VFW at DNC: Opening Night Dems Focus on Veterans

Last night, VFW legislative advocates made their way into Charlotte for the first night of the Democratic National Convention. Though most of the evening's discussions focused on social issues, the Democrats also took the time to focus on issues critical to military families and veterans.

The night kicked off with the introduction of Marine Corps Iraq veteran Nate Davis discussing how the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill allowed him to pursue a quality education after leaving the military. Next, noteworthy veterans' advocate and wounded warrior Tammy Duckworth, who is currently running for Congress in Illinois, took to the stage to make the case for how the current administration has made caring for veterans and military families a priority.

The theme of honoring America's military families and veterans continued on during the night, when Blue Star Mother Elaine Brye introduced First Lady Michelle Obama, whose program "Joining Forces" has made a difference in the lives of thousands of military families, like Brye's.

While the first lady made an impassioned speech as to why she believes her husband deserves four more years in the White House, Mrs. Obama also took the time to discuss why family values are so important to her and how she sought to make the lives of military families easier, as their loved ones continue to sacrifice for our nation overseas.

The VFW was happy to see the DNC focus on veterans' issues early on in the convention. This afternoon, VFW will join in a Veterans and Military Families Caucus as part of the convention in an effort to ensure Democrats understand the issues critical to the military and veterans' communities.

The VFW hopes this dialogue on veterans and military quality-of-life continues throughout the convention, and that the president takes the time to outline his plans to care for our nation's heroes when he formally accepts his party's nomination Thursday night. Check back for updates.

(Images: Top: First Lady Michelle Obama greets the delegates before making her speech before the DNC last night. Bottom: Tammy Duckworth explains how she believes the Obama administration has made an effort to serve veterans. Photos by Ryan Gallucci.)

VFW Joins VA to Help Veterans Find Jobs

The VFW this week participated in a veterans’ career fair hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Thousands of veterans of all eras, services and ranks converged on the convention center to apply and interview for more than 6,500 jobs across private industry and government. Many of the veterans were conducting their first job search after separating or retiring from the military.

The career fair provided an opportunity for employers to explain their industry and to collect resumes and conduct on site interviews. The VA helped veterans polish their resumes and interviewing skills, and veterans' organizations like the VFW were on-hand to help inform veterans about their VA benefits, and to help them navigate the complicated VA claims process.

At the VFW's booth were VFW service officers Chance Sizemore and John Steiner, and VFW Deputy Legislative Director Ryan Gallucci. They spoke to hundreds of veterans about their earned VA benefits and about the mission of the VFW to protect these government programs and services. Steiner called it one of the most dynamic and constructive career fairs he had ever witnessed.

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and other key leaders from the VA and the Departments of Labor and Defense participated in the career fair, which was held as part of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden’s “Joining Forces” campaign to provide services and raise awareness on issues of importance to America's military families.

With the end of the conflict in Iraq and announced 2014 drawdown of forces in Afghanistan, the VFW has made veterans’ employment a top priority, especially with recent proposals for a leaner active duty military.

Last year the VFW scored a major legislative victory with the passage of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which creates an environment more conducive to hiring veterans. VFW leaders in Washington will continue to monitor the veterans’ employment situation closely, and continue to make sound recommendations to Congress on how to improve transitional and employment services to America’s veterans.

(Images: Top: Thousands of veterans converged on the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., for a career fair hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Bottom: VFW Deputy Legislative Director Ryan Gallucci speaks with a Marine Corps veteran during the career fair. Photos courtesy of the Department of Veterans Affairs.)