[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 10, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S4867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF VFW POST 1881

 Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I would like to take a few moments 
today to recognize a very special milestone that will take place in my 
home State in the coming days. On June 18, 2005, the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars Post 1881 in Cheyenne, WY will celebrate its 75th 
anniversary. In 1930, veterans Harry Leon and Earnest Lissner founded 
VFW Post 1881. With 69 members and 7 honorary members, the first 
meeting was conducted in a private home in Cheyenne. After a series of 
moves and 32 years later, VFW Post 1881 established and built its 
permanent facility at 2816 East 7th Street in 1962.
  Since its founding, Post 1881 has grown in membership and has become 
a lasting positive fixture in the community. The veterans of the Post 
are a strong pillar of family support for the Active-Duty, Reserve and 
Guard personnel of F.E. Warren Air Force Base and the State of Wyoming. 
The members of VFW Post 1881 remain dedicated to our older and ailing 
veterans with a large contingency of volunteers who visit patients in 
the VA Medical Center in Cheyenne and Veterans Homes in Buffalo, 
Wyoming and Scottsbluff, NE. They are strong supporters of the Army 
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and through private fundraising 
efforts have built two outstanding softball fields for the Cheyenne 
Thunder Girls Softball Association. As an exclusive project of the 
Post, these dedicated veterans offer new American flags to local 
businesses and individuals at no cost to replace frayed and damaged 
flags, while properly disposing of the exchanged flags. The Post's 
Ladies Auxiliary carries on numerous projects benefiting the 
environment and the community, and independently raises funds for 
homeless and hospitalized veterans. So it is a distinct honor to come 
before the Senate and congratulate the veterans of VFW Post 1881 on 
their 75th Anniversary. I thank them for their dedicated service to 
their fellow veterans and community and wish them continued success for 
many more years to come.

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