Legislative: Respond and Reshape the Future

Respond and Reshape the Future

After a great year of sharing the Legislative Program concepts with everyone, it time is to say “Mahalo and Aloha.” Please continue to advocate for veterans, military personnel, and our community’s needs. There are two contrasting events facing us at this time: COVID-19 and the 2020 Census. Each of these events will heavily impact our future.

Coronavirus
My heart breaks for the loss of loved ones due to Covid-19 in our veteran population and citizens throughout United States of America. I hope and pray that all remain safe, healthy, and respectful of others, and stay in contact with our veterans during this pandemic.

United States Census
Every 10 years, the U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population. The census will count everyone who lives in the United States as of April 1, 2020. Help shape your future, and your community’s future and respond to the U.S. 2020 Census. Counting everyone helps communities receive funding needed for health care, education and emergency services; helps determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives; and federal funds to be allocated by state, local, and federal lawmakers every year for the next 10 years, including services for veterans. Check out the 2020 Census Community Benefits Toolkit, which is designed to help you inform your family, friends, and neighbors about the importance of responding to the 2020 Census.

Vote your Future
We, as a country, are governed by the Right to Vote. It is an honor, a privilege and a responsibility of all citizens. We need to exercise it at every opportunity. Let’s position ourselves to take advantage of veteran-friendly candidates, encourage others to go to the polls, and if needed, provide veterans transportation and vote on Election Day. Leave “I Vote in Honor of a United States Veteran” stickers at events throughout the community and encourage all to vote for veteran-friendly candidates.

VFW Auxiliary Involvement in Elections and Political Activities
Between now and elections in November, we will have many opportunities to campaign and vote for the candidates of our choice. Take time to assess the needs for our veterans among the candidates running for government offices without politicizing them. It is important to know that the VFW and VFW Auxiliary are nonpartisan organizations. The VFW and VFW Auxiliary websites both have information that should be your guideline as well as that of the VFW Action Corps. Here are our Do’s and Don’ts for Involvement in Elections and Political Activities.

DO’s

• Do attend candidate Town Hall Meetings and other events and ask candidates where they stand on veterans issues.
• Do set up voter registration drives/Get out the Vote campaigns on the local level.
• Do provide carpool service on Election Day to help the elderly and disabled get to the voting booth.
• Do support and work for your favorite candidates as a voting constituent.
• Do wear clothing/pins with the VFW Auxiliary emblem at public events such as town halls, rallies, forums and/or debates.

DON’Ts

• Don’t endorse candidates on behalf of the VFW Auxiliary National Organization, Department, District or Auxiliary.
• Don’t wear your VFW Auxiliary cap when actively campaigning for a candidate, such as soliciting donations or knocking on doors asking people to pledge their vote for a candidate.

It does not matter which candidate(s) you support as long as they know you are a VFW Auxiliary member and concerned about veterans, our military personnel and their families. The key is to stay informed on the issues and use your influence to urge new candidates and those up for re-election to support the VFW, VFW Auxiliary and veterans issues.

With admiration, I thank you for all you have done and will do to support the Legislative Program, our organization and our veterans.