[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E442-E443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RICHARD J. GROSS VFW POST 8896

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                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 1997

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Richard J. Gross 
VFW Post 8896 on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Located in East 
Berlin, PA, this post is named in honor of a fallen hero of World War 
II, Richard J. Gross. A radio operator-gunner on a B-24 Liberator, 
Gross was lost when his plane was shot down during a combat mission 
over New Guinea.
  Fifty years ago, this post first organized at an informal meeting. On 
February 13, 1947, the first official meeting was held. The staff of 
officers was selected and the official business of organizing the post 
and finding a permanent meeting place was underway. These were but the 
first few steps of a long journey of community service, fellowship, and 
remembrance of

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the sacrifices veterans have made for the United States.
  On March 13, 1947, the Department of Pennsylvania, Veterans of 
Foreign Wars approved the charter submitted to it, and the VFW Post 
8896 officially existed. The men who were a part of this organization 
were strong and self-reliant; they raised funds and worked themselves 
to build a suitable place for meetings. The men who constructed this 
structure did so in their spare time, often after a long day of work. 
Many times they labored well into the night to complete the structure.
  Post 8896 quickly became an important part of the community in East 
Berlin, PA. Throughout the past 50 years, its members have been 
actively involved in making their town a better place to live. Both 
they and the man that the post honors serve as reminders for the 
community at large: One for making the supreme sacrifice for his 
country during war, and the others for their service to the United 
States, and the values it holds important.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognition of 
VFW Post 8896's anniversary. I am proud to say that I am a member of 
this post. I salute my fellow veterans for 50 years of service, and 
wish them at least another 50.

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