LZ:DC: Massachusetts Sons Take to the Hill

This morning, the Massachusetts Sons of AMVETS took to Capitol Hill, armed with AMVETS Legislative Priorities for 2011, to advocate for America's service members, veterans and their loved ones.

Led by Sons of AMVETS Past National Commander David Spencer, the Massachusetts contingency plans to meet with all 10 representatives in Congress and both Senators that comprise the Massachusetts Congressional delegation.

With the AMVETS family converging on Capitol Hill for AMVETS "LZ:DC," the Sons of AMVETS have come out in force in 2011 looking to surpass last year's total of more than 120 visits with legislators, enlisting help from members of AMVETS, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary and the AMVETS Riders.

American Veteran will continue to bring you highlights throughout the week and all AMVETS family members are encouraged to keep submitting their content to rgallucci@amvets.org.

Check back regularly for continuing updates from the LZ.

(Images: Top: Massachusetts AMVETS Post 51 Commander Don McLean, Massachusetts Sons of AMVETS Commander Mark Serpis, and Sons of AMVETS Past National Commander David Spencer meet with Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass. Middle: Serpis, McLean, and Spencer meet with Rep. Chris Neal, D-Mass. Bottom: Serpis, McLean and Spencer meet with Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. Photos courtesy of David Spencer.

Sons of AMVETS Make Their Mark on Capitol Hill

Last week, Congressional offices on Capitol Hill were inundated with men in blue blazers and gray garrison caps, as Sons of AMVETS from around the country converged on Washington, D.C., for their annual legislative visits.

More than 70 Sons, joined by members of AMVETS and the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, took to Capitol Hill for more than 120 appointments and more than 50 additional impromptu meetings with Senators, Congressmen, and staff, including newly-elected Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.).

This year, the Sons of AMVETS were armed with hundreds of copies of the AMVETS 2010 Legislative Priorities book, explaining AMVETS' top legislative goals to key decision-makers.

Founded in Vermillion, Ohio in 1972, Sons of AMVETS is a national organization comprised of male descendants of American military men and women. The organization is dedicated to supporting the mission of AMVETS, which includes advocating for improved veterans' care and benefits.

Along with the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary and Junior AMVETS, Sons of AMVETS help to ensure that the voices of military families are also heard when discussing veterans' issues on a national level.

The 2010 Sons of AMVETS Capitol Hill visit was the organization's most successful program to date, with Sons conducting more than 170 meetings in four days.

(Photos: Top: Sons of AMVETS National Commander David Spencer, center, speaks with Sen. Scott Brown during last week's Hill visits. Photo by Karen Spencer. Bottom: Sons of AMVETS pose for a photo with AMVETS members Kevin Stone, bottom center, and Luis Montalvan, right, during last week's Sons of AMVETS Hill visits. Stone and Montalvan were also on Capitol Hill alongside AMVETS partner non-profit Paws With A Cause for educational meetings with legislators on the benefits of assistance dogs for wounded veterans . Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)