Spring NEC Floor Highlights: Camp Hope, Boy Scouts of America Partnerships Recognized

Last weekend, AMVETS leaders from around the country convened on the Hilton Washington Dulles for the spring meeting of the AMVETS National Executive Committee.

Amid the reports from each department across AMVETS' six regional districts, AMVETS hosted a variety of guests on the floor of the NEC, including AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Humanitarian Award winner William "Mike" White and AMVETS National Spokesman Dana Bowman.

White, the founder of the wounded warrior retreat Camp Hope, took the time to thank AMVETS, AMVETS Riders and the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary for their support to his vision of Camp Hope, which was established in 2007 in memory of his son, Marine Pfc. Christopher Neal White, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq.

Joining White and Ladies Auxiliary National President Patty Piening on the podium was Army Capt. Joseph Bogart, who was legally blinded by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Bogart recounted his visit to Camp Hope and the sense of peace that his visit brought back to his day-to-day life. In spite of his injuries, Bogart was able to remain on active duty and serve a second tour in Iraq.

AMVETS National Commander Duane Miskulin also presented the first AMVETS/Boy Scouts of America Youth Outreach award to California AMVET Jim Blank in recognition of his sustained commitment to his scouts. The new award can be awarded to volunteer scout leaders who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to AMVETS' mission of support to expanding Boy Scouts of America, or BSA, programs.

AMVETS National Spokesman Dana Bowman also took the time to thank AMVETS for its support over the last six months and discussed upcoming appearances, where he plans to jump in the AMVETS parachute. Bowman even joked that Cmdr. Miskulin still needed to join Bowman on a tandem jump before this summer's national convention.

AMVETS National Executive Committee meets three times each year to discuss general business of the organization. At the spring meeting, each AMVETS department also announced their state conventions, which will take place over the next three months.

Photos: Top: AMVETS NEC representatives deliver their reports on the floor of the spring NEC meeting. Middle: Army Capt. Joseph Bogart shares his Camp Hope experience with the floor of the NEC, while AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary National President Patty Piening and Camp Hope founder William White look on. Middle: Jim Blank poses for a photo with Cmdr. Miskulin and AMVETS Department of California Commander John Byrum after receiving the first AMVETS/BSA Youth Outreach Award. Bottom: Dana Bowman jokes with Cmdr. Miskulin about a potential upcoming tandem jump with the new AMVETS parachute. Photos by Ryan Gallucci.)

New Issue of American Veteran Magazine Available Online

In the winter issue of American Veteran magazine, we share the inspiring story of Dana Bowman, the new AMVETS national spokesman and elite paratrooper who lost both of his legs in a skydiving accident in 1994. To read the latest issue of American Veteran magazine, Click Here.

This winter, we also highlight the work of Doug Sterner, the Vietnam veteran who has single-handedly compiled the nation's most comprehensive database of military valorous award citations. Sterner played an integral role in the launch of AMVETS' new Web site, ReportStolenValor.org, in December, and in this issue's "Outside the Wire," he discusses his work and his motivation preserving the veterans' historical record.

In this issue's "Off the Shelf" feature, we discuss "As You Were" by Washington Post reporter Christian Davenport, who followed a Virginia National Guard unit to Iraq and back, chronicling the personal stories of today's citizen-soldiers.

We also discuss one of AMVETS' top legislative priorities for 2010, rural and remote veterans' access to VA care, and the recent success of the AMVETS Task Force DVD holiday drive.

Be on the look-out for the print edition of American Veteran magazine in mailboxes soon.

(Photos: Top: Dana Bowman shakes hands with AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin outside the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo courtesy of Dana Bowman. Bottom: Doug Sterner working in his home office in Alexandria, Va. Photo by Jay Agg.)

This Holiday Season at American Veteran

It's back to work at National Headquarters this morning after a brief Christmas break!

This week, AMVETS National Commander Duane Miskulin will travel to the Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, where AMVETS national spokesman Dana Bowman will jump in prior to the kickoff between the University of Houston and the U.S. Air Force Academy on Dec. 31.

Bowman, the inspirational double-amputee who was wounded in a skydiving accident with the Army's elite Golden Knights, came on board with AMVETS at the national convention last summer in New Orleans. Bowman's story will be featured in the winter issue of American Veteran in January.

Speaking of the winter issue, all content should be submitted no later than close-of-business Thursday, Dec. 31. If your post or department has photos you would like us to consider for Keeping Posted, please submit them now.

This week, American Veteran will also continue to follow the developments in the disappearance of Army Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, who has been held captive in Afghanistan since the summer. Over Christmas, the Taliban released a new video of Bergdahl, which AMVETS leaders have condemned.

We will also highlight AMVETS' work from around the country supporting today's military men and women who could not be home this Christmas season and supporting our veterans at VA facilities around the country.

Over the next couple of weeks, we ask that you bear with us, as the AMVETS communications department reconstitutes for the New Year. Blog postings may not be as consistent as you've seen over the last nine months, but be on the lookout for new features to kick up in mid-January.

We have a lot in the works and we're very excited about what the New Year brings, but we hope that you understand this may affect the blog in the short term.

This Week at American Veteran

Business is back on at AMVETS National Headquarters after the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday and kept our brave men and women fighting overseas in their thoughts and prayers.

This week at American Veteran, we will discuss Dana Bowman's first jump with the AMVETS parachute at last weekend's nationally-televised NCAA football game between New Mexico and No. 4-ranked Texas Christian University (TCU) in Texas.

American Veteran will also cover this weekend's fall meeting of the AMVETS National Executive Committee at the BWI Hilton in Linthicum, Md. AMVETS leaders will discuss progress since the national convention and critical issues for the organization such as Stolen Valor and the upcoming 21st Century Veterans Symposium this summer at the AMVETS National Convention in Louisville.

Congress is back to work, which means we will continue to follow AMVETS Legislative Department, advocating for our veterans on Capitol Hill in Washington. Critical issues continue to be veteran-owned small business contracting, VA family caregiver plans, and the VA budget for FY2010, which is now two months late.

If you have stories you would like to share with American Veteran, please let us know. And, as always, feel free to leave your comments.

Fall Issue of American Veteran Magazine Available Now

The fall issue of American Veteran is now available and should be in your mailbox this week. To preview the issue online, Click Here.

For this issue, we sat down with Marine Corps veteran and world-renowned chef John Besh at his flagship restaurant August in New Orleans. Besh shared his inspiring story of military service and the way his vast Marine Corps network has helped him succeed in a cut-throat culinary world.

In this month's "Off the Shelf," we discuss Craig Mullaney's The Unforgiving Minute, which chronicles Mullaney's lessons-learned throughout his unorthodox and inspiring military career.

We also welcome new AMVETS national spokesman and inspirational wounded paratrooper Dana Bowman and discuss the AMVETS Riders first national program to support the Camp Hope wounded warriors retreat in Missouri.

This issue also features updates on two critical issues to AMVETS and the veterans' community: sufficient, timely and predictable funding for the VA and the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. We discuss the historic signing of the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009 and how it will effect VA funding down the road, and we take a look at the VA's implementation of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and AMVETS' role in helping veterans receive timely compensation amid unforeseen payment delays.

In this fall's Keeping Posted, we highlight AMVETS' work from the departments of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana and Wisconsin.

We've already started compiling material for the winter issue, so please send your submissions to the National Communications Department as soon as possible, and, as always, please let us know what you think.

To send a letter to the editor, you can either send your comments to the attention of the Communications Director at AMVETS National Headquarters, 4647 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, Md. 20706, or simple comment on this blog with the name you wish to appear.

(Photos: Top: Chef John Besh discusses his military experiences at his award-winning August restaurant in New Orleans. Photo by Jay Agg. Middle: Dana Bowman shares his inspirational story with AMVETS at this summer's national convention. Photo by Ryan Gallucci. Bottom: President Obama signs VA advance appropriations into law at the White House this fall. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)

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.

Live from Convention: Dana Bowman to jump for AMVETS

This morning, retired Army paratrooper and double-amputee Dana Bowman spoke on the convention floor. The AMVETS delegation greeted Bowman with a standing ovation.

Bowman, a life member of AMVETS who lost both of his legs in a skydiving accident as a member of the elite Army Golden Knights, discussed his work as a motivational speaker and wounded warriors' advocate.

Before Bowman's speech, AMVETS voted to approve more than $9,000 to purchase a new parachute for Bowman, featuring the AMVETS logo. Bowman plans to use the new parachute to jump into special events across the country and raise awareness of AMVETS and its programs.

Bowman has delivered more than 400 speeches in the last few years, and appeared in countless television shows and magazines. Most recently, Fox News featured Bowman's Aug. 7 jump at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Bowman said he is excited about working with AMVETS, an organization to which his family has always been loyal in Ohio.

Bowman will be outside of the Grand Ballroom throughout the day to speak with AMVETS members.

(Photo: Dana Bowman discusses his personal experiences on the floor of the AMVETS National Convention. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)

This Week at American Veteran

This morning, Isaac Pacheco, editor of American Veteran magazine, is on hand at the official kick-off of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill at George Mason University in Virginia. President Barack Obama, Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) , and VA Secretary Erik Shinseki will be on hand to celebrate this morning's roll-out of the new landmark education benefit. Check back with American Veteran Online later today for updates and photos from this morning's event.

Next week, AMVETS will travel to New Orleans for the 65th annual AMVETS National Convention. American Veteran will be on hand reporting on the convention with up-to-the-minute information, such as Secretary Shinseki's address to the delegation on Tuesday afternoon and the keynote speech from Dana Bowman, the retired Army Golden Knights paratrooper and AMVETS member who lost both of his legs in a skydiving accident in 1994.

All this week at American Veteran Online, we will highlight the city of New Orleans for AMVETS members joining us for the convention. We will show you some of the best dining spots in the city and some of the best nightlife that the Big Easy has to offer.

Check back all this week for updates, and, as always, we're eager to hear what you have to say.

(Photo: President Obama delivers his remarks at George Mason University, officially launching the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Photo by Isaac D. Pacheco. To view more of Pacheco's photos from this morning's announcement, Click Here.)