[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E65]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING MILTON VFW POST 483, JOHN O. CONNOR POST

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. MATT GAETZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 13, 2017

  Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Milton VFW Post 4833, 
John O. Connor Post, in Northwest Florida. This month the Post will be 
celebrating their 50th Anniversary.
  For five decades, this Post has been committed to serving our 
Nation's veterans. In the past year alone, they have made seventeen 
visits to area hospitals in support of ill or injured veterans, 
conducted funeral services for two combat veterans, and sponsored two 
handicap ramps for veterans.
  The Post's commendable care for their community is exemplified by 
some of their service acts including conducting a cleanup and 
beautification of Strickland Cemetery, prompting other local 
organizations to follow suit, and placing more than three hundred flags 
and wreaths on gravesites of local veterans.
  The members of Post 4833 have proven their enthusiasm for engaging 
the youth in our communities by participating in and funding a local 
Eagle Scout project, overseeing local submissions to the VFW's Voice of 
Democracy scholarship program, and by briefing the local Boy Scout pack 
on proper handling of the American flag.
  Additionally, Post 4833 has demonstrated impeccable generosity by 
organizing three major fundraisers in support of veterans in need, 
sponsored facilities that house the offices for Disabled American 
Veterans serving in the Pace and Milton area, provided funding to the 
Veteran's Dive Locker program, assisted two families by providing grant 
money for temporary lodging, and donated one thousand two hundred 
dollars for transportation services of disabled veterans. This year the 
Post has provided an impressive amount of donations, grants, and 
assistance; including over eight thousand dollars to Veterans' 
Programs, three thousand dollars to college grant foundations, and one 
thousand dollars to summer student leadership courses.
  I would like to personally thank all of the members of Milton Post 
4833 and specifically recognize the Post's Officers: Post Commander 
Mike Messer, Senior Vice Commander Bill Ross, Treasurer Chris Williams, 
and Chaplain Florencio ``Cho'' Ramirez. Under the officers' leadership, 
the Post has accomplished increased involvement with community programs 
and has demonstrated a laudable degree of service for veterans.
  On behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored to recognize 
VFW Post 4833 for their long history of unwavering service to veterans 
and their community, and sincerely congratulate them on celebrating 
their 50th Anniversary.

                          ____________________