Opinion

VA Officials Testify Before Congress on the Budget
Posted by IAVA Staff on April 19 2013

Over the past week, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), General Eric Shinseki, testified before the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees to discuss the VA’s budget request for the 2014 fiscal year and its advanced appropriations request for 2015. As expected, there was a strong focus on the VA’s disability claims backlog crisis at both hearings.

Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes Parade
Posted by Anthony Pike on December 19 2012

On Saturday, December 15, the Windy City came together for their Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes Parade. The parade was designed to be able to properly welcome home Iraq vets while showing our continued support for the brave men and women still deployed to Afghanistan. This particular date was chosen because it was the first anniversary of the end of the Iraq war. IAVA members activated to march in the parade alongside Gold Star Families, Illinois National Guard units and other veteran organizations.

The season of service is not just for vets
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on December 13 2012

For thousands of veterans across America, life during the holidays is going to be tough this year.After fighting for our country in Iraq and Afghanistan, they’re coming home to high unemployment rates and a broken VA system. They’re dealing with physical and emotional injuries unprecedented in complication – from traumatic brain injuries to genital reconstruction. They’re worried about their friends who are struggling to sleep at night and not getting the care they need fast enough. They’re waiting months, sometimes years, to get the benefits they deserve.

My Story: Marching towards the South Pole
Posted by Nick Colgin on November 16 2012

Four years ago this month, I experienced my first post-military Veterans Day. I was only a few months removed from Afghanistan, where I’d served as a medic with the 82d Airborne for 15 months. I was still suffering severe symptoms of a TBI experienced from the blast of an RPG off the side of my Humvee.

The War Against Suicide
Posted by Tom Tarantino on November 16 2012

Across America, 2.5 million Americans have stepped up to serve in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Small towns and big cities alike have sent their men and women overseas. As in all wars, some don't make it home.

They Know the Way Forward
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on November 12 2012

There are news cycles and then there are news cycles. From Hurricane Sandy to the 2012 Election, the past few days have felt like a marathon to many Americans. (Thankfully not like the New York City one , which was wisely cancelled to commit resources to hurricane recovery efforts.) But as both President Obama and Governor Romney said on Tuesday night in their respective speeches, it’s time to move forward and concentrate on what can be done now. And it starts with honoring our military vets on Veterans Day.

A Historic Election for New Veterans
Posted by Kate O'Gorman on November 8 2012

The 2012 Election was historic for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. A record high 42 new veterans ran for Congress in 2012. Sixteen of these candidates won their bids for Congress, and two more are in races still too close to call.

How Mikayla Bragg and 31 Soldiers "Fell Through The Cracks"
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on October 24 2012

Alone in a guard tower 6,800 miles from her home in Longview, WA, Specialist Mikayla Bragg took her own life last December.

While the Army Stands Down, Suicide Rates are Still Up
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on October 3 2012

Against the backdrop of the Army’s service-wide stand down for suicide prevention, the Army released its suicide numbers for August.It’s not good news.

5 Things New Veterans Expect From All Candidates in 2012
Posted by Tom Tarantino on August 24 2012

More than 2.4 million Americans from every state and every Congressional district have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. And after ten years of war, veterans and their families need and deserve support from any and all political candidates. No matter what party they come from or what community they represent, every candidate has a responsibility to ensure that veterans issues are a top platform priority. We expect more than lip service. We expect real solutions and a solid commitment.

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Opinion

VA Officials Testify Before Congress on the Budget Posted by IAVA Staff on April 19 2013

Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes Parade Posted by Anthony Pike on December 19 2012

The season of service is not just for vets Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on December 13 2012

My Story: Marching towards the South Pole Posted by Nick Colgin on November 16 2012

The War Against Suicide Posted by Tom Tarantino on November 16 2012

They Know the Way Forward Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on November 12 2012

A Historic Election for New Veterans Posted by Kate O'Gorman on November 8 2012

How Mikayla Bragg and 31 Soldiers "Fell Through The Cracks" Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on October 24 2012

While the Army Stands Down, Suicide Rates are Still Up Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on October 3 2012

5 Things New Veterans Expect From All Candidates in 2012 Posted by Tom Tarantino on August 24 2012