Dear Comrades:
As you know, in light of the VFW- PAC endorsements I, along with my leadership team, clearly expressed our deepest concerns to the PAC regarding the negative impact its recent endorsements were having on the organization. We expressed our grave concerns relating to the selection process that, in our opinion, were unintentionally biased toward the incumbent and as a result, patently unfair.
Although the VFW PAC Board of Directors was aware of the magnitude of outrage their decision process had produced among VFW members and supporters, they failed to acknowledge the urgings made by VFW leadership and disregarded the request to rescind all current political endorsements.
In the end, the process and decisions made by PAC failed to represent the best interest of VFW members. The decisions of a relative few have significantly failed the organization and could ultimately hinder the ability of the VFW to fulfill its mandate of service to our nations’ veterans, service members and their families.
For many generations the VFW and its many missions of service have withstood the sands of time. What our members have accomplished for so many years for many people has never been predicated upon loyalty to any political party, persuasion or philosophy. The VFW does not and will not enter the political arena nor embroil itself in partisanship by providing endorsements for political candidates.
Consequently, I have expeditiously moved forward during this critical juncture and have taken significant steps to correct the negative impact this situation is having on the Veterans of Foreign Wars and to regain the trust of our loyal members and supporters. As Commander-in-Chief, I propose to offer a resolution to amend the by-laws at the 112th National Convention for the purpose of dissolving the PAC. Meanwhile, under the authority granted to me as Commander-in-Chief in section 619 of the VFW National By-Laws and under section 620 of the Manual of Procedure I have withdrawn all PAC appointments effective October 15, 2010, thus effectively rendering the PAC inoperable.
The VFW- PAC was created by VFW members and not by VFW national leaders. This is exercised through the VFW convention as the governing body of the organization. As such, it is only the delegates at the convention that can determine the continued existence of the PAC.
Sincerely,
Richard Eubank
VFW National Commander