In last week's column I told you to save the Commission on the Future for America's Veterans' ("ComFAV" or the "Commission") URL (http://future4vets.org/); that they just might provide us with the effective voice we Veterans need. Next Wednesday you will have a chance to hear their "voice" for yourselves. ComFAV's Webcast Virtual Town Hall Meetings "We are very pleased to expand our activities beyond the confines of auditoriums and conference rooms through the use of modern technology that allows anyone with a computer and an Internet connection to fully take part in our meetings," said Harry N. Walters, Managing Commissioner and former VA Administrator. "Not only will web participants see and hear the same things as the live audience, they will also be able to submit comments and questions over the Internet to the Commissioners," said Walters. "The shocking stories about living conditions for many of our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center bring home the problems that can occur when a health care system is strained to the breaking point," Walters said. "With a looming budget crisis facing the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal programs, it is absolutely imperative that we begin planning today to ensure that our future veterans get the treatment they deserve. That's what this Commission is all about: looking at the system today, envisioning where it needs to be in the future, and developing plans to get there from here," Walters said. Wednesday March 14, 2007, 1900 Hours ComFAV announced the first Webcast of it's Town Hall Meeting series, "Conversation on the Future for America's Veterans," which will take place on Wednesday, March 14, 2007, from 7 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. The Town Hall meeting will originate from Tampa, Florida, where the Commission will be conducting a number of visits and meetings next week. The purpose of the "Conversation" is to actively engage the American people in helping the Commission develop a long term, strategic plan for meeting the needs of veterans decades into the future. Participants of this Webcast will be able to listen to the entire meeting online, view any materials presented, and will also have the opportunity to pose questions and comments to the panel at any time during the meeting via Web Q&A. To Watch This First I Must... Prior to the day of the Meeting, you need to test your system at (http://www.vcall.com/vcall/system_test.asp) by simply clicking on the orange "Test My Computer First" button. Please note, you may need to install a few things (Java plug-in, Macromedia Flash player, etc.) if your computer does not already have them installed. A complete list of system requirements can be found at: (http://www.vcall.com/vcall/requirements.asp). Then on Wednesday I Need To... On Wednesday, March 14th, at 7 pm ET, it is recommended you login 15 minutes prior to the 7pm start time, follow these three simple steps: 1. Go to: (http://www.vcall.com/vcall/participant_login.htm); 2. Enter your first name, last name, and email address, and; 3. Enter the room number 82882. As A Reminder The Commission on the Future for America's Veterans began operating in September 2006 as a private, independent, analytical body to examine the needs of veterans 20 years in the future, and develop recommendations for how the federal government should meet those needs. Over the next 15 months, the Commission will continue holding meetings and conducting research to develop and deliver recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the America public by Memorial Day 2008. The Commission was created by the Veterans Coalition, an organization comprised of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and AMVETS; with assistance from Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Blinded American Veterans Foundation, Jewish War Veterans, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). The Commission is currently engaged in a multi-state tour entitled "Conversations on the Future for America's Veterans", actively seeking input from military veterans, veterans' experts, and other Americans interested in supporting veterans. The "Conversation" began at Charleston, West Virginia in January, continues with another Town Hall meeting on March 14 in Tampa, Florida and next goes to San Diego, California at the end of May. All future town hall meetings of the Commission will be broadcast as 'virtual' town hall meetings on the web. --- Regards, Walt Schmidt