Yesterday, AMVETS National Executive Director Joe Chenelly took part in a 30-minute call with President Trump and VA Secretary Wilkie, where he was able to ask two questions pertaining to the administration's efforts in the COVID19 pandemic, specifically concerning veterans: https://twitter.com/jchenelly/status/1241456066803773442
That evening Joe hosted a Facebook Live updating veterans and their families regarding what happened during the call, VA/Administration efforts, and what AMVETS across the nation can do and are doing during the pandemic:
https://www.facebook.com/watchparty/855421408235721/?entry_source=FEED
The latest article AMVETS is quoted in comes from ConnectingVets.com and is titled 'Calls to veteran crisis hotline up 12 percent during COVID-19 outbreak, Wilkie tells VSOs'Calls to veteran crisis hotline up 12 percent during COVID-19 outbreak, Wilkie tells VSOs'
Quotes from the article:
“The isolation required now was a key part of my question. How do we counteract the negative effects of that? How many veterans will take their own lives because of this isolation now? That’s a big reason we exist -- to keep them connected to make sure they don’t feel alone.”
“We would love for the administration to be able to leverage the volunteers, locations and expertise that we have to help. We’re working on ways we can help.”
“Every day really matters right now, especially when we’re talking about mental wellbeing amid all this uncertainty. This was a pretty good step forward in communication. Hopefully, that communication continues.”
- Joe Chenelly, National Executive Director, AMVETS