As discussion surrounding the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act continues to grow, so do the questions, comments, and misinformation being shared online. Attached is a Quick Response Guide containing short answers to many of the most common questions and arguments we are seeing about this legislation.

I am asking every Department, District, and Post leader to review these responses and begin using them. This means: Posting on your official Department, District, and Post social media pages. Sharing the Action Alert. Responding to comments and questions on your organization’s posts. Engaging respectfully when misinformation is shared online. Encouraging your members to take action and make their voices heard.

Action Alert: votervoice.net/VFW/Campaigns/138035/Respond

We also need leaders to help expand the reach of this message. When posting on social media: Tag your Senators and Representative whenever appropriate.

Encourage your members to comment, share, and react to your posts. Ask your members to amplify VFW content by liking, commenting on, and sharing posts from National, Departments, Districts, and Posts. Share content from other VFW leaders and Departments to help increase visibility. Use your platform to keep this issue in front of veterans and lawmakers.

Every share, comment, reaction, and tag increases the likelihood that Members of Congress and their staff will see that veterans are paying attention to this issue. We also need leaders willing to tell their own story.

Consider recording a short video or writing a post explaining why this issue matters to you personally. Veterans are far more likely to listen to another veteran than they are to an organization. Your voice, your experience, and your credibility matter.

For an example, see VFW National Legislative Committee Member Eric Dudash video here: www.facebook.com/share/r/1GyWabcYGu/ Our opponents are making their case every day. We need VFW leaders making ours. When responding online, remain respectful and professional. We are not trying to win arguments. We are trying to educate veterans, inform policymakers, and build support for protecting earned benefits.

Facts, personal experience, and respectful engagement will always be more effective than anger.

Our position is simple: We support the Major Richard Star Act. We support strengthening programs and services for veterans. We oppose paying for those priorities by reducing earned disability compensation for future veterans. Veterans should not be asked to pay for veterans’ benefits. I

f we don’t engage in these conversations, others will define this issue for us. If we don’t explain why this matters, others will. If we don’t stand up for future generations of veterans, no one else will do it for us.

Every Department, District, and Post has a voice. Every leader has a network. Every member has the ability to help amplify this message. Now is the time to use them. Thank you for your leadership and for standing up for veterans and future generations of veterans.

Please share this email far and wide.

Dan West Adjutant General