LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Erie County Council VFW and Ladies
Auxiliary upon the occasion of its 77th Annual Convention, May 20-21,
2011

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved with great respect and reverent
esteem to pay tribute to the men and women who so courageously and hero-
ically serve and have served in the Armed Forces of the United States;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Erie County Council VFW and Ladies Auxiliary upon the occasion of
its 77th Annual Convention; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated
on May 20-21, 2011, at the West Seneca VFW Post No. 8113, located at 299
Leydecker Road, West Seneca, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) traces its roots back to
1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insur-
rection founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for
their service; and
WHEREAS, These veterans banded together and formed organizations with
what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States; after chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania,
the movement quickly gained momentum; by 1915, membership grew to 5,000;
by 1936, membership was almost 200,000; and
WHEREAS, The VFW's voice had been instrumental in establishing the
Veterans Administration, creating a GI Bill for the 20th century, the
development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compen-
sation for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans
diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome; in 2008, VFW won a long-fought victory
with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded
educational benefits to America's active-duty service members, and
members of the Guard and Reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical centers
services for women veterans; in addition, besides helping fund the
creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military
Service memorials, the VFW in 2005 became the first veterans' organiza-
tion to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memo-
rial, which opened in November, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Annually, the 2.1 million members of the VFW and its Auxilia-
ry contribute more than 11 million hours of volunteerism in the communi-
ty, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volun-
teer Week; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the VFW is to foster camaraderie among United
States veterans of overseas conflicts; to serve our nation's veterans,
the military, and our communities; and to advocate on behalf of all
veterans; and
WHEREAS, The vision of the VFW is to ensure that veterans are
respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements,
and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have
made on behalf of this great country; and
WHEREAS, On May 20-21, 2011, the Erie County Council VFW and Ladies
Auxiliary will celebrate its 77th Annual Convention; the individuals
responsible for organizing this auspicious celebration are: Convention
Chairmen, Lance Becker and Jerzy Folta; Auxiliary Chairwoman, Katherine
E. Macris; Convention Treasurer, Richard Lozo; Convention Secretary and
Auxiliary President, Deborah A. Fucina; and Commander, Dan McMahon; and
WHEREAS, The Erie County Council VFW Ladies Auxiliary provide volun-
teer services to veterans at the Veterans Hospital and Veterans Home;

they also work toward a resolution of the POW/MIA situation, and provide
pride in America and support those who serve in the Armed Forces of the
United States; and
WHEREAS, The Erie County Council VFW actively engages youth in
programs such as a youth essay competition which provides an opportunity
for them to express their views on democracy; winners of the essay
competition receive savings bonds to assist with their education; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents an opportunity for this
Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Erie County Council
VFW and Ladies Auxiliary; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when an organ-
ization of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our atten-
tion, it should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Erie County Council VFW and Ladies Auxiliary upon the occa-
sion of its 77th Annual Convention; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Erie County Council VFW and Ladies Auxiliary, West Seneca,
New York.