Welcome to the beginning of the 2024-2025 fiscal year
By Robert Thomas Jr.
I would first like to thank the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Board of Directors for their continued support in reelecting me as PVA’s national president for another term. I will continue to work in this role to help our members and leaders push to keep fulfilling our important mission.
I believe that congratulations are also in order for all of the newly elected and returning members of the PVA Executive Committee. It’s my opinion that the national directors have put together a great team.
The individuals on that team are: Senior Vice President Tammy Jones; Vice Presidents Josue Cordova, Ken Ness, Anne Robinson and Lawrence “Louie” Mullins Jr.; Treasurer Tom Wheaton; and Secretary Marcus Murray.
We have a lot of work to accomplish, but before diving into this new fiscal year, let’s first enjoy the Fourth of July celebration.
For many people, this is the beginning of summer when families take vacations and host myriad picnics, barbecues and fireworks displays, but it’s much more than that. It’s the celebration of the United States of America’s independence from Great Britain.
During my early childhood, I didn’t know the true meaning of the Fourth of July. I was just excited I didn’t have to attend school and got to watch the fireworks. However, as I grew older and matured through my education, I learned it is a celebration of how we became a free and independent nation — and that’s why it’s referred to as Independence Day.
This is the time when our nation’s forefathers in the original 13 colonies decided to write and sign the Declaration of Independence, declaring our separation and freedom from Britain nearly 250 years ago. The United States has had many hardships since becoming an independent country, including the Civil War, which was fought to help all people become independent and free.
This reminds me of what PVA has done and continues to do. We advocate for our fellow men and women who need assistance in maintaining their independence through necessary health care and medical devices. We work diligently to push legislation for our members and communicate with our leaders on the best practices for our members to live independent lives.
PVA will always work toward ensuring those living with disabilities can live their lives to the fullest without so many hurdles, similar to our forefathers’ intentions when establishing the document that states, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
As we enjoy this holiday and the liberties that come with living in this great nation, let us not forget those men and women who laid down their lives in the pursuit of independence and the continued fight to keep our country free.
