LOYALTY DAY TRUE TO IDEALS; QUARTZ HILL VFW POST PROUD TO DECLARE SUPPORT FOR SOLDIERS.

Byline: Bettie Rencoret Senior columnist

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3000's Loyalty Day took on new luster May 1 as cheers went up in response to the announcement that the three American prisoners of war in Kosovo had been released.

Keynote speaker Thomas Craft, a retired U.S. Navy commander, stressed the duty all Americans have to support the troops no matter where they are or the circumstances surrounding their call to service.

``We can't ever let happen again what happened during the Vietnam War,'' he said. ``Our people put their lives on the line for us whenever they are called on to do it. When they come home they deserve the best we can give them, not derision and insults.''

The celebration was doubly important as a means of commemorating the VFW's 100th anniversary. Members were asked to remember with pride the national organization's century of accomplishments.

Before he led the Pledge of Allegiance, Craft called attention to the meaning of Loyalty Day and cited the significance of the flag as the proud symbol of American freedoms.

Craft noted that Loyalty Day in the United States was originated by the VFW as this country's answer to the Soviet May Day parades of military strength.

``Our celebration officially became Loyalty Day back in 1958 when, at the behest of the VFW, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into legislation Congressional Act 85-529,'' he said.

Craft also gave a brief update on the progress of plans for the new veterans home to be built on the northwest corner of 30th Street West and Avenue I.

Construction has been pushed back to 2001 at the earliest because of snags in the construction of a Chula Vista veterans home, which by state law must be open before ground can be broken to start the Lancaster home.

``We are still next in line,'' he said, ``but because of Chula Vista's problems we won't be funded in this budget. The Legislature reasons we won't be able to use the money now anyway, so consideration for inclusion in the budget can wait for the next time around.''

A portion of the proceeds from the buffet dinner and gift ticket sales was earmarked for the veterans home amenities fund.

Santiago Sanchez, a wheelchair-using veteran from Lake Los Angeles, was a guest at the celebration with his wife, Joann.

Sanchez is one of two veterans being sent by VFW Auxiliary 3000 and the Quartz Hill Woman's Club to Puerto Rico this summer to participate in the Wheelchair Olympics, another project originated by the VFW.

The two women's organizations raised $1,700 to sponsor Sanchez and veteran John Schaeffer, a San Fernando Valley resident.

Glenn W. Ricketts of Buena Park, VFW Department of California vice chairman in charge of the Wheelchair Olympic Games, and his wife, Ailene, State Auxiliary games chairman, also attended.

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PHOTO VFW Wheelchair Olympics athletes Santiago Sanchez, center, and John Schaeffer, right, are heading to Puerto Rico to compete.