If you have questions about the Symposium we invite you to review this page. If you don’t see your question addressed here, please email us at symposium@amvets.org.

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.

Q: When are where will it be held?
A: The Symposium is being planned for October 18-21, 2006 in Chicago, Ill. The location was selected because of its relative accessibility from around the country.

Q: Who is involved in creating the Symposium?
A: The Honorable Anthony J. Principi, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) is co chairing the Symposium Steering Committee with AMVETS Past National Commander William Boettcher. In addition, AMVETS members and nonmembers are taking an active role on three additional committees. These include the Issues and Agenda Committee, the Development Committee and the Field Committees. The Steering Committee has overall responsibility for the Symposium and is coordinating the work of the three committees. In addition, outside organizations will be asked to participate in the Symposium.

Q: Why is AMVETS developing the Symposium?
A: Our core mission is to help veterans. The Symposium will help us do this work better as we believe it will other organizations like ours. We are directly involved in assisting veterans obtain their earned benefits. Yet all too often we talk with veterans and their families who have been given short shrift when it comes to obtaining basic services such as health care. These are services America has promised to provide for veterans and their families. Yet because of budget shortfalls, poor planning or both, veterans wind up on the short end. The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are creating a whole new generation of veterans. Through the Symposium we want to demonstrate how the veterans benefits system must be changed if we are to keep our promise to those who serve.

Q: What does AMVETS hope to achieve?
A: Our goal is to shine a spotlight on the needs of veterans, especially veterans who are or will be returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We want to gain the consensus of veterans regarding what needs to be done to enhance and modernize the benefits system. The Symposium will help us do just that.

Q: Who can attend?
A. The Symposium is open to all veterans regardless of whether they belong to AMVETS or not. We only ask that those interested in participating come prepared to work respectfully with other veterans in facilitated meetings. We are especially eager to have attendance by younger veterans.

Q: What kind of topics will be included?
A: The Issues Committee is currently reviewing the various topics that will be on the Symposium agenda. Major issues such as health care, education and employment and training will certainly be addressed. However there will be other emerging issues such as how best to provide benefits to National Guard and Reserve members who are being deployed to combat zones for extended periods of time.