President speaks to convention delegates Wednesday
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The attention of America's 24 million military veterans will be on Kansas City , Mo., next week when President George W. Bush and four leading candidates for his job in the 2008 election will address the 108th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
Speaking Monday are Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and John McCain (R-AZ). Speaking Tuesday will be former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). The president will address the audience of 5,800 VFW and Ladies Auxiliary delegates on Wednesday.
"It is unprecedented to have leading candidates address our organization before they have their respective party's nomination," said VFW Commander-in-Chief Gary Kurpius, a Vietnam combat veteran from Anchorage , Alaska.
"What we want to hear is how, if elected to our nation's highest office, they will prosecute the war on terrorism. We want to hear how they will protect America, what their positions are on national security, military readiness and homeland security, and how they will enhance military and veteran healthcare programs, increase benefits, and expand Quality of Life initiatives," he said.
"What we don't want to hear are criticisms of the past," said Kurpius, "because the issue at hand is who is best prepared to lead our nation forward."
Founded in 1899, the VFW is the country's oldest and largest organization of combat veterans, with a total membership exceeding 2.3 million. About 12,000 members will attend the annual weeklong convention to approve new national priorities to guide the organization as it lobbies Congress on issues important to the nation's 24 million veterans, her 2.2 million servicemen and women, and their families.
Kurpius said the VFW's power to effect change is on Capitol Hill, where it has to compete against 32,000 registered lobbyists who represent 20,000 clients whose interests do not include caring for military and veteran families. He said it is a constant challenge to educate Congress and all who will listen that veterans do matter in this country.
"Poets and scientists and scholars help to define a great society, but our nation was created and continues to exist only through the service and selfless sacrifice of our citizens who don the uniform," said Kurpius.
"Half of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence took up arms to fight the British. They and the 50 million others who would follow their footsteps into military service should matter a great deal."
Convention delegates will also elect a new VFW national commander and recognize prominent individuals for their support of America's veterans and military personnel.
The appearance of the four presidential candidates is not an implied endorsement of one candidate over another. The VFW has an independently chartered Political Action Committee that makes political endorsements for congressional seats, but not for the presidency. The reason, Kurpius explained, is because regardless of which candidate wins, the VFW must be able to work effectively with that president and his or her administration to ensure America cares for those who have borne the battle.
SOURCE Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
