It is sure to be the premier veterans event of the new millennium, and if you pre-register in the next few days, it will only cost $15.

But that offer is coming to a close. At the end of Monday, Sept. 18, the National Symposium for the Needs of Young Veterans early-bird pre-registration offer will expire, and the full registration price of $30 will stand until Oct. 2, at which point the fee goes up to $50.

Anyone who registers between now and Sept. 18 will receive 50 percent off the $30 fee in the form of a $15 refund paid the day the registrant arrives at the Symposium.

You now can register online. Plus, early registration is important, as space is limited in each work group and advance research materials are being sent to pre-registrants.

More information on registration and hotel reservations is available below and HERE.

Another unique opportunity has just been added to the Symposium’s already packed program. Those who created the critically acclaimed documentary THE WAR TAPES will be on hand the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 18, to screen the powerful film and discuss what it took to produce the first war movie filmed by soldiers themselves.

While thousands have died or have been injured in Iraq, hundreds of thousands have returned alive. THE WAR TAPES is the untold story of the American troops who never make the evening news. It is the story shared by every surviving warrior in history — about how they stumbled, how they triumphed, how they became something greater than they imagined possible, and how they lost (and strengthened) a part of themselves in the process.

See the preview by clicking HERE.

THE WAR TAPES is Operation Iraqi Freedom as filmed by Sgt. Steve Pink, Sgt. Zack Bazzi, and Spc. Mike Moriarty.

Steve is a wisecracking carpenter who aspires to be a writer. Zack is a Lebanese-American university student who loves to travel and is fluent in Arabic. Mike is a father who seeks honor and redemption. Each leaves a woman behind — a girlfriend, a mother, and a wife.

Through their candid footage, these men open their hearts and take us on an unforgettable journey, capturing camaraderie and humor along with the brutal and terrifying experiences they face.

The film, directed by Deborah Scranton, and produced by Robert May (THE FOG OF WAR) and Steve James (HOOP DREAMS), recently won the award for Best Documentary at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival.

NOTE: Only registered Symposium participants may attend this or any other event at the Symposium.

Those of us in the veteran advocacy arena deal with the issues and the hierarchy of the U.S. Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, and Veteran Affairs, as well as the House and Senate Committees on Veteran Affairs and the Office of Personnel Management, on a daily basis. We see the same flaws so often that it’s reached a point where we don’t see them anymore.

We need your youth, vigor, and vision to examine these issues. Tell us what you perceive to be the problems, and give us suggestions on how to resolve the system.

Our Symposium on the Needs of Young Veterans will consist of 55 separate work groups looking at 35 different subject areas. These subject areas are: CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LIST.

The Veterans National Symposium is being held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare (use special event code 26168 for the best rate), just five minutes from the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The hotel is situated close to the Rapid Transit Train to downtown Chicago.

Reservations can be made online HERE. Or by calling the toll-free reservations line at 1-888-421-1442 and refer to the AMVETS Veterans National Symposium (special event code 26168).

Reservations made after Sept. 22 will be processed on space and rate availability.

Please be prepared to give the following information when making your reservations:
• Event code (26168)
• Name, and if sharing room, with whom
• Address
• Telephone number
• Arrival day and date / Departure day and date / Confirm the number of nights
• Number of rooms and the number of people in each room
• Advise if you require a handicap accessible room
• Smoking or non-smoking
• King bed or two double beds RATE: $151.00 (single/double); $176 (triple); $196 (quad) + state and local taxes (currently 13%) . Rate will be honored 3 days before/after reunion dates, based on availability. Reservations must be guaranteed by credit card.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Deposit is refundable if reservation is cancelled 24 hours prior to date of arrival.

Veterans should determine the future of veterans. So veterans and future veterans of all ages need to be in Chicago Oct. 18-21. But there are many who will not attend because they cannot afford to travel or simply because they don’t about the symposium. This where you can help.

Many AMVETS posts nationwide, as well as posts from other veterans and fraternal organizations, are raising funds to send local veterans to the symposium so that their voices can be heard and so that they can be part of devising the action plan to meet the needs of young veterans now and in the future. The symposium’s organizers encourage you and your groups to do the same. Whether you are providing a partial scholarship or a full ride, those you send will surely benefit from your generosity for the rest of their lives.

If you plan to sponsor someone’s trip to Chicago, you can register now in time for the early-bird special. Just register your own name and change it to the sponsored person or people later. You can change registration information by e-mailing your new information to afradmin@afri.com.

You can register HERE.
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Please note that the symposium is open to all veterans, active military, reservists, Guardsmen, spouses, legislative representatives, current and prospective employers of veterans, and anyone else interested in addressing veterans' needs, regardless of whether they belong to AMVETS. Young veterans are especially encouraged to attend.