I requested some information from the local chapter of the Chapel of Four Chaplains. I received the following response from Katherine Benner, Assistant to the Executive Director.

"Membership in the Legion of Honor is awarded to nominated individuals whose lives reflect selfless service to community, nation or humanity without regard to race, religion or creed, as dramatically exemplified by the Four Chaplains. In 1951, President Truman dedicated the Chapel of Four Chaplains, in honor of the heroic sacrifice of the Four Chaplains and the motto of Unity Without Uniformity was created. Since then, Chapel awards have been presented to several Presidents, Cabinet officers, and members of Congress of this Country, foreign heads of state and to luminaries such as Bob Hope, C. Everett Koop, Martha Raye and John Cardinal Krol, as well as to citizens in all walks of life in every part of the Country."

The citation for Mr. Vetre's award includes the following: He served nearly 6 years in the Merchant Marine and made a total of 17 voyages. Theaters of service included Omaha Beach, and the "Battle of the Bulge."

Congratulations Dan, on this prestigious award!

Perhaps you haven't attended meetings lately, or just never gave much thought to serving as an officer. In any event, the Post needs your support now more than ever. Take a moment to consider all we've accomplished in the past several years and during the course of our history. We need your help to continue our history of service to God, Country, and Home.

Our next general membership meeting is scheduled for October 7^th. The October issue will have more information on the next CORSAC ASSOCIATION Board of Directors meeting.

The 1998 CWV National Convention: This year's convention was a beautiful affair with the visit to the Lady of Fatima Shrine my personal highlight. I encourage all of you to visit the shrine if you get the opportunity - you won't be disappointed. While neither our newsletter nor our Historian book won awards, Post 731 was proudly represented by several Post members and our Post flag which we displayed daily from outside of Eileen's and my hotel room!

On November 10^th, the CWV will hold a tree planting ceremony at Arlington Cemetery. On November 11^th, Veterans Day, the CWV will host the memorial services at Arlington which is an honor that occurs once every 26 years. I believe we have already made some kind of tentative commitment to attend. At the National Convention, our National Service Officer who is Chairman of the event, Ray Williams, asked all Posts to notify him as soon as possible if they plan to attend, so he can make arrangements for lodging and transportation.

I received a letter from Congressman Curt Weldon concerning House Bill #1122 on Partial-Birth Abortion Ban which the House of Representatives passed on March 30, 1998. President Clinton vetoed the bill and referred it back to the House Judiciary Committee. On July 23, the House overrode the veto by 296 to 132. He said it is uncertain whether or not the Senate will be able to get the 67 votes needed to override the process when they vote in September. He said in his letter, "It is time for our country to speak out on behalf of the unborn." I urge our members to continue call or write letters to our U.S. Senators.

I would like to thank our Welfare Officer, Tom Loftus, Officer of the Day, Dick Farrell, and Trustee, Mike Cudemo, for assisting me in calling about 35 members concerning funeral services for our departed comrade, Neil Fiorello. Twenty two members participated in our memorial service before Mass and remained for the Mass. I congratulate our members for this excellent turnout. Also, my thanks to Vince Hanna for conducting the memorial service.

At the September general membership meeting, the members present voted to increase dues to $25.00 in response to the increase in dues imposed by the CWV National. The members present at the meeting agreed that we should only vote for an increase in dues for a single year as next year's convention could result in a return to the former dues. Before the dues increase was voted on, the first member to renew for 1998-1999 was Thomas Egan. I was second, and Sam Zampino was third. I can accept dues renewal at the next meeting in October, or you can mail your check to 1244 Bon Air Road, Havertown, PA 19083 in care of CWV Post 731.

Lastly, I owe an apology to 18 members for not getting membership cards to them last year - I ran out of cards! I made several efforts to get additional cards, but it was all for naught. Hopefully we will not run into the same problem this year.

Please continue to keep us updated on the health of our members!

The high point, of course, was the selection of our own Jan Zampino as a recipient of the National Auxiliary's prestigious Saint Agnes Medal. It was extremely rewarding to be able to attend the Convention in Niagara Falls and have it completed by watching Bishop Roque place this medal around Jan's neck, especially that this event occurred alter Mass on August 15^th.

1998-99 is shaping up to be another eventful year. We will be attending the VA Hospital in October, 42^nd Street in November, and plans are in the works in celebration of our 50^th Anniversary.

We welcome new members and of course will welcome back past members. Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM.

Thank you Ladies - you helped my second year run smooth as silk. I am proud to be a member of this post and truly believe the Blessed Mother and St. Agnes are looking out for us. God Bless!