115th Congress, 1st Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 115–44 THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 117TH NATIONAL CON- VENTION OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES COMMUNICATION FROM THE ADJUTANT GENERAL, THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES TRANSMITTING THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 117TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES, HELD IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, JULY 24–27, 2016, PUR- SUANT TO 44 U.S.C. 1332; (PUBLIC LAW 90–620 (AS AMENDED BY PUBLIC LAW 105–225, SEC. 3); (112 STAT. 1498) MAY 25, 2017.—Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and ordered to be printed U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 25–632 WASHINGTON : 2017 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 American 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 documents 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, 2017 Honorable Paul Ryan 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 117th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, held in Charlotte, North Carolina, July 24-27, 2016, which is submitted for printing as a House document. Sincerely, Robert E. Wallace Adjutant General III TABLE OF CONTENTS ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2016 Call to Order .................................................................................................................... 1 Advance of Colors ........................................................................................................... 1 Pledge of Allegiance ........................................................................................................ 1 Invocation ....................................................................................................................... 2 In Memoriam .................................................................................................................. 2 Memorial Ritual .............................................................................................................. 4 Symbolic Tribute ............................................................................................................. 5 Memorial Address ........................................................................................................... 6 Benediction ..................................................................................................................... 9 JOINT OPENING SESSION MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 Call to Order .................................................................................................................. 11 Introduction Co-Chairmen Billy Ray Cameron and John Goin VFW 117th National Convention Committee .................................................. 12 Remarks- Comrade John Goin Co-Chairman VFW 117th National Convention Committee .................................................. 12 Advancement of Colors ................................................................................................. 13 Invocation National Chaplain Joseph Guest ................................................................. 13 Introduction of Commander-in-Chief John A. Biedrzycki, Jr. ........................................ 14 Remarks - Commander-in-Chief Biedrzycki .................................................................. 15 Presentation of VFW Gold Medal of Merit and Citation to Francisca Guilford, National President of the VFW Auxiliary. .................... 20 Remarks – VFW Auxiliary President Guilford ................................................................ 21 Introduction of Honorable Jennifer Roberts, Mayor of Charlotte ................................ 22 Greetings – Mayor Jennifer Roberts ............................................................................. 23 Introduction of Stuart Parker, CEO of USAA ................................................................. 24 Remarks – Comrade Stuart Parker ................................................................................ 25 Presentation by Jennifer Yuengling and David Casinelli of D. G. Yuengling & Sons, Inc. ............................................................................ 27 Remarks – Jennifer Yuengling ....................................................................................... 28 Presentation of Armed Forces Award to Army Special Forces Green Berets ............... 29 Remarks- Army Brigadier General Patrick Roberson .................................................... 30 Presentation of Awards to 2016 All-American Post, District, and Department Commanders................................................. 31 Introduction of 2016 All-American Triple Crown Winners ........................................... 36 Special Department Recognition .................................................................................. 36 V Introduction of Legacy Life Contest Winners ................................................................ 37 Presentation of Certified National Recruiter of the Year Award 2015-2016 To Ken Kraft, Post 12140, Department of Oregon .......................................... 38 Presentation of Americanism Award to Artist Scott Lobaido ....................................... 38 Remarks-Scott Lobaido ................................................................................................. 39 Introduction of Grayson Campbell First Place Voice of Democracy Winner ................ 42 Speech-Grayson Campbell, First Place Voice of Democracy Winner ............................ 43 Introduction of Jared Lyon, Student Veterans of America ........................................... 45 Remarks-Jared Lyon, Student Veterans of America ...................................................... 46 Introduction of Presumptive Democratic Party Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton .............................................................. 50 Speech-Presumptive Democratic Party Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton ............. 50 Recess ........................................................................................................................ 57 FIRST BUSINESS SESSION MONDAY, JULY 25, 2016 Call to Order .................................................................................................................. 58 Introduction of Secretary General Lu Chai-Kai Veterans Affairs Commission, Republic of China ............................................ 58 Remarks-Secretary General Lu Chai-Kai Veterans Affairs Commission, Republic of China ............................................ 59 Introduction of Comrade Scott Stump National Desert Storm Veterans War Memorial ................................................................................. 60 Remarks-Comrade Scott Stump .................................................................................... 61 Presentation of “49 Consecutive Years of Membership Growth” Citation to Department of Arizona ................................................................. 64 Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to the 116th National Convention Committee ........................................................... 65 Response-Bob Eiler ....................................................................................................... 66 Presentation of the Fred C. Hall Memorial Outstanding Post Special Project Award to Post 2485, Department of Pacific Areas ............................. 66 Introduction of Brandon Leach ..................................................................................... 67 Report on Convention Credentials................................................................................ 69 Report on Convention Rules ......................................................................................... 69 Report on Committee on National Bylaws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual .............. 72 Report of Committee on Finance and Internal Organization ........................................ 79 Report on Committee of General Resolutions .............................................................. 80 Report of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs ............................. 81 Report of Subcommittee on POW/MIA ........................................................................ 82 Report of Committee on Veterans Service Resolutions ................................................ 89 Convention Announcements ........................................................................................ 93 Closing Ceremonies ....................................................................................................... 93 VI SECOND BUSINESS SESSION TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016 Call to Order .................................................................................................................