[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 24297]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE WOMEN OF VFW AUXILIARY UNIT NO. 60

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to publicly commend 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Unit No. 60 from Humboldt, SD, 
for their many years of devoted service to the Humboldt community.
  In late November of 1929, the Humboldt VFW Auxiliary No. 60 began 
with only 10 members. Seventy-six years later, Unit No. 60 boasts 68 
devoted and patriotic members, all from the Humboldt community and 
surrounding areas.
  Each year, Unit No. 60 participates in numerous community activities. 
In addition to volunteering at the Sioux Falls VA hospital and donating 
money for personal care items, coffee, and other products on the VA 
wish list, the women of Unit No. 60 also help coordinate Bingo Night, 
the VA Halloween party, and a variety of Christmas activities. During 
the holiday season, these caring and patriotic ladies also distribute 
gifts while visiting shut-ins and veterans residing in nursing homes. 
Each December, they send stamps to community members serving in the 
military, and also buy postage for local groups wishing to send care 
packages to soldiers overseas. Additionally, during Scholarship Week, 
held every November at the West Central School District, these 
altruistic women bring apples to all the teachers, aids, janitors, 
members of the kitchen staff, and administration.
  For the past 14 years, members of the Humboldt VFW have been fixtures 
at the annual Threshing Bee held every August. For 3 days, they prepare 
breakfast and sell their famous homemade pies from their familiar 
canvas tent. In turn, funds they raise support community projects. This 
year, Unit No. 60 graciously donated to numerous local charities and 
organizations, namely: West Central Future Farmers of America, 
Community Club Fund, Volunteer Firemen, Volunteer Ambulance, Buddy 
Walk, Special Olympics, and Creative Arts for Veterans, in addition to 
purchasing dictionaries that were distributed to third-grade students 
at West Central Elementary.
  Mr. President, I am proud to have this opportunity to honor the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Unit No. 60 for their outstanding 
and compassionate service. Their commitment to our Nation's veterans 
and to furthering and enhancing the education of elementary school 
students is admirable. I strongly commend their years of hard work and 
dedication, and I am very pleased that their substantial efforts are 
being publicly honored and celebrated. It is with great honor that I 
share their impressive commitment to civic duty with my 
colleagues.

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