[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF AMERICAN LEGION POST 738

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of American 
Legion Post 738, on its sixtieth anniversary; and in honor of its 
members' outstanding service to their country and community.
  American Legion Post 738 is comprised of over one hundred people, 
each of whom has served our country during a time of war. Recognized by 
Mayor Eileen Patton of Fairview Park as a ``dedicated group of true 
Americans that are proud to serve our country'', the members of 
American Legion Post 738 have played a significant role in the 
community for sixty years.
  Every year, Post 738 organizes Fairview Park's spectacular Memorial 
Day Parade. Located on Lorain Road, Post 738 has served as a beacon of 
hospitality. After every Memorial Day Parade, they welcome all members 
of the community back to their post and host them for a bountiful 
cookout. Members of the Post also host bi-monthly dinners there.
  Every year before Christmas, Post and auxiliary members of Post 738 
put together care packages for fellow veterans at the Louis Stokes 
Veterans Administration Medical Center in Brecksville, Ohio and 
nurturing local children whose parents are veterans at their annual 
Christmas party. Always willing to participate in City events, six 
times a year, Post and ladies auxiliary members deliver refreshments 
and play bingo with veterans at the VA medical center.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the 
members of American Legion Post 738 for their outstanding and tireless 
efforts on behalf of veterans of this country, as well as for their 
extensive and diverse service to many individuals and families who call 
the Greater Cleveland area home.

              [From the WestLife Newspaper, Apr. 2, 2008]

           American Legion Post 738 Marking 60th Anniversary

                           (By Kevin Kelley)

       The ladies auxiliary of American Legion Post 738 is putting 
     on a dinner marking the organization's 60th anniversary April 
     12.
       Despite the celebratory nature of the event, Joanne Hulec, 
     president of the ladies auxiliary, has a sense of 
     trepidation.
       ``I hope this is not the last birthday dinner we have,'' 
     she said.
       Property taxes and utility costs have combined with 
     declining membership to put American Legion Post 738 in a 
     financial pinch in recent months.
       Three months ago, some leaders associated with the post put 
     out a public appeal to help with the organization's cash flow 
     problems.
       Ron Hulec, Joanne's husband and a former post commander and 
     member of its executive board, said while the organization is 
     currently solvent, its finances are still tight.
       Hulec said that when he joined about 14 years ago, the post 
     had about 240 members. Today it has around 140.
       There has been some discussion in recent months among post 
     leaders, Hulec said, of selling its property, located at 
     19311 Lorain Road. In the event of such a sale, the post 
     would seek to share facilities with another area post, 
     possibly American Legion Clifton Post 421, headquartered at 
     22001 Brookpark Road. However, members have held off on 
     making any decision to sell the post's hall, said Hulec, who 
     served in the Army in the 1950s.
       ``We're doing everything we can to keep functioning the way 
     we have been,'' he said.
       The post's current commander, Jim Babitsky, noted that most 
     community organizations have been having financial problems 
     lately.
       ``We're hoping to stabilize the finances and keep the post 
     alive and keep it going,'' said Babitsky, a Marine veteran 
     who was stationed in Vietnam in 1968-69. ``The economic times 
     are just rough on everybody.''
       Meanwhile, the post's members, who already served their 
     country during wartime, continue to serve the community and 
     their fellow veterans in various ways.
       The post raises the American flag at Fairview High School 
     home football games and provides color guards at local civil 
     events.
       ``If City Hall needs the colors posted, we usually do 
     that,'' Babitsky said.
       Mayor Eileen Patton said she appreciated their service.
       ``Legion Post 738 has always played an important role in 
     our community,'' Patton told WestLife. ``They participate in 
     our Summerfest every year as well as every We Do Care 
     ceremony each November at the high school. They also organize 
     our Memorial Day parade and invite the community back to the 
     post for a ceremony and a great cookout at no cost.
       ``I also have the honor of attending all the Legion 
     ceremonies installing their new boards and the women's 
     auxiliary boards as well. They are a wonderful dedicated 
     group of true Americans that are so proud of serving our 
     country. They are always willing to participate in our city 
     events, and I am so glad that I have gotten to know each and 
     every one of them.''
       Post and ladies auxiliary members travel about six times a 
     year to the U.S. Veterans Administration Medical Center in 
     Brecksville to visit, deliver refreshments, and play bingo 
     with the veterans. ``They seem to appreciate that a lot,'' 
     said Sue Carson, treasurer of the ladies auxiliary. Before 
     Christmas each year, post and auxiliary members put together 
     care packages containing toiletries, cards and books for the 
     veterans at the Brecksville hospital, she added.
       The post also hosts an annual Christmas party for local 
     children whose fathers and grandfathers are veterans, said 
     Carson, whose husband, Don, is a Korean Conflict-era Army 
     veteran.
       About two dinners are held each month at the post's hall, 
     Carson said. In recent weeks, the ladies auxiliary has been 
     focusing on the anniversary dinner.
       ``We have a birthday dinner every year,'' Carson said, 
     ``but this year we're trying to make it more special because 
     of the 60th anniversary.''
       Joanne Hulec said it's shaping up to be one of the post's 
     highlights of the year. ``I like to think of it as one of our 
     `white table cloth' dinners,'' she joked. Because the dinner 
     will be catered, the ladies will be relieved of kitchen duty, 
     except for those making the hor'dourves, she said.
       Several certificates of appreciation will be awarded to a 
     number of post and auxiliary members, Carson said. Just who 
     will be recognized is a secret; however, Carson said 
     recognition will be given to ``people who have put forth a 
     concerted effort to be active in the post.''
       The post's 60th anniversary dinner April 12 is open to the 
     public. Cocktails and appetizers will be served from 5:45 
     until 6:45 p.m., with dinner following at 7 p.m. Tickets are 
     $12 per person. To make reservations, call Sue Carson at 
     (440) 331-2730 by April 7.
       PRO OF THE YEAR: For nearly five decades, Post 738 hosted 
     its ``Pro Of the Year'' dinner honoring a member of the 
     Cleveland Browns. This year, quarterback Derek Anderson will 
     be honored at the April 22 event, which Hulec said is the 
     organization's biggest annual fund-raiser.

     

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