As a recent report from the Government Accountability Office reveals, seven months have passed since the Walter Reed crisis and serious problems in veterans' care remain.
As of October 1, the veterans' budget is late. Until it is approved, the VA will be forced to ration care.
Now, it's up to the President and Congress to approve the budget. Add your name to the statement, and demand they take action.
Sign the IAVA Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
CONTACT: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or michael@iava.org
Powerful New TV Ad From Veterans Group Blasts Congress and President Bush
"Demand Action" Highlights Late VA Budget and Lack of Progress Since Walter Reed
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, launched a gripping new TV ad today. "Demand Action" reminds Americans that seven months have passed since the Walter Reed scandal broke and serious problems in veterans' care remain. Furthermore, while consumed with the latest Rush Limbaugh comment and MoveOn.org ad, Congress has failed to pass the Veterans Affairs (VA) budget. "Demand Action," a national media buy which will run for a limited time, targets opinion leaders throughout the country. IAVA raised money from its grassroots supporters online to fund the ad and will continue to solicit donations to keep it on the air.
The ad can be viewed now at IAVA Action. An ad fact sheet is also available on the site.
"Demand Action" features Annette McLeod of Chesterfield, South Carolina, the courageous wife of an injured serviceman. Mrs. McLeod's husband, Specialist Wendell McLeod, sustained a traumatic brain injury and numerous other painful and debilitating injuries in an accident while he was serving in Iraq in 2004. "Demand Action" includes excerpts of Annette McLeod's Congressional testimony on the abhorrent care her husband received at Walter Reed. "This is how we treat our soldiers," she testifies, later declaring "my life was ripped apart" and "they're good enough to go and sacrifice their life and we give them nothing."
The ad also includes Staff Sergeant John Daniel Shannon bravely testifying before Congress that soldiers were treated "in my opinion, like a piece of dirt." Poignant photographs of wounded veterans are interspersed throughout the ad. A narrator reminds viewers that in the sevens months since the Walter Reed fiasco, little has been done and to make matters worse, the veterans budget is now late. Viewers are asked to urge Congress and the President to approve the VA budget and "demand action at IAVAaction.org." IAVAaction.org gives supporters the opportunity to sign an online petition urging Congress and the President to pass the VA budget immediately.
"Americans were rightly outraged when they first learned of the deplorable conditions at Walter Reed and many people assume that the problems have been fixed. As a recent GAO report revealed, it has been seven months and President Bush and the Congress still have not adequately improved care for wounded servicemembers," said Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Executive Director. "To compound the problems, the VA budget is late. Congress is busy fighting about frivolous topics like Rush Limbaugh's comments or MoveOn.org's latest ad when there is real work to be done. It is critical that they take immediate action on issues that will substantially impact veterans' lives."
The delays in improving veterans' care may force other servicemembers and their loved ones to cope with the same hardships as Mrs. McLeod and her family. "Wendell's experience at Walter Reed was horrific. Our whole family suffered from the bureaucratic fiasco we encountered. I hope no one else ever has to cope with the heartache and frustration we faced," said Mrs. McLeod.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A non-profit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 60,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states. To arrange an interview with Annette McLeod or Paul Rieckhoff, please contact Michael Houston at (212)-982-9699, or email Michael at IAVA.
'Sacrifice' by Helping This Countries Veterans: Add Your Name, that's all you need to do!
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