Veterans DFL Caucus Formation

03/26/2005

DFL Friends:

There were many Minnesota DFL veterans and friends of veterans who were active in the recent presidential campaign. Now, in this post campaign period, many are looking for a way to continue to have a voice and to make a difference—particularly with respect to veterans issues. Heaven knows that as long as the Bush administration is in power VETERANS WILL NEED A FRIEND!

There were a number of directions that activists for veterans could gravitate to. One way was to formally become a Veterans Caucus within the Minnesota DFL Party. This made sense for many of us. First and foremost, we adhere to the principles of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party-- there is absolutely no equivocation on that! Second, we have a passion and concern for veterans. What synergy!

Recently, the Minnesota DFL State Central Committee formally approved our Veterans Caucus. We have written a Charter and Bylaws and have some committees going. Our next step is to have a formal organizational meeting where we will elect officers and directors.

That organizational meeting will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 16th at the Minnetonka Community Center, just West of #494 on Minnetonka Blvd. More information will be provided later, but for now, please mark it on your calendar. (Social hour at the VFW in Hopkins follows!)

Now, you may ask, should I come to that meeting? Will I be welcome? Or is this organization just for vets and their families? NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! If you care about the DFL Party and care about vets, you should be there!

Why have such a broad definition for membership? Simple. Power is in numbers! We are not looking to be a little club! We want to make a difference!

So, you may ask, where is this organization going? What are they going to do? Well, I don’t know. All I know for sure is that we are going to make a difference!

So, are you with me on this? Do you want to make a difference on Vets issues? Then please plan on joining our group. Come to our April 16th organizational meeting and help define who we are and where we are going. If you are in Greater Minnesota and can’t make it, just wait a bit. We are planning on setting up parallel organizations in each of the Congressional Districts.

Thank you for taking some time to talk with me. In subsequent communications, we will have a way for you to respond—just aren’t there yet! But we will be in touch!

Sincerely,

Lou Ellingson
Veterans Caucus Temporary Chair