LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Sixth District VFW and Ladies
Auxiliary upon the occasion of its 67th Annual Convention, June 3-5,
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 Sixth District VFW and Ladies Auxiliary upon the occasion of its
67th Annual Convention; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on
June 3-5, 2011, at the Private Leonard Post, Jr. Post 6251, located at
2450 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, 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 June 3-5, 2011, the Sixth District VFW and Ladies Auxilia-
ry will celebrate its 67th Annual Convention; the District comprises the
Cattaraugus-Allegany, Chautauqua and Erie County Councils; and
WHEREAS, Commander David Czarnecki and Auxiliary President Mary Lenda
will be designated for special recognition and honored by the Sixth
District VFW and Ladies Auxiliary on the evening of June 4, 2011, at the
67th Annual Convention dinner; and

WHEREAS, In addition, at its 67th Annual Convention, the Sixth
District VFW and Ladies Auxiliary will be honoring Ahleen Pollock with
its Voice of Democracy Award and Jessica Ackendorf with its Patriot's
Pen Award; and
WHEREAS, The Sixth District VFW and Ladies Auxiliary actively teach
youth about Americanism; in its effort to educate youth in patriotism,
it sponsors scrapbook, poster and essay contests; and
WHEREAS, United by love for our nation's veterans, the Sixth District
VFW and Ladies Auxiliary assists veterans and their families, maintains
true allegiance to the United States of America, and fosters true patri-
otism; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion presents a unique opportunity for
this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Sixth District
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 Sixth District VFW and Ladies Auxiliary upon the occasion of
its 67th Annual Convention; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Sixth District VFW and Ladies Auxiliary, Cheektowaga, New
York.