OBAMA: END OF IRAQ COMBAT EFFORT, “NO VICTORY LAP”
WASHINGTON — Closing a divisive chapter of American history, President Barack Obama marked the end of the nation’s combat mission in Iraq on Tuesday without declaring victory, winding down the U.S. role in a war he considered a terrible mistake.
Obama’s defiant pledge to end the war helped catapult him into office. Now as commander in chief, he is intent on assuring the nation and the stretched military that all the work and bloodshed in Iraq was not in vain, declaring that because of it “America is more secure.” READ MORE »
VA SECRETARY ADDRESSES TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON – Recognizing the longstanding, integrated collaboration shared by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki gave the keynote address Monday at the fourth annual Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Military Training Conference here.
“We–DoD and VA–simply cannot afford to be less than aggressive in our effort to identify, treat and rehabilitate TBI READ MORE »
VA PUBLISHES FINAL REGULATION TO AID VETERANS EXPOSED TO AGENT ORANGE
VA HEALTH CARE AND BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR MANY VIETNAM VETERANS
WASHINGTON – Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas will have an easier path to access quality health care and qualify for disability compensation under a final regulation that will be published on August 31, 2010 in the Federal Register by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The new rule expands the list of health problems VA will presume to be related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures to add two new READ MORE »
THOUSANDS STRAIN FORT HOOD’S MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM
FORT HOOD, Texas — Nine months after an Army psychiatrist was charged with fatally shooting 13 soldiers and wounding 30, the nation’s largest Army post can measure the toll of war in the more than 10,000 mental health evaluations, referrals or therapy sessions held every month.
About every fourth soldier here, where 48,000 troops and their families are based, has been in counseling during the past year, according to the service’s medical statistics. And the number of soldiers seeking help for combat stress, substance abuse, broken marriages or other emotional problems keeps increasing. READ MORE »
COALITION MEMBER IN THE RUNNING FOR 50K! VOTE IN THE PEPSI REFRESH PROJECT.
Goals
- To install a digital entertainment library at Ft. Stewart, GA
- To provide FREE DVDs to over 450 wounded soldiers & family members
- To provide FREE video games to wounded soldiers at Ft. Stewart
- To show wounded soldiers they have the support of a grateful nation READ MORE »
SENATORS ANNOUNCE NEW MILITARY FAMILY CAUCUS
On Wednesday a group of 20 senators announced the formation of the Senate Military Family Caucus, the first legislative coalition in that chamber to focus on the impact of war on spouses and children of troops.The move comes almost a year after House members launched their own military family caucus. In a statement organizers said the Senate caucus members will work closely with their house colleagues to “improve programs and services for military families, and to focus on the unique and growing challenges they face.” That includes a closer focus on military childcare, family health care, education benefits, spouse employment programs, and mental health services for troops’ families. READ MORE »
JUDGE EXTENDS DEADLINE TO JOIN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BY THREE MONTHS FOR OEF/OIF VETS WITH PTSD WHO WERE SHORTCHANGED ON BENEFITS
Veterans’ advocates win extension through November 10, 2010 for Sabo v. United States. NVLSP calls on friends and families of OEF/OIF vets to encourage class members to “opt-in”.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON— Veterans discharged from military service due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) between December 17, 2002 and October 14, 2008 and shortchanged on their military benefits READ MORE »
GRAND OPENING OF FISHER HOUSE BOSTON
Fisher House Boston has given Sandra Thornton a soft place to land as she faces an uphill battle with her husband, John. He broke his back this year.
“He broke a bone, and will be a paraplegic and wheelchair bound,” said Sandra Thornton.
John, a former Army lieutenant, is being treated at Boston’s VA Hospital, which is a lengthy drive from Augusta, Maine, the Thornton’s are from.
UNITING OUR VOICES, CONQUERING PAIN TOGETHER
September Pain Awareness Month is rapidly approaching! Join the American Pain Foundation in a Virtual March on Washington this September. Pain management is a national health care crisis that affects millions of Americans. We must act now to create positive change. Let your legislators know how important timely, appropriate pain management is to YOU. Tell your story as part of the 10,000 Voices campaign.
Join the Virtual March on Washington this September.
Uniting Our Voices, Conquering Pain Together
Lend your voice, tell your story and join the movement.
VA ISSUES NEW YELLOW RIBBON COLLEGE AID LIST
More than 1,100 private and public schools have signed agreements with the Veterans Affairs Department to reduce tuition for student veterans in the coming school year as part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s “Yellow Ribbon” program, VA announced Wednesday.
Under this program, VA matches dollar-for-dollar any reduction in fees charged to GI Bill students if tuition and fees exceed the reimbursement rate in the state where the school is located. Because schools can have more than one Yellow Ribbon agreement, VA officials said a total of 3,200 agreements are in effect for the 2010-11 school year. READ MORE »
