AMVETS commander says he focusing on helping hurricane vets

A Waterloo man who’s the new national commander of American Veterans or AMVETS says his immediate focus is on helping vets who’re suffering because of Hurricane Katrina. Edward Kemp says it fits the AMVETS mission. “I’m asking all the posts and departments to address that issue, to make sure that if they have a chance to house anyone or send assistance to please do so,” Kemp says. AMVETS has staff in Iowa and 39 other states who help veterans find out what benefits they are eligible for, and help cut through the red tape to get those benefits. Kemp is a U.S. Air Force veteran who joined AMVETS in 1982. There are 61 AMVET posts in Iowa, and you can learn more on-line at www.amvets.org.