Appeal for assistance re: veterans

[ChickMagic]

I need some help from all you plugged in and talented people. During the Texas convention, I was able to narrow down my focus to what I want my energy devoted. I have so many issues that I’m passionate about, but what I want to focus on is veterans’ issues.

I joined the Texas Democratic Veterans during the convention. What I want to do is get involved in the network of families who have grievances against the government for the administration’s treatment of active soldiers and veterans. I would like to collect as much information from individuals as possible.

I don’t know how realistic this is, but what I hope for is this: I want to go to Congress and speak to these issues. I have no idea how to accomplish this and for all I know, it’s just a pipe dream.

If any of you can counsel me on how best to collect this information from families and veterans in a way that I can present it, and fill me in on what kind of procedures I need to follow, I would be heavily in your debt.

Thanks in advance! :grouphug:

[Wickerman]

1. Don't know how you get to Congress

but I guess it is similar how you get to Carnegie Hall - practice.

You have a good start. With any project you need lots of planning and an end goal. You have that. One way to proceed from there is to break that goal out into the components that will determine the success of that goal.

What are those several things that will define success?

Then, with each of those things, what needs to happen to make those items contribute to the ultimate success of achieving your end goal?

Break your project out step by step - determine the information sources you will need to achieve your goals. Determine the help you will require from others, etc.

Then track your progress on each goal and make adjustments.

Its a great project, best wishes to you.

[ChickMagic]

3. Thank you for that

I just want to jump in, but you're right. I do need to break this down. Thank you for your advice.

[sandnsea]

2. Try here?

There's some very active vets here. They will probably want to get to know you before they jump in too much. They have alot of projects going on and some of them are kind of busy. There's also alot of stories in this forum. Breaks your heart.

http://forum.johnkerry.com/index.php?showforum=2

[ChickMagic]

4. That's great

Thank you for the link. With my family's military background and my Dad's experience in the Bataan Death March, hopefully I'll be able to gain their trust before too long.

[ChickMagic]

5. kick

[Ezlivin]

6. As a Disabled Vet...

...I can recommend both the PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America) and DAV (Disabled American Veterans) as good sources of information concerning veterans' health care.

I spent four hours at the VA yesterday on a "slow" day. There were no doctors available. And this is before all the recently injured veterans are in the system.

[ChickMagic]

7. That's disgusting

That's exactly the kind of thing I want to deal with. Thank you very much for the links - I've tried the link posted earlier but have had no responses yet. I'm going to PM you the letter I sent. Thank you for your service. :hug: