[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF VFW POST 8677

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2000

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the 40th anniversary of Veteran's of Foreign Wars 
Post 8677 in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Started on March 5, 1960, Post 
8677 continues to lead efforts to support veterans and their needs in 
their community.
  While VFW Post 8677 celebrates its 40th anniversary, the VFW 
organization itself celebrates the 100th anniversary of its existence. 
In 1898, several veterans of the Spanish-American War gathered together 
to form the basis of the VFW. Since then, the VFW organization has 
proven to be a driving force for veterans and their issues.
  The VFW is considered to be one of the most powerful and influential 
force in the halls of Congress. Their efforts resulted in the creation 
of the House Veterans' Committee, the WW I bonus, the Veterans Day 
holiday, various GI bills, creation of the cabinet position of 
Veterans' Affairs and support on many veteran's health issues, such as 
Agent Orange and Persian Gulf related illness.
  The VFW is 2 million members strong and represents a great cross 
section of our society. They work to promote citizenship and provide 
information about our national flag. They are actively involved in 
disaster relief efforts raising over a million dollars in assistance. 
They are a leading force in the creation of a WW II memorial and 
support ongoing efforts of our troops abroad by providing our troops 
with phone cards, gift packages and coordinating USO shows.
  I cannot mention the VFW and not speak of the ``Buddy Poppy'' 
program. Since 1922, the poppy program has raised millions of dollars 
annually to support national and local veteran's service programs. As a 
means of rehabilitation, the poppies themselves are assembled by 
patients in VA and State veterans homes.
  VFW Post 8677 in Fairview Heights has been a leader in the local 
community by providing leadership on veterans issues in my 
congressional district. They, along with the other posts in the area, 
create a firm footing for veteran's assistance, advocacy and service. 
Post 8677 works with Pontiac and William Holiday schools for Red Ribbon 
Drug Awareness Day. They sponsor Khoury teams and Boy and Girl Scout 
troops. The post holds flag raising ceremonies on Memorial Day, 
Veterans Day and Flag Day. Each month, members of the Post volunteer 
their time and the necessary items to veterans at the John Cochran VA 
Hospital and finally, every year both the Post and its auxiliary place 
flags on the grave sites of 3000 veterans at the Lakeview Memorial 
Cemetery.
  Let us reflect with pride on our country and remember with gratitude 
the contributions of the many loyal and courageous veterans who have 
given so much of themselves both at home and around the world to 
protect our freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 40 years 
of service of the VFW Post 8677 and to salute the members of the Post 
and Auxiliary both past and present for their service to the people of 
southwestern Illinois.

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