February 19, 2015 - VFW Post 8904 & Ladies Auxiliary held a wreath laying ceremony on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 in remembrance of the sinking of the USS Maine and its crew in Havana Harbor 117 years ago.
Following a prayer led by Gene Hutto, VFW Chaplain, Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster spoke about the USS Maine and its crew.
"117 years ago the USS Maine exploded in the harbor of Havana Cuba, killing 266 American crewmen and marines. Spain was blamed for that explosion and the Spanish-American War began as a result. Less than four months later the United States won a decisive victory. It was the first war the United States had fought outside its shores. 3,000 American military were lost, mostly from yellow fever, typhoid and fighting in the jungles."
Hume quoted Teddy Roosevelt who said to his troops as they mustered out, "Enjoy the next 15 days because after that you will be forgotten."
He stated they were forgotten and because of the United States Government's refusal of proper medical the veterans banded together, "These veterans banded together in organizations that would become the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. These are our forefathers of our organization."
Newton Johnson Jr., Sr. Vice Commander, laid the wreath on the veterans memorial and Taps was featured as presented by Mike Langford , Post Commander.
