[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 MIDDLETOWN POST VFW 2179 AND LADIES AUXILIARY: 50 YEARS OF COMMUNITY 
                          AND VETERANS SERVICE

                                 ______


                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 1995
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, June 24, 1995, the Middletown, 
NJ, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2179 and ladies auxiliary will be 
celebrating its 50th anniversary at the Post Home with the slogan 
``Golden Pride Since '45.'' The event will include a rededication of 
the post's street sign, known as Veterans Lane, to commemorate both the 
50th anniversary of the founding of the post as well as the 50th 
anniversary of the end of World War II. There will be a memorial 
service, speeches by officials and veterans, and then hours of music 
and dancing.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to pay tribute to the fine 
men and women whose pride and patriotism have made Post 2179 and the 
ladies auxiliary such a great part of our community. In 1945, as 
America emerged victorious from World War II and our Nation entered 
into a new era, a group of returning veterans and their wives formed 
the Middletown Post. In those days, the post met over a store in 
Belford section of Middletown Township. Social events were held in the 
basement of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. Later the post met in a 
former hospital building purchased from nearby Fort Monmouth. Now, the 
members meet in a modern, $1.5 million facility.
  Through the years, Post 2179 has distinguished itself for its 
charitable works, its help and support of the Menlo Park and Lyons 
Hospital VA facilities, its championing of veterans rights and 
benefits, its advocacy on behalf of POW's and MIA's, and its 
participation in Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities and at VFW 
conventions each year. The post has received many distinguished 
visitors, including President Bush in 1992.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a tremendous honor for me to pay tribute to Post 
2179 on the occasion of their 50th anniversary.


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