Bill Text: VA HR335 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-06 - Bill text as passed House (HR335ER) [HR335 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR335-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, for 75 years, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954 has supported veterans, active duty service members, and military families, while providing generous outreach to the Lunenburg County community; and
WHEREAS, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954 was chartered on March 30, 1949, with John E. Weeks, Jr., as its original commander; since that time, the post has benefited from the able and dedicated leadership of 39 other commanders; and
WHEREAS, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954 held meetings at Melodee Hall on Route 40 between Kenbridge and Victoria until 1954, when the post purchased a building from local resident R.C. Hamlett that served as its primary location for nearly 40 years; and
WHEREAS, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954 Auxiliary was organized in 1955 under the leadership of Hellen Ashworth and has supported the post in its activities and sponsored countless fundraisers since that time; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954 was forced to relocate due to a road development project and the Town of Victoria generously donated seven acres of land on which the current building was constructed; and
WHEREAS, the current membership of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954 stands at approximately 150, and in 2022–2023, the post was selected as an All-American Post for its outstanding achievements, high rate of membership, and participation in Veterans of Foreign Wars programs and events; and
WHEREAS, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954 has honored many prominent members over the years, including its last surviving charter member, Robert Tomlinson, who died at the age of 97 in 2023; and
WHEREAS, other prominent members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954 include Horace E. Meyers, who served as quartermaster for 55 years; Cornelius Arvin, who was a driving force behind the construction of the war monument in Victoria; and Louie Overton, the longest serving post chaplain, who visited homebound veterans, attended numerous funerals, and kept records of all veterans buried in local cemeteries; and
WHEREAS, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954 has enhanced the quality of life of all Lunenburg County residents through its members' commitment to volunteer service and philanthropy; the post has donated flags to local town buildings, schools, and organizations, and supports students by sponsoring the Voice of Democracy contest and the Patriots Pen scholarship award; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954 hereby be commended on the occasion of its 75th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9954 as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's legacy of contributions to current and former members of the military and service to the residents of Lunenburg County.
