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AMVETS TO STEP UP RECRUITMENT OF YOUNGER VETERANS AS IT FIGHTS FOR MANDATORY FUNDING OF VETERANS HEALTHCARE

Both are priorities for incoming AMVETS National Cmdr. John P. “J.P.” Brown III, a Navy veteran, Ohio resident and longtime radio talk show host who begins serving a one-year term on Sept. 1

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2007 ― AMVETS will step up recruitment of younger veterans during the coming year to bolster the strength of the organization as it continues to fight for mandatory funding for veterans’ healthcare and other improvements in the veterans benefit system, said incoming AMVETS National Cmdr. John P. “J.P.” Brown III.

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“We can strengthen our organization by more aggressively recruiting military veterans in the 20 to 40 age group,” said Brown, a four-year Navy veteran from Youngstown, Ohio, who was elected AMVETS’ national commander on Saturday in Greensboro, N.C., during the organization’s 63rd annual convention.

AMVETS is one of the nation’s leading veterans service organizations and the largest national group of its kind that includes members of every branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserve. It currently has 200,000 members.

AMVETS’ work primarily involves community service activities and legislative advocacy on behalf of veterans. The organization also oversees a team of 60 service officers who work with veterans across the country to help them obtain their health, education and disability benefits. Last year, AMVETS helped veterans recover more than $11 million worth of earned healthcare and disability benefits, while the organization’s legislative affairs team pushed for mandatory funding of veterans healthcare and other improvements to streamline the veterans benefit system, such as the electronic filing of medical records, addressing the claims backlog and ensuring educational benefits.

AMVETS also made headlines last year by organizing the National Symposium for the Needs of Young Veterans, in which young veterans from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere outlined more than 100 ways to reform and improve the veterans benefit system.

But while all of these efforts are worthwhile, Brown said it is important for the organization to step up its recruitment of younger veterans, both to maximize pressures on congress and other federal agencies for reforms and also to make the organization more family friendly.

Brown completed two tours on river boats as well as service on the USS Saratoga (CVA 60). He received several awards and citations for his service, including a Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, a National Defense Service Medal, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Brown worked for Ameritech Corp. for 31 years in various customer service capacities, including through the company’s merger with SBC Inc. He has also spent the past 25 years working as a talk show host specializing in veterans’ issues for several Clear Channel radio stations in Youngstown.

Brown has also served in numerous leadership capacities for AMVETS, including national first vice commander, commander of AMVETS’ Department of Ohio, national veterans and voluntary services (VAVS) representative, chairman of AMVETS Department of Ohio ROTC, and Post 44 Commander in Youngstown. Also a past chairman of the Mahoning County POW/MIA Program, Brown is currently president of the James H. Parke Memorial Fund Youth Scholarship Board and a member of the Veterans Administration’s VAVS Policy Board.

He has three children and seven grandchildren.

Brown’s wife, retired Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jan C. Brown, also is active in AMVETS at the state and national levels.

AMVETS, for its part, was founded in 1944 and remains focused on providing community services that enhance veterans’ quality of life. More information on AMVETS can be found at http://www.amvets.org/.

Media organizations seeking further comment from Commander-elect Brown or other AMVETS officials should contact the AMVETS National Headquarters by calling (301) 683-4035 or e-mailing jchenelly@amvets.org..

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Larry Scott  --

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