[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 161 (Friday, October 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF AMERICAN LEGION POST 88 AUXILIARY

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                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 3, 2008

  Mr. COOPER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments 
of my hometown American Legion Post 88 Auxiliary.
  First, the Post Auxiliary has been a great help to my constituents 
and me monitoring legislation that benefits veterans and their 
families.
  But Unit 88 also works directly to support our troops overseas. The 
Post Auxiliary had several mailings of care packages each worth more 
than $1,500 to servicemen and woman to let them know how proud all of 
Nashville is of them for giving their time, efforts and sometimes their 
lives to support our freedom. Besides the care packages, they sent over 
900 pocket flags for our service people to carry with them. And the 
troops appreciate it. Besides many e-mails and thank you letters, the 
732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron sent a proclamation and 
flag thanking the Post for their efforts.
  The Post Auxiliary works diligently to care for our veterans after 
they return from overseas as well. They visit veterans in the Veteran's 
Hospital in Nashville and in Murfreesboro, TN each month to give them 
goodie bags and visit with them. And they held a Christmas party at 
each facility to let the veterans know how much our country cares for 
and supports them. They participated in ``Operation Stand Down,'' a 3-
day event to assist homeless veterans, by serving meals and donating 
clothing.
  Funds were raised to send veterans' children backpacks for school and 
we gave needy veterans' children gifts and food at Christmas.
  As I'm sure everyone is familiar with, the American Legion sells 
poppies every May in time to honor our veterans on Memorial Day. This 
year, the Post 88 Auxiliary raised over $1,300 and then hosted a 
fashion show to raise an additional $2,000.
  Finally, beyond the work supporting our troops and veterans, the Post 
Auxiliary also serves our local community. The Post 88 Auxiliary raised 
funds to send 16 girls to Girls State where they learn about government 
and legislative processes. In December, they held a party for 
handicapped children complete with live music by the Timeline Band who 
was generous enough to donate their time. In February, the Post 
Auxiliary held an essay contest that had over 200 submissions on the 
theme ``America: Home of the Brave, the Land I Love.''
  And as in every year since 9/11, the Post Auxiliary held a September 
11 Memorial Ceremony to remember all those who lost their lives in that 
terrorist attack.
  I'm proud to represent Post 88 Auxiliary. They are the best of 
Tennessee as well as the country.

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