[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 28, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 
                      1136 IN WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2024

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars Post 1136 in Wyandotte, Michigan on the 100th anniversary 
of their founding. The support and care that they have shown to our 
veterans and our community over the last century is worthy of 
commendation.
  The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States dates back to 
September 29, 1899, when it was founded in Columbus, Ohio following the 
return of Americans from the campaign in the Spanish-American war. 
Founded by a small group of veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars was 
founded to build upon them a spirit of comradeship only known to those 
who faced the dangers of war fighting side-by-side.
  Post 1136 has a long and notable history of service. Throughout World 
War II, the Post sent gifts and home newspapers to the men and women 
serving all over the United States and the world. They continued 
serving the veterans as they returned home, creating a special Ritual 
Team to escort the returning bodies of their fallen comrades and to 
conduct military funerals. Although the Ritual Team was disbanded, in 
the late fifties, the Service Officer Burial Detail was formed and 
became known as the ``Wyandotte Honor Guard.'' They still serve their 
fallen comrades even today. Post 1136 grew to over 1,000 members on 
March 25, 1970, at the height of the Vietnam War. Throughout war time, 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1136 has been steadfast in its 
commitment to supporting our troops at home and abroad. With financial 
struggles and lower membership following the Vietnam War, Post 1136 
gained strength once again as the United States liberated Kuwait from 
Iraqi occupation. Renewed efforts by the post allowed for continued 
campaigns of support for our troops abroad, with Post 1136 donating 
food, toiletries, cigarettes, and other items in short supply to those 
on the battlefield.
  Over the decades since its founding, Post 1136 in Wyandotte, Michigan 
has continued to give back to its community by hosting an annual 4th of 
July parade that it first started in 1939, memorial services for those 
lost in the September 11th attacks, charity fundraisers, and the 
construction of memorials for the brave heroes who lost their lives in 
the Vietnam War along the main boulevard that features inscriptions and 
poems written by community members. Committed to the cause of helping 
our service members, Post 1136 admirably helps veterans with health 
issues gain access to a variety of medical and social benefits and 
become comfortable at home following their return from combat.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the 
100th anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1136 in 
Wyandotte, Michigan. For the last century, their members have continued 
serving their community well after being out of uniform. We thank them 
for their service, both at home and abroad, and are excited to see what 
they can accomplish over the next 100 years.

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