Dear Veteran Leader:

Recently the Secretary of Veterans Affairs launched a program to encourage all veterans to wear their medals and campaign ribbons, etc. on Veterans Day and of Memorial Day and other suitable days of commemoration, as a way of visibly taking pride in your military service.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) believes “Veterans’ Pride” is a good idea, and we encourage you to do show your pride in service by doing as the Secretary asked.

However, it is even more important that you wear your medals and campaign ribbons or something that identifies you as a veteran when you go to the polls on Election Day.

Further, we ask that you encourage every vet and every veteran leader you know in your state and community to do the same thing on November 7, 2006, and to be visible as veterans when they vote.

Many people in Washington, even elected officials, mistakenly believe that “veterans don’t vote” in any significant numbers. This diminishes our ability to press for needed appropriations and other legislation.

Nobody would have the opportunity to vote is a free election in the United Sates if it were not for the sacrifices and hardships borne by every generation of American veterans from the Revolutionary War to the present.

Show your Veterans’ Pride in Voting for America this coming November 7th and every year into the future!