This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, it's back to work after a productive week at the national convention in New Orleans. While in New Orleans, AMVETS elected new national officers for 2009-2010 and passed 28 resolutions to help guide the organization in the coming year.

AMVETS leaders were honored to host VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, Louisiana VA Secretary Lane Carson, retired Army paratrooper Dana Bowman, Army Community Covenant Director retired Maj. Gen. Craig Whelden, and the Taiwan's Veterans' Affairs leaders.

AMVETS also thanks the 26 exhibitors who participated in the AMVETS Expo--particularly banquet sponsor Anheuser-Busch and keynote speakers from Paws with a Cause and Air Compassion for Veterans.

American Veteran also wants to thank former Marines Chef John Besh and Blake LeMaire from Besh Restaurant Group for sitting down with us to discuss their military service and how it has molded key business decisions, contributing to their companies' successes. The hospitality of Besh and LeMaire was certainly appreciated, and we're excited to share their story with our readers. Be on the look-out for Chef Besh's story in the fall issue of American Veteran magazine.

This week on American Veteran Online, we will look into the health care reform issue, which AMVETS took a vocal stance on three weeks ago. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) has listened to AMVETS, as the Wall Street Journal pointed out this morning. American Veteran will be following these developments closely as the Obama Administration continues to pursue comprehensive health care reform.

American Veteran will also provide an in-depth look at the new leadership of AMVETS, elected at the national convention.

As always, we're eager to hear what you have to say about the topics we discuss, and please tell us about the stellar programs happening in AMVETS departments across the country.