Your Voice Still Matters: Why Every Michigan VVA Member Should Join VVA’s Voters Voice Network

By Jon Luker, Michigan State Council, Vietnam Veterans of America

For most of us, serving our country did not end when we took off the uniform. Through our involvement in Vietnam Veterans of America, we have continued to serve veterans, their families, and our communities for decades. We have fought for recognition of Agent Orange illnesses, improved VA healthcare, better benefits, and fair treatment for all who served.

Today, we have another opportunity to make a difference, and it takes only a few minutes.

Veterans Have Always Been Our Best Advocates

Every significant advancement for veterans has one thing in common: veterans spoke up. Whether the issue was PTSD recognition, Agent Orange compensation, toxic exposure legislation, healthcare access, or support for military families, progress occurred because veterans were willing to tell their elected representatives how legislation affected real people.

What Is Voters Voice?

Voters Voice is a grassroots advocacy tool that enables members to communicate directly with their federal and state elected officials regarding legislation affecting veterans, military families, caregivers, and survivors. You do not need to be a policy expert or travel to Lansing or Washington. You simply need to add your voice by clicking a button when veterans need it most.

Why It Matters

Elected officials hear from lobbyists every day. What gets their attention is hearing from constituents back home. When hundreds or thousands of veterans contact their representatives about the same issue, lawmakers take notice.

Some members ask whether contacting a legislator really makes a difference. Research conducted by the Congressional Management Foundation has consistently found that communications from constituents influence elected officials, particularly when those messages come from voters in their own districts. Congressional offices routinely track constituent contacts and use that feedback to gauge public interest in issues before them. One veteran’s message can make a difference. Hundreds of veteran voices speaking together can make an even greater impact.

Voters Voice makes it easy for Michigan VVA members to participate in that process.

Why Michigan Veterans Need to Participate

Michigan has one of the strongest traditions of veteran advocacy in the nation. But our influence depends on participation. The strength of VVA has never been our national office alone. It has always been our members.

This Is Not About Politics

Voters Voice is not about Republicans or Democrats. It is not about supporting candidates. It is about supporting veterans and ensuring elected officials understand how their decisions affect veterans and their families.

A Message from the Michigan State Council

Joining Voters Voice is another way to serve. When an alert arrives, taking action may only require a few minutes, but those few minutes can help protect benefits, improve services, and strengthen support for veterans across Michigan and throughout the nation.

Take Action Today

Every major veterans’ victory has been achieved because veterans chose to get involved.

Sign up today through the Vietnam Veterans of America Legislative Action Center:
Click here to send your voice

Michigan veterans have never backed away from service. This is another opportunity to serve. Sign up today, stay informed, and help ensure that veterans continue to have a strong voice in Lansing and Washington.

When veterans speak with one voice, lawmakers listen.

“Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”