President Tsai meets Commander-in-Chief Brian Duffy of Veterans of Foreign Wars of United States
At a meeting on the morning of May 18 with a delegation led by Brian Duffy, Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States, President Tsai Ing-wen praised military personnel for the contributions they make to their country, and thanked the VFW for its long-term support for Taiwan.
In remarks, the president noted that the 1.7 million members of the VFW and the VFW Auxiliary are very influential in the United States. The VFW, moreover, is a brother association of Taiwan's Veterans Affairs Council, and each year demonstrates the firm partnership between the two sides by inviting the Veterans Affairs Council to attend the VFW National Convention.
President Tsai stated that military personnel, regardless where they are from, all serve their countries, putting their youth and lives out on the front lines in defense of their countries' freedom, democracy, and way of life. For this reason alone, all of society should be ever grateful, she said. Over the past year, our government has worked to improve the status of military personnel in Taiwanese society, and results are becoming apparent. Service members here have seen their status rise, and people like them more than before.
Commenting on the role of the US in the Asia-Pacific region, President Tsai pointed out that the US has always played a pivotal role in maintaining peace and security, where it be internationally, in the Asia-Pacific region, or across the Taiwan Strait. The president thanked the US for defending and strengthening its commitment to bilateral security cooperation, and said the US has greatly helped in the effort to stabilize conditions in the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region generally. The president also expressed gratitude to the VFW for adopting a resolution each year in support of Taiwan and urging the US federal government and Congress to sell Taiwan the technology, weaponry, and equipment it needs for its defense, strengthen bilateral security exchanges and cooperation, and support Taiwan's right and obligation to participate in international organizations.
VFW National Veterans Service Director Ryan Gallucci was also in the delegation.