The 2019 VFW Legislative Conference

The holder of an associate degree in real estate appraisal from Portland Community College, John Oscar Branch is an Oregon-based retiree who founded three companies, including Oregon Chimney Repair and Cleaning, which serves customers to this day. A Vietnam veteran and former member of the United States Navy, John Oscar Branch regularly supports Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

The 2019 VFW Legislative Conference is scheduled to take place from March 3 to 7 in Washington, D.C., where VFW leaders across all 50 states will have an opportunity to personally speak to their respective lawmakers and lobby in support of important VFW agenda items. The event is also an opportunity for VFW supporters to witness the organization's commander-in-chief testify on their behalf before the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs committees on Capitol Hill. 

The VFW Legislative Conference has been held every year since 1949 and, since 1964, a member of the Senate or House has been selected to receive the VFW Congressional Award. Last year's award went to Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) for his work in improving the Department of Veterans Affairs and boosting national intelligence capabilities as well as his continued support for service members, veterans, and their families. Other awards handed out at the conference included the Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy scholarships.

Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven in Popular Culture

John Oscar Branch is an Oregon-based retiree who previously managed his own real estate appraisal company and two chimney repair and cleaning businesses. In his free time, John Oscar Branch enjoys reading stories and poems by Edgar Allan Poe.

Although it is only slightly more than 100 lines, The Raven is undeniably one of Poe's most memorable poems, especially in regard to its adaptation in popular culture. Below are three references to The Raven in pop culture:

1. The Baltimore Ravens - When it was announced Baltimore would become home to an NFL franchise in 1996, fans overwhelmingly supported the notion of naming the team the Ravens in honor of Poe, who is buried in the city. The team's mascot is even named Poe.

2. The Simpsons - One of the stories told in The Simpsons' first Treehouse of Horror Halloween episode featured Homer as the protagonist and Bart as The Raven, who is driving Homer into insanity while he mourns the death of his love. James Earl Jones voiced Homer's thoughts in the show. 

3. The Raven (2012) - This film takes place in 19th century Baltimore and involves a young madman who begins committing murders inspired by Poe's works. John Cusack stars as Poe, while Luke Evans plays Detective Fields, who is assigned to work with Poe in finding the culprit.