ARTHUR PECK, CHAIRMAN
913 South Valley Street
Anaheim, CA 92804-4418
(714) 533-4127 --FAX (714) 533-0453

     The title “Hospital Committee” has changed to “Veterans Care Committee” to make our comrades aware that this program encompasses much more than just hospital visits. “Veterans Care” is about care for all veterans. If veterans are unable to drive a car and you take them to the Post for a meeting or even just to visit, take them shopping, take them for medical treatment, and the list goes on - this is reportable as “Veterans Care”. Also hospital visitations and/or donations of any sort to hospitals and nursing homes, Golden Age Activities, Wheelchair Games and, again the list goes on - this also is reportable items for “Veterans Care”. As in the past, next to Service, this is one of our most important functions.

     Hospital work is the most important job the VFW can do next to Service. Visiting our comrades and sisters who are in hospitals and rest homes. We have a lot of veterans now that is in the hospital and convalescent or rest homes that need us to come and visit. Some of them are members of our Posts and Auxiliaries. The most important time we can spend is to stop by and visit there and put a smile on their face.

     Coordinate your activities with hospital or nursing home management staff, so they know when we have planned visits. Invite members of your Post and Auxiliaries to go with you on your visit. As members of the VFW, our responsibility is to help our comrades with their rehabilitation. Remember, we are Veterans Helping Veterans.

REPORTING:

     Reporting starts May 1, 2001 and ends April 30, 2002. Send all reports to the Department Headquarters. Without these reports we cannot give the recognition for the work the Post and Auxiliaries are doing.

     The VFW Hospital Evaluation Data Sheet (CAVFW - FORM 16) and Post Hospital/Rehabilitation Reports (CAVFW - FORM 17) are found in the back of this book.

     The Committee again will be charged with the responsibility of placing a renewed emphasis on the VFW’s commitment to hospitalized veterans.

Our mission is to:

     1. Promote volunteerism, recreational activities and visitations for veterans in VA and community facilities, to include nursing homes and activities in support of home- based care patients.
     2. Provide a mechanism for recognizing outstanding performance and achievements by health care providers and volunteers.
     3. Inform and disseminate program information at the Post, District, County and Department levels.
     4. Generate enthusiasm and participation in all Committee programs to include the VA - VFW Sponsored Golden Age Games.
     5. Ensure VFW Posts report their hospital activities to the Department Chairman so such documentation can be consolidated and used by Department Office as they deem necessary.

     In order to facilitate the National Committees activities, Commanders at all levels are encouraged to appoint their own Veterans Care Committee. The Committee should be charged with the responsibility to disseminate program materials and information; maintain an accurate account of Post activities; establish a VFW Outstanding Volunteer and Health Care Provider of the Year Awards Program and select the most worthy candidate in each award category to be forwarded through the chain of command to the Director, National Veterans Service for consideration. The Committee should also promote and encourage Posts to support participants in the VA - VFW Co-Sponsored National Veterans Golden Age Games.

     I am well aware that many Departments already have Committees which do an excellent job reporting program activities and statistics in addition to providing awards and recognition for outstanding performances. The workings of this National Committee are not to detract from your present programs, but to augment your efforts by offering an opportunity to expand your program and gain National recognition. It is my desire that all Posts participate in the National Veterans Care Committee programs.

REPORTING: It is not necessary to provide Post, District or Department reports to the National Veterans Care Committee. Such documentation should continue to be used as deemed necessary by each individual Department, to include crediting as a Community Activities Program.

     All reports must conform to your Department Reporting process. Post Chairmen are instructed
to contact their Department Chairman for appropriate guidelines and procedures.

GOLDEN AGE GAMES

     The 2001 National Veterans Golden Age Games, which are co-sponsored by the VA and the VFW will be hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System (Dallas VAMC) and will be held in Duncanville, Texas, June 9-15, 2001.

     This is a national multi-event sport and recreational competition for veterans, age 55 and older, which are currently receiving health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Sports and recreation are integral components in VA rehabilitative medicine and play a major role in the lives of older veterans at all VA hospitals. The VFW, through sponsoring this event, demonstrates its commitment to improving the quality of life for older veterans while fostering better health through sports competition. Events in the open division consist of swimming, bicycling, pentathlon, (shot-put, discus, softball hit, 50-yard walk, basketball free throw), table tennis, dominoes, tennis, shuffleboard, horseshoes, eight-ball, bowling, checkers and croquet. Wheelchair Division events include horseshoes, shuffleboard, bowling, table tennis, swimming, eight-ball and also a pentathlon.

     Funding for veteran-patients who are participants in the Games is provided by donations to the VA medical facility that the veteran represents. This constitutes one of the first means through which a VFW Post can ensure the success of these games.

     Accordingly, Commanders at all levels, are encouraged to sponsor one or more veteran-patients by contributing funds to help offset the costs associated with transportation and lodging of patients at the Games. Donations for veterans participating in the Games can be made through your local VA Medical Center, Office of Voluntary Services, earmarked for Golden Age Game participants. I challenge each of you to begin raising funds to sponsor veteran-patients, so they may attend the Golden Age Games this year

VETERANS CARE COMMITTEE AWARDS PROGRAM:

     I have authorized the continuation and presentation of the VFW Outstanding Volunteer and Health Care Employee of the Year Awards. These awards will be presented to individuals selected for exemplary service to veterans and their families. This initiative should not be confused with the VFW Community and VAVS Volunteer Awards Programs. The hospital awards will be presented to the selected nominee in each category at the Community Service Conference in Washington, DC. See attached Program Guidelines.

     I conclude by requesting that all Posts make a concerted effort to rejuvenate their VA and community Voluntary Service Programs. We need your help to recruit additional VFW health care volunteers. By working together, I know we can all have a successful year.