Publisher's Corner
Guest Viewpoint
Veteran Suicide Must End. Erasing their Debt is Where to Start
The Collections Industry Shows a Dramatic Interest in Ending Veteran Debt and Attending the June 5-6 Veteran Debt Summit in New Orleans
Reporting from the Credit and Collections News Conference at Fort Meyers, FL
One of the compelling features of End Veteran Debt’s Veteran Debt Summit for thought leaders in the world of veteran, military, and civilian charities is the possibility of meeting and partnering with organizations that have complementary approaches to relieve veterans of the profound social and financial ills that impact our unique community.
How about debt collectors
Could you imagine the credit, collections, and debt industries as one of those partners? Businesses devoted to seeing us pay long-overdue bills—not escape from them? Actually putting their expertise and experience to see veteran debt abolished?
The answer is yes, and significant players in that industry intend to attend the Veteran Debt Summit to prove those intentions.
“This collaboration is long overdue,” says Steve Ruderman, publisher of C&C News and a credit and collections industry executive since 1985. “The industry is moving to a more humane and sensitive approach to debt collection, and what better way to demonstrate that than with veterans? It must be recognized that a significant number of industry employees and executives are veterans of the Armed Forces. Many more have family histories of military service. What better focus to have?”
A great start for the Summit – who else to expect there?
The first answer is – you and your operation. Especially so if, in addition to your solutions to veteran distress, you can see how obliterating unpaid and unpayable debt contributes to eliminating a social determinant that leads to suicidal ideation and even the horrific act itself.
We have invited and are expecting the highest ranks of major veteran service organizations (VSOs), such as the American Legion, VFW, DAV, AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, and scores of less prominent charities and NGOs. This is truly a rare opportunity for these dedicated men and women to be under the same roof. I can only imagine the conversations…
End Veteran Debt (EVD) will search among enrollees for speakers, panelists, and attendees motivated to share their experience and wisdom. Members of the national and local press are also invited and expected. Russel Midori, co-founder of the 2,000-plus member Military Veterans in Journalism (VMJ), will represent the military side of media.
Location. Location. Location.
What better place and time than New Orleans on June 5 and 6, when the National World War II Museum celebrates its 25th anniversary? The museum has invited Summit attendees on Friday, June 6, to specially reserved events honoring the anniversary of D-Day, Friday, June 6.
Date? Time? Hotel Accommodations? Entry fee?
An opening reception will be held at the Summit host Higgins Hotel for early arrivals on Wednesday evening, June 4, from 5 to 9:30 p.m.
The Summit begins with registration and breakfast on Thursday at 8 a.m. and concludes at 5:30 p.m. Attendees, panelists, and speakers will reconvene to celebrate the Summit for an amazing dinner at the famed Cochon Restaurant just down the street from the Higgins and the WWII Museum. Expect equally amazing speakers to cap the day.
A limited number of specially-priced rooms will be made available at the Higgins Hotel and Hilton Gardens.
Entry to this event is low: $650 per attendee, $550 each for two or more from the same organization. Industry supporters will be exempt from entry costs by helping to fund our meeting and reception rooms, breakfast and lunch, and the Cochon event.
For advance details and registration, write
