WOW, this has been a wonderful past 6 weeks, beginning with the Washington Conference and going through the 62nd VAVS Conference in Orlando. I have learned more at these 2 Conferences about the Department of Veterans Affairs than I have in the past 26 years of being a member in this great Organization. There is no way to express my thanks for being able to attend, or what I truly learned. But I will give you a few high points.

The new format that was used at the Washington Conference was a lot more informative since it was done as panel discussions. Each panel was geared to give information about specific areas: Veterans benefits, Health care, Family issues and Government’s responsibility. Panel members include people like the Director of Veterans Affairs, Judge on the Benefits Appeal Board, Active duty Servicemen and others. Each gave their, somewhat slanted view, on the subject matter, then members of the audience read questions given to them by the Washington office where we could get more accurate and detailed information from these panelist. Being me, my favorite was the National Service Officer for the American Legion, when she basically shot the other benefit panelist between the eyes letting them know how sorry and behind the times their processes and actions were. It was one of the few standing ovations given to any of the panels. You could tell that they were not happy being attacked that way, but we did some better answers from them from that point on.

I was also honored by being asked, at the last minute, to address the conference while we were being broadcast live on C-span. The 2 minute warning was not enough time to truly prepare for the speech, but I hope that the ad-lib went over well. I’ll be honest, I mentioned all of the new and old projects that our Commission was doing except for the main one for this year, National Veteran’s Assistance Day. I no sooner sat back down, when I realized this. No one had a gun handy.

While there attending a VAVS meeting on Sunday, they stated that hours for the Organization was down and new volunteers were getting harder to come by. During the discussions, we realized the that Sons hours were not being recorded regularly AND that a great many of our hours were more after VA hours dealing more with Field and Home Service.

This issue was even more addressed the following week at the VAVS Conference. Being the first SAL VAVS Rep. to attend this Conference in years, I was excited about what I could bring back. The other attendees were wonderful and their spirit of these individuals really inspired me. One of the workshops discussed how we could better use our volunteers and how we can recruit them. I think outside of Jacob Gadd from The American Legion, at 47, I was one of the youngest there which gave me a different prospective on why the drop in younger volunteers. Our age group, like our organization, is still starting their families, their careers, and their life outside of school and parental homes. Trying to provide for our families is a full time job. Placing restrictions on activities that we can participate in, as well as placing hoops in the way, has been a major road block in the hours from this age group. But we do have a few ‘ideas’.

We have a great many new young Veterans having to use the VA Hospitals due to the War on Terror. When they come home, their families need to be a part of their care and recovery. By getting them involved, they see what they can do to help, and therefore we have them. When people feel needed and helpful AND can see the results of their efforts, they are more willing to continue and come back. Listening to stories how different members at this Conference had gotten involved motivated me even more to mobilize our Organization.

We are the next generation of volunteers and it’s time that we truly let our Veterans and their families know that we are here for them. With more Veterans coming back needing rehab due to major injuries, there are more areas that we can donate both time and money.

Examples: #1) You can not find the time to visit the VA, but you bowl in a league every week. Talk to the league officers and do a special collection for the local BVL (Bowlers Veterans Link). This money goes directly for recreation and rehab items and equipment. It also has sponsor local veterans to the National Wheel Chair Games and the Creative Arts Festival. These 2 programs have already been adopted by The American Legion and The American Legion Auxiliary, therefore supporting in house programs. It is a no lose situation, and the biggest winners are our Veterans. #2) Have a fund raiser for your local Fisher House to help the families of Veterans to be able to stay near them while they are doing their rehab and recovery, or just donate to one. Very little time and effort on your part, helps a Veteran’s family ten-fold.

These are just two easy examples of what we can do. The little things add up to major satisfaction to the Veteran and their families.

The area of most concern to me is: We only have 24 Detachments that have at least one VAVS Representative in the state. A few states have more than one Rep. Now I know that I am from the south and we here in Georgia are considered a little bite slow, BUT that is less than half, less than 50%, of the Detachments. WHY?? I honestly can not answer that except to say that these Reps are appointed by the Detachment Commanders with approval by the Legion. A simple form has to be filled out and signed by the Detachment Commander and the Department Adjutant. Simple. When the National Executive Committee ends their Spring Meeting on May 4th, 2008, the NEC-men from each Detachment will be given some marching orders about their responsibility in getting these Representatives certified. By the time our National Convention opens in Phoenix on August 22nd, we should have at least 75% of the Detachments with at least ONE Rep. This is not rocket science; this is our responsibility to have a voice at each and every VA Hospital in this country. How else can we help our Veterans if we are not involved at these hospitals? How can we help, if we are not where we can obtain the information needed?

During these times of strife, WE, the Sons of The American Legion, need to step up and take our place by standing up for and with the Veterans of this country. An hour here or there, a dollar here or there; they add up to helping these individuals who have given so much for us.

Now it is your turn to stand up. Let me hear from you loud and clear how much our Veterans mean to you and that they deserve a little bite of your time and efforts.

Yours In Service.
Ronnie Grist
National VA&R Commission Chairman