Full Legislative History
Resolution Number: 2009-C051
Title: Support Care and Fellowship for Veterans
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention encourage its clergy, members, congregations and agencies to:

  1. Educate themselves about the health-care and economic needs of our nation’s military personnel and veterans who have been wounded, physically or emotionally, in the current wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, or in other wars, past or future.
  2. Call on our nation’s Department of Veteran Affairs Medical System and the U.S. Government to continue to give the best possible care to our veterans, and to shorten the time required for our soldiers to receive approval for medical care and other benefits, which they have earned through their military service.
  3. Take direct action to improve the lives of wounded soldiers in their communities and, when asked, to advocate on their behalf with government agencies.
  4. Seek to build caring pastoral relationships with wounded soldiers in their families, congregations, communities or local hospitals.
  5. Encourage the establishment of an Episcopal Veterans Fellowship for each diocese.
  6. Encourage local congregations to establish an annual healing service for wounded military personnel, veterans and others.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 2009 (New York: General Convention, 2009), pp. 535-536.