[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E244-E245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CELEBRATING 110 YEARS OF THE VFW

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, 
celebrated its 110 years of service recently. Decades ago on September 
29, 1899 a small group of Spanish-American war veterans came together 
to speak on behalf of the many veterans who returned home wounded or 
sick. With no medical care or pension, these brave men were left to 
fend for themselves. The first three chapters were formed and rapidly 
gained popularity throughout the United States, and by 1936 proudly 
declared a membership of almost 200,000 veterans.
  The VFW has been in the forefront of helping convey the 
acknowledgments and benefits deserved to those who fought for our 
country. I would like to name a few achievements of the VFW. They 
assisted in establishing the Veterans Administration, the GI Bill for 
the 20th Century, and fought for compensation of war related injuries 
and illnesses.
  Today, the VFW and Auxiliary volunteer in the community and donate to 
college scholarships and provide financial assistance to service men 
and women and their families. Their list of accomplishments is long and 
diverse. I would like to thank each member and the VFW as a whole for 
their steadfast hard work in giving back to those who gave so 
selflessly.

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