Wednesday July 29, 2009

The opening session was very interesting.  The delegates were welcomed by a patriotic musical review from “Blue Eyed Soul.”  An honor guard presented the colors from Ft. Knox.  Lt. General Russel L. Honore was the open speaker for the ceremony and he provided the members with a very inspiring speech.  After the opening ritual there were committee reports.  Larry attended the Veterans Benefits Committee along with Art Heyderman.  The committees mostly met to retire several convention resolutions.  VB -1-95 Judicial Review, VB-2-95 Board of Correction of Military Records, VB-3-95 Less Than Honorable Administrative Discharges,  VB-4-95 DVA Overpayments, VB-5-95 Civil Liberties of Active Duty Military Personnel, VB-17-95 Criminal Background Checks for Incompetent Veterans.  Resolutions that stayed as is were: VB-6-95 Just Compensation for Injuries Sustained by Active Duty Military Personnel, VB-7-95 Class Actions At U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Decision, VB-9-95 DVA Implementation of U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Decisions, VB-10-95 Veterans Benefits and Services, VB-11-95 Veterans Benefits System, VB-12-95 Department of Veterans Affairs Service Connected Disability Payments and Military Retirement Payment Offset, VB-13-95 Preservation of VVA Service Representation at the National Level, VB-14-95 Attorney Representation at the VA, VB-16-95 Copy of Military Records Upon Discharge, VB-18-95 The Department of Veterans Affairs VAVS Program, VB-19-95 Veterans Environmental Health Effects, VB-20-95 Participation in the process of accrediting DVA medical centers, VB-21-95 Military Health Care.  Resolutions shifted to another committee were:  VB-22-95 Sexual Harassment, VB-23-95 Hours of Operation of DVA Medical Facilities, VB-24-95 DVA Hospice Care, VB-25-95 Proper Use of Real Estate for the West Los Angeles DVA Medical Center.

            Later in the afternoon Larry attended the Homeless Veterans Committee meeting.  This committee dealt with HTF-05-07 Homeless Veterans HUD/VA Supportive Housing Funding.  Also on the agenda was HTF-6-07 VA Homeless Grant and Per Diem Funding.  Sandra Miller, chairperson, was the featured speaker.  She first explained her function and stated that she was “hands on” in her approach to the issues of homeless veterans.  She said that congress was attempting to turn over the reintegration of homeless veterans to the VA and that VVA opposes this because the Department of Labor has the responsibility for training and employment of the homeless.  The HUD/VASH voucher program was also explained in detail.  It was approved by congress several years ago, however no funding was approved until last year.  $75M was approved to provide vouchers for 10,000 veterans, a drop in the bucket, but a start.  Another $75M was approved just last week for another 10,290 veterans.  Local housing authority controls HUD/VASH.  A veteran must provide proof of military service, agree to enter into treatment programs, be monitored by a caseworker and undergo drug testing.  A case manager also assists family members.

            Larry felt that resolutions should be sent to the delegates several weeks in advance so that they may be reviewed by them and discussed at a chapter meeting for more comprehensive representation at the convention.  The Veterans Benefits Committee meeting had a great deal of material to cover with only a few hours to review the material.  The Homeless Veterans Committee was more organized and had fewer resolutions that needed to be reviewed.  Day one of the convention ended.

Thursday July 30, 2009

            Day two began with a general session were the reports from various committees were discussed and the Credentials Committee indicated that 657 registered delegates were to receive the official ballots for voting on day three.  Various awards and recognition ceremonies followed the opening of day two.  After the awards the delegates acted on the Constitutional Amendments and read and acted on the resolutions that came out of the committees the previous day.  A few resolutions were referred back to committee for verbiage and clarification.  After a lunch break the session reopened for a short period of time.  Those committees that had resolutions referred back to them were to take them back and work on them while those who were no involved in this work were given the rest of the day on our own.

            Larry felt that he learned a great deal about how our resolutions come to fruition from committee to final approval.  It was important to see how just one word could be interpreted in different ways.  He was quite pleased to be part of this process and hope to take part in many more to come.

Friday July 31, 2009

            The day began with election of National Officers and the National Board of Directors.  This lasted from 0800 until 1000 hours.  The general sessions reconvened with the committee reports and the announcement of the “Mike Nash Scholarship” awards.  The readings of and acting on of the resolutions that had been returned to committee were read.  The convention adjourned for lunch.  After lunch members were offered the opportunity to attend the showing of “Taking Chance.”  It is an HBO special that was very emotional with a crowd of over 500 veterans.  The sniffling and quiet tears were deafening.  Every veteran in attendance received a DVD of the movie from HBO.  Larry also attended the POW/MIA ceremony at the Belvedere Riverfront Plaza; the Kentuckiana Post that hosted the convention presented this ceremony.  It was a beautiful setting and a solemn ceremony.  The strong winds kept blowing out the candles.  Unfortunately only about 100 veterans were in attendance for this program.  Later in the evening delegates were treated to a music performance by “Blue Eyed Soul.”  These two ladies had been part of Dean Martins Golddiggers as well as the Dingalings.  They had participated in two of the Bob Hope Christmas Shows.  They have dedicated their lives to presenting USO type shows for Veterans Groups across the country and visitations to Veterans Hospitals.  Larry said it was hard to believe that these two lovely creatures were the same age as many of the vets who were entertained by them.  At the invitation of the girls, Art Heyderman and a few others joined them on stage to perform the chicken dance.  Larry has some video and pictures that show Art in all of his glory.

            Larry was disappointed that there were only 5 delegates from Iowa taking part in the convention and hopes that this will change at the next convention.

Saturday August 1, 2009

            The final day Convention General Session convened at 0900 with reports from the various committee members.  The election committee said there was no need for a run-off election as the results were clear.  Larry included a copy of the results with the report.  Several guest speakers followed.  Two Congressmen spoke, Chet Edwards and Bob Filner, who are both members of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives.  Both of them outlined and highlighted the new legislation for the new G.I. Bill.  These two men were quite obviously strong proponents of the veterans and act as advocates for veteran issues.  The next speaker was Heather French. A former Miss America.  She started the Heather French Foundation for Veterans, because as she explained to the crowd she has seen the suffering first hand of two of her loved ones because of prostrate cancer related to Agent Orange.  She got a laugh from the crowd when she said, “I’ll bet nobody in this room expected to hear from a petite, former Miss America about prostate exams.”  Her foundation also works on making a difference with Type II Diabetes, Spina Bifida, and Vietnam Veterans with Hepatitis C.  The next speaker was Jose Ramos, the founder of “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”  This is a non-profit 501©3 organization that has campaigned since 2000 to organize a day once a year to celebrate and properly recognize Vietnam Veterans.  In 2007 Congress passed a resolution proclaiming March 30 as “National Welcome Vietnam Veterans Day.”  They began celebrating in 2008 and 2009 in Whittier, California with festivals.

            Jose rode his bicycle from California to Washington D.C. visiting Veterans Hospitals and Veterans Organizations along the way trying to get support for this effort.  He did not get much support.  Recently he received support from actor Jon Voight whom he met at a USO function.  He introduced Mr. Voight to the delegates and he gave an inspiring presentation to the audience.  He spoke about his own life during the war years and also apologized for not being more involved in the issues of Vietnam Veterans back then.  After his presentation he spoke with individuals for a lengthy period of time, signing autographs and providing photo opportunities.  He has become a strong advocate of the issues Vietnam Veterans face.  The 2010 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day will be observed on Sunday March 28^th, as March 30^th is a weekday.

            The closing event for the convention was the swearing in of the officers and board of directors.  The honor of doing this fell to Jon Voight.  The retiring of the colors followed and President Rowan adjourned the convention.  The next convention will be held in Reno, Nevada in 2011. 

            Larry felt that the convention was a wealth of information.  He brought back several brochures and informational packets from the various organizations that were present.  Larry will be willing to answer any questions at the August meeting on the events that took place at the VVA National convention.  He thanks the chapter for the opportunity to attend and take part in this convention and hopes to be able to take part in future events of this nature.