SR0147 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0147 LRB104 12604 ECR 23249 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to congratulate Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1337 of Mount Prospect on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, For 100 years, VFW Post 1337 has been advocating for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in personal and political matters, providing camaraderie for returning military personnel and their families while serving as a community organization through its volunteer work; and

WHEREAS, The VFW Post 1337 clubhouse, built by locally skilled tradesmen and craftsmen who were veterans of World Wars I and II in the post-war years of 1949 and 1950, was created as a location for veterans to share their service-related connections and memories, to commemorate the past, and to have a place of belonging; and

WHEREAS, VFW Post 1337 has been presented with the status of All-American Post, a prestigious recognition given by the national VFW organization for member participation in VFW programs and for growth in membership numbers, for six years in a row; and

WHEREAS, In 1899, the VFW of the United States was founded by veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection as a loose association of many smaller local veterans' organizations in order to secure rights and benefits for their service, as many of these veterans arrived home sick or wounded without long-term medical care options or a veterans' pension to sustain themselves; and

WHEREAS, National and local VFW chapters have been instrumental in advocating for veterans and service members' rights on the county, state, and national levels, such as the creation of the G.I. Bills in the 20th and 21st centuries, expanding educational benefits for service members, increasing healthcare accessibility for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and Gulf War veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome, and championing for the inclusion and recognition of female veterans; and

WHEREAS, National and local VFW posts have been responsible for securing the funding towards the creation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the Military Women's Memorial to recognize the warriors of the past, preserving their stories and sacrifices for the benefit of future generations; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1337 of Mount Prospect on its 100th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Post Commander Les Durov of VFW Post 1337 as an expression of our esteem and respect.