Just returned from the 109th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Orlando. Although Tropical Storm Fay did her best "to rain on our parade", we had a very successful convention. It is clear that the VFW remains a "player" on the national political scene. For five out of eight years, President George W. Bush spoke to us and clearly continues to receive strong support from the VFW for his role as a wartime Commander in Chief. President Bush's remarks were something of a... Read Full Story
In a recent column we asked when was the last time the liberal Sarasota Herald-Tribune editorial board addressed veterans issues. Well today they have an editorial titled, " One Pearl's wisdom ". It is the great story about an English woman Pearl Cornioley who died last month and was, "a member of the select Special Operations Executive, which the British government formed to coordinate the resistance in occupied countries of Europe. Cornioley's initial assignment as a secret agent was to... Read Full Story
This is a letter from guest columnist Lee Kichen sent to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lee is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, legislative Chair for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Past President of the Sarasota County Veterans Commission. For nearly ten years a major legislative priority of the National Organization of the Veterans of Foreign Wars has been a “GI Bill for the 21st Century”. We are extremely gratified that this Congress is now recognizing the importance of reforming... Read Full Story
SARASOTA PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE VOTES “NO” ON THE SAILOR STATUE,
VETERANS COMMISSION SPEAKS OUT AND http://www.savethesailor.com/ SUBMITS ITS ONLINE PETITION TO THE CITY OF SARASOTA.
SaveTheSailor.com will submit its online petition to the City Commission in response to the vote of the Public Arts Committee. Sarasota County Veterans Commission speaks out on Public Art Committee vote.
It’s a sculpture of the famous photograph of a sailor kissing a nurse on V-J Day in New York... Read Full Story
BYLAWS OF THE SARASOTA COUNTY VETERANS COMMISSION SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA ARTICLE I: ESTABLISHMENT The Sarasota County Veterans Commission, Inc., (SCVC) was originally organized under the laws of the State of Florida on January 25, 1982 and is a not for profit corporation governed under Chapter 617, Laws of the State Florida. ARTICLE II: PURPOSES The purposes of the SCVC are to: Section 1: represent the Sarasota County veterans organizations, military and patriotic associations and their... Read Full Story
INSIDE THE BELTWAY Federal Legislative Update President-elect Obama Names VA Secretary-President-elect Barack announced that he will send the name of former Chief of Staff of the Army, General (Ret) Eric K. Shinseki to the Senate for confirmation as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. General Shinseki has first hand knowledge of the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces. As a young officer in Vietnam he was twice wounded and had to overcome the amputation of a foot to forge a... Read Full Story
The American People Have Spoken - Every four years, in November, Americans go to the polls to choose a President. Presidential elections are the beginning of a peaceful transition of power culminating with the Inauguration in January. Ironically, November is the month that we also celebrate the service of America’s veterans. Since before the birth of the Republic, America’s veterans fought for and secured our freedom to peacefully choose those who govern this great nation. For veterans... Read Full Story
At Your Service!!! Lee F. Kichen September 2008 BATTLING INSIDE THE BELTWAY Federal Legislative Update Senate Completes a “Bare Bones” National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-Last month, in this space we criticized the Senate Democrat leadership for its failure to complete work on its version of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 09. As the legislative process unfolded this week, we fell victim to a classic example of “if you want it bad, you’ll probably get it bad.” When the... Read Full Story
BATTLING INSIDE THE BELTWAY Federal Legislative Update United States Senate Walks Away from Two Key Bills Senate Democrat Leadership Delays 09 Defense Authorization Act- Once again Congress delays two bills that are crucial to active and reserve service members, veterans, military retirees and their families. Due to the usual partisan bickering Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) pulled the FY 09 National Defense Authorization Act from the floor. Ironically, the House of Representatives... Read Full Story
So you have served this great country we live in, fought and worked with the finest young men and women this country had to give, and you have suffered some personal losses in the process of doing so. You volunteered and gave all you had to give and put your life on the line and your still a young man or woman, but cannot work or function properly in a normal civilian environment due to your injuries or impairments suffered while protecting our... Read Full Story
