Legislation is the only way to keep our veterans entitlements, benefits and money for our veteran’s hospitals, vet centers, and disability recovery process.   Without legislation there would not be money or programs to care for our wounded military personnel.  Congress does not take action without passing bills introduced to the Senate and the House of Representatives.   The needs for our veterans are great and need to be addressed on an ongoing basis.  For instance, WWII veterans came home with wounds and amputations.   The cost was less than what it is to treat our wounded and amputees from the OEF/OIF veterans.   Cost of living increases, medical care increases in time.   Modern medicine is different today than it was for our WWII veterans, Korean veterans and even the Vietnam veteran. 

The needs for our veterans are a continuous battle.   We as members of this organization need to keep track of all legislation that the VFW supports as a bill.   It takes time and money to get bills passed through Congress.   This is why the VFW has PAC – Political Action Committee.

This year the program is to be promoted by education and communication.   Educating the general public by submitting articles of the current legislation in our Senate and House of Representatives gets public support.   Writing letters to our congressional leaders is important so they know how you support the measure or legislation.  Another way of supporting legislation for our veterans is voting.   When propositions or measures are on the ballot supporting our veterans citizens need to vote.   Getting out to vote is by calling your neighbors, friends and those in the community to remind them to vote.

This year I will be sending you legislative alerts and issues that are being considered by our congressional leaders.  At your auxiliary meetings bring up the information about bills that are on the floor of the Senate or House of Representative for discussion.  Access the websites that I have listed for you in your materials so you can check on the progress of the bills.   Encourage your auxiliaries to write letters and do calling to get your community out to vote.

Last but not least write your report.  Send a copy of your report to your district chairman and one to me.   You can either email it as an attachment or mail it.

PAC ( Political Action Committee) is a monetary support for legislation.   Your auxiliary can have a special fundraiser for this as you cannot write a check from any of the auxiliaries’ general fund or programs.   You can get a jar or coffee can and collect change at each meeting, have a bake sale or raffle.

2 Legacy awards honoring our Past Department Presidents will be presented to the Auxiliary Chairman in the state who best promotes the Named award:

Legislative Legacy Award – Past Department President Lillian Crocker

Political Action Committee Legacy Award – Past Department President Jane Maxwell

 

Here are links to some helpful websites:

www.ladiesauxvfw.org   - Information can be obtained concerning the special “Legislative Alerts”

www.vfw.org                       -Also has updated information on legislative issues

www.house.gov                 -U.S. House of Representatives

www.senate.gov                -U.S. Senate

www.whitehouse.gov       -Whitehouse

http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.html   - Sign up for VFW Washington Weekly

 

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IMPORTANT PROGRAM DOCUMENTS

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We have provided a place here for you to download all of the information that we distribute to you through our Program Book and Bi-Monthly Chairmen's Bulletins.  You will need Adobe Reader, it is a Free program and can be downloaded here  Get Adobe

PROGRAM

            Legislative PAC Program

 

Blackout Sheets

            July blackout sheet