The Official Voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress

May/June 2003
 
 
 

2003 Candidates Statements

 

   

 

Tom Corey

I again ask for your support of my candidacy to serve as your president for another two year term. We still have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us, but each day we get closer to our goal of justice for all veterans.

My time serving you as President has been both rewarding, and challenging. While we still face many of the institutional obstacles we faced in 1978 when we first formed Vietnam Veterans of America, I believe that we are still the most successful veterans service organization in existence.

We have had to make many difficult decisions together, and we will have many more to make in the future, but I believe we serve the best interests of the membership by working together as a team.

I have never made any promises other than continue to serve in the best interest of our membership, and I will make no promises now other than to continue working on your behalf, as I have for the past 23 years.

We must address our issues and determine our positions based on reality, and continue to progress. With the ongoing dedication of our members, and the cooperative effort of our leadership at all levels we will continue our record of accomplishment, even in the face of congressional and DVA resistance.

My commitment to you is to ensure that VVA will be the leading voice for health care, and we will continue our advocacy for all veterans who need our assistance.

Our strength is our ability to choose our battles, prepare for our mission before we move forward, and refuse to compromise our fundamental principles, and I see no reason to change that basic quality of who we are.

We have earned a level respect no one would have ever thought possible in the congress, throughout the administration, and among other VSO's. We consistently present well prepared positions on issues, and our outstanding record of achievement places us in the position of being a principal voice for change in veteran's affairs. The praise we have received both inside and outside the veteran's community strengthens our position of leadership.

In these times of critical budget shortfalls and the continuing war on terrorism, it is our duty to educate the Congress, the administration, and the public at large that quality health care, benefits and other services for veterans is a sacred trust.

To be certain our work is far from over, and we have a great deal of work ahead of us to meet the challenge of anticipating and providing the continuing needs of America's veterans and their families. It is our responsibility to speak up for those veterans who don't have a voice, and we will continue to meet our obligation to those still unaccounted for, and their families who deserve our continued support.

Thank you for your support.

I served with the 1st Air Cavalry in Vietnam, May 1967 - January 31, 1968, and am medically retired due to wounds received in Vietnam.

   

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