I want to thank each of you for all that you do to make sure that America and her veterans are taken care of. Many of you have committed so much time, money and energy to send packages to the troops deployed in hostile areas around the world.

As these brave young Americans return home, many are joining our ranks. Please welcome them into your Post. One day they will be the backbone of our organization, or, they will just be former members. It’s up to each of us to make sure that they know how important they are to the future of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

We have a lot of work to do for Illinois to maintain strength in membership. If we are to be able to gain more entitlements and hold on to the ones we have, we must all help. Please ask your neighbor, co-worker, or someone else you know if they are eligible. If they are eligible, ask them to join the greatest veteran’s organization in the world.

Thank you for “Keeping Watch” as “Veterans Serving Forever”

Yours in comradeship,

Richard A. Coombe, Jr., State Commander