Welcome to September everyone. It’s back to school month and autumn is on its way. You can already see the leaves changing color up in the mountains. September also means that our federal legislators are back to work in Washington, DC. Now is the time to keep an eye out for Action Alerts through Action Corps and what is happening with important pieces of legislation concerning our veterans.

 Last month I gave you the low down on Action Corps. Did you sign up? Did you sign someone else up? If you did, keep track of their name and the date you signed them up. (Just their first name.) Why? Because IT’S CONTEST TIME!!! Between July 1^st and January 1^st,the person that signs the most people for Action Corps will win a $50 gift card. Second place will receive a $25 gift card, and third place will receive a $10 gift card.  Just send me a list of the person’s first name and the date that you signed them up. You can email me the list, text me the list or mail it to me USPS. The prizes will be awarded at our Mid-Winter meeting in January. If you win and are unable to attend Mid-Winter, I will mail your prize to you so be sure to include your mailing address with your entry. For this round, I must receive your entry by January 8^th. Yes!!! There will be a second round coming up, stay tuned for the dates.

National Convention was fantastic. I strongly encourage you to attend sometime. We learned a lot while we were there. I had the opportunity to attend a seminar on the VFW Priority Goals for 2025. Every year the VFW passes resolutions to help veterans called Priority Goals. They bring attention to six key areas of concern to veterans’ health and wellbeing. This year some of the priorities they discussed included:

1.       VA healthcare and improving the claims process.

2.      Concurrent receipt and the Major Richard Star Act.

3.      Alternative treatments for veterans suffering from PTSD

4.      Military to civilian transition and TAP classes.

5.      VA community reforms.

6.      GI bill reforms and GI bill fairness act.

7.      Unaddressed toxic exposures

8.     Fighting claims sharks

9.      The book stipend act: to help veterans afford books for school.

10.  Housing allowances for veterans attending school.

As well as specific pieces of legislation such as HRS 4837 written informed consent and HRS 2609 that deals with support animals, military sexual assault and women’s health issues. In future articles I will give you more information about these and other pieces of important legislation.

 In the meantime, let’s get more people signed up for Action Corps and keep an eye out for those Action Alerts. Do something nice for your legislators and send them a thank you card on Patriot Day (Sept. 11) to let them know that you appreciate their work on getting important bills passed to help our veterans.

 Take care until next month.