Dear Mr. Simes,
I am writing this letter to emphasize my support for Operation Firing For Effects (OFFE’s) cause for Mandatory Funding for Veterans’ Healthcare Services. As a former professional football player for the Seattle Seahawks and a successful business owner, I wish to express my enthusiastic support for the OFFER cause to ensure healthcare obligations to our veterans.
We have a generation of young Americans that are putting themselves in harm’s way on behalf of this great nation. We benefit from the sacrifices of these brave men and women, and it is our duty as a nation, as a community, and as Americans, to be there for them during their time of need. Overlooked however are the many wounded that must return to VA centers for lifelong treatment. We also owe this group a debt of gratitude and our unending support.
As a former professional football player and Service Disabled Veteran business owner, I urge other veteran professional athletes and business owners to support the Mandatory Funding for Veterans Healthcare. In particular, I commend the OFFE mission and am of the opinion that the campaign 2008 in support of mandatory funding offers veterans hope that their healthcare services are protected. I am here to let you know that I stand for our troops and please let me know if I can be of further assistance as you move forward with the OFFER master plan.
Sincerely,
Douglas Craft
President
Douglas Craft was asked to sit on a panel of Service Disabled Veteran Business owner success stories. This session provided the panelists with the opportunity to give an account of the trials and tribulations they faced as they were on their way to success.
Doug highlighted turning points in his business including how his one stop at the Department of Veteran Services to get a license plate led to a change in his business direction. His company has grown substantially since he was classified as a service-disabled veteran company. He talked about how on October 21, 2004, President Bush issued Executive Order 13360 which encourages Federal agency contractors to strengthen opportunities in contracting for Service-disabled Veteran businesses.
Last year President Bush signed Public Law 109-461 which increased opportunities for Veteran owned and Service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses. There are many initiatives that federal agencies are taking to maximize the availability, applicability, and usability of all administration small business programs for Veterans and Service-disabled Veterans.
He highlighted how he was the first beneficiary of the Patriot Express loan here in New Mexico, and how it was an essential tool to help his business to grow. The New Mexico Department of Veterans Affairs works for you all. It is the epicenter of resources for Service-disabled veterans and Veteran business owners. So no matter where you are in the business process they are here to assist you every step of the way.