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American
GI Forum of the US July
8, 2009 MEMORANDUM
TO: National and State Officers and Members of the
American GI Forum of the United States FROM: Carlos
H. Puertas, Commander, The Col. Joseph C. Rodriguez CMOH , Washington DC
State Forum SUBJECT: Letter of Endorsement for Forumeer Francisco F. Ivarra for National Commander, American GI Forum of the United States. I have
known Francisco F. Ivarra for many years, and indeed it is an honor to
endorse his candidacy for National Commander of the American GI Forum
of the United States. Presently, the American GI Forum of the
United States needs new leadership and new direction, and the Forumeer who
can provide this new leadership and direction that our organization so
badly needs is Francisco F. Ivarra. For the record, Forumeer Ivarra
is a Vietnam Veteran who proved his leadership skills leading his brothers
in arms in the battlefields of Vietnam. He was wounded in action and
is the recipient of many medals and awards for heroism, and very few
Forumeers can match his credentials. Francisco’s
management and administrative skills can be proven by the fact that he is
presently serving on several National Corporate and Veterans Boards of
Directors. Thus, Forumeer Ivarra has the credentials to restore the
dignity, trust and the confidence to make Corporate America true partners
with our organization in our pursuit to achieve our goals on behalf of our
veterans, their families and the Hispanic community. It is my
understanding that the coffers of our organization are almost empty and no
new influx of corporate funding is coming in. With his work
experience with Corporate America, Francisco will be the conduit to secure
Corporate Funding that our organization so badly needs. Forumeers:
Francisco Ivarra, as our National Commander, has the commitment to assist
our veterans who are returning from the battlefields of Iraq, Afghanistan
and other places in the world where our troops are fighting in “harms
way.” He will be a strong advocate for all veterans and their
entitled benefits. Knowing Forumeer Ivarra, he will maintain
the legacy of our Founder, Dr. Hector P. Garcia, by highlighting the
events of his life at every American GI Forum Conference, making certain
that the legacy of our Founder will never be forgotten. Forumeers:
Francisco is the type of leader who coordinates actions with State
Commanders when conducting business in their respective states. He
follows protocol when visiting the various states by notifying the State
Commanders of his visits, and he will not show unannounced. He will
keep every State Commander informed of every action he is working on which
impacts their respective states. As our
Founder Dr. Hector P. Garcia executed recruitment actions of veterans in
various states, Forumeer Ivarra will establish outreach committees to
reach our veterans from Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, the Gulf War, Grenada,
and other places where our troops are in “harms way.” He is
aware of the need to recruit returning warriors and develop new leadership
in the organization. Most of our members are Vietnam Veterans,
Korean Veterans, and some WWII Veterans, and we are not getting any
younger. Our organization needs an influx of new blood and Ivarra is a
Forumeer who will make one of his priorities the recruitment of young
veterans. He supports women’s rights and will help to increase the
membership of women in the ranks of the American GI Forum of the United
States. He is also aware of the need to develop our youth into
future leaders, and this is a priority for him. In every National
Conference our youth are ignored and no attention is given to them, and
this is seriously wrong. Once, I read a letter from a young lady who
was the Youth Chair. She blasted in her letter the National Officers
for their lack of support to the youth program. Without question our
youth should be given the support, attention and respect they deserve.
In
concluding, Forumeers -men, women and youth- do you want our organization
to get ahead toward a positive path and recuperate the respect and
political power that we once had, or do you want to be complacent with
what we presently have? The choice is yours. However, if you believe
that the American GI Forum of the United States needs new direction toward
progress and recuperate the dignity and respect of Corporate America and
Federal, and State governments, and our Hispanic Community, then please
cast your vote for Francisco F. Ivarra. Further, if you believe that
our proud organization, needs to move forward and have accountability to
its members, then cast your vote for a productive, worthy, and secure
future. Vote: Francisco F. Ivarra, National Commander, American GI Forum
of the United States. Respectfully
yours in the American GI Forum of the US, Carlos H.
Puertas, State Commander, Washington DC |