2025 -- S 0161
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VETERANS OF
FOREIGN WARS POST 916 AUXILIARY
Introduced By: Senator V. Susan Sosnowski
Date Introduced: February 03, 2025
Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
WHEREAS, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, formally known as the Veterans of Foreign 1
Wars of the United States, is a charitable organization founded in 1899, and the Veterans of 2
Foreign Wars Auxiliary was established in 1914, both with a stated purpose of vigorously 3
advocating for the rapid rehabilitation of our nation’s disabled veterans and those veterans in need 4
of assistance, as well as their dependents. The VFW also promotes patriotism through education 5
and community service; and 6
WHEREAS, Membership in the VFW is restricted to any active duty or honorably 7
discharged member of the United States Armed Forces who has served in any foreign war 8
recognized by the authorization or the issuance of a United States Military Campaign Medal. 9
Currently, the VFW has 1.6 million members and Auxiliary members, forming 6,000 local 10
chapters known as Posts, covering the 50 states, the Asia-Pacific region, and Europe. Notable 11
members have included eight former United States Presidents; and 12
WHEREAS, On February 14, 1925, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 916 Auxiliary 13
was established with 23 Founding Members, including its first Auxiliary President, Sarah 14
Steadman, mother of VFW Post 916’s 1st Commander Oliver Steadman. VFW Post 916 15
Auxiliary members have raised thousands of dollars and volunteered thousands of hours of time 16
in support of local and national charities through the years; and 17
WHEREAS, Thanks to the hard work and tireless service provided by the members of the 18
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 916 Auxiliary, many Rhode Island Veterans have been recognized 19
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for their brave service to our grateful nation, and have received much-needed assistance and 1
access to their rights as military veterans of foreign wars of the United States; now, therefore be it 2
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby heartily celebrates the 3
100th Anniversary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 916 Auxiliary; and be it further 4
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 5
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 916 6
Auxiliary. 7
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