[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 4635-4636]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THE FORT COLLINS VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 1781

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2005

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I am continually grateful to the men and 
women who are currently serving in the U.S. military, and I am also 
remindful of the great sacrifices that have been made by our veterans. 
Sacrifices that have secured and maintained our freedom.
  Recently, a local group of veterans received a special honor. In Fort 
Collins, Colorado, VFW Post 1781 received the prestigious Diamond 
Jubilee Award. The post earned this distinction in celebration of their 
75th Anniversary.
  VFW Post 1781 has maintained their post continuously since January of 
1930. In fact, a copy of the original charter still hangs on the post's 
entryway next to a large display case filled with war memorabilia.
  The post currently has 388 members and about 150 women in the ladies 
auxiliary. Post 1781 has been extraordinarily active; the chapter has 
not seen a drop in membership for 20 years.
  This group carries on the VFW tradition of community service, working 
with other national organizations. Constructive community service is a 
founding VFW tenet with volunteerism benefiting education, the 
environment, health, and civic projects. For example, the VFW's 
citizenship education program is designed to stimulate an interest in 
America's history and promote patriotism.
  In addition, the post and canteen are offered at no cost for 
veterans' memorial services.

[[Page 4636]]

  The post is a place where many members spend their time with fellow 
veterans relaxing when they are between other routines, such as giving 
flag etiquette presentations or standing on the comer of College Avenue 
and Mulberry Street holding Support Our Troops signs.
  In addition, the post contains a section of their building that is 
loaned to the Disabled American Veterans hospital ride program.
  Except for monthly meetings, which are open to those with home 
membership at Post 1781, the rest of the building is available to VFW 
members from anywhere in the nation.
  I applaud these retired military service men and women, not only for 
their service to our country, but also for their service in the local 
community.
  On behalf of a grateful nation, I offer my warmest congratulations to 
the Fort Collins VFW for their achievement of the Diamond Jubilee 
Award. May God bless our precious veterans and their families.

                          ____________________