Recognizing the 80th Birthday of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ottawa Post 3134

Floor Speech

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Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ottawa Post 3134 for their 80 years of dedicated service to the Veteran community of the Iron River area.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), established in 1899, is an organization of United States Veterans who fought in wars on foreign land, water, or airspace. For over a century, the organization has steadfastly supported the needs of our Nation's disabled and impoverished Veterans, as well as widows of Veterans and the dependents of former Servicemembers.

This historic organization was born from the unification of several communities following the Spanish-American War. Small groups of Veterans returning from campaigns in Cuba and the Philippine Islands formed local communities composed of those who shared the dangers faced while in combat. Eventually, these small, localized societies found each other, culminating in the creation of the American Veterans of Foreign Service (the predecessor to the VFW) founded by James C. Putnam, a Veteran of the Spanish-American War.

On October 17, 1945, the petition charter was granted to form VFW Ottawa Post 3134 to support Veterans returning from World War II. Since then, they have provided a wide range of services, including assistance with VA benefits, community outreach, financial support for Veterans in need, and programs to honor the sacrifices of those who served. Today, Post 3134 continues to serve the needs of Veterans from its surrounding communities under the leadership of its Commander, Jesse Casari.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize VFW Ottawa Post 3134 for their 80 years of service to the Veteran community of the Iron River area. I thank them for their dedication, compassion, and selflessness on behalf of our Upper Peninsula Veterans.

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