This week our National President, Steve Loomis, is in San Antonio, TX, attending the 2013 OUTSERVE conference.  AVER’s support of our active duty LGBT service members is crucial to our mission of providing support to the men and women who defend our nation’s freedom in the United States military.

I am attaching perhaps the greatest gift that I could ever share with each one of you.  The attached address by Brigadier General Tammy Smith was first viewed at AVER’s recent national convention in Denver, which was a remarkable experience for everyone who attended.  I cried when I first saw this video and I am still incredibly proud of it.  I hope it will make you proud as well, and help you understand why AVER is important, and why your membership is so vital to our ongoing work.

October means membership renewal time.  I hope that seeing General Smith’s address will encourage you to renew your membership and invite new veterans to join our ranks.  You will soon be receiving a letter in the mail with details about how to renew.  I hope that you will renew your commitment to continue your honorable service to our great nation, our military, and those who serve to defend our freedom.

Danny Ingram, National Treasurer and Immediate Past President
American Veterans for Equal Rights