Symposium focuses on needs of young veterans

  • Published
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Registration is open for the National Symposium for the Needs of Young Veterans scheduled for Oct. 18 to 21 in Chicago.

The event will bring together a diverse and representative group of 1,500 active-duty servicemembers, reservists and veterans to find solutions to the challenges servicemembers coming home from Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere are facing as they transition to post-military life.

The symposium will focus on ways to ensure new and current veterans have access to promised benefits for health care, education, civilian employment and job training. Benefits for guardsmen and reservists, because of their expanded military role, will also be discussed. Other topics include the anticipated influx of homeless veterans, as well as issues unique to women veterans.

"Although the symposium is focused on the needs of younger veterans, all retirees should be interested in helping shape the future of VA entitlements and benefits," said retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Jim Finch, who is now co-chairman of the Air Force Retiree Council. "With firsthand knowledge of VA issues, the retiree community has a great opportunity to help make a positive difference."

Pointing out that while the benefit system was created more than a 50 years ago, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi, said that as good as it was then, it needs to be modernized. 

"Our military has changed.  The needs of our veterans have changed," he said. "The symposium is going to challenge veterans to suggest concrete ideas on how to make the system more effective and efficient. I highly encourage participation."

For registration information, please visit www.veteransnationalsymposium.org.