[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5832]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SUISUN-FAIRFIELD CHAPTER 81 
                   OF THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2000

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Disabled 
American Veterans Chapter 81 of Suisun-Fairfield, California as this 
organization celebrates its 50th anniversary of service to our country.
  The Suisun-Fairfield Chapter is part of a national DAV network that 
provides services to and represents America's 2.1 million service-
connected disabled veterans.
  The DAV was formed in 1920 when local self help groups that had 
formed to provide support for the more than 300,000 disabled World War 
I troops who returned home from European battlefields merged into one 
national organization. The national organization received its 
Congressional Charter in 1932.
  Forty local veterans helped organize and charter Chapter 81 in 1950. 
Over the years, its membership has grown to more than 900 veterans.
  The annual Forget-Me-Not Drive is Chapter 81's primary community 
activity. The Forget-Me-Not Drive commemorates images brought back by 
soldiers who fought in World War I of flowers growing among the graves 
of their fallen comrades. The flower became the symbol of both those 
who died in battle and those who came home bearing the scars of war. 
Proceeds from the drive are used by Chapter 81 to provide incidentals 
to disabled veterans who are hospitalized or living in the community.
  During the past fifty years, Chapter 81 has also hosted special 
events for disabled children and for residents of the Veterans Home of 
California.
  Chapter 81 has also had a very active Ladies Auxiliary. They hosted 
the club's bi-monthly family potlucks and continue to be involved in 
the club's annual Christmas Wish List Program for children and in 
distributing gifts at the Veterans Home.
  Chapter 81 also actively works with its elected representatives to 
make sure that our service men and women who have been wounded in 
battle are not re-injured by peacetime apathy.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we acknowledge and honor today 
this veterans' organization and the men and women who have given so 
much for our country.

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