The past two months at VCS went by in a blizzard discussing VA problems and solutions with veterans, testifying before Congress, strategizing with our attorneys, testifying in court, writing grant proposals, conducting press interviews, and calling our members. VCS remains very busy fighting for our national security, for our civil liberties, and for our veterans.

Our lawsuit continues making the news and forcing VA to make changes, including the New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle. All of this is because of the wide web of contact maintained by VCS. Libby and Paul want to take this week out to thank everyone who has made the past year so successful for VCS and our mission and goals.

First, thank you to the veterans and families interviewed by our attorneys for our class action lawsuit, Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth v. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans and families showed tremendous courage by stepping forward and signing declarations so we can force VA to act.

Second, thank you to our members who show strong solidarity and stand with us. VCS grew by more than 1,000 members in the past year, for a total of 12,500! Our members send us the news tips and clips that keep us well ahead of the curve on what is now a one-hour news cycle. VCS posted more than 10,000 news articles to our web site on issues you care about.

Third, thank you to the outstanding legal assistance donated by the fantastic litigators at Morrison and Foerster and Disability Rights Advocates. The attorneys, paralegals, secretaries, and support staff toiled 24/7 for the past four months preparing for our hearings and trial. Their Herculean effort on behalf of all veterans is beyond the call of duty in a time of war and earned them the nickname of "The Fifth Army" by the judge hearing our lawsuit.

Fourth, thank you to our allies in our lawsuit. We are very pleased that Veterans United for Truth, Vietnam Veterans of America, National Veterans Legal Services Program, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Swords to Plowshares participated the landmark litigation so that our veterans don’t wait endlessly for healthcare and disability benefits.

Fifth, thank you to our donors. The foundations and individuals who donate to VCS receive more bang for the buck for issue advocacy, policy improvements, and positive pro-veteran publicity than they could ever imagine. VCS testified before Congress four times in the past year, worked on critical legislation, such as the “Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act,” and appeared in hundreds of newspaper articles, all because of your trust in Veterans for Common Sense. VCS sets goals, and VCS delivers.

In the next few months, we’ll be meeting with more veterans, waiting for our trial verdict, visiting with legislators again, working with reporters more often, and providing advocacy our veterans can be proud of.

Please help us grow and continue realizing our VCS mission of raising the unique voices of veterans at the national level on issues you care about. Your monthly contribution of $50 or $200 can give VCS greater stability as we plan our growth in the months and years ahead.

Thank you for your support.

Paul Sullivan
Executive Director

Libby Creagh
Development Director

VCS provides advocacy and publicity for issues related to veterans, national security, and civil liberties. VCS is registered with the IRS as a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity, and donations are tax deductible.