Title
Special Recognition - Proclamation Recognizing the 100 year Anniversary of Veterans of Foreign War Post Ira L. Cater Post 318
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
[Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize the 100 year Anniversary of Post Ira L. Cater Post 318.
Report
Issue:
Whether to Recognize the 100 year Anniversary of Veterans of Foreign War Post 318.
Staff Contact:
Susan Grisham, Executive Assistant, 360.753.8244
Presenter(s):
VFW Adjutant John Kalat
Background and Analysis:
On November 8, 2019 Olympia Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 318, located at 2902 Martin Way E, will celebrate its centennial anniversary. For 100 years the Post 318 has proudly and with dedication served the veterans, military and their families in the Olympia and surrounding community.
The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension and they were left to care for themselves.
Some of 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.
Since then, the VFW's has been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW was instrumental in 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. The ...
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