AMVETS member John Abshire to serve on La. Gov.'s Veterans' Commission

Last week, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal appointed Louisiana AMVETS member John Abshire to the state’s Veterans' Affairs Commission.

The Veterans' Affairs Commission serves to advise the State Department of Veterans’ Affairs, State Secretary of Veterans Affairs Lane Carson, and the governor on matters relating to the welfare of veterans. Abshire was selected by AMVETS leaders in Louisiana to represent the organization on the governor’s commission.

Abshire is an Army veteran and a native of Prairieville, La., who served in the Army Reserve in 1992-2000 and active duty Army in 2002-2005. However, an injury sustained during Special Forces training precluded him from serving overseas.

In 2007, Abshire helped charter AMVETS Post No. 2007 in Lafayette, recognizing a need to reach out to today’s veterans. Abshire served as the post’s commander until relocating to Baton Rouge. Today, Post No. 2007 is the largest in the state, bolstering a diverse membership including more than a dozen members of the local National Guard unit.

In addition to his work with AMVETS, Abshire is an academic affairs manager for University of Phoenix, a strong educational partner with AMVETS. Over the last couple of years, Abshire’s unique position has allowed him to speak with members of the Louisiana National Guard during pre- and post-deployment battle assemblies on both the benefits of veterans’ organizations like AMVETS and taking advantage of their G.I. Bill education benefits.

Today, Abshire lives in Baton Rouge, La., where he is working to re-establish Louisiana’s first AMVETS Post, Post No. 2, leaving Lafayette Post No. 2007 in the competent hands of AMVET Alfred Lager.

Gov. Jindal’s Veterans’ Affairs Commission is comprised of nine appointed positions, each subject to state senate confirmation. Each member must be an honorably discharged veteran nominated by a nationally chartered veterans’ organization with a Louisiana affiliate.

Many state governors have similar commissions across the country to advise state leaders on critical local veterans’ issues. AMVETS is eager to highlight each of our representatives nationwide on the national Web site and American Veteran Online.

(Photo: John Abshire's official photo from the University of Phoenix. Photo courtesy of John Abshire.)

Live from Convetion: Secretary Shinseki addresses AMVETS delegation

This afternoon, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki addressed the national delegation of AMVETS on the convention floor.

Shinseki took a moment to discuss the compelling history of AMVETS and the vision of the founders, who first met even before WWII had ended.

Shinseki applauded the foresight of the organization, which has evolved considerably over the first 65 years to meet the needs of all veterans.

Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Lane Carson also spoke to the delegation. Carson, a Vietnam veteran and a member of AMVETS, thanked the organization for its hard work over the years; work that is very personal in nature. Carson credits AMVETS with looking out for his best interest when he returned from overseas.

Both secretaries Shinseki and Carson also took the time to address the VA Medical Center issue in New Orleans. The city has been without a flagship facility for four years. A new center was approved, but disputes have delayed the program.

Shinseki assured AMVETS and New Orleans veterans that, "we will build this hospital."

Shinseki also took the time to discuss the Obama Administration's agenda to improve the VA--an agenda AMVETS supports. Shinseki discussed the Administration's drastic increase in VA funding as well as the push to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care.

To read more about Shinski's speech, check back with www.amvets.org tomorrow morning. For all your convention updates, check back regularly with American Veteran Online.

(Photos: Top: Shinseki discusses the history of AMVETS on the floor of the national convention. Bottom: Carson discusses his personal experiences with AMVETS on the floor of the national convention. Photos by Jay Agg.)