Arkansas Veterans Services organizations step up Published Nov. 14, 2006 By Master Sgt. Bob Oldham 189tth Airlift Wing Public Affairs LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- More than 8,000 Arkansas National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have fought the nation's battles with the enemy around the globe and natural disasters at home, but lately some of those same Soldiers and Airmen have had to battle government bureaucracy to receive the veterans benefits they've fought for and deserve. To help cut through the red tape, the Arkansas National Guard has forged a coalition with eight other veteran service organizations to keep the Soldier and Airman in mind and meet his needs as quickly as possible. Signing up at a ceremony here Aug. 8, representatives of the Little Rock Veterans Association Regional Office, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Northwest Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign War all pledged their allegiance to keep the war fighter in focus. In addition, military leaders from around the state and congressional staffers from Arkansas' congressional delegation were on hand to participate in the ceremony. The 363-word charter signed by the nine members of the coalition pledged that "this charter roster of the Arkansas National Guard Coalition are dedicated to ensure that quality care and service is rendered in a consistently superior manner, for every eligible benefit, program and service, in every location to every member of the Arkansas National Guard and his/her family."