[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 14, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO VFW POST 7337 OF CASTLETON, NY

                                 ______


                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 1996

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, as you know, one group I have a particular 
admiration for is our veterans. It was one of the reasons I asked for a 
seat on the Veterans Affairs Committee in my first term, and it's one 
of the reasons I fought so hard to have the Veterans' Administration 
elevated to a full, Cabinet-level department.
  And one group was always right beside me in such efforts, Veterans of 
Foreign Wars. I can think of no group has done more to promote the 
interests of our Nation's veterans. Today, I'd like to single out one 
VFW post, a very special one which is typical of VFW posts across the 
country.
  VFW Post 7337 of Castleton, NY, is celebrating its 50th anniversary 
this year. Think of that, Mr. Speaker. It's first members were, of 
course, the boys just returning from Europe and the Pacific and every 
other theater of World War II. Then, in the early fifties, they were 
joined by veterans from the Korean war. In another 15 years, the 
veterans of the Vietnam war arrived on the scene. And finally, in this 
decade, we've seen those who served in the Persian Gulf join their 
older comrades.
  From its beginning, Post 7337 was made up of citizen heroes, who left 
their homes and loved ones to undergo incredible hardships and 
sacrifices, including the supreme sacrifice, in defense of our 
freedoms. But the majority survived to return home, complete their 
educations, find jobs, raise families, and become the most respected 
members of their communities.
  I've met many of the members of Post 7337. I was thinking of them and 
of other veterans like them when Ronald Reagan signed into law my 
measure making the Veterans' Administration a Cabinet department in 
1988. With that signature, we made sure the interests of veterans would 
always have the ear of the U.S. President.
  It is to those same interests that Post 7337 has so faithfully 
applied itself for 50 years.
  Mr. Speaker, with the approach of Memorial Day, that special day for 
all veterans, I ask you and all members to join me in a special salute 
to VFW Post 7337 of Castleton, NY, as it celebrates its 50th year.

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