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It is hard to believe that we are already into
the third week of January! Wishing all of you a
very Happy New Year. Though these times are
difficult in our nation, we have much to be
grateful for in that we have each other, our
friends, and our families no matter where they
may be. I encourage each of you to pull together
with us and continue to make a difference for
each other and our communities. I did travel
to VVA National several weeks ago for the first
of three Executive Board meetings that will be
held this year. We worked on an update to our
ten legislative agenda areas of concern and
their policy initiatives. There are some updated
brochures that will be coming out that I will
share with you at the next meeting. One of our
greatest common interest centers around
addressing the unresolved VA disability claims
of which there are currently approximately
600,000. You will find attached to this e-mail a
petition to print out, complete, and mail to our
Senators and your Congressional Legislators. VVA
and the Veterans of Modern Warfare (VMV) have
filed a lawsuit against the VA in the US
District Court for the District of Columbia
seeking 90-day decisions on initial claims for
disability benefits and a 180-day period to
resolve appeals. On December 4, 2008, our
government sought an outright dismissal of the
lawsuit, but we are not backing down. No date
for the argument of the government's dismissal
has been set. For additional information, visit
www.veteransnewroom.com . All of us need to
support this cause. The time is now.
A campaign to create a national symbol
recognizing all of those who have died in
military service to America has been launched,
the Honor and Remember Flag, to be flown below
the US Flag. Please visit
www.HonorandRemember.org for additional
information and to sign their petition. This
emblem is intended to remind us daily of the
ultimate price of freedom.
You are all invited and encouraged to attend
a special day for veterans and their families on
Saturday, January 31, at the South Florida
Veterans Multi-Purpose Center (VMPC), 4311 SW
63rd Avenue, Davie, Florida 33314, entitled
"Connect With The Spirit of The Horse". Time:
10:00 AM-3:00 PM. For additional Information and
to RSVP, please call #954-791-8603. Visit
www.southfloridavets.org or www.vetsenews.com .
No riding or horse experience is necessary. PTSD
information and VA Service Connection Disability
Claims assistance is available at the VMPC. POC:
Bob Bambury.
ur next meeting will be held at the VMPC on
Tuesday, February 3, at 6:30 PM, not at the VFW
Post 1966 this month only. Pizza will be
provided. Please arrive on time as we will be
shown a short film orienting us to the work of
the VMPC and the new National Guard Support
Center where retreats are being held for PTSD
recovery for veterans and their families. Please
plan to attend this very important meeting! We
look forward to seeing each of you. Those of you
who are preparing reports, please come with
enough copies for everyone and plan to make your
presentations concise and brief. Thank you.
would like to thank all of you who have
been busy supporting the Chapter in oh, so many
ways. Many of you have been working on the new
trailer and the Wall...Jim Ellard, Joey White,
Hank Marcus, Pat Dunne, and more. They are both
almost done, and they look so good! Thank you to
Stephen Bowers and the Seminoles of Florida for
their on-going support. Thank you to Marilyn and
Art McKenzie for their support of AVVA's efforts
from feeding the homeless to conducting a
fundraising jewelry party. I cannot begin to
express enough gratitude to each and every one
of you.
Attention E-Board members! Our Executive
Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, January
28, 2009, at VFW Post 1966. Time: 7:00 PM. Look
forward to seeing you there... Let us all
continue to work together to make this a bigger
and better year for our veterans and our
community...
God bless America, and may God bless each and
every one of you!
Proud to be your President~
LTC Connie |
