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Outgoing AMVETS chief praises soldiers
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J.P. Brown III
The troops in Iraq are in good spirits, but they are concerned about their families back home and the nation’s economy, said John P. Brown III.
YOUNGSTOWN — The United States is making progress and is at a turning point in Iraq, said national AMVETS Commander John (J.P.) P. Brown III of Boardman.
“Probably by the end of the year, 80 percent or more of the combat missions will be done by Iraqis with U.S. advisers,” he said.
A weeklong Department of Defense-sponsored trip to Iraq was one of Brown’s last major activities as head of AMVETS (American Veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam), a national veterans service organization. His year in office ends Aug. 31.
Brown said he found the morale of the soldiers to be very good. “They are doing a really good job. The sad part is all we hear in the news are the bad things. We don’t see the good things our government and troops are doing.”
For example, he said one of the female officers told him she is organizing a Boy Scout troop for Iraqi children, for which, he said, AMVETS is gathering materials. This type of social program helps the two cultures understand each other, Brown said.
He said the troops feel very appreciated, but one thing that really bothers them is their changing role. They were trained for combat, but right now, with the U.S. winding down its combat mission, they are taking a back seat as reinforcement to Iraqi soldiers.
“You won’t find anywhere in the world better qualified soldiers, or better people, to do this job than our young men and women. They want to be there,” he said.
Brown said he “had the privilege of spending about four hours shooting the breeze” with members of the National Guard’s 583rd Military Police Detachment Military Police from Austintown.
The 583rd, which is attached to the 18th Military Police Brigade, Multi-National Divisions in Baghdad, is under the command of Lt. Col. Jason Reckard, a native of McDonald who is also Victory Base Complex provost marshal.
They are in good spirits, and said it was good to see a friendly face from home. But, Brown said, they are concerned about their families while they are gone and the state of the nation’s economy.
Brown said during the last year, AMVETS initiated several programs aimed at taking care of the troops when they return home and also helping their families.
For example, he said AMVETS has allocated $4.2 million in scholarships for veterans and their families, and kicked off a new program in July, called Healing Heroes, which helps families see their loved ones while they are recuperating from wounds.
The government provides treatment for wounded military personnel and also provides limited financial support for the spouses or parents of single service men and women, many of whom spend months recuperating and receiving therapy in five polytrauma centers that may be far from their homes.
The government, however, does not provide financial assistance to help the wounded warriors’ entire family unit spend time together. That is where the AMVETS National Service Foundation’s Healing Heroes Program steps in. It provides monetary assistance for transportation, lodging, food and child-care costs, Brown said.
He said AMVETS is also involved in the Honor Flight program, which flies World War II veterans to see the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“It was a true privilege of meeting some of these gentlemen and their families. They reminded me of my father, who served in the 1st Infantry Division in WWII,” said Brown, a Vietnam War veteran.
During his year in office, Brown visited troops in several foreign countries, including Iraq, Kuwait and Korea. He also visited Cantigny, France, where he helped dedicate a carillon at Surenes American Cemetery there. He also visited the Taiwan Veterans Association, with which Brown said AMVETS has had an alliance for many years.
Among the people who particularly impressed Brown during his year in office was Dr. James Peake, secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Army’s former surgeon general.
“He is very personable, and a true advocate for veterans benefits and rights and their medical care, and wants to see changes in the VA,” Brown said.
He also praised country singer, guitarist, songwriter and actor Jerry Reed, and Washington Sen. Patty Murray, both of whom received AMVETS’ highest honor, the Silver Helmet Award.
Reed, an Army veteran and in failing health, is a spokesman for VA Voluntary Services. He put together a DVD with some other entertainers, the proceeds from which go to the VAVS program, Brown said.
He described Murray as a “true veterans advocate” who did volunteer work at VA hospitals while she was in college. “She is a power player on Capitol Hill who really cares about the needs of veterans and people in general and the environment in the U.S.,” he said.
Brown said he will stay involved in AMVETS at the national level as president of the board of its James H. Park Memorial Scholarship Fund for youth who do volunteer work in VA medical centers and as a member of the National Service Foundation Board of Directors.
“It’s a good feeling to be finishing my year as national commander, yet sad. I think this past year we have accomplished a whole lot, but you wonder what direction things will go after you leave,” he said.
“I like to think I have helped make a difference in AMVETS locally over the years, and now nationally, for the young men and women in the military,” he said.
“It’s been an exciting, fantastic year for me as a person, but I’m ready to come home,” he said.
When asked about his future, he said: “Who knows, I may throw my hat into the political ring.”
alcorn@vindy.com