First, thank you for continuing to serve. The work the
VFW does is important and your commitment to fellow warfighters is appreciated.
The mission of our VFW is: To foster camaraderie among United States veterans
of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military and our communities.
To advocate on behalf of all veterans. This election season is an important
time for us to fulfill that last promise, and to advocate on behalf of all
veterans.
The first step is to make sure our comrades have the capacity to be represented
and are registered to vote. It can be as simple as making sure they have the
following web address.
https://scvotes.gov/voters/register-to-vote/
Another low commitment but high impact way for our Vets to be heard, is to get
enrolled in the Action Corp. https://votervoice.net/VFW/Register.
Once enrolled, they will be given alerts on upcoming votes that impact their
benefits. We are focused on fighting claim sharks, erasing pay disparity
between the VA and retirement, protecting our widows and widowers from tax
increases when the service member passes, and many other bills.The sidebar at
the link contains information on National’s legislative priorities.
As leadership teams, we need to develop relationships with our
National and State legislators. Election season has changed the landscape. It
has knocked out known allies and we need to lock down support for our
priorities. Use https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.phpto find the State Representatives and Senators for your post. Invite them out
to your social evenings, incorporate them in your Community Service projects,
and impress upon them that the VFW is a force multiplier for veteran care.
Finally, each post will be responsible for four legislative reports this year. These will be simple questionnaires documenting the steps your members have taken in their advocacy. Did you engage your community for an Action Alert? Did you brief your membership during a post meeting? Have you invited a member of Congress to an event at your post? Submit your 5 W's: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
It is our duty to advocate for our veterans, their spouses, and their children.
It is why the VFW exists. So please, reach out if you have any questions. I
will be working hard this upcoming term, but I need your help. Thanks for your
time, and thanks again for still serving.
NATIONAL & STATE LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN
SCOTT CRAIG
