Nov 12, 2010
Please allow me the opportunity to assure you, our loyal supporters and the veteran community, that our mission of service is the driving force behind everything we do.
Recent political endorsements by a separate organization have called that assurance into question, and as VFW national commander, the responsibility falls on me to ensure that any questions you may have about the integrity of the VFW are answered.
First of all, I am deeply sorry because many of you were disappointed, angered or felt betrayed following the endorsements made by the PAC. The process used by the PAC was clearly biased toward the incumbent and as a result, patently unfair.
Again, I want to stress that the PAC is a separate organization from the VFW, and I also want to make it clear that the VFW does not and will not enter the political arena nor ever embroil itself in partisanship by providing endorsements for political candidates.
As VFW national commander, I 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 Meanwhile, under the authority granted to me, I have withdrawn all PAC appointments effective October 15, 2010, thus effectively rendering the PAC inoperable.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 was 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.
The confusion surrounding the relationship between the VFW and PAC disrupted our delivery of services to those who deserve it most--our service members, veterans and the families of both, who depend on us. Words cannot express how truly sorry we are for the concern and frustration you experienced. This is especially saddening because the VFW was founded on the promise to ensure that no veteran will ever again be left to care for themselves.
We are also committed to you, our valued supporter, and I am hoping the immediate corrective steps I have taken will enable you to regain your confidence in us.
I invite you to learn more at www.vfw.org. Nothing is more important than fulfilling our mandate of service and regaining your trust.
Sincerely,
Richard Eubank
Commander-in-Chief