Live from Convention: AMVETS votes on 2010 agenda; Maj. Gen. Whelden discusses Army Community Covenant

Yesterday, AMVETS quickly passed its 2010 resolutions on the floor of the National Convention. Buzz around the Sheraton New Orleans was that this year's voting was one of the quickest in recent memory.

AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley, who read each of the 30 resolutions, attributed the swift passage of the agenda to the work of AMVETS' individual committees.

"The committees concern and desire to achieve solidarity before leaving the committee room aided in the swift action taken on the floor," Kelley said. "We have an exciting year ahead, but this is just the beginning of the work."

Issues AMVETS will address in the coming year include female veterans’ care, advance VA funding, increased survivor benefits, opposition to increased TRICARE fees and co-pays, improving veterans’ employment rights, flag protection, POW/MIA recovery, military experience transferability to civilian job skills, veterans’ preferences in employment, and increased travel reimbursement for VA care.

AMVETS also heard from retired Army Maj. Gen. Craig Whelden, director of the Army Community Covenant program, on the convention floor yesterday morning.

Army Community Covenant is a program commissioned by Army Secretary Peter Geren that encourages communities around the country to publicly demonstrate their support to all men and women in uniform, regardless of service branch.

After delivering his remarks, Whelden spoke to hundreds of AMVETS members in the lobby of the Grand Ballroom, explaining how AMVETS can get involved.

(Photos: Top: AMVETS Legislative Director Ray Kelley reads the 2010 resolutions, while committee recommendations were displayed for delegates. Bottom: Retired Maj. Gen. Craig Whelden encourages AMVETS to support Army Community Covenant in their communities. Photos by Ryan Gallucci.)