November 8, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 179 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN LEGION BRAXTON-PERKINS POST 
                                   25

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                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 8, 2019

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
100th anniversary of the American Legion Braxton-Perkins Post 25 in 
Newport News, Virginia. Since its inception, the American Legion has 
advocated for benefits for veterans and helped create many important 
programs for families, children and communities. While the American 
Legion has posts all over the nation, I want to highlight the history 
and work of Braxton-Perkins Post 25.
  In 1918, when the Armistice was signed and World War I ended, the 
process of demobilization began. This brought many Army and Navy 
veterans back to the city of Newport News. Many ex-service members were 
war-weary but looking for ways to keep the spirit of comradeship alive 
with the men and women with whom they served overseas. In August 1919, 
Fred H. Skinner, a young lawyer who served as a captain in the 119th 
Infantry, tapped his local social circle of former servicemembers and 
gathered the required number of signatures to apply for a charter from 
the Legion. The charter was approved on August 25 of that year.
  The first meeting of Braxton-Perkins was held in Newport News City 
Hall in September of 1919. After that, the Post contacted the War Camp 
Community Service to use their building for meetings and office space. 
Later, this building was purchased by the Post from the War Camp 
Community Service after they had stopped utilizing the facility.
  Post 25 is named after two local Newport News men who died overseas 
during World War I. Elliott Muse Braxton was killed in action in the 
Meuse-Argonne fighting and Lieutenant Pryor Richard Perkins, a member 
of the Air Service, died in a plane crash on the Argonne front.
  The Post began its activity in earnest in 1920 with a variety of 
social activities and civic endeavors. Since then, it has come to be 
one of the most respected organizations in Newport News because it has 
constantly given back to our community. The Post set up a kindergarten 
and free health clinics for children, they aid the sick and wounded and 
have helped many veterans financially. The Post has provided many 
veterans with food, clothing and access to employment. They also help 
arrange hospitalization and military funerals for veterans regardless 
of whether or not they were members of the Legion.
  Madam Speaker, as our nation observes Veterans Day this Monday, 
Newport News is fortunate to have an organization like Braxton-Perkins 
Post 25 serving and supporting our veterans and their families for the 
last 100 years. I look forward to seeing all the good they will 
continue to do in the years ahead as a pillar of our community.

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