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If you know a Veteran, someone in your family,
friend of the family, neighbor, who served their
country, take a brief moment of your day to thank them.
Thank them for the sacrifice they made
for the better good of their country.
We at Free Republic, and the USO Canteen FReeper Style,
are thankful for every service member
in our military, who has served our great nation.
So, to the men and women who answered the call,
in both times of war and peace, thank you.
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Message from Snow Bunny to all those who visit the Canteen.
This is how I think of the USO Canteen Freeper Style.
It is like a cottage down a road,
a place where a weary veteran can spend the night.
Since it opened, it is magical how so many
Freepers who post here, feel it too.
It has been so dear how the Freepers
kept making it a cottage - a home-type of place
that had a huge living room
for them to visit in and a dance floor, a library, etc.
Many Veterans have written to me,
saying that the Canteen is like home
to them for the first time since they served.
This is your Canteen -
a respite from our busy
and sometimes troubling world.
Make yourself at home.
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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
came into existence in 1913 as a result of amalgamations
over a period of years since 1899 of five separate foreign
service organizations that had the same ideals and similar
requirements for membership. These organizations came
into being entirely independent of one another and without
the knowledge of one another at the time of their origin.
A brief resume of these unites is as follows:
September 1899,
AMERICAN VETERANS OF FOREIGN SERVICE
organized as a national body in Columbus, Ohio.
Were chartered by the State of Ohio October 10, 1899
and elected J. C. Putnam as their first Commander-in-Chief.
They were organized through the efforts of James Romanis.
December 1899,
COLORADO SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE PHILIPPINES
organized at Denver, Colorado by General Irving Hale.
Became NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF
THE PHILIPPINES on August 13, 1900 with
Francis V. Greene as their first Commander-in-Chief.
At their Encampment in August 1909 they changed the
name to ARMY OF THE PHILIPPINES. July 7, 1901,
H.O. Kelley organized PHILIPPINE WAR VETERANS in
Altoona, Pennsylvania. In July 1902 reorganized with
C.O. Knighton as President.
October 1901,
PHILIPPINE WAR VETERANS
organized at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with G.H. Smith
being elected Commander. On April 27, 1902 reorganized
as FOREIGN SERVICE VETERANS with Jacques La Belle
as Commander. July 24, 1902, AMERICAN VETERANS OF
PHILIPPINE AND CHINA WARS organized at Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania by Captain Robert S. Hansbury.
The PHILIPPINE WAR VETERANS-Altoona
, PHILIPPINE WAR VETERANS-Pittsburgh, and
AMERICAN VETERANS OF THE PHILIPPINE AND
CHINA WARS-Philadelphia met together
September 10-12, 1903 at Altoona, Pennsylvania and formed
the Eastern society of the AMERICAN VETERANS OF
THE PHILIPPINES, CUBAN, PUERTO RICAN & CHINA
WARS organization. In 1903 the name was changed by plebiscite
to AMERICAN VETERANS OF FOREIGN SERVICE-Eastern Branch.
During the period of September 13-15, 1905,
at Altoona, Pennsylvania, the Eastern Branch of the
AMERICAN VETERANS OF FOREIGN SERVICE,
which was formed in 1903 at Altoona, Pennsylvania,
amalgamated with the original AMERICAN VETERANS
OF FOREIGN SERVICE of Columbus, Ohio to become
one society known as the AMERICAN VETERANS OF
FOREIGN SERVICE. Herbert O. Kelley, of Altoona, was
elected Commander.
In August, 1913, at Denver, Colorado, the
ARMY OF THE PHILIPPINES and the
AMERICAN VETERANS OF FOREIGN SERVICE
united under the temporary name of ARMY OF THE
PHILIPPINES, CUBA AND PUERTO RICO with
Rice W. Means as the first Commander-in Chief.
During the year the organization's name was changed
by plebiscite and General Order No. 1 to the present day
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES.
At the Encampment in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1914,
the name
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
and a constitution were formally adopted.
On May 28, 1936, Congressional Charter incorporated the
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES.
History shows that the Cross of Malta,
the emblem of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
is 1,000 years old.
Nearly ten centuries ago the Maltese Cross was
made the symbol of fighting men who were united
by a solemn pledge of comradeship to fight for freedom
and to aid the sick and the needy.
Those ancient obligations are still symbolized by the
Cross of Malta today, for the more than two million former
servicemen who are the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The Cross of Malta is the symbol of their battles in time of war
and of their campaign to defend the God given rights of human
beings in time of peace. The Cross of Malta symbolizes the
compassion, or sympathy, of those men and women for the needy.
It is the sign of services which our contemporary veterans render to
help make living a little better for everyone.
The Knights of St. John represented all
walks of life. They were noblemen and priests,
artisans and laborers. Regardless of those
differences, however, they were united by a
solemn pledge of unwavering courage and
compassion. Together they fought against
oppression.
The Cross of Malta had a religious origin
but the Knights of St. John also made it
their battle standard for the liberation of all
men, women and children who suffered
oppression. The ideals for which the original
Crusaders fought parallel the principles of
democracy today, freedom and justice.
Why did the Veterans of Foreign Wars
select the Cross of Malta emblem?
What has been added to the Cross
and what does the symbol mean?
Upon the Cross is superimposed the
Great Seal of the United States,
encircled by the name,Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States.
Within the circle is the American eagle,
the emblem of a proud nation whose
warriors of many generations have fought
and sacrificed to preserve the free mans
way of living.
Between the four arms of the Cross,
the Veterans of Foreign Wars has added
the suns rays to emphasize the vigor and
warmth with which the present day
brotherhood defends our ideals.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars is the
worlds oldest and largest overseas war
veterans organization.
It is chartered by the Congress of the
United States.
That charter states specifically that the
objects of the VFW shall be;
fraternal
patriotic
historical educational
that its members shall preserve and
strengthen comradeship
that they shall maintain allegiance to
the government of the United States
and fidelity to its laws
that VFW members shall foster true
patriotism, extend American freedom
and defend this nation from all enemies.
There are 2.1 million members of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars
The VFW is also joined by 750,000 members
of our Ladies Auxiliary.
~Honor the Dead by Helping the Living~
The VFW was the first veterans' organization to adopt the poppy
and develop a national distribution campaign. For more than 75
years, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of
dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their
dependents. From the very beginning, Buddy Poppy has received
the support of the Veterans Administration and the endorsement
and cooperation of all presidents since Warren G. Harding.
Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled,
needy and aging veterans in VA Hospitals and domiciliaries
across the country and are sold at VFW Posts and their Ladies
Auxiliaries.
In Flander's Field" describes a battlefield of crosses dotted
with red poppies. The poem deeply touched the nation and
the world, and, from that point on, poppies became known
throughout the world as a memorial flower,
a reminder of the lives lost in wartime.
"In Flanders Fields"
~ by John McCrae~
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.
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