Monday, June 19, 2006

National Symposium - Young Veterans - Pass It On

National Symposium for the Need of Young Veterans, Chicago, Ill., October
18-21, 2006


Hosted by AMVETS

Q: What is the purpose of the Symposium?
A: The Symposium is intended to engage veterans in a series of discussions
about new ways the veterans benefits system can be modernized and enhanced.
In some respects the Symposium is picking up where the Congressional
Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance Report left
off in 1999. To summarize one of the Transition Commission's key findings,
the veterans benefits system has not been significantly updated or changed
since World War II. The Symposium will bring together a diverse array of
veterans to solicit their opinions and ideas on how the benefits system
should be changed to meet the needs of veterans today and especially younger
veterans.

Hotel Information
The Veterans National Symposium is being held October 18-21, at the
Hyatt Regency O'Hare, just
five minutes from the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The hotel is
situated close to the Rapid Transit Train to downtown Chicago.

The Hyatt Regency O'Hare offers complimentary airport shuttle service to and
from the O' Hare International Airport at fifteen- to twenty-minute
intervals, from 5am to midnight. The hotel shuttle will be at Ground
Transportation outside of baggage claim. Call the hotel for pickup from the
courtesy phone in the baggage claim area from midnight to 5am.

Complete the survey to help guide the issues:



Issues Committee:
Jim Doran, Chair jdoran@amvets.org

The Issues Committee will play a significant role in determining the
Symposium agenda and format. This will include helping to decide the key
benefit issues that will be addressed:

Benefits
. Claims processing
. Education including vocational rehabilitation
. Appeals process

Employment
. Veteran hiring preference
. Transitional Assistance Program (TAP)
. Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP)

Healthcare
. Access
. Quality

Homeless Veterans
. Compensation claims
. Health care
. Employment
. Families

Registration Information
Please call the toll-free reservations line at 1-888-421-1442 and refer to
the AMVETS Veterans National Symposium during October 18-21.

You can get involved with the National Symposium! We're currently forming
committees, taskforces and workgroups, and also need assistance in specific
areas. Please send an e-mail to
symposium@amvets.org if you're interested in sharing your ideas and time in
any of the following areas:

* General volunteer (please provide areas of interest)
* Share your story
* Serve on
a committee

* Report on events
* Work on newsletters
* Donor or
Sponsor

* Identifying
issues

* Speaker
* Logistical work during Symposium

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