>> Site Map >> News
OFFE Veteran’s Awareness Day
#3526 - 1--gm--OFFE Veteran’s Awareness Day--2008-09-03 19:33:39
#
Highlights of OFFE Veteran’s Awareness Day atDaley Plaza in Chicago
On August 29th, Operation Firing For Effect hosted the first annual Veteran’s Awareness Day March & Rally at Daley Plaza. The event was designed to bring the much needed attention to veterans healthcare funding and related issues.
Among the highlights of the Rally was the public debut of 5 audio public service announcements produced by OFFE and featuring country music celebrity, Willie Nelson.
Nelson, (U.S Air Force veteran) is national celebrity spokesperson for OFFE, and a leader in the nationwide grassroots movement for full mandatory funding of veterans healthcare and related services. The Willie Nelson public service announcements were well received and attendees of the rally were inspired by Willie’s words.
Marine Veteran activist Dirk Enger stands vigil during entire 4 hour OFFE Rally. He is also co-founder of Midwest Shelter for Midwest Homeless Veterans. In one of the Willie Nelson/OFFE public service announcements Willie appeals to all Americans to unite. Mr. Nelson states: “We have a moral and ethical obligation to our veterans to provide them quality and accessible healthcare. This is Willie Nelson asking everyone from across the nation, to unite for the common good of our veteran population. We can do so much better.”
-
Among the dignitaries that spoke during the 4 hour OFFE Rally were; Illinois Lieutenant Governor, Pat Quinn, Cook County Commissioner, Anthony Perica, Chicago Alderman, Richard Mell, and Senator Barack Obama representative, Ron Gibbs. Mr. Gibbs read a letter from Senator Obama commending Operation Firing For Effect for their efforts, and reaffirming his [Obama] 
commitment to full funding of the VA if he is elected. Senator Obama wrote: “Members of Operation Firing For Effect (OFFE) are a group of committed patriots who represent the interest of those who have risked their lives for our great nation. Their mission reminds us of the sacred responsibility we have to those who protect us, and we cannot stand to let them down anymore.”
Among participating organizations in the Veteran’s Awareness Day program - Veteran’s Strike Force, Marvin Gardner, Kim Driscol, Creola Alfalileh - Veterans for Unification, John Borg - Coalition of Veterans Organizations, Bruce Parry, Dave Rogers - American Airlines Veteran’s Representative Fred Gajewski, Dirk Enger- Co-founder of Midwest Shelter for Midwest Homeless Veterans.
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn and Cook County Commissioner Anthony Pericia proudly accept Certificates of Appreciation from OFFE National Chairman Gene Simes for their endorsement. The Operation Firing For Effect Rally and Walkathon were organized locally by; OFFE Illinois Director of Operations, John Monaghan, and OFFE Chicago Director of Operations, Fred Gajewski. OFFE National Chairman Gene Simes and OFFE Public Relations Director, Jere Beery traveled from New York to represent OFFE national. Between 4 and 5 hundred supporters gather in Daley Plaza for Operation Firing For Effect Veteran’s Awareness Day Rally.
To hear the Willie Nelson/OFFE public service announcements, visit this link; http://www.stardustent.com/offemedia.htm Video versions will be released within the next two week.
Jere Beery
OFFE Public Relations Director
jerebeery@aol.com
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceived veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." George Washington .
