The recent death of the illustrious Robert Byrd, U.S. Senator from West Virginia, delivers a serious blow to America’s veterans. Byrd served from 1959 to 2010 and was the longest-serving senator and the longest-serving member in the history of the United States Congress.

The loss of Byrd is only exacerbated by the failure of the voters of the state of West Virginia to nominate Alan Mollohan to candidacy for U.S. House of Representatives, representing a double loss for America’s veterans.

The nine-term Sen. Byrd and the 14-term Rep. Mollohan were staunch supporters of virtually all veterans programs and legislation. In many cases they initiated vigorous efforts to enhance veteran’s benefits.

As more and more veterans become familiar with the new legislative efforts of the U.S. Congress, the need for more response to the actual experiences of those efforts by the veterans seeking benefits becomes increasingly critical.

Veterans can ill afford to lose supporters in the only government body which is always open to our concerns.

It is imperative that all veteran business owners make it a requirement that they and their employees know their member of the U.S. Congress and communicate with that member on a continual basis.

The veteran business community is being challenged to organize and operate more efficiently and effectively.

It is time for more cooperative programs and more expanded coalitions that press forward aggressively.

We can respond to the challenge and we will!

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