by Joyce Thornton
I spent a good part of Veterans Day 2004 reflecting on the sacrifices
that our fellow veterans have made. I once again acknowledged
to myself that these sacrifices allow us as citizens to live our
lives and pursue our dreams without interference from an authoritarian
government.
As I reflected more, the following question came to mind: What
more can we do to help those who have made these sacrifices? The
answer most assuredly involves promoting the BVA Auxiliary both
nationally and locally. We must motivate the supporters and caregivers
of blinded veterans to realize how important the Auxiliary is
to BVA, our parent organization.
In Florida, the BVAA regional group president has been sending
a letter to all BVA members in the state, reminding them that
spouses, sons, daughters, or friends might not realize that they
can be BVAA members. The letter invites them to join the Auxiliary.
We have discovered in Florida that when a blinded veteran is
signed up as a member, a spouse sometimes assumes that he/she
is automatically a member of the Auxiliary. This is not the case.
The result of the aforementioned letter is an increase of 20 new
members in the Florida Regional Group during the past two months.
Transportation to luncheon meetings and state conventions appears
to be a growing problem in Florida. I doubt that this situation
is unique to our state. The Auxiliary president, Joanne King,
is sending out a letter to determine to how many BVA members and
their family members would attend luncheon meetings and state
conventions if they could charter a bus at a reasonable rate.
Blinded veterans and their families riding in one bus would not
only be fun, but would save on the problem of driving long distances.
Please give this a try if you face the dilemma of low membership
and long driving distances.
Keep in mind the Silent Auction beginning August 16, 2005 in
Miami! Help us maintain the scholarship fund for those who wish
to go on to college or trade school, or who wish to advance their
education in any possible way. Although it seems like a long time
away, we cannot afford to relax too much. The time will pass quickly
before our next convention.
I sincerely hope that all Bulletin readers enjoyed a great Thanksgiving.
And, I wish for all of you a Happy Hanukkah, the warmest of Kwanzaas,
a very Merry Christmas, and a promising New Year.
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