[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HAPPY 25TH MCGILLIVRAY-WEBSTER-SPENCER VFW POST 3735

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, military service has a proud tradition in 
our country, and those who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force or 
Marines have a camaraderie that cannot be matched by any other 
activity. That spirit of togetherness has been maintained after service 
through the participation of veterans in distinguished organizations 
like the Veterans of Foreign Wars. VFW Post 3735, in Oscoda, MI, is 
celebrating its 25th anniversary this Saturday, and I am honored to 
recognize this important event with this history of the Post.
  VFW Post 3735 is known as McGillivray-Webster-Spencer Post 3735. It 
is named in honor of three area veterans who were killed in battle. 
Staff Sergeant Donald McGillivray was killed in action on October 2, 
1944, on Anguar Island in the southwest Pacific. Corporal Calvin 
Webster was the first local fatality of the Korean conflict, having 
been killed in action as a platoon leader on January 28, 1945. First 
Lieutenant James F. Spencer died of injuries he sustained in a 
helicopter crash in Vietnam on October 28, 1969. The return of his dog 
tags helped to encourage his mother, Mrs. Mary Spencer, to urge the 
Postal Service to develop the POW-MIA commemorative stamp that was 
issued last Memorial Day.
  These three heroes of democracy and self-sacrifice are an appropriate 
inspiration to all of us who need to understand and there are times 
when we must serve our country, and a strong reminder that democracy 
should never be taken for granted because the price of preserving it 
can often be high.
  The charter for both the VFW post and the VFW Auxiliary were approved 
on April 17, 1971, with 81 founding members, under the command of 
Harold Davis for the Post and 33 with Madalyne Davis as the first 
president for the Auxiliary. Today there are 427 distinguished members 
of McGillivray-Webster-Spencer Post 3735, including many of the 
original members who will be specially recognized by current Post 
Commander Tom Astrom and other dignitaries from the VFW and public 
officials for the 25 year membership this Saturday. The entire program, 
chaired by Ken Ratliff, will be a moving tribute to the service and 
dedication of veterans who survived these conflicts, veterans who 
endured on-going injuries from these conflicts, and those like SSgt. 
McGillivray, Cpl. Webster, and Lt. Spencer who made the ultimate 
sacrifice for their nation.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time when we must take a hard look at our Nation's 
priorities, never let us forget that our strength is not in our planes, 
ships, tanks, or other armaments. Rather, the real strength is in our 
dedicated men and women who serve now or who have served previously in 
our Armed Forces. We are a nation of men and women, under God, 
dedicated to liberty and justice for all, and we are only as good as 
our own commitment to these causes.
  I am proud that we can count on wonderful people like those of Oscoda 
and the veterans of McGillivray-Webster-Spencer Post 3735. Mr. Speaker, 
I urge you and all of our colleagues to join me in wishing the members 
of this Post, a most memorable 25th anniversary, with our thanks for 
all that they have done.

                          ____________________