[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 4, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE VFW POST 7327 AMERICANISM AWARDS RECIPIENTS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2017

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars Post 7327 in Springfield, Virginia and the winners of its 
2017 Americanism Awards.
  The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) traces its beginnings to 1899 when 
veterans of the Spanish-American War established local organizations to 
bring awareness to their service and to advocate for veterans 
retirement benefits and improved medical care. Annually, the nearly 2 
million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 
million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation 
in Make a Difference Day and National Volunteer Week.
  With approximately 600 Comrades and 150 Ladies Auxiliary members, the 
Springfield VFW Post 7327 stands out for the depth of its commitment to 
our community. Often called ``The Friendliest VFW Post in Virginia,'' 
Post 7327 has one of the most aggressive Adopt-a-Unit programs in the 
entire VFW organization to support our service members stationed 
overseas. VFW Post 7327 visits the VA hospital at least quarterly, 
bringing along goodie bags for our Wounded Warriors. Each Thanksgiving 
and Christmas, VFW Post 7327 adopts military families in need through 
the USO and provides them with meal baskets for each holiday, gifts for 
children, commissary cards for the parents, and a Christmas party where 
the children can meet Santa and receive a gift-filled stocking. The 
Ladies Auxiliary members collect, sort, and distribute more than 2,000 
pieces of clothing each month to various charitable organizations.
  VFW Post 7327 is a strong supporter of local youth organizations, 
including the Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Little League Baseball, 
that contribute greatly to the education and well-being of our 
children.
  Each year, VFW Post 7327 bestows awards to local students who have 
submitted outstanding essays on a theme and to local teachers and 
public safety officers in recognition of their extraordinary actions 
and dedication. I am honored to include in the Record the names of this 
year's honorees:


                             Patriot's Pen

  1st Place: Alexia M. de Costa
  2nd Place: Austin Matthew Lathrop
  3rd Place: Serina Ahmed


                           Voice of Democracy

  1st Place: Timothy A. Withington
  2nd Place: Jenna L. C. Huber
  3rd Place: Sean M. Franklin


                          Teachers of the Year

  Elementary: Joash Chung
  Middle School: Cindy Downing


                          Public Safety Awards

  Assistant Chief Gary E. Gaal
  Police Officer First Class Christopher Cosgriff
  Lieutenant Justin Palenscar
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking VFW Post 
7327 for its continued efforts on behalf of our community and in 
congratulating the honorees of the 2017 Americanism Awards

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