[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 146 (Thursday, September 12, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1137-E1138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROBERT S. THURMAN AMERICAN LEGION 
                                POST 13

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2019

  Mr. LONG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary 
of the founding of

[[Page E1138]]

the Robert S. Thurman American Legion Post 13.
  In 1919, 100 years ago and shortly after the conclusion of the first 
World War, members of the U.S. Army's American Expeditionary Forces 
founded the American Legion. Over the past century, the American Legion 
has brought veterans in their local communities together and has been a 
strong advocate for veterans issues on Capitol Hill. In its infancy, 
only a few posts across the United States were formed, one of those 
posts was the Robert S. Thurman American Legion Post 13 located in 
Joplin, Missouri.
  Today, Joplin Post 13 celebrates its 100th anniversary. It has the 
honor of being one of only a handful of American Legion posts to turn 
100. Its 100-year history hasn't been without its ups and downs. At its 
peak in the '50s, the post had upwards of 500 members. Just a few years 
ago, the post's membership dropped to fewer than 30 members. Today, the 
post is experiencing a resurgence of membership and currently has about 
250 members.
  With this resurgence in membership, funds going to Post 13's 
activities have increased. The post is now able to hold an annual 
veterans expo, operate an honor guard to attend the funerals of local 
veterans, has created an endowment for nursing students at Missouri 
Southern State University and sponsors the Missouri Boys State program 
and the Missouri Cadet Patrol Academy. For 100 years, Post 13 has 
brought veterans in the Joplin area together in service to their fellow 
veterans and their local community.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and the rest of this body join me in 
congratulating the Robert S. Thurman American Legion Post 13 on 100 
years of fraternity and service to the veterans of southwest Missouri.

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