News from V Mail

VFW SAYS 2008 VA BUDGET PUTS VETERANS FIRST

WASHINGTON (March 30, 2007) - The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is applauding
House and Senate actions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs budget by
$6.6 billion over last year's funding level.

"President Bush's $87 billion budget request for the VA was a significant step
forward for veterans," said VFW Commander-in-Chief Gary Kurpius, a Vietnam veteran
from Anchorage, Alaska. "Recent House and Senate actions to improve upon the
president's request have confirmed a pledge by the new Congress to work with the
administration to ensure that America honors its promise to care for her veterans
when they return home from our nation's wars."

The $6.6 billion increase to discretionary funding represents the largest annual
increase to VA healthcare spending in the 77-year history of the department.

"I applaud the president and Congress for putting veterans first, and urge the House
and Senate to quickly reconcile their two versions and adopt this budget so that the
VA can adequately plan for the new fiscal year."