bullister, Jr 456
Pennsylvania Donald A. Lehman 8298
Pennsylvania Almon J. Long C o A
Pennsylvania Anthony J. Longo 5205
Pennsylvania Norman F. Rettig, Jr 249
Rhode Island Armondo C. Azzinaro C o A
Rhode Island Ernest P. Degrave 2274
Rhode Island Joseph F. Maiorano 4651
South Carolina William J. Jolin 6087
South Carolina Bill E. Lark Chief of Staff
South Carolina John D. Patty 9539
South Carolina George M. Pullie C o A
South Dakota Ordean A. Amundsen 3061
South Dakota Rick W. Barg 628
South Dakota Stanley E. Seymour 5860
Tennessee Bobby C. Collins 1990
Tennessee Eldrie Duff 4728
Texas Doyle D. Dey 8967
Texas Gustavo Gomez 6388
Texas Edward J. Krenek 8787
Texas William B. Moody 2034
Texas Charles S. Pearson 1533
Texas Chuck E. Sinclair 8905
Texas Paul L. Smith 3990
Utah Frank A. Montella 10745
Utah Virgil E. Rieske 4918
Vermont Robert E. Dean 2571
Vermont Larry W. Sweeney 9653
Virginia George E. Mc Cracken 609
Virginia Kenneth A. Ward 7327
Washington John E. Bradburn 7089
Washington James W. King, Jr 3067
Washington Chester F. Shenkel 2329
West Virginia Gail L. Harper 3466
West Virginia Leonard L. Miller 2102
West Virginia Alfred W. Zelinsky 4595
Wisconsin Roy J. Friedel 1904
Wisconsin Matthias Mayer, Jr 6498
Wisconsin Curtis J. Taylor, Jr 1318
Wyoming John J. Rudell, Jr 9439
Wyoming Gary P. Shinneman 4343
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS SERVICE RESOLUTIONS
Chairman: Allen F. ''Gunner'' Kent, Past Commander-in-Chief, Arizona
Vice Chairman: Norman G. Staab, Past Commander-in-Chief, Kansas
(Room 151G. Salt Palace Convention Center)
Department Name Post No.
Alabama Peter Frauenhoffer 5658
Alaska Gerald J. Dorsher 5559
Alaska Gary L. Kurpius 10221
Arizona Lyman F. Chapman 1760
Arizona Richard T. Fulmer 9401
Arizona Billie E. Stuart 549
Arkansas Melvin F. Baines 1316
Arkansas James E. Ford, Jr 3031
Arkansas Gareth P. Mc Natt 3031
Arkansas Leslie F. Thone 3141
California Paul T. Bannai 1961
California Fred J. Birdsell 7907
California Leonard R. Herrst Judge Advocate General
California Hughes P. Rue 9657
California Raymond C. Sisk C o A
California Philemon J. Velasquez 5059
California Jerry A. Williams 7636
California Leondas V. Wright, Sr 4647
Colorado Darrell D. Elliott 1771
Colorado Wayne J. Thompson, Jr 5061
Colorado Warren E. Wellensiek 4171
Connecticut Ronald Christopher 5095
Connecticut Glenn N. Tewksbury 10362
Connecticut Scott Vanderheyden 6933
Delaware Clarence Burris, Jr 8801
Delaware Benjamin Pernol, Jr 3792
Dist. of Col. Remigio A. Cabacar 5471
Dist. of Col. David F. Wood 1085
Europe Peter J. Mascetti 10658
Europe Bruce A. Withers C o A
Florida Clifford J. Carter 6827
Florida James De Pass 10068
Georgia Richard Branson 5080
Georgia Sammy L. Cates 5290
Georgia William E. Patterson 4346
Hawaii Frederick A. Wong 8616
Idaho Donald G. Riegel 889
Idaho William P. Shaw 11065
Illinois Rick Frank 1461
Illinois Walter C. Luksta 9115
Illinois Terry L. Mc Kinney 886
Illinois Russell R. Rieke 5694
Illinois Edward A. Trennert 2255
Indiana Everett D. Foreman 5864
Indiana William N. Hedge 5782
Indiana Robert L. Jenkins 6919
Indiana Michael V. Smith 2999
Indiana James D. Voelker 1114
Iowa Dowd J. Brandt 9662
Iowa Clinton L. Hoferman 6172
Iowa William P. Shannon 733
Kansas Jefferson D. Lawson 6654
Kansas Tom G. Sanko 1714
Kansas Roy V. Williams 8773
Kentucky William R. Coffey 5421
Kentucky William P. Marcum, Jr 2921
Latin Amer/Carib Ruth D. Thomas 3835
Louisiana Wilferd L. Johnson 2130
Louisiana Eugene J. Louque 5852
Maine Joseph H. Gallant, Jr 832
Maine Timothy P. Getz 3335
Maine Donald R. Libby, Jr 832
Maryland William E. Berry 6694
Maryland Joseph F. Rosetta 9619
Massachusetts James J. Busa 1272
Massachusetts Joseph E. Caouette 1105
Massachusetts Gardner Mc Williams 2425
Massachusetts Anthony B. Piscopo 529
Massachusetts William J. Riley 864
Massachusetts Robert M. Van Kirk 2394
Michigan Daniel J. Crocker 796
Michigan Walter L. Gooden 2645
Michigan Edmund R. Gucwa 6896
Michigan Martin M. Mieras, Jr 3023
Minnesota David L. Adams 1782
Minnesota Thomas L. Hanson 1639
Minnesota Richard A. Zierdt 6587
Mississippi Lester J. Dreesen 5573
Mississippi Cleo D. Dunhurst 6285
Mississippi Thomas A. Williams 9573
Missouri Dennis F. Flynn 2866
Missouri Clifford E. Johnson 479
Missouri Paul G. Jones 2866
Missouri William D. Merideth 5366
Montana James J. Bertrand 1579
Montana Edmond G. Frazer 2484
Nebraska John W. De Camp 131
Nebraska Lewis A. Fittje 8334
Nebraska Anthony J. Gallardo 131
Nevada Frank A. Hoke 3726
Nevada Albert J. Mc Mindes 10047
Nevada Frank R. Risewick 10047
New Hampshire Robert L. Mc Dermott 1631
New Hampshire Reginald R. Wright 8942
New Jersey Samuel J. Bardach 132
New Jersey William A. Goode 809
New Jersey John M. Kirwan 8867
New Jersey John G. Mooney 711
New Mexico Michael L. Alford 3271
New Mexico Manuel G. Evaro 4384
New Mexico James H. Ferguson C o A
New York Ralph U. De Marco C o A
New York Melvin Garrett 6396
New York William E. Mc Garr 6196
New York Karl R. Rohde 1374
New York Harold C. Steiger 161
North Carolina Amon F. Harris 6018
North Carolina Cecil E. Sanders 891
North Carolina James O. Ward 3074
North Dakota Reynold L. Buchholz 6831
North Dakota Robert G. Rudd 7564
Ohio Gary B. Bentfeld 2799
Ohio Clifford M. Christensen 7340
Ohio George M. Householder 2595
Ohio John R. Johnson 8850
Ohio John Mc Donald 451
Ohio Gerald E. Mc Millen 8586
Oklahoma Charles R. Horne 9969
Oklahoma James H. Mitchell 3916
Oregon Robert L. George 3973
Oregon Edwin L. Williams 10644
Pacific Areas Kenneth W. Schaefer 2485
Pennsylvania Carmen A. De Santi 129
Pennsylvania Robert E. Durovey 7842
Pennsylvania Anthony Filardi 1394
Pennsylvania George W. Mullen 4480
Pennsylvania Joseph M. Salvo 5267
Rhode Island John A. Bucci 10011
Rhode Island Pasco A. De Palo 329
South Carolina Frazer S. Hammarlund 10420
South Carolina Teofilo Rivas 641
South Dakota Darrell K. Foell 3342
South Dakota William A. Hollmann 7319
South Dakota Earl R. Schultz 17
Tennessee Larry L. Dalton 1289
Tennessee Ramsey P. Locke 5066
Tennessee David H. Wilson 4848
Texas C W. Buchanan 3892
Texas R E. Lord 10351
Texas Manuel O. Rivas 8782
Utah Sanford Rosenthal 3586
Vermont Denis B. Backus 2571
Vermont Bradley F. Reynolds 798
Virginia John E. Saunders 4809
Virginia Rodney L. Smith 176
Virginia Ralph D. Stephens 392
Washington George C. Berthiaume 969
Washington Dennis J. Greenwalt 11446
Washington Charles E. Vitiritti, Jr 9430
West Virginia James M. Burkhart 1212
West Virginia Eugene E. Patrick 3856
Wisconsin Ralph O. Heese 1691
Wisconsin Arthur H. Schultz 305
Wisconsin James R. Weber 2260
Wisconsin Bruce E. Wiese 8057
Wyoming A L. Ellefson 7756
Wyoming William H. Saunders 579
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: Clyde A. Lewis, Past Commander-in-Chief, New York
Vice Chairman: James L. Kimery, Past Commander-in-Chief, New Mexico
Vice Chairman: Ray R. Soden, Past Commander-in-Chief, Illinois
(Room 151E, Salt Palace Convention Center) 321