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Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
1899-1976
(logo: 76 Veterans of Foreign Wars GET the SPIRIT)
ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL BANQUET 
Honoring Members of the Congress
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A Tribute To Our Congress
On behalf of the 1,800,000 members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, we bid our guests a hearty welcome.
As the V.F.W. embarks on another year of service to God, Country and Fellowman, let the spirit of service within each of us be rededicated to the fullest measure.
From this service, and with the continued support of the Congress of the United States, shall come the true spirit of the V.F.W. which our nation needs now, more than ever.
Let us move forward together with great enthusiasm to accomplish the principles and goals of our beloved country. In doing so each of us in his own way will be honoring the dead by helping the living.
The Congress is truly the voice of the people; and, the people free and independent demand that its elected representatives preserve inviolate the democratic heritage, the established liberties, under authority self-imposed and self-established. Both as paymaster of the nation and a watchdog over its expenditures there is reposed tremendous power. We pay respectful homage to a venerable institution; acknowledge gratefully its accomplishments in legislation; and praise its distinguished members for their excellent job of keeping in touch with the "grass roots" of the country, their constituents, its people.
In paying tribute to our honored guests of the Congress, we ask that they join with us in prayer and thoughts for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces wherever they may be. We are confident that the Congress shall not forget them.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Thomas Pete Walker 
Commander-in-Chief 
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U. S.
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The V.F.W. Congressional Award
By presenting "The V.F.W. Congressional Award" to one of our national legislators, the V.F.W. seeks to dramatize the importance of the role of a freely elected legislature in serving the high ends of the Republic, maintaining true allegiance to the United States of America and fidelity to its Constitution and laws, the fostering of true patriotism, maintaining and extending the institutions of American freedom, and preserving and defending our country from all her enemies, at home or abroad.
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(logo: VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES)
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1976 Recipient of V.F.W. Congressional Award
F. EDWARD HÉBERT U.S. House of Representatives From Louisiana
Previous Recipients of V.F.W. Congressional Award
1975 HONORABLE BARRY GOLDWATER United States Senator From Arizona
1974 HONORABLE GEORGE H. MAHON Chairman Appropriations Committee U. S. House of Representatives
1973 HONORABLE JOHN C. STENNIS Chairman Armed Services Committee United States Senate
1972 HONORABLE THOMAS E. MORGAN Chairman Foreign Affairs Committee U. S. House of Representatives
1971 HONORABLE LESLIE C. ARENDS Former Republican Whip U. S. House of Representatives
1970 HONORABLE HENRY M. JACKSON Chairman Interior and Insular Affairs Committee United States Senate
1969 HONORABLE OLIN E. TEAGUE Former Chairman Veterans Affairs Committee U. S. House of Representatives
1968 HONORABLE RICHARD B. RUSSELL Former Chairman Appropriations Committee United States Senate
1967 HONORABLE WILBUR MILLS Former Chairman Ways and Means Committee U. S. House of Representatives
1966 HONORABLE EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN Former Minority Leader United States Senate
1965 HONORABLE JOHN W. MCCORMACK Former Speaker U. S. House of Representatives
1964 HONORABLE CARL HAYDEN Former President Pro-Tempore United States Senate
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THE WHITE HOUSE 
WASHINGTON
February 3, 1976
Dear Commander Walker:
Although I cannot be on hand personally, I join in the sentiments of your tribute to the Members of Congress. This annual expression of appreciation to our nation's legislators is wholly in keeping with your organization's active interest in the formulation of national policy.
Our society derives strength and vitality from the free exchange of ideas between public officials and the men and women of such patriotic organizations as your own. We are fortunate that you have made this kind of communication one of your primary objectives.
At this time I am pleased to congratulate those who have been chosen for special recognition. I hope that this event will help to further reinforce the kind of cooperation that is basic if we are to meet the challenges we face.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford
Mr. Thomas C. Walker 
Commander-in-Chief 
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States 
200 Maryland Avenue, NE. 
Washington, D. C. 20002
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Program of the Evening
Host 
THOMAS C. WALKER 
Commander-in-Chief
Master of Ceremonies 
JOHN J. STANG 
Past Commander-in-Chief
Invocation REV. HAROLD G. ELSAM 
V.F.W. National Chaplain
V. F. W. SALUTES OUR NATION'S 200TH BIRTHDAY
National Anthem
Appreciation and Introduction of 
Master of Ceremonies COOPER T. HOLT 
Executive Director 
V.F.W. Washington Office
State Songs and Group Introductions
Introduction-Voice of Democracy State Winners
Introduction-Head Table Guests JOHN J. STANG 
Past Commander-in-Chief
Remarks THOMAS C. WALKER 
Commander-in-Chief
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PRESENTATION TO VOICE OF DEMOCRACY NATIONAL WINNERS
Reading of Broadcast Script of First Place Winner
Presentation-The V.F.W. Congressional Award THOMAS C. WALKER 
Commander-in-Chief
Remarks HONORABLE F. EDWARD HÉBERT 
U. S. House of Representatives 
From Louisiana
Benediction REV. HAROLD G. ELSAM 
V.F.W. National Chaplain
Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United State 
SHERATON PARK HOTEL, WASHING
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NATIONAL OFFICIALS OF THE V.F.W.
THOMAS C. "PETE" WALKER 
CONNECTICUT 
Commander-in-Chief
R. D. "BULLDOG" SMITH 
GEORGIA 
Sr. Vice Commander-in-Chief
JOHN WASYLIK 
OHIO 
Jr. Vice Commander-in-Chief
JULIAN DICKENSON 
Texas 
Adjutant General
J. A. CHEATHAM 
Kansas 
Quartermaster General
COOPER T. HOLT 
Tennessee 
V.F.W. Washington Office
(VFW logo)
ates · 27th Annual Congressional Banquet HINGTON, D.C., MARCH 9, 1976
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Menu
ORANGE AND GRAPEFRUIT SECTIONS 
IN SILVER SUPREME
BROILED FILET MIGNON OF PRIME BEEF 
MUSHROOM CAP
RISSOLE POTATOES GREEN BEANS AMANDINE
HEARTS OF KENTUCKY ICEBERG LETTUCE 
SPECIAL FRENCH DRESSING
SPECIAL V. F. W. BICENTENNIAL ICE CREAM BOMBE
ROLLS AND BUTTER
COFFEE
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State Winners
VOICE OF DEMOCRACY PROGRAM-1975-76
Name State City
Miriam Anita Hamiter Alabama Gadsden
Charles Hilton Morris Alaska Anchorage
Janet Louise Davis Arizona Tucson
Steven Phillips Arkansas Pine Bluff
Mia M. Stathis California Highland
Daniel David Cristofano Colorado Denver
William L. Gruber Connecticut Waterbury
Bryan Stevenson Delaware Milton
Cynthia Denise Chin-Lee Washington, D. C. District of Columbia
Mitch Susnar Florida Palm Beach
Mark Twilley Georgia Thomson
Joanne Maile Pa'Alani Hawaii Honolulu
Vaughn Paul Stephenson Idaho Acequia
Richard Brandon Foster, III Illinois Belleville
Jeffrey Douglas Moran Indiana Beech Grove
Brian Bergquist Iowa Council Bluffs
Tracy Jo Stahlecker Kansas Garden City
Steven Reed Armstrong Kentucky Fort Knox
Diana Unita Daily Louisiana Mansfield
Susan Debra Moore Maine Turner
Kathryn Anne Gates Maryland Chesapeake Beach
Jamie Patricia Welch Massachusetts Fitchburg
Patrick Stafford Michigan Kalamazoo
Lori Schwartz Minnesota Willmar
Gloria Anne Neill Mississippi Ellisville
Mary Lou Angell Missouri Lamar
Sarah Miller Montana Reserve
Robert R. Moodie Nebraska West Point
Mary Elizabeth Coleman Nevada Las Vegas
Catherine Arlyne Jeans New Hampshire Chester
Frederica Y. Leighton New Jersey Basking Ridge
Stephen Guyan Blair New Mexico Los Alamos
Christopher James Hammond New York Carmel
Carol Anne Lehman North Carolina Rocky Mount
Kim Irene Marshall North Dakota Burlington
Alexander Mitrovich Ohio New Concord
Richard Mendel Wintory Oklahoma Enid
Joan Eileen Larson Oregon Portland
Bradley James Richards Overseas Tokyo, Japan
Carol A. Hoffmann Pennsylvania Pittsburgh
Gisele M. Sutherland Rhode Island Woonsocket
Perry Nicholas Mandanis South Carolina Columbia
Bernard Edward Duffy South Dakota Fort Pierre
Amy Armistead Smith Tennessee Kingsport
Jeffrey Sapyta Texas Midland
Richard Martin Geiger Utah Price
Freeman Dodge Vermont Tunbridge
Carroll McKinley Sluss Virginia Tazewell
Ronald Wayne Rosseau Washington Selah
Sybol Honaker West Virginia Montcalm
Judy Ann Getts Wisconsin Wauwatosa
George E. Peck Wyoming Riverton
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Torch of Freedom
Soaring four stories, 36 feet in height, the V. F. W.'s bicentennial gift to the nation will be a memorial to living and deceased veterans of all of America's wars. None other graces the skyline of the nation's capital.
In addition to honoring the soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and coast guardsmen, and women who fought for the cause of freedom, the statue will be a bronze history of the wars which required personal sacrifice. Frozen in gold metal will be 12 panels (2,000 lbs. each) depicting recognizable scenes from battles for freedom. The torch and panels will be mounted upon a white marble base. Locations of famous battles will be engraved upon the two hemispheres of the world and the seals of the Services will be mounted around the base.
Send contributions to:
TORCH OF FREEDOM 
V.F.W. National Headquarters 
Broadway at 34th Street 
Kansas City, Missouri 64111