Bette Jean Biedrzycki
2016-2017 National Legislative Ambassador
Social Media, Politics and the 2016 Survey of Veterans
People are passionate about politics and we all love to post our opinions on our personal Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media pages/accounts. However, personal political opinions should NEVER appear on posts on Department and Auxiliary social media pages. In the best interest of our organization, it is vital to only post and share political information that you know to be accurate on Department and Auxiliary social media pages.
The VFW website, communications from VFW and Auxiliary National Headquarters and Action Corps should be your guideline when posting on political topics. The VFW and VFW Auxiliary are nonpartisan organizations and it is important to work on issues affecting our veterans, active-duty military and their families without politicizing them.
The 2016 Survey of Veterans is an example of something acceptable of sharing on Department and Auxiliary social media pages. You may have seen requests for veterans to take survey on numerous social media sites last year. The results have been tabulated below you will find four key takeaways from the survey:
- Four out of five (4 out of 5) veterans think the government is NOT taking sufficient steps to reform the VA.
- Nearly one in four (1 in 4) veterans had difficulty securing a VA appointment within 30 DAYS.
- Two-thirds (2/3) of veterans feel the public does not understand the issues they face.
- More than one third (1/3) of all veterans have turned to a VFW Service Officer for help in filing a claim.
These four issues can be used in communications with YOUR lawmakers to ensure that veterans are respected and their benefits protected on Capitol Hill.
The public must be made aware of the plight of the veteran. These are not benefits; they are rights that were earned through their duty to our country. They were paid in full by the gallantry of those who protect us now, have in the past and will in the future.
As Auxiliary members, our part of this mission is to educate as many patriotic Americans as we can about veterans’ issues and to create awareness of opportunities to recognize and serve veterans in their communities. With nearly half a million members who believe in “Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes,” this mission should be accomplished.
