113th Congress, 2d Session House Document 113–114 P R O C E E D I N G S of the 114TH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES (SUMMARY OF MINUTES) Louisville, Kentucky July 21 – 24, 2013 May 21, 2014–Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and ordered to be printed. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 2014 87–999 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 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.] LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI MAY, 2014 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 114th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, held in Louisville, Kentucky, July 21-24, 2013, which is submitted for printing as a House document. Sincerely, John E. Hamilton Adjutant General TABLE OF CONTENTS ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE ........................................................... PAGES SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2013 Call to Order ........................................................................................... 1 Advance of Colors .................................................................................. 1 Pledge of Allegiance ............................................................................... 1 Invocation .............................................................................................. 2 In Memoriam to Ray R. Soden ................................................................ 2 Memorial Ritual ...................................................................................... 2 Symbolic Tribute ..................................................................................... 4 Memorial Address ................................................................................... 4 Benediction ............................................................................................ 8 Retiring of Colors .................................................................................... 8 RECESS ................................................................................................... 8 JOINT OPENING SESSION MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013 Call to Order ........................................................................................... 9 Welcome by National Convention Chairman Carl Kaelin ....................... 9 Advancement of Colors ......................................................................... 10 Invocation ............................................................................................. 10 Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem ........................................... 10 Video Presentation ................................................................................ 11 Introduction of Commander-in-Chief John E. Hamilton and Presentation of the Official Convention Badge ................................................... 11 Remarks - Commander-in-Chief Hamilton ............................................ 11 Presentation of VFW Gold Medal of Merit and Citation to Leanne Lemley, National President of the Ladies Auxiliary ...................................... 13 Response – Ladies Auxiliary President Leanne Lemley .......................... 14 Introduction of the Honorable Mitch McConnell, United States Senator ..................................................................... 14 Greetings – Honorable Mitch McConnell .............................................. 15 Introduction of the Honorable Greg Fischer, Mayor, Louisville, Kentucky ....................................................................... 18 Greetings by the Honorable Greg Fischer, Mayor, Louisville, Kentucky ....................................................................... 19 Introduction of the Honorable Rand Paul, United States Senator ........... 21 Greetings – The Honorable Paul Rand, Kentucky United States Senator ..................................................................... 21 Introduction of Lieutenant General Mick Kicklighter ............................. 25 Remarks – Lieutenant General “Mick” Kicklighter, Executive Director, 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration ...................................................... 26 Presentation of the Armed Forces Award to United States Navy SEALs .......................................................................... 29 Remarks – Rear Admiral Scott Moore, Deputy Commander, Navy Special Warfare Command ................................................... 30 Remarks by Master Chief Labinsky ........................................................ 31 Presentment of the Americanism Award to General Peter W. Chiarelli, USA-Retired ..................................................... 31 IV Response – General Peter Chiarelli, Americanism Award Recipient ............................................................................ 32 Introduction of Hans Song, Deputy Secretary General, Veterans Affairs Commission, Republic of China on Taiwan .......... 33 Greetings – Hans Song, Deputy Secretary General, VAC, Republic of China on Taiwan ................................................ 34 Presentation of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award ................................. 35 Response – Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., Dwight D. Eisenhower Award ......................................................................... 36 Introduction of General Ruslan Aushev, War Veterans Committee ....................................................................... 39 Greetings – General Ruslan Aushev, War Veterans Committee ..................................................................................... 40 Introduction of Danielle Hayes, 1st Place Voice of Democracy Winner .................................................................... 42 Voice of Democracy Winner Presentation ............................................ 43 Introduction of Vice Admiral John M. Bird, Senior Vice President, USAA Military Affairs ............................................. 44 Remarks by Vice Admiral John M. Bird ................................................. 45 Introduction of the Honorable Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense ...................................................................................... 48 Remarks by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel ..................................... 49 Introduction of Mr. Matt Capozzoli, Vice President, United Parcel Service ..................................................................... 55 Remarks – Matt Capozzoli, Vice President, UPS Airlines ................................................................................... 56 Presentation of Awards to 2013 All American Department, District and Post Commanders ................................... 57 Presentation of All American Triple Crown Awards ............................... 62 Presentation of Certified National Recruiter of the Year Award ............. 63 Announcement of Legacy Life Members ............................................... 64 Presentation of “Consecutive Years of Membership Citation” ................ 64 RECESS ................................................................................................. 65 FIRST BUSINESS SESSION MONDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 22, 2013 Call to Order ......................................................................................... 66 Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to the 113th National Convention Committee .......................................... 66 Response – Comrade Jack McMindes, Convention Chairman ............... 66 Presentation of Fred C. Hall Memorial Outstanding Post Special Project Award ............................................................. 66 Response – Vernon S. Warner, Commander .......................................... 67 Report on Convention Credentials ........................................................ 67 Report on Convention Rules ................................................................. 68 Report of Committee on National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual ...................................................................... 70 Report of Committee on Finance and Internal Organization .................................................................................. 91 Report of Committee on General Resolutions ........................................ 92 Report of Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs ................................................................................ 99 Report of Subcommittee on POW-MIA ............................................... 102 V Report of Committee on Veterans Service Resolutions ........................ 103 Closing Ceremonies ............................................................................ 107 Benediction .......................................................................................