AMVETS National Commander Gary Fry's 9/11 Commemorative Speech

Ten years have passed since the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Today, millions will gather to remember and honor those whose lives were lost that fateful day. Ceremonies at the Pentagon, near the site of the World Trade Center in New York, in Pennsylvania, and at hundreds of other places around the world are being held at this very moment. Just as we were united in the hours and days following the September 11 attacks, we are again drawn together in solidarity to remember those who were lost. And today we also honor the men and women, in and out of uniform, who continue to fight against those who would harm us for no other reason than our great country, the United States of America, remains a beacon of freedom in an increasingly dark and chaotic world.

With their blows to the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, Al Qaeda sought to overturn the world’s most powerful symbols of military strength and economic prosperity. They impacted our sense of safety, making it hard to trust the man or woman standing next to us. Some of us are still suspicious of strangers and many of us are still looking over our shoulders. Rebuilding trust certainly takes time. But they did not accomplish their goals. They did not cripple the far reaching capabilities or the effectiveness of our military and our collective resilience as a nation. Look around you. Take note of your brothers and sisters. This is your American family. We stand together against those who would attack our freedoms and our way of life. But they can’t keep us down.

Not long after the attack, family members who lost loved ones during the terrorist strike at the Pentagon created a makeshift memorial outside the damaged building. There were memorials at the site of the World Trade Center and the field in Pennsylvania. We are resilient, persistent and determined; all of which I would dare to say are inherent American attributes. These people did not wait for an official call to action. They made it happen. Fast-forward ten years. Where are we now? We continue to grieve, but we also continue to fight the war on terrorism. They wanted to make us weak, but they only made us stronger.

United in strength and camaraderie, we grieve for the 3,000 innocent people who perished in those dastardly attacks against our nation. They came from all walks of life, all races, and all ages. And while most of those who perished were U.S. citizens, we must not forget that the victims at the World Trade Center included citizens of dozens of other nations. Terrorism threatens the entire global community, not just the United States.

Again, I propose that the terrorists failed in weakening our great nation. In fact, the attacks produced new American heroes, such as the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The plane was hijacked the same way the passenger airliners flown into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were, however, the passengers were united under the resolve that their airliner would not be used as another guided missile – and it wasn’t.

Additionally, America has newfound heroes in the hundreds of New York City policemen, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency responders who gave their all when the World Trade Center towers collapsed around them as they fought to get everyone out.

A little more than a week after the attacks, President George W. Bush told us that "We are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done."

And justice has been done. Working closely with the armed forces of other nations, our military campaigns have eliminated al Qaeda’s safe haven in Afghanistan and the Taliban government that supported them. Osama Bin Laden has been brought to justice, and our military service members continue to deliver justice every single day as they hunt down remaining fugitives throughout Afghanistan, even as they help the liberated Afghan people embrace freedom and democracy.

We have met many milestones during these past ten years and during the war against terror. We have a way to go, but as we speak, the numbers of American troops are drawing down. Eventually this war will end. Life will never be what it was before the attacks, but what has not eliminated us only educated us and made us stronger.

Soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are fighting the Global War on Terrorism, in an effort to create and maintain the conditions for peace. Every day they sacrifice to protect and defend our homeland, and our freedoms.

We will never forget September 11th, 2001 as one of America’s darkest days. But a renewed sense of national pride has arisen out of the gloom. A national resolve to make this world a safer place now shines brightly. Our unwavering strength and resolve is a wonder for the world to behold. We stand united. America will remember her heroes who emerged from the tragedies of those attacks, and we will fight the good fight against a global network of terrorism for as long as it takes to end its threat to our way of life.

AMVETS PASSES RESOLUTION SUPPORTING VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS

LANHAM, MD., Sept. 1, 2011— Newly-elected AMVETS National Commander Gary Fry announced today the passage of AMVETS Resolution 12-26, “Establish Veterans Treatment Courts,” at the 67th annual AMVETS National Convention in St. Louis, Mo.

Resolution 12-26 outlines the significant benefits of Veteran Treatment Courts to the veterans’ community, and calls upon existing Drug Courts and Mental Health Courts to assess veteran involvement within their programs and better assist this underserved population.

Fry, of Sugar Grove, Pa., said veterans suffering from substance abuse and/or mental health conditions in his home state and elsewhere have benefitted from Veterans Treatment Courts by receiving life-changing drug treatment and mental health counseling in lieu of incarceration.

“We have an obligation to ensure the men and women who have served their nation honorably have access to the benefits and treatment to which they are entitled,” said Fry. “To allow them to slip through the cracks of our criminal justice system is a national disgrace and an affront to all who have worn and continue to wear the uniform.”

With one in five veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom suffering symptoms of a mental disorder or cognitive impairment, and one in six veterans of OEF/OIF suffering substance abuse problems, unprecedented numbers of veterans are appearing in criminal courts facing charges stemming directly from these charges. Veterans Treatment Courts connect these veterans with benefits and services to which they are entitled from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care networks and the Veterans Benefits Administration, and assistance provided by veterans service organizations including AMVETS.

The nation’s first Veterans Treatment Court was established in early 2008 in Buffalo, New York. Since then, nearly 80 programs have been launched throughout the United States. With over 2,600 Drug Courts in operation, Justice For Vets sees the potential for a significant increase in the number of Veterans Treatment Courts in the coming years.

“The infrastructure is in place to expand this model throughout the United States to serve every eligible veteran in need. As we do so, it is critical that we have the support of our most respected veteran’s organizations,” said Justice For Vets Director of Development and Outreach Matt Stiner. “AMVETS has an unmatched reputation for serving veterans, and AMVETS’ involvement in local Veterans Treatment Courts is proving to be an invaluable tool for getting veterans stabilized and connected to the appropriate treatment and benefits. We are deeply honored to have this support.”

Fry said the expanded use of Veterans Treatment Courts nationwide is a key component of his agenda for his term as AMVETS national commander for the 2011-2012 year, and to this end, he will seek to forge strategic relationships between AMVETS and veterans legal advocacy groups, including Justice for Vets and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

READ RESOLUTION 12-26


About NADCP and Justice For Vets:
Drug Courts combine rigorous drug treatment and accountability to compel and support drug-using offenders to change their lives. After 22 years of innovation, there are now over 2,600 Drug Courts located in all 50 states. Since 1994 the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), a non-profit organization 501 (c) (3) representing over 27,000 multi-disciplinary justice professionals and community leaders, has worked tirelessly at the national, state and local level to create and enhance Drug Courts. Now, the Drug Court community is answering the call of duty at home to meet the needs of justice-involved veterans struggling with substance abuse and/or mental illness. In the country’s first Veterans Treatment Courts, veterans have the opportunity to go through the treatment court process with the support of other veterans and a team of court staff that understands military culture and the specific issues with which veterans are faced. NADCP is now recognized as the experts in the field of addiction and the criminal justice system. In 2009, NADCP launched Justice For Vets: The National Clearinghouse for Veterans Treatment Courts with the goal of ensuring a Veterans Treatment Court is within reach of every eligible veteran in need. For more information, visit JusticeForVets.

AMVETS Nominate New National Officers

This afternoon, AMVETS National Executive Director Jim King opened nominations for AMVETS national officers on the National Convention floor.

Past National Commander Bill Kilgore officially nominated Jerry Hotop for National Commander. Hotop's son, Dean Hotop, a veteran of Iraq and an active member of AMVETS, seconded his father's nomination for the organization's highest office.

Hotop currently serves as AMVETS National First Vice Commander.

Other nominations included Pennsylvania's Gary Fry for First Vice Commander, Florida's Cleve Geer for Second Vice Commander, Ohio's Dan Snyder for National Judge Advocate, Tennessee's John Mitchell for National Finance Officer, and Past National Commanders Bill Boettcher, Tom McGriff, and Joseph Lipowski for AMVETS National Service Foundation Trustee.

Nominations for national officers will reopen on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Elections will follow at 11 a.m., with the Joint Installation Ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

To learn more about this year's candidates, check out "In the Running" in the latest issue of American Veteran magazine by Clicking Here.

(Photo: Dean Hotop nominates his father, Jerry Hotop, for AMVETS National Commander. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)

New AMVETS command group elected

At National Convention last week, AMVETS delegates elected the new leadership group for 2009-2010. American Veteran will highlight incoming National Commander Duane Miskulin, First Vice-Commander Jerry Hotop, and Second Vice-Commander Gary Fry.

AMVETS National Commander Duane Miskulin:

Cmdr. Miskulin, a native of Stevens Point, Wisc., has completed his ascent to the post of National Commander, a journey that began with AMVETS nearly two decades ago. Miskulin has held numerous positions at all levels of the organization, starting at his post. Last year, Miskulin served as AMVETS National First Vice-Commander. In a recent interview, Miskulin said his top priority for his term as National Commander will be addressed the mental health needs of veterans, past and present--particularly incidents of traumatic brain injury, which are becoming more and more prevalent on today's battlefield.

AMVETS National First Vice-Commander Jerry Hotop:

Hotop, a native of Perryville, Mo., has been an active member of AMVETS since 1978, serving in leadership positions at the post, department, and national levels. Hotop served three years in the Army before joining the Navy Reserve as a Seabee to serve another six. Hotop owned and operated his own business for 40 years. Since his recent retirement, Hotop has focused on his work with AMVETS. Last year, Hotop served as National Second-Vice Commander.

AMVETS National Second-Vice Commander Gary Fry:

Fry, an Army veteran who served in Germany and later as a sergeant in Vietnam in the late 1960s, was recently elected to his first national command position. Fry has been active with his home Department of Pennsylvania for many years, and most recently served as the state's alternate National Executive Committee representative. Fry has also served as vice chairman of the National Long Range Planning Committee. He is also a member of the national programs and Americanism committees. Fry currently resides in Sugar Grove, Pa., where he has been happily married for 39 years.

At convention, Fertie Brand, Dan Snyder, and Eugene Meyer were each re-elected to their positions as National Finance Officer, National Judge Advocate, and National Provost Marshal, respectively. Past National Commander S. John Sisler and Jimmy T. Smith were also elected to the AMVETS National Service Foundation Board of Trustees.

(Photos: Official AMVETS photos of Duane Miskulin, Jerry Hotop and Gary Fry.)