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112th Congress, 1st Session House Document 112-33 P R O C E E D I N G S of the 111TH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES (SUMMARY OF MINUTES) Indianapolis, Indiana August 21-26, 2010 June 9, 2011.—Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and ordered to be printed. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 2011 66–796 I U.S. CODE, TITLE 44, SECTION 1332 NATIONAL ENCAMPMENTS OF VETERANS’ ORGANIZATIONS; PROCEEDINGS PRINTED ANNUALLY FOR CONGRESS The proceedings of the national encampments of the United Spanish War Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the Ameri- can Legion, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Veterans of World War I of the United States, Incorporated, the Disabled American Veterans, and the AMVETS (American Veterans of World War II), respectively, shall be printed annually, with accompanying illustrations, as separate House docu- ments of the session of the Congress to which they may be submitted. [Approved October 2, 1968.] II LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI May, 2011 Honorable John Boehner The Speaker U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Mr. Speaker: In conformance with the provisions of Public Law No. 620, 90th Congress, approved October 22, 1968, I am transmitting to you herewith the proceedings of the 111th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, held in Indianapolis, Indiana, August 21-26, 2010, which is submitted for printing as a House document. Sincerely, Allen “Gunner” Kent Adjutant General III TABLE OF CONTENTS ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE ..................................................... PAGES SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2010 Call to Order ....................................................................................1 Advance of Colors ............................................................................1 Pledge of Allegiance .........................................................................1 Invocation ........................................................................................2 In Memoriam of Past Commanders-in-Chief James Goldsmith and Richard Homan...................................................... Memorial Ritual................................................................................2 Symbolic Tribute...............................................................................3 Memorial Address.............................................................................4 Benediction ......................................................................................9 Retiring of Colors..............................................................................9 RECESS....................................................................................................9 JOINT OPENING SESSION MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2010 Call to Order ..................................................................................10 Introduction of National Convention Chairman Arthur J. Fellwock ................................................................................11 Welcome by National Convention Chairman Fellwock. ...............11 Advancement of Colors ..................................................................11 Invocation ......................................................................................11 Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem.....................................12 Introduction of Commander-in-Chief Thomas Tradewell, 7YLZLU[H[PVUVM6MÄJPHS*VU]LU[PVU)HKNL)LSSHUK.H]LS ........12 Remarks - Commander-in-Chief Tradewell......................................13 Presentation of VFW Gold Medal of Merit and Citation to Jan Tittle, National President of the Ladies Auxiliary ...............15 Response – National Ladies Auxiliary President, Jan Tittle ...............16 Introduction of the Honorable Mitch Daniels, Governor of Indiana...................................................................17 Greetings – The Honorable Mitchell Daniels...................................18 Presentation of American Flag Set to Governor Mitchell Daniels ........................................................................19 Introduction of General Ruslan Aushev, President, War Veterans Committee, Russian Federation.............................19 Greetings – General Ruslan Aushev ................................................20 Introduction of Major General Tseng Jing-ling, Minister, Veterans Affairs Commission, Republic of China ........................22 Greetings – General Tseng Jing-ling, Minister, Veterans Affairs Commission, Republic of China ........................23 2010 VFW Hall of Fame Award to Keni Thomas..............................24 Response – Recipient Keni Thomas .................................................25 Introduction of Mr. Jan Scruggs, Education Center at the Wall.........27 Remarks – Mr. Jan Scruggs ..............................................................28 Presentation of Fred C. Hall Outstanding Community Service Project Award to VFW Post No. 9854, Vinton, Louisiana........................30 IV Response – Ms. Donna Peterson .....................................................30 7YLZLU[H[PVUVM*LY[PÄJH[LVM(WWYLJPH[PVU[V)\YNLY2PUN...............31 Response – Mr. Mike DeRosa .........................................................32 Howard E. Vander Clute Memorial Ride – Check Presentation ........33 Presentation of the 2010 VFW Eisenhower Distinguished Service Award to General David H. Petraeus..........................................34 Response – General David Petraeus................................................35 Introduction of Vice-President Joseph Biden....................................41 Remarks by Vice-President Joe Biden ..............................................42 Introduction of Jack Turner, National RecruiterAward......................50 Response – Comrade Jack Turner ....................................................51 Presentation of All American Triple Crown Awards..........................51 Presentation of Awards to the 2010 All American Department, District and Post Commanders ...................................................52 RECESS..................................................................................................58 AFTERNOON BUSINESS SESSION MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2010 Meeting Call to Order.....................................................................59 Presentation of “Consecutive Years of Membership” Citation to Department of Arizona...........................................................59 7YLZLU[H[PVUVM*LY[PÄJH[LVM(WWYLJPH[PVU[V[OL[O5H[PVUHS Convention Committee..............................................................59 Report of the Convention Credentials .............................................60 Report of Committee on Convention Rules .....................................60 Report of Committee on National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual .................................................................62 Report of Committee on Finance and Internal Organization..............................................................................75 Report of Committee on General Resolutions .................................75 Report of Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs............................................................................80 Report of Subcommittee on POW-MIA ...........................................82 Report of Committee on Veterans Service Resolutions.....................84 Closing Ceremonies........................................................................87 Benediction ....................................................................................87 RECESS..................................................................................................87 SECOND BUSINESS SESSION TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2010 Call to Order ..................................................................................88 Opening Prayer...............................................................................88 Pledge of Allegiance .......................................................................88 Report of Credentials Committee ....................................................88 Introduction of MOC Supreme Commander Maurice Theriac .........88 Remarks – MOC Supreme Commander Theriac ..............................89 Presentation of Distinguished Service Medal and Citation to Past Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner ....................................90 Response – Past Commander-in-Chief Gardner ...............................90 Video Greetings from the Governor James Doyle, Wisconsin..........91 V 9LTHYRZI`[OL*OHPY6MÄJLYZ ........................................................91 Presentation of 2010 VFW Citizenship Award to Judge Robert T. Russell, Jr. ..........................................................96 Response – Judge Robert T. Russell, Jr. ............................................97 Introduction of the Honorable Andre Carson, Congressman from Indiana..............................................................................98 Response – Congressman Andre Carson .........................................99 Introduction of the Honorable Eric Shinseki, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.................................................100 Remarks – The Honorable Eric Shinseki ........................................101 Presentation of 2010 VFW Americanism Award ............................108 Response