by
Neil Appleby
Thank
you for electing me your national president. It is a distinct
honor and privilege. I appreciate the opportunity to continue
serving you and your families.
The BVA
58th National Convention was well attended and most enjoyable.
Our staff and volunteers did yeoman work to keep everything running
smoothly and on schedule.
Shortly
after my return from Myrtle Beach I packed up again and was off
to Iowa City. I attended the National Blinded Veterans TEE Golf
Tournament as an observer. It was quite an experience for a non-golfer.
Director of District 2 Tom Gearhart was also in attendance. It
was nice meeting new people and renewing old acquaintances. This
event was also dependent upon a large cadre of volunteers. Two
of our staffers, Rebecca Vinduska and Stuart Nelson, were part
of this group. Among other things, they arose at daybreak every
morning to help serve us breakfast. Thanks to the TEE Tournament
Committee for the courtesies that were extended to me. Good luck
in your efforts to continue this event.
This
edition of the Bulletin should arrive in your mailboxes in mid-November,
shortly after you have had the chance to stand up and be counted
twice! Election Day and Veterans Day have afforded you the opportunity
to be visible (no pun intended) as veterans. Hopefully you wore
your BVA service cap to the polls when you voted. It would be
nice to prove the critics wrong as they lamely claim that veterans
do not vote in numbers any greater than that of the general population.
On November 11, you hopefully took the opportunity to honor yourself
as well as all veterans, living and dead, by participating in
a public display of patriotism.
The holiday
season is fast approaching. As you gather with family and friends
around the Thanksgiving table, please remember our troops who
are in harm’s way. And, as Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas
get closer, please make a special effort to visit our veterans
in hospitals and nursing homes.
Happy
holidays!
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