June 22, 2006
Veterans for America took off this week, with a one-hour interview on National Public Radio and a front-page article in the Washington Post addressing the mental health needs of war veterans. Let's share the news about VFA and tell our friends about the problems facing veterans when they return home from 24/7 urban combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The response continues to be tremendous, with more than 400 new veterans signing up for VFA in the last four days. Even more impressive is how more than 1,000 supporters sent faxes to Senators asking them to support desperately needed pro-veteran legislation.
Unfit for War: VFA's Steve Robinson on NPR's On-Point Radio
On Wednesday morning, Steve Robinson, Veterans for America's Legislative Director, was interviewed on National Public Radio's On-Point. The show discussed the recent series of Hartford Courant articles which revealed that the military was rotating troops back to Iraq even after they'd been diagnosed with trauma and post-traumatic stress.
You can listen online here
You can also read Steve's blog online here.
Iraq War May Add Stress for Past Vets
The Washington Post this week reported an important story on Page 1, focusing on the increase in mental health services use by veterans from previous wars. According to the VA, PTSD compensation by VA has more than doubled since 2000, with most of the increase occurring after the invasion of Iraq.
Paul Sullivan, VFA Program Director, was quoted in the article: "PTSD is better understood than it once was...The veterans are more willing to accept a diagnosis of PTSD," he said, "and the VA is more willing to make it."
VFA Endorses Amendments to Defense Bill
VFA called for our supporters this week to contact their Senators and ask them to support two critical amendments to the defense authorization bill.
Your response was spectacular! Some Senate offices received dozens of faxes from our members, and they are still coming in. If you haven't yet sent your fax, it's not too late.
It's easy to send your message -- visit our online action center and send your message today.
Talk Back
With the launch of our new site, one of the key abilities we wanted to give veterans was a platform to speak up about the issues they are concerned about. If you are signed up with VFA, you can set up and post your blog today.
You can check out this month' blogs, respond to them, or post your own Here.
Support Our Work
You can help support our work. Consider a monthly contribution, or whatever you can send.
Veterans for America is a joint program of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization) and The Justice Project (a non-profit 501(c)(4) war veterans organization). Individual gifts made through The Justice Project are tax-deductible.
If you are interested in making a gift through a family or corporate foundation that can only support 501c3 organizations, you can also support our educational work through VVAF by contacting VVAF's development department at 202-483-9222.
Send a check
Checks should be made out to Veterans for America and mailed to:
Veterans for America
c/o The Justice Project
1025 Vermont Ave, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20005
As always, thank you for your continued support for our work.
With highest regards,
Charles Sheehan-Miles
Associate Director
Veterans for America
Veterans for America
1025 Vermont Ave NW 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
202-483-9222
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