A Message from NACVSO President - Sept

Greetings NACVSO Members and Partners,

It has been an incredibly busy month! August was highlighted by my attendance at the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) annual conference. This event is always a fantastic opportunity to engage with State Directors and enhance our shared mission. Our partnership with these leaders continues to strengthen, and I'm excited about the continued collaborative efforts that lie ahead.

One of the true honors of the conference was meeting two extraordinary American heroes: Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam War Veteran Sammy Lee Davis and former Iraq War POW Jessica Lynch. The interactions I had with them were both humbling and inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have met them.

Looking ahead, I am also honored to have been invited to participate in a panel discussion at the quadrennial Women’s Empowerment Summit hosted by VA in Washington, D.C. this month. This event is a powerful platform to advocate for Women Veterans and discuss unique challenges, I looking forward to participating in these conversations.

For those of you seeking to further your professional development, we have a couple of training opportunities on the horizon. The NACVSO Basic Benefits course will be offered from September 23rd to 27th—a great opportunity for anyone seeking initial accreditation. Additionally, signups are now open for the Advanced Appeals course which will take place in December. These courses are designed to equip you with either the baseline knowledge or next-level skills necessary to assist veterans. So, whether you’re just starting out in your CVSO journey, or you are a seasoned advocate looking to brush up on your knowledge, I encourage you to take full advantage.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge several retirements and departures that occurred over the summer. Longtime supporters of NACVSO, including Doug Levalley, Jane Eakins, Kim Shalloo, and Jane Roland, have either retired, found new opportunities, or announced their intent to retire. Their contributions to our organization have been invaluable, and we wish them "fair winds and following seas" as they embark on their new endeavors. We extend our deepest gratitude for their years of service and dedication.

I would like to remind everyone that you may still contact the organization for general information by writing info@NACVSO.com, or by writing me directly at chinton@NACVSO.com.

As always, thank you for your continued commitment to our mission. Together, we make a positive impact on the lives of veterans across the nation.

Warmest Regards,

Christopher Hinton

President NACVSO