Streamwood man strives for new veterans political group

Fred Hossfeld has a dream that the nation's veterans organize themselves politically into a group whose interests could not be ignored by politicians.

The Streamwood resident and Korean War veteran is trying to establish what he's calling the Veterans Political Association, or VPA. His hope is such a group would fulfill a role that existing organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars are specifically barred from.

Such an association would interview and endorse candidates based on their positions on veterans issues and be a strong voice in state capitals and Washington D.C.

"There's no politics in the VFW or the American Legion, that's why we're doing this," Hossfeld said. "I see it growing throughout Illinois and maybe through the United States."

In state races, Hossfeld would like to see the group interview candidates in person whenever possible. For at least the upcoming presidential race, however, he's resigned to the fact that a review of John McCain and Barack Obama's records and positions will have to be enough.

Hossfeld wants the group to be made up of Democrats, Republicans and independents, all united by their interests as veterans or members of women's auxiliaries.

Though he has plenty of personal opinions, Hossfeld doesn't want prospective members to have any preconceived ideas of what the association's positions would be. He doesn't even see himself necessarily being one of its leaders, with such titles as chairman, vice chairman and others available to those who come out to help build it.

In the meantime, he's asking for anyone interested to call him directly at (630) 550-5518 to pass along their name and contact information.

Russ Vannier, commander of Hoffman Estates-Streamwood VFW Post 5151, is excited by Hossfeld's idea for the very reason that the VFW can't take political stands.

"The VFW has to maintain a political neutrality," Vannier said. "We don't want our voice to be seen as the voice of all our members."

He said he's wary of organizations that try to cram their opinions onto their members, but that a Veterans Political Association could work if it involved a lot of back-and-forth discussion before making decisions.

"It's a good idea," Vannier said, "but how far he's able to go with it I don't know."