11/09-11/09
Veterans Day

We left Maine for an intense 3 days in Washington, DC, for Veterans Day. National Adjutant Wheeler and I proceeded to the White House to witness the President sign an Executive Order. It turned out that only 3 VSOs were invited: The American Legion, VFW and DAV. I was the only National Commander present, so got to be first behind the three Cabinet members: Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Labor and Secretary of VA. As you can see from the picture that is on the web site, I stood directly behind and to the right of the President. Watching a bill being signed was obviously a new experience for me. The President signs his name one letter at a time to utilize all the ink pens that are available for signing. The pens are then taken away by a staffer for distribution at a later date, so that no one present feels bad about not getting a pen. This Executive Order establishes a Council on Veterans Employment that will be co-chaired by the Secretaries of Labor and Veterans Affairs. It also creates a Veterans Employment Program Office within most federal agencies that will be tasked with helping vets identify job opportunities, assist with job applications and help with the transition from the military to the civilian job when hired. This is a great step forward for veterans seeking employment.

After leaving the White House, we filmed a short video with the White House in the background about the significance of this EO. This is part of the National Adjutant’s new initiative to beef up our presence on the social networks. Most of this week, Marty Callaghan will video, Craig Roberts will take photos and Steve Brooks will write. Goal is to make communications for these type events more timely in all media. My Aide continues to take pictures for posting on the web site. It’s a great concept and we’ll be working hard to make it work. If you have any feedback, please provide it to the magazine division in Indianapolis. We proceed to a dinner with the Executive Director of the Student’s Veterans Assn (SVA) Derek Blumberg and Vietnam Veterans Institute’s J. Eldon (Jer) Yates. The American Legion will partner with these two organizations to hold a conference at our annual Washington Conference on “Opportunities and Challenges to Educate Veterans in the 21st Century.” Goal is to assist Institutes of Higher Learning foster and encourage veterans in the pursuit of higher education and to create a strategic plan to address any issues that arise.

Tuesday was the Marine Corps 234th birthday, and I sent a tweet to acknowledge their service. It is also our American Legion Auxiliary’s 90th birthday, and Sesame Street’s 40th birthday. I went to the Pentagon with National President Rita for a breakfast. Secretary of Defense Gates was originally going to host the event, but he accompanied POTUS to Ft Hood. Deputy Secretary Lynn hosted the event, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Conway, was the only service chief to attend. The VFW and their Auxiliary, AMVETS, Jewish War Veterans and Gold Star Mothers President were also present. After breakfast, we were given a brief update on the effort to digitize military records so there is one record cradle to grave, latest PTSD and TBI initiatives, and some interesting initiatives in DOD schools. Once again, we did a brief film as a wrap-up for the breakfast.

I did a radio interview with Ryan Schlader of WMT Radio 600 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Mostly about Veterans Day, but included the EO and what activities Posts do on a regular basis. We then proceeded to Bethesda National Naval Medical Center to visit with wounded warriors. Had a great briefing on their TBI initiatives which encompass the full spectrum of treatment from psychiatric to surgical. It is extremely impressive. We visited a number of patients, and, as with every other center we’ve visited, they are upbeat and eager to return to their units. We saw some unbelievably dedicated parents totally immersed in their child’s treatment. There are a lot of ongoing projects, and treatment can only get better.

Back at the office, I had a short interview with Joe Davidson of the Washington Post about the EO. Assured him this was a positive step forward for veterans employment. I’m told I was quoted in the article, but haven’t seen it yet. We then proceeded to The Catholic University of America, where I was the featured speaker at their Veterans Day ceremony. They fly the Pope’s flag as his University, the only one in the US so designated. The event was well attended by their Army ROTC unit, by Legionnaires from the Department of DC (including the Department Commander, a graduate) and by other students. This was a very positive event, and my remarks were well received. Many students talked to me at the post service reception, and expressed their appreciation for The American Legion accepting this opportunity. Derek Blumberg of the SVA was there as they are starting a Chapter on campus. Dean Thompson was very interested in the success of the SVA effort, and volunteered to help with our proposed conference at the Washington Conference.

I was up at 0500 on Veterans Day as I had two early radio interviews. First was on the John Gambling show on WOR Radio New York live. He had a lot of questions about what I see is the difference between the youth serving today and those I served with. Also talked about the importance of getting veterans into the schools to give students a first hand account of what it means to serve. Next interview was with Tom Graver of GI Radio Network which is doing a telethon called Support Our Servicemen with Ben Vereen as the host. We talked about my schedule during the day. I was able to relate in detail what support The American Legion is offering to the families at Ft Hood.

Peter Gaytan, Liz and I went to the White House for breakfast. We stood in line in the cold and rain for about 45 minutes before we got in. It is a cold, rainy, miserable day weather-wise in DC. I’m sure the regulars are used to it, but I didn’t know bagels came as small as those on the tray. There was less than a teaspoon full of egg on them with a little piece of bacon, little triangles of French toast. A military aid comes to each table of 10 and tells them how to arrange themselves (5 sitting, 5 standing) on which side of the table and where to leave the gap for the President and 1st Lady. They come by, talk to each person, get the picture taken and go to the next table. We stay in place for the Vice President and his wife to repeat the process. We then exited to buses for the trip to Arlington.

At Arlington, we line up in order with our guest as they call our organization out, then proceed to the steps facing the crypt of the Unknown Soldier. It’s a little counter-productive to have an umbrella as the runoff from the umbrellas is worse than the rain. When the President arrives to lay the wreath, we all put our umbrellas down. For about 20 minutes, we get drenched. We then follow the President to the amphitheater. Liz splits to the box taking the umbrella, and I go to the podium area that is covered. I sent tweets as each part of the ceremony proceeds. The VA co-hosts the ceremony with a VSO, this year’s co-host was the PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America). The co-host rotates each year. This was a very solemn ceremony, which starts with the march in of the colors for every VSO present which is impressive. I couldn’t see any empty seats in the sea of umbrellas in the audience.

After the ceremony, we meet up again for the trip to the Vietnam Wall for the service there. I did a radio interview with WBZ Radio Boston on arrival. It is hard to estimate how many are there as they are everywhere, and speakers are spread out to cover a lot of the mall area. Once again, the umbrellas were a little useless. I sit on the stage with the other VSOs. The ceremony is a little disjointed and disorganized, a lot of their notes get too wet to read and some of them only speak about deceased veterans, but it is a very interactive affair and is obviously well received. I join the others in laying a wreath at the wall. It takes about 3 hours for this event, and it is as cold and wet as I have been since I left the service.

This is the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, and veterans who participated have been holding reunion events all week. Today’s is in the Eisenhower office building section of the White House hosted by the Vice President. It was scheduled for 3:30, and Liz and I don’t get through security and to the site until 3:45 to find we are the only ones not to get notified that the Vice President is in briefings with the President and it will be 5:00 now. So we get to greet a lot of the people who arrive. We are sitting in the front row, and no other VSO has an assigned seat. There are Ambassadors to UK, France, Germany, Canada & Malta, Attache’s from Australia, New Zealand & South Africa. The Chairman of their reunion group opens the event and is really good. The Secretary of the Air Force makes comments and the Vice President speaks for about 10 minutes on the importance of what they accomplished. After the principals leave, I ask the Chairman why The American Legion is the only VSO present, and he says all were invited, we were the only group that accepted.

We then proceed to the Homewood Suites where they are holding their final banquet. When we get to the formal speakers, BGEN Yildrim, Defense and Air Attache of the Republic of Turkey speaks first. An email is read for Chris Simpkins, the Director-General of the Royal British Legion. Keynote remarks are given by LeGen Perret (French Air Force-Retirred). I am the final keynote speaker after all those who represented various Allied Forces who participated. A dozen or so of these veterans thank me for being there and addressing them. I think this was a big plus for The American Legion.

Other than the inside ceremonies, Marty, Craig and Steve are filming, taking pictures and interviewing to provide as occurring coverage of these events.