TO CARE FOR HIM WHO SHALL HAVE BORNE THE BATTLE AND FOR HIS WIDOW, AND HIS ORPHAN

- Abraham Lincoln

This Memorial Day, we will again honor those who have given their lives in the service of our country, mentioning especially the casualties suffered during the most recent conflicts. Unfortunately, today, more than ever, there is a lack of personal connection between busy citizens and those whose sacrifices have allowed them to prosper. Accompanying the Memorial Day testimonials, expressions of appreciation, and honors bestowed, will be the persistent question, ?Have I done my duty?? Regardless of your past service, today the Veterans Leadership Program of Western PA (VLP) gives you a chance to answer that question in the affirmative.

VLP provides essential housing, employment, and other vital supportive services to eligible veterans, service members, and their families to improve their self-sufficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. For over 25 years, VLP has answered the call to duty that President Lincoln so succinctly articulated. Today we need your financial support to continue serving those who have served us.

In today?s environment of ever increasing frequency and lengths of combat tours and a tough economy to come home to, veterans, service members and their families need our help more than ever. Veterans face some tough obstacles in their transition back to being productive members of civilian life. They have a difficult time with employment: younger veterans are twice as likely to be unemployed as their non-veteran counterparts; and, one in five veterans returning to civilian life from a recent combat tour is unemployed. Veterans also have a challenging time with housing; while veterans are approximately only nine percent of the population, they account for 26% of the homeless. In fact, by one count, there are currently over 5,000 homeless veterans here in Pennsylvania alone. In addition to housing and employment, there are other struggles for veterans when they return to civilian life. One study has determined that approximately one third of all veterans returning from a recent combat tour will experience some form of mental health issues. Contrary to popular opinion the government is not handling all of these issues.

VLP, through your support, is answering that call to duty. VLP performed over 4,800 incidences of service to veterans, service members, and their family members in 2008, an increase of nearly 220% from 2007. We were instrumental in the recent establishment of Veterans Court, a local court giving veterans a second chance. With your help, we will coordinate all supporting social services for this very important venture. There are other success stories you can read about in VLP Viewpoint, which is included with this letter. However, the bottom-line is with two ongoing wars and pressing economic crises, the needs of the veteran community are increasing while the available resources are decreasing. That is why we need your help today. If you have given in the past, we thank you for being such an important supporter of veterans and their families and we are asking you to give again. If you have not given in the past, we ask that you help us serve those who have so faithfully served us by making a donation to VLP today. Please write a check today and return it to VLP in the enclosed reply envelope. Whether your contribution is $10 or $1,000, all will be appreciated. Thank for your time and thank you for your service and support.

Yours in Service,

Frank J. DeCarlo

Chairman of the Board

Veterans Leadership Program of Western PA

PS - Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom were fought by one in 1,000 Americans. The fact that ever fewer Americans per capita are called to military service is a good thing, an indication of successful security policies pursued by a peace-loving people. It does not follow, however, that Americans should remain oblivious to sacrifices made on their behalf by their soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. Please help us serve those who have served all of us and give to VLP. Duty Calls!