The AMVETS organization was originally formed as the American Veterans of World War ll in Kansas City, Missouri
on December 10, 1944. Less than 3 years later, on July 23, 1947, President Harry Truman signed Public Law 216, making AMVETS
the first World War ll organization to be chartered by Congress. After several amendments to the original charter to admit Veterans
from different eras, AMVETS has grown to over 1,400 posts nationwide and is headquartered in Lanham, Maryland.
AMVETS Post 2000 was founded in 1999 by Army and Air Force Veteran and Post and State Chaplain Loyd "Bud" Abbott and serves active
duty, Veterans and the community in the Willamina, Sheridan and Grand Ronde areas.
Post 2000 is composed of
Veterans who have proudly served in all branches of US military service in all police actions, conflicts and peacetime since World
War ll. Most of the members of Post 2000 are also members of other Veterans Service Organizations (VSO's), including the Veterans
of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Northwest Indian Veterans Association and the Disabled American Veterans.
We strive to serve Veterans and Veterans causes in appreciation for their sacrifices and service in helping to provide the citizens
of the United States the freedoms we enjoy today. We assist the VFW to provide Honor Guard and memorial services to fallen Veterans
and to bear the Colors for parades on American-oriented holidays and events. We, also, work the Oregon Department of Veterans
Affairs to assist Veterans in obtaining all possible benefits to chich they are entitled, including keeping watch on and influencing
the State and Federal Legislatures on laws and legislation which affect Veterans and their benefits.
AMVETS
have, also, donated monetary support to such national monuments as the USS Arizona, the Statue of Liberty and the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial.
However, assistance to Veterans is not the only services AMVETS provides. We are active in
the community in spon-soring programs for youth and the disabled, such as the AMVETS Americanism Program, Special Olympics, the Boy
Scouts of America, organ and blood donor projects, just to name a few. Each year, AMVETS, at the National level, awards scholarships
totalling $40,000 to deserving high school seniors, ROTC students and Veterans pursuing higher education.
It is through the invaluable efforts by the members of the AMVETS organization that we hope to continue providing our many services
to Veterans who helped make the United States the greatest country in the world and to the community for many years to come.
"From Every Mountain Side, Let Freedom Ring"
Samual F Smith, "America"
AMVETS Tri-City Post 2000