VFW Joins Coalition Call to End Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON (October 14, 2013) — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of United States will be calling for an end to the government shutdown alongside other veteran and military service organizations at a 10 a.m. press conference, Tuesday, at the National World War II Memorial.

“The longer the shutdown the more severe the fallout, to now include the impending threat of no disability or survivor benefits checks to millions of disabled veterans and widows at the end of the month,” said VFW National Commander William A. Thien, a Vietnam veteran from Georgetown, Ind. “The failure of Congress and the White House to engage in good-faith bargaining to reopen the government, pay down our debt, and reduce federal spending will financially devastate those who live paycheck to paycheck, and it’s all because of failed elected leadership in Washington who would rather tell you who’s to blame than fix the problem.”

Speaking alongside the VFW at the Tuesday press conference will be other representatives from The Military Coalition, plus the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. The Military Coalition is a group of 33 veteran, military, and uniformed services organizations of more than 5.5 million members who help to create and enhance legislation that benefits America’s veterans, service members and families, as well as to defeat those proposals that harm veteran and military members and families.

WHEN: 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 15, 2013

WHERE: World War II Memorial

SPEAKERS: Leadership and representatives from The Military Coalition, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, the Air Force Sergeants Association, Reserve Officers Association, the National Military Family Association, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

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ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans’ service organization composed of combat veterans and eligible military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans’ organization. With nearly 2 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in more than 7,000 Posts worldwide, “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS.” The VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs worldwide. For more information or to join, visit our website at www.vfw.org.

Contact: Joe Davis, Director of Public Affairs, VFW Washington Office, (o) 202-608-8357, jdavis@vfw.org.