[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1225-E1226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMEN VETERANS OF SOUTHWEST 
                  MISSOURI, AMERICAN LEGION POST 1214

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC BURLISON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 5, 2024

  Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate American 
Legion Post 1214 located in Springfield, Missouri, on the 10-year 
anniversary of the organization's charter for Women Veterans of 
Southwest Missouri.
  The post has grown from 12 initial Legionnaires to 97 Legionnaires 
thanks to the outreach and recruitment skills of a number of women 
including Adjutant Shellie Jones, Treasurer Nancy Fazzino, past 
Commander Louise Hansen, current Commander Jennifer Tyes and a host of 
other dedicated women. Ninety percent of the post's membership are 
women who have active duty service in one of the Nation's four military 
branches, while ten percent are men who also have served our country 
and been honorably discharged.
  The post works to foster community building, and to provide outreach 
and support for fellow veterans by supporting programs such as Quilts 
of Valor, Harmony House Domestic Violence Shelter, Honor Flight of the 
Ozarks, and the United Way of the Ozarks' Veteran's Emergency Aid 
Program. The post also supports Junior ROTC programs at four area high 
schools: Willard, Hillcrest, Greenwood Laboratory and New Covenant 
Academy. The post also has sponsored some 56 candidates for Boys State 
and Girls State over the last 10 years. It also engages with the public 
and several local veterans organizations for Wreaths Across America, 
where they place holiday wreaths at each of the headstones in the 
national and state cemeteries in Springfield.

[[Page E1226]]

These are just a few of their many service projects.
  American Legion Post 1214 is an asset to Southwest Missouri, and I am 
grateful for their selfless service and tireless dedication to 
improving the lives of veterans of every era, as well as inspiring the 
next generation of military service members. Please join me in 
congratulating them for their 10 years of service.

                          ____________________