111th Congress, 2nd Session House Document 111–131 P R O C E E D I N G S of the 109TH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES (SUMMARY OF MINUTES) Orlando, Florida August 16-21, 2008 Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and ordered to be printed. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 2010 57–405 I 57-405109thProc.pdf 2 7/16/10 6:59:17 AM 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 Honorable Nancy Pelosi The Speaker U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Madam 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 109th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, held in Orlando, Florida, August 16-21, 2008, 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 17, 2008 Call to Order.....................................................................................1 Advance of Colors ............................................................................1 Pledge of Allegiance .........................................................................1 Invocation.........................................................................................1 Recognition of Family of Past Commander-in-Chief Raymond C. Sisk ....................................... 2 Memorial Ritual ............................................................................... 2 Symbolic Tribute ...............................................................................3 Introduction of Speaker ................................................................... 3 Memorial Address. ........................................................................... 4 Benediction ......................................................................................6 Retiring of Colors ..............................................................................6 RECESS....................................................................................................7 JOINT OPENING SESSION MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2008 Call to Order ....................................................................................8 Greetings from National Convention Chairman John M. Carney .......8 Advancement of Colors.....................................................................8 Invocation.........................................................................................9 Pledge of Allegiance ........................................................................ 9 Video Presentation ............................................................................9 Introduction of Commander-in-Chief George J. Lisicki and Presentation of Official Convention Badge, Bell and Gavel ..........9 Remarks - Commander-in-Chief Lisicki .......................................... 10 Presentation of VFW Gold Medal of Merit and Citation To Virginia Carman, National President of the Ladies Auxiliary ..12 Response – National Ladies Auxiliary President Carman .................13 Introduction – Ruslan Aushev, President, War Veterans Committee........................................................... 14 Remarks – General Ruslan Aushev ..................................................14 Introduction of Senator John S. McCain...........................................18 Remarks – The Honorable John S. McCain ..................................... 18 Introduction of Richard Crotty, Mayor, Orange County, Florida ...... 24 Greetings – Honorable Richard Crotty............................................ 25 Presentation of American Flag Set to Mayor Crotty ......................... 26 Introduction of Minister Kao Hua-chu, Veterans Affairs Commission, Republic of China. .....................................26 Greetings – Minister Kao Hua-chu .................................................26 Presentation of the National Recruiter of the Year Award .................27 Response – Comrade Peter J. Mascetti.............................................28 Presentation of Awards to 2008 All-American Commanders............28 Introduction of Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley ...35 Remarks – USAF Acting Secretary Michael Donley .........................35 Presentation of the Distinguished Service Medal of Honor and Citation to Past Commander-in-Chief Gary L. Kurpius. ...............41 IV Remarks – Past Commander-in-Chief Kurpius..................................42 Introduction of Major General (Retired) Craig Whelden, Director of Community Covenant Task Force...................................43 Remarks – Major General (Ret.) Craig Whelden. .............................43 RECESS..................................................................................................45 FIRST BUSINESS SESSION MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2008 MIP Recruiter Contest Winners .......................................................46 Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to the 108th National Convention Committee......................................46 Report of the Credentials Committee...............................................47 Report of Committee on Convention Rules .....................................47 Report of Committee on National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual .................................................................49 Report of Committee on Finance and Internal Organization............68 Report of Committee on General Resolutions..................................70 Report of Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs. ......71 Report of Subcommittee on POW-MIA............................................76 Report of Committee on Veterans Service Resolutions .....................77 Benediction ....................................................................................79 RECESS..................................................................................................79 DISTINGUISHED GUESTS BANQUET AUGUST 18, 2008 Welcome .......................................................................................80 Invocation.......................................................................................80 Pledge of Allegiance .......................................................................80 Introduction of Distinguished Guests. .............................................81 Introduction of Commander-in-Chief George Lisicki ......................82 Remarks - Commander-in-Chief Lisicki ...........................................83 Introduction of National President of the Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW .......................................................84 Remarks – National President Virginia Carmen................................84 Introduction of VFW’s Hall of Fame Award Recipient Ann-Margret...............................................................85 Response – Ann-Margret ................................................................ 86 Introduction of VFW’s Hall of Fame Award Recipient Mickey Rooney ..........................................................86 Response – Mickey Rooney ............................................................87 Presentation of the VFW Dwight D. Eisenhower Distinguished Service Award...........................................................89 Response – General Peter Pace, USMC (ret.) ...................................90 Benediction ...................................................................................92 RECESS..................................................................................................93 V SECOND BUSINESS SESSION TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2008 Call to Order...................................................................................94 Opening Prayer. ..............................................................................94 Pledge of Allegiance .......................................................................94 Report of Convention Credentials Committee................................. 94 Introduction of the Honorable James Peake, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs ...................................94 Remarks – Secretary James Peake....................................................95 Introduction of Senator Mel Martinez........................................... 103 Greetings – Senator Martinez. .......................................................103 2008 VFW Americanism Award.................................................... 106 Response – Mr. Eric Dryden. .........................................................106 Introduction of Senator Bill Nelson .............................................. 107 Greetings – Senator Bill Nelson ....................................................108 Introduction of Senator