Thank you for your patience in waiting for me to decide what to say in this address. A couple of weeks ago, I had a version all ready to go. It was filled with fire and brimstone. I yelled about our pension, our incompetent leaders, everything ! But then I began to think, do you really need to hear that from me ? Any fool can see what our problems are. But sometimes, we're fools too for not seeing the obvious and this needs to be said too. You, my brothers and sisters are heroes and we should be aware of that, but often we aren't. Most of us work the frontline of the VA, we suit up everyday, sometimes not knowing if yet another overtime shift awaits us or maybe a bullet. We pound the beat with our feet, we sweat all summer in our vests and freeze all winter in cheap polyester. We hear what our unethical, incompetent leadership has to say and we wonder if they can actually hear the insane nonsense they are uttering at us. And, most importantly, those who depend on us, find us there to protect them and make our medical centers safe for our veterans. Now if that isn't heroism, I just don't know what is. All of you keep up the fight and each and every day you do it in spite of the twisted foolishness from our leadership that is more then enough to break the spirit of anyone; you're a hero in every sense of the word and you should know it. Our mission isn't a joke, our medical centers could be cesspools of crime and violence but they are not and that is only because of you. Baffa, Doyal and their unethical crew in Central Office, the incompetent instructors down at the academy, they are like a sack of bricks on our backs holding us down. You turn that meager paycheck into a home for your family, you make it possible for the veterans to seek the medical care they deserve in a safe, peaceful environment. You do this everyday despite dragging that sack of bricks on your back. My brothers and sisters, when it is all said and done at the end of the day, when you're alone with your conscience, if you've done what was needed and cared for your families and all those who depend on you so much, then you've done a great thing and I salute you. I wouldn't want to be the deputy assistant secretary or the director of the academy for all the tea in China; I would far rather walk in the company of heroes such as you, then trade my self-respect for a title. As always, I am humbled to be your leader and thank you. Elliott Lang President

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