The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE CENTENNIAL OF THE ROBERT R. TUCK VETERANS OF FOREIGN
WARS POST 912
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HON. BRIAN BABIN
of texas
in the house of representatives
Monday, March 7, 2022
Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the centennial of the Robert R. Tuck Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 912 in Baytown, Texas.
VFW Post 912 was first organized on March 9, 1922, by Fred E. Simpson, John L. Bartlett, and Grover K. Edge. This Post, the second oldest VFW post in Texas, was named in honor of the first Baytown citizen killed in action during World War I, Robert R. Tuck. Their initial meetings were held in tents and buildings owned by the then-
Humble Oil and Refining Company. The oil industry was flourishing across the region, and many veterans moved there to work following World War I. The Post has had many outstanding commanders over the years. One such individual was George L. Kenne, a member who served as the Post Commander in 1937. He was the second most decorated soldier in World War I.
In July of 1941, almost two decades after being organized, the Post finally established its first permanent location. They began hosting fundraisers consisting of dances and raffles with fifty-cent admission per civilian and a quarter per service member. This tradition would continue to the present day.
The Post moved one more time before settling into its current location in 1977. After receiving significant flood damage from Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the Post used reserve funds and fundraiser revenue to resume operations within just six months.
Over the last century, the locations and members of VFW Post 912 have changed, but their mission to serve the needs of veterans and their families has not. They have hosted fundraisers and been a part of many important programs throughout the years, such as the VFW Buddy Poppy program, which aids disabled and disadvantaged veterans. The red poppy flowers assembled within the program symbolize the bloodshed in World War I and are given out before Memorial Day each year.
The Post also hosts ``turkey shoot'' fundraisers in which its members and community supporters shoot at targets to win frozen turkeys, hams, or bacon.
VFW Post 912 has been a steadfast servant of the Baytown community. Along with a local Boy Scout troop, Post members would raise the American flag at local football games before the Junior ROTC took over the duty in 1979. Today, members ensure flags are placed on the graves of local veterans for Memorial Day. Over the decades, the Post has sponsored a baseball team, a local Boy Scout Troop, a beauty pageant, a marble tournament, a Voice of Democracy contest, a writing contest for high school students, and a bowling team. They have also given out numerous scholarships to local high school students and entertained patients at Houston's Michael E. DeBakey Veteran Affairs Medical Center.
Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the members of the Robert R. Tuck, VFW Post 912 on their centennial and thank them for their unwavering service to their nation and community. May God continue to bless our veterans and Post 912 for many years to come.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 40
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