Veterans

September 24, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today sent the following letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake, requesting that he release critical information and data relating to veterans health care, disability claims and Vet Center activity. Since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began, veterans have faced unique challenges as they return to their families and communities, including health-related needs as well as community readjustment concerns.    » read more »

Michelle Obama to Attend IAVA-Sponsored Service Event in Denver on Wednesday Morning; IAVA Veterans, Military Families and Denver Residents Assemble Packages for Troops Overseas at Democratic National Convention

August 26, 2008 -- NEW YORK - Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 27, Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama, will join Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, at a nonpartisan service event in Denver.    » read more »

August 21, 2008 -- NEW YORK - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will attend the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

IAVA will meet with delegates and convention guests, raising awareness about the most critical issues facing the 1.7 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and highlighting our historic fight for the new GI Bill. IAVA spokespeople, including Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, will be available throughout next week to respond to media requests.    » read more »

August 18, 2008 -- As John McCain addressed the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Orlando, FL, this morning, he was practicing more of the same old politics. McCain claims to be an advocate for America's veterans despite his record on veterans' issues. Like Bush, McCain will continue sending American soldiers - along with billions of dollars - to Iraq and Afghanistan, but he'll block programs for health care and education for veterans here at home.

John McCain (left) visits with a WWII veteran: Photo by sloomis08 (CC)    » read more »

Troubling Alcohol Use Found Among Young Veterans; New Study Finds Disturbing Risk of Binge Drinking Among Servicemembers

August 13, 2008 -- NEW YORK - Yesterday, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) released a study on alcohol abuse among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. According to the study, combat exposure significantly increases servicemembers' risk of heavy drinking, binge drinking and other alcohol-related problems. Young servicemembers are at the highest risk of developing these problems following their deployments. JAMA also found, "Those born after 1980 were at 6.72 increased odds of new-onset binge drinking."    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2008 – Defense Department officials are assessing ways to better prepare servicemembers, particularly members of the reserve and National Guard, for the stresses of combat so they’re better able to avoid alcohol-related problems when they return home, defense officials said today.

The goal, officials said, is to beef up existing strategies to address alcohol issues before and during deployments to mitigate post-deployment drinking problems.    » read more »

Senators ask Secretary Gates to ensure soldiers with traumatic brain injuries have access to proven therapy

August 4, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - With an estimated 320,000 American soldiers who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan experiencing a possible traumatic brain injury (TBI), Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today called on Defense Secretary Robert Gates to extend military health care coverage to include proven treatment for the signature injury of the two wars.    » read more »

STAMFORD, Conn., June 19, 2008- Thirty wounded soldiers and veterans will be special VIP guests of World Wrestling Entertainment® at the June 30 “Monday Night RAW®” when the show is broadcast live from the Ford Center in Oklahoma City on USA Network.    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today issued the following statement after reviewing a report issued by the Veterans Affairs Office of Resolution Management (ORM) which assessed the work environment at the VA Medical Center in Marion, Illinois.

“This new report from the VA confirms many of our suspicions about the problem that existed at the Marion VA Medical Center. The report paints a disturbing picture -- a management culture that compounded problems at the facility; management at the regional level that did not serve as a quality check on the Marion facility; and no way for employees to complain or make meaningful suggestions about problems when they arose.”    » read more »

Legislation Backed By Schwarzenegger Administration Signed Into Law Today In Washington

06/17/2008 -- Today the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008, the "HEART Act," was signed into law by President Bush. Actively pushed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California Department of Veterans Affairs, this legislation makes veterans who entered active military duty after December 31, 1976 eligible to apply for Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bonds (QVMB) under the state's longstanding CalVet Home Loan Program.    » read more »

6/16/2008 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Many home owners have found it difficult recently to pay their mortgages, but quick intervention by loan counselors at the Department of Veterans Affairs has actually reduced the number of veterans defaulting on their home loans.

"VA is reaching out to veterans, both those who use our home-loan guaranty program and those who don't take advantage of our guaranties, to keep people in their homes," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "I'm proud of our solid record of success in helping veterans and active-duty personnel deal with financial crises."    » read more »

Senators ask for explanation of ABI investigation delay

May 27, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Two weeks after the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Marion, Illinois resumed outpatient surgeries, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) and Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL) today requested a meeting with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, James Peake, to discuss the progress at the Marion facility.

The Senators are asking for an update on the status of a pending Administrative Board of Investigation (ABI) report at the Marion facility to determine which individuals were responsible for allowing a decline in the quality of patient care, including nine deaths as a result of substandard care.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2008 – A chain of about 750,000 motorcycles ridden by Vietnam veterans and military supporters blazed through the nation’s capital today as part of the 21st annual Rolling Thunder rally.

In addition to offering vets a chance to reconnect with their brothers-in-arms and honor fallen comrades, the ride aims to raise awareness about issues concerning prisoners of war, troops missing in action and veterans’ benefits.

President Bush this afternoon arranged for Rolling Thunder founder Artie Muller to be delivered by helicopter to the White House, where the two discussed topics at the heart of Muller’s nonprofit group.    » read more »

5.23.08 - Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed Senate Bill 289, legislation that will establish the Ohio Department of Veterans Services and ensure employment rights to those serving in the uniformed services.

“I am proud that Ohio will have a new department to ensure Ohio’s veterans and their families have one central place to go to access the benefits they deserve,” Strickland said. “The Ohio Department of Veterans Services will be an advocate for Ohio’s veterans in Washington, ensuring our state’s veterans have greater access to federal benefits and programs.”

The new department will assume the duties of the Governor's Office of Veterans Services, including the Ohio Veterans’ Home Agency and the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship Board.    » read more »

Veterans of the Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan Closer to Realizing Comprehensive Educational Benefits for their Service

May 22, 2008 -- Washington, DC—The Senate today overwhelmingly passed landmark legislation to provide post-9/11 veterans with comprehensive educational benefits, introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) seventeen months ago on his first day in office.

The measure—cosponsored by Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), John Warner (R-VA) and a strong bipartisan majority of their colleagues—was passed in the House last week. Identical measures were included in the Iraq War emergency supplemental spending bills.

The following is a statement from Senator Webb:    » read more »