Eclipse Magazine - Produced by NABVETS Winter 2014 | Page 16

NATIONAL CONVENTION 2014
BUILDING MOMENTUM IN THE BIG APPLE

by Jennifer Chiesa

Presentation photos by: Alvin C. Fagan

Transition was in the air…and on the sea, as NABVETS’ members took New York
by storm during the Bi-Annual National Convention, held August 14-17, 2014.
Over 100 participants, including representatives from NABVETS’ chapters, state
and regional commands, as well as the National Command Council, packed the
Black Veterans for Social Justice (BVSJ) headquarters in Brooklyn—all ready to
roll up their sleeves and get to work.
While in New York, participants discussed critical issues facing NABVETS,
including increasing membership and providing greater outreach to veterans,
and voted on a slate of officers to
rise up and meet the challenges
in the coming year. BVSJ
graciously hosted the event
along with Region VII, and
BVSJ President/CEO Wendy
McClinton, also NABVETS’
newly elected National ViceCommander (Fundraising), was
on-hand to make sure everything
ran smoothly and professionally.
“Our theme this year was
‘Transitioning to the Next Level,’
and the convention centered on
how we honor the contributions
of the past while moving forward
with new leadership. I think we
really did a great job of that, but
we did so much more. People
really left feeling very unified
and passionate about how
our organization can do great
things in the lives of our veterans
and how important each and
every one of them is to this
organization,” said McClinton.

In addition to conducting NABVETS’ business,
several influential speakers were on hand
to share their perspectives on the plight of
veterans, as well as encourage NABVETS to
“press on” with its important work. Brooklyn
North Police Chief Gerald Nelson and New
York State Assemblywoman Annette Robinson
congratulated members for their dedication
to leaving no veteran behind, and both
highlighted their experiences with veterans in
the Brooklyn area. From the VA’s Center for
Minority Veterans, Director Barbara Ward also
thanked members for their work on behalf of
veterans, and urged NABVETS’ leadership to
seek greater visibility on Capital Hill.
This convention also marked a major transition
for one of NABVETS’ founders, National
Commander BG (Ret.) Robert Cocroft, who
announced his desire to pass the reins of the
organization on to new leadership. Cocroft
humorously remarked that he wasn’t retiring,
however—“ I fixed it a long time ago so that
I would be emeritus on the board, so I’m not
going anywhere… I’m just leaving the heavy
lifting to someone else.”
And what better way to honor this tremendous
leader than with a celebration aboard the
largest luxury ship in the Northeast, the
Cornucopia Majesty. Over 400 members,
guests and civic leaders were on board to
honor the former National Commander as
well as salute the newly elected National
Commander, Richard S. Kornegay.

Barbara Ward, Director of the Center for Minority Veterans,
encouraged the ongoing work of NABVETS at the NABVETS
National Convention in New York.
16

NABVETS EclipSE MAgAziNE

Winter 2014