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.

Must-sees in the Big Easy: Luke and the Besh restaurants

A few short blocks from the Sheraton New Orleans, you can find a friendly, up-scale corner restaurant and bar with a menu full of gems based on traditional French and German cuisine--with an unmistakable touch of Southern Louisiana.

The Luke Restaurant, located at 333 St. Charles Ave., in the Hilton hotel, is a traditional brasserie from Chef John Besh and Blake LeMaire. Besh, a Marine Corps veteran of the Gulf War, is well known in the New Orleans community and around the country. LeMaire, whom Besh calls the "businessman" behind their ventures, is a Marine Corps friend of Besh's, who recently served in Afghanistan.

You may recognize Besh's face from Next Iron Chef on the Food Network or Top Chef Masters on Bravo. Besh's restaurants have earned James Beard Foundation awards and are consistently named among the best in Louisiana.

According to LeMaire, what Besh and Chef Steven McHugh bring to the table at Luke is a wealth of culinary experience and a love for German and French cuisine. This passion is reflected in the menu through such staples as the croque monsieur, flamenkueche, shrimp "en cocette," or even the Luke Burger.

Luke also features a full raw bar and three locally-crafted beers brewed exclusively for the restaurant.

The environment is relaxed and the staff is courteous and attentive.

Within walking distance of the Sheraton New Orleans, Besh also has two additional restaurants. For an unforgettable formal dining experience, visit August at 301 Tschoupitoulas Street. If you're interested in a steak, visit Besh Steak House inside the Harrah's Casino. All of the Besh restaurants are veteran-owned businesses.

Chef John Besh and Blake LeMaire sat down with American Veteran magazine this week in New Orleans. Be on the look-out for the fall issue of American Veteran, where we will highlight Besh, LeMaire, their military service, and the way the Marine Corps has helped mold their mastery of the restaurant industry.

(Photo: The bar at Luke Restaurant. To the left, you can see the Marine Corps sabres hanging over the bar, as well as the unmistakable eagle, globe and anchor on the wall. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)

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.)

Live from Convention: Opening ceremonies underway

With a thunderous crack of the giant ceremonial gavel, AMVETS National Convention was officially called to order at the Sheraton New Orleans this afternoon. Hundreds of veterans and their loved ones from across the country were on hand for the ceremony.

AMVETS National Color Guard from Hagerstown AMVETS Post No. 10 in Maryland presented the colors, as the Marine Corps Band played the National Anthem.

The call-to-order and introduction of national officers and distinguished guests from Taiwan's Department of Veterans Affairs was followed by a somber POW/MIA ceremony.

Later today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki will address the delegation along with Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs Lane Carson.

Check back shortly at American Veteran Online for updates on today's events.

(Photos: Top: AMVETS National Commander John C. Hapner receives an award from Taiwan Veterans Affairs Secretary General Tai-Chen Cha. Bottom: Hagerstown AMVETS conducted the POW/MIA ceremony. Photos by Jay Agg.)

Must-sees in the Big Easy: Cafe Du Monde

AMVETS has come to the Big Easy. While the days will be filled with forging the way forward for one of the nation's largest and most inclusive veterans' service organizations, that doesn't mean the hundreds of veterans who have gathered here in New Orleans can't take advantage of all the city has to offer.

Throughout the week, American Veteran Online will highlight some of the hot spots around New Orleans.

The first institution we'll highlight is Cafe Du Monde.

Cafe Du Monde, located on Decatur Street, is a must-see for any visitor to the French Quarter. Opened in 1863, it is a classic French Cafe, serving beignets doused in powdered sugar and coffee with a hint of Chicory.

From the Sheraton New Orleans, it's about a five block walk down Decatur Street to the original Cafe Du Monde. The original location is open 24/7, only closed on Christmas Day. Six other locations are scattered around the New Orleans metro area, and hours vary.

Be sure to endulge in classic French confection while you enjoy the historic French Quarter.

Check back with American Veteran Online tomorrow afternoon when we highlight the legendary Pat O'Brien's Hurricane.

(Photo: Beignets at the original Cafe Du Monde in the New Orleans French Quarter. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)

This Week at American Veteran

This week, AMVETS is in New Orleans, La. for the 65th annual AMVETS National Convention. American Veteran Online will be reporting from the convention with everything you need to know about AMVETS. To view the official AMVETS release about convention, Click Here.

We will be updating regularly with photos and status on AMVETS' resolutions and officer elections for the coming year. We will also highlight New Orleans hot spots to check out around the city.

As convention rolls on, American Veteran will also keep you up to date on the latest news in the veterans' community. Check back regularly for updates.

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.)

Logo Unveiled for 21st Century Veterans Symposium

This morning, AMVETS National Headquarters unveiled the logo for this summer's symposium on the needs of 21st Century Veterans, which will take place during the 65th annual AMVETS National Convention in New Orleans this August. Details of this summer's meeting are still being hammered out as headquarters continues to muster support for the event.

In the coming weeks, distinguished subject-matter experts and leaders will receive their invitations, as departments ramp up their recruitment efforts for participants.

The 2009 AMVETS Symposium for 21st Century Veterans will be a follow-on to AMVETS' 2006 National Symposium on the Needs of Young Veterans. The 2009 symposium will address dozens of the issues raised in 2006, identifying problems-solved and shortcomings. Symposium participants will also discuss new issues that may have arisen over the last three years, compiling a new report to guide the work of AMVETS in meeting the needs of our latest generation of combat veterans.

As convention draws closer, more information will be available online. In the meantime, check in with American Veteran Online for updates on the symposium.

To view the report from AMVETS' 2006 National Symposium on the Needs of Young Veterans, Click Here.