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Dear Fellow Americans,

This is a picture of T.J. He's at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida. Look closely. See the white tuft of feathers on the side? T.J. does not have a left wing. It was torn away…

The Audubon Center cares for Eagles who are unable to care for themselves. If they have been injured and can be rehabilitated, they are tenderly nurtured back to health and released to soar again. If they cannot be rehabilitated, they are kept and cherished as long as they live.

Since this nation began, the Eagle has been a symbol for America's military men and women. Proud. Strong. Alert. Always on guard.

It is compelling to believe that in the Audubon Center, the Eagle represents those of our nation's veterans who have had part of themselves torn away…

Those men and women are cared for in VA Medical Centers and Veterans Homes, and are often forgotten. Some will be released. Others will not. All of them are OURS!

So, this plea to you…HELP OUR VETERANS!

You can volunteer your time and talent to work in a VA institution or with a Veterans Service group to make quality-of-life better for our veterans. Or, you can support organizations that send someone else in your stead.

If you'd like to contact a Voluntary Service staff member in a VA Medical Center or Veteran's Home near you, or through a Veterans Service Organization, you'll find names, telephone numbers, and email addresses HERE. Through these organizations, or at the care facilities, you'll be offered the opportunity of a lifetime to serve men and women who made your own lifetime free, and good, and meaningful.

But if you can't volunteer, then why not send a tax-deductible gift to The Veterans Fund! Your money represents your time and effort and concern. We'll use it for programs to provide a better quality of life for wounded Veterans as they receive care through our VA system. And we'll pray with you that as many of them as possible may be released to soar again…

Thank you, and God bless you.