[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 26 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SCOTT VFW POST 4183

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2001

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring the 50th anniversary of the Scott Veterans of Foreign Wars 
Post 4183 in Belleville, Illinois.
  The Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States traces it's 
roots back to 1899. That year, veterans of both the Spanish-American 
War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local organizations to 
secure rights and benefits for their veterans. In Columbus, Ohio, 
Spanish-American War veterans founded the American Veterans of Foreign 
Service and in Denver, Colorado, Philippine veterans organized the 
Colorado Society, Army of the Philippines. In 1913, both organizations 
merged to form the present Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.
  The VFW is known the world over for their service not only to 
veterans, but to all people. They are considered to be one of the most 
influential forces in the halls of Congress. The efforts of the VFW 
resulted in the creation of the House Veteran's Committee, the WW 1 
bonus, the national Veteran's Day holiday, various GI bills, the 
creation of a cabinet level office of Veteran's Affairs and support on 
many veteran's health issues. The VFW is active in disaster relief and 
also provides information to citizens about our national flag. You 
cannot also mention the VFW without mentioning their ``buddy poppy'' 
program which raises funds for veteran's homes.
  The Scott VFW Post 4183 was chartered in 1951 with 88 members and was 
named the Loren Howerth VFW Post. Their first meetings were held in the 
basement of the P-3 Building at Scott Air Force base. In 1970, the post 
was renamed for Frederick M. Kocher, the commander largely responsible 
for re-energizing the post's efforts in reaching membership goals. 
Commander Kocher was also responsible for providing a commitment to 
service to those veterans who served their country. In the 80's, the 
Post took on it's present designation as the Scott VFW Post 4183.
  The Post's present location on 3\1/2\ acres used to be a farmhouse 
that still remains as part of the Post complex. Additions to the 
farmhouse over the years were the inclusion of a bingo and meeting hall 
in 1954 and a building addition in 1986. Located just outside the 
Belleville Gate of Scott Air Force Base, VFW Post 4183 relies on base 
personnel for the majority of it's membership. Currently, the Post has 
446 members, residing in 35 different states and five foreign 
countries. Two hundred and forty of these Post members are considered 
life members and the membership roll includes a Pearl Harbor Veteran 
and a WW II Flying Sergeant. The majority of the membership are 
veterans from Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm.
  Post 4183 was the first VFW post in the United States to sponsor a 
perpetual scholarship for the VFW National Voice of Democracy program. 
This program allows high school students to participate in patriotic 
programs and the opportunity to earn awards and scholarships. The Post 
actively supports area veterans, as well as the Scott Air Force Base 
Elementary School, the Scott Chief's Group, the Family Support Center 
and the Scott Officer's Wives Club. The Post also works with local Cub 
Scouts, high schools, Special Olympics, the St. Clair County Sheriff's 
Department, East St. Louis Christmas Food Drives and area VA hospitals 
and the VFW National Home in Michigan. Post 4183 has the distinct honor 
of being named an ``All State Post'' nine times.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the men 
and women of Scott VFW Post 4183 both past and present on fifty years 
of serving veterans and the people of Southwestern Illinois.

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