[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 98 (Thursday, June 15, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1260-E1261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, SEBEWAING VFW POST 4115

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 1995
  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, there are debts that our country owes, and 
chief among them is the debt owed to our veterans. If it were not for 
the sacrifice made by many in the name of freedom and democracy, we 
would not be able to stand here and enjoy the wonders provided by our 
great Nation. I want to call special attention to the fact that 
Saturday, June [[Page E1261]] 10, the Sebewaing Veterans of Foreign 
Wars Post 4115 celebrated its 50th anniversary as a chartered Post.
  There is a proud tradition of military service among the residents of 
Sebewaing and Huron County. They have always responded to Uncle Sam's 
call, demonstrating time and time again how great the people of this 
community are. This Post which currently has 97 members who meet the 
requirement of military service on foreign soil or in hostile waters in 
a campaign for which the United States Government has authorized a 
medal. They proudly continue to serve their community with several 
annual activities, including teen dances, participation in the annual 
sugar festival, participation in a scholarship program, the poppy sale 
in support of the Veterans' Hospital, and its ceremonial drill team.
  As many of our colleagues know, the Veterans of Foreign Wars works to 
promote the welfare of veterans, patriotic activities, and to 
positively influence veterans' legislation. The strength of any 
organization depends upon the commitment of its members, and it has 
been by experience that VFW members, including those of Post 4115, are 
among the most committed and concerned people I have ever met. They 
know duty and obligation. They know loyalty. They fought for it. They 
demonstrated it. They deserve it. That is why I have said before and I 
will say again that veterans' programs are the wrong place to cut when 
we assess our Nation's spending priorities. One of the greatest threats 
to our way of life would be the creation of the impression that our 
Nation is not serious about taking care of the veterans who have taken 
care of our Nation.
  Among the real sadnesses experienced by Post 4115 has been the loss 
of some of its members who have passed on to their eternal rewards. The 
memories that have been shared, the dependency on one another that has 
been exhibited in the height of battle will live on forever. I am sure 
that everyone of these veterans appreciated the valor of the current 
members of our Armed Forces who joined together in the best of 
traditions to effect the rescue of Capt. Scott O'Grady who had been 
shot down in Bosnia, and likened it to the demonstrations of courage 
they personally witnessed in their own participation in World War II, 
Korea, Vietnam, and the other conflicts to which our forces have been 
called. The loss of a friend is one of life's hardest demands, and the 
call to service is one of its most precious demands. Our veterans have 
the proud heritage of responding to both with honor and conviction.
  As we remember our many veterans in this 50th anniversary of the end 
of World War II, I invite all of our colleagues to join me in this 
special thanks and tribute to the members of Sebewaing Veterans of 
Foreign Wars Post 4115. We owe you much.


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