[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20829]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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           JOHN W. SMART, NATIONAL COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF VFW

 Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I ask my fellow senators to join me 
in offering congratulations to John W. Smart of Nashua, New Hampshire, 
who is to be installed this month as National Commander-in-Chief of the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in this the 100th 
Anniversary of the organization's founding.
  John Smart's election to this position is only the latest in a long 
and distinguished career in service to our country and to his fellow 
veterans. Mr. Smart served in the United States Army from October 1970 
to April 1973, in Vietnam, where he was assigned to the 176th Assault 
Helicopter Company (American Division) at Chu Lai. His meritorious 
service was recognized with the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, a 
Vietnam Service Medal with four stars and a Presidential Unit Citation.
  While serving in Vietnam, he joined VFW Post #2181 in Exeter, New 
Hampshire. Following his return from military service in 1973, he moved 
quickly through the VFW Department of New Hampshire chairs and earned 
recognition as an All-American Department Commander during the 1981-82 
year. In 1983 he served as Chairman of the National Youth Activities 
Committee and from 1991-1993 as Chairman of the National Buddy Poppy 
Committee. In 1995 he was appointed to the position of National Chief 
of Staff.
  Mr. Smart served his community of Nashua as a firefighter, retiring 
after 21 years. He has served as VFW New Hampshire Department Adjutant/
Quartermaster since 1985. He is a Life Member of VFW Post #483 in 
Nashua and in addition to his service to the VFW he holds membership in 
the Military Order of the Cooties, American Legion, Elks, Retired 
Firefighters Association and the US Army Association. He has served as 
Chairman of the Board of Managers of the New Hampshire Veterans Home 
since 1987 and has served as a New Hampshire State Representative.
  John Smart is the first member of the Department of New Hampshire 
Veterans of Foreign Wars to be elected to the office of National 
Commander-in-Chief. I can think of no New Hampshire citizen more 
dedicated to his country and to the cause of assisting his fellow 
veterans. His wife, Mary, his two children, John R. and Cheryl, and his 
five grandchildren have reason for great pride in this husband, father 
and grandfather who has so ably contributed his time and efforts toward 
the service of others. I have been honored to work with John Smart over 
my years here in the Senate, while serving as Governor in New Hampshire 
and earlier in the House of Representatives. I commend him to the 
Senate and know you will join me in extending to him and his family our 
congratulations, our thanks for his past accomplishments and continuing 
service and our best wishes during his year of service as the Veterans 
of Foreign Wars of the United States Commander-in-Chief.

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