[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 70 (Monday, May 1, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E886-E887]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS V.F.W.

                                 ______


                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                           Monday, May 1, 1995
  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, 75 years ago this summer, Veterans of 
Foreign Wars Post No. 420 was established in Saratoga Springs, NY. The 
V.F.W., Mr. Speaker, has been and continues to be an organization of 
exceptional merit and service to the needs of many veterans. V.F.W. 
Post 420 was founded upon these principles in the summer of 1920, and 
continues to serve and remember those veterans who made sacrifices for 
America.
  Post 420 was founded as a memorial to two brothers who courageously 
fought for America in WWI. On October 20, 1918, the Gurtler brothers 
were both killed in battle along the Hindenburg line in Germany. It is 
only appropriate that those brave men who placed themselves in harm's 
way overseas be represented by such an able organization.
  Mr. Speaker, it is comforting to know that those who served the needs 
of our country and fought for the principles and ideas of America all 
over the globe can depend on the support of an organization like this 
post back home in upstate New York.
  Mr. Speaker, the service of Post 420 in Saratoga Springs is worthy of 
significant recognition. This post, and others like it, are the reason 
I fought so hard to attain department-level status for Veterans' 
Affairs. When President Ronald Reagan signed that legislation into law, 
veterans were finally afforded the degree of national consideration 
they deserve. The efforts of V.F.W. posts like this one, having served 
the needs of veterans since 1920, played a major role in the grassroots 
efforts by V.F.W. posts across this Nation to enact that bill into law. 
For this, Mr. Speaker, we owe Post 420 a tremendous debt.
  [[Page E887]] The famous historian George Santayana once said, 
``Those who do not remember history are bound to repeat it.'' V.F.W. 
posts all across America have not forgotten the past or those men and 
women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I ask all my 
fellow Members to rise in tribute to V.F.W. Post 420 in Saratoga 
Springs on the occasion of their 75th Anniversary.


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