As a veteran and a commissioner of the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Commission, I strongly oppose the proposal to change our name to the San Francisco Veterans Council.
This is more than a name change. It is about respect, recognition, and preserving the voice of veterans in City Hall.
A commission is an official government body charged with advising elected officials and advocating for those we serve. A council does not carry the same meaning, authority, or public recognition. Across the Bay Area and California, veterans are represented by Veterans Commissions. San Francisco should not diminish the standing of its veterans by moving in the opposite direction.
At a time when veterans are struggling with housing, health care, mental health, employment, and access to earned benefits, we should be strengthening veterans’ representation not weakening it.
Veterans have fought for this country. Some gave years of their lives. Some gave their health. Some gave everything.
The least we can do is preserve the name and dignity of the institution created to represent them.
I urge the Board of Supervisors, veterans organizations, military families, and all San Franciscans who support our veterans to reject this unnecessary change and keep the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Commission.
The Voice welcomes submissions of unsolicited op-eds and letters to the editor. Acceptance and publication is solely the prerogative of The Voice; no payment is offered for op-eds and letters to the editor. Any opinions expressed in op-eds and letters to the editor are those solely of the writer(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Voice of San Francisco, its staff, contributors, sponsors, or donors. Send op-eds and letters to: Editor@thevoicesf.org.
