National Commanders Update
We are in a New Year now and we are blessed with the opportunity to regain our balance and move forward and work with the many challenges we have before us. A considerable amount of energy has been given to resolving our internal problems of which some still remain. Our priority remains the same, to serve the American GI Forum of the United States and our fellow members effectively and successfully. We also all need to do our part to increase our membership. We need to recruit effectively from the new generation of veterans who we welcome to the American GI Forum family. With that in mind, please let me share with you some of the important and vital concerns and other things we have currently been involved with:
1. Met with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to discuss the following concerns: the lack of outreach to Hispanic veterans and their families related to employment, suicide and homelessness; the Center for Minority Veterans and Hispanic inclusion and a needed VA Hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.
2. Met with VA Under Secretary of Human Resources, John Sepulveda, to discuss the need for hiring more Hispanics and Hispanic veterans within the entire VA system.
3. Meeting with Dr. Alfonso Batres VA Director of Readjustment Services to discuss outreach to our Hispanic veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD).
4. We continue our work to regain Corporate America’s trust. We have lost ground with our friends, but we will continue to work hard and demonstrate with confidence that the American GI Forum is a worthy investment for them and for our veteran’s community.
5. Washington D.C. Commander Carlos Puertas and former National Commander Lupe Saldana will be our representatives related to attending meetings, hearings, and conferences in Washington, D.C. Not only will they be attending the Veterans Administration meetings, but will also be invited to attend the Round Table meetings on veterans issues held by Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
6. We will be working to partner with Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez and her “Narratives” program: U.S. Latino and Latina WW II (Korea and Vietnam) Oral History Project profiling our war heroes.
7. We are involved with the VA and are part of the AGIF and LULAC Community Prosperity Partnership Program which plans and implements national veteran’s summits. I want to thank the AGIF members who attending the Los Angeles summit. A great deal of information was shared by the Veterans Administration and presentations were made on veteran issues. The next summit is being planned for the Chicago area or somewhere near D.C.
8. We are working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NCLR on Immigration Reform and especially as it affects our Hispanic veterans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I want to thank California State Commander Willie Galvan for his assistance on this MOU.
9. Plans for our National Mid Year Conference have been completed and it will be held in San Antonio at the Tropicano on March 18-20. I want to thank AGIF members Placido Salazar and Peter Vallecillo for their work to make this conference a successful one. We all want to enjoy San Antonio, but please keep in mind that this is a working and business conference. The hearing of charges will take a good portion of our time.
10. We are ahead in planning for our National Conference. I want to thank Ms. Anna Flores, our Conference planning consultant for her help and guidance: Imperial Palace Las Vegas, July 21-24. The $50.00 room rate is an AGIF GROUP RATE, so let’s all stay at the Imperial Palace.
11. We continue to support the efforts of Mrs. Cecila Akers and her work to honor Dr. Hector P. Garcia with a national holiday, much like SB 495 passed on May 30, 2009 which designates the third Wednesday of each September as Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day in the State of Texas.
12. Web site is in operation, we just need to provide Mr. J.R. Gonzales with information relevant to the American GI Forum and our local, state and national activities.
AGIF/US National Mid Year Conference: March 18-20, Holiday Inn – El Tropicano, San Antonio
Hotel Reservations: 210-223-9461 Conference Coordinator, Placido Salazar: 210-422-0378
AGIF/US National Office Manager, Ms. Dottie Bruton: 303-458-1700. Thank you for supporting the
American GI Forum of the United States. A Veterans Family Organization We Are All Proud Of! Please share this information with your AGIF State Chapters and membership. Gracias.