Diverse News 2007®

VFW Wants Candidates to Focus on Future
    President speaks to convention delegates Wednesday

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 /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.

    http://www.vfw.org
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