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Opinion   

Veterans Week 2009: We've Got Your Back
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on November 11

Somewhere, high atop the mountains of Afghanistan, Marine Staff Sergeant Todd Bowers is smiling. He's not thinking about Cameron Diaz or all the Jack Daniels he'll consume when he comes home. Or at least not this minute. He's reflecting on a handshake, one that launched a historic campaign to welcome new veterans home.

Rock Band OAR Asks America to Open Up Your Arms And Focus on What Matters
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on October 28

Last week, I heard a baffling statistic. More Americans followed news of the runaway balloon than coverage of the war in Afghanistan.   With this noise clogging the media landscape, it’s hard to get the general public to pay attention to anything important, much less understand the tremendous sacrifices of the 1 percent of Americans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Fortunately, some extremely talented musicians are working to change that.

Historic Day: Obama Signs Advance VA Funding into Law
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on October 22

Since 2004, Rey Leal has been fighting. He's fought on the streets of Fallujah; for mental health care in south Texas; and in Washington, for a solution to years of late veterans' health care budgets. Today, Rey and millions of veterans have won their fight.

Women Warriors: Supporting She ‘Who Has Borne the Battle’
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on October 14

When Sergeant Cara Hammer returned from her deployment in Iraq in 2005, she thought her days of fighting were over. But she quickly discovered that she had more battles ahead of her.

Congress Gets Paid, Veterans Get Shafted
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on October 1

Every year, Congress needs to pass 12 appropriations bills by October 1st to keep the federal government up and running. If lawmakers don’t meet this deadline, the government operates on temporary funding or shuts down.

“Immeasurable Courage and Uncommon Valor”— Sgt. First Class Jared C. Monti
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on September 22

Courage, sacrifice, hero—three words thrown around carelessly these days. Politicians that cross party lines to force compromise on the divisive issues of our day are labeled “courageous.” A professional athlete that makes a bold play, leading his team to victory is deemed “heroic.” An actor who forgoes a big paycheck for the summer blockbuster to work on a small budget documentary is seen as making a “sacrifice.” Don’t get me wrong, these acts are worthy of admiration. But for a nation at war, using these terms irresponsibly does a big disservice to those that serve.

Eight Years Later: Why Is There Still A Hole at Ground Zero?
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on September 11

Do you remember where you were during our generation’s defining hour? When the towers fell and the Pentagon was ablaze, our nation took pause. Now eight years later, it seems that we are still standing still, frozen in time, and as a country, still waiting for the healing to begin.

Going Back to School? Tell Us Your Story
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on September 9

From anthropology majors to zoology minors, if you have a GI Bill story, we want to hear it. If you're an Iraq veteran working toward your undergrad degree, the proud mother of an Afghanistan veteran attending law school, or if you went to college on the original GI Bill after World War II, you're a part of history. And you've got a story to tell.

Tell Us Your GI Bill Story
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on August 27

From anthropology majors to zoology minors, if you have a GI Bill story, we want to hear it. If you're an Iraq veteran working toward your undergrad degree, the proud mother of an Afghanistan veteran attending law school, or if you went to college on the original GI Bill after World War II, you're a part of history. And you've got a story to tell.

Veterans: Newest Addition to the Health Care Debate
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on August 21

For weeks now, health care reform has taken center stage in Washington, on every news program, and in contentious town halls across the country.  Not even the Army's troubling suicide numbers, the fate of the American POW being held by the Taliban, or the elections being held this week in Afghanistan have been able to break through this non-stop media circus.

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Success Stories

IAVA has helped thousands of veterans. Here are some of their stories:

Veterans Day 2009

On Veterans Day, IAVA Member Veterans participated in more than a dozen parades… 

IAVA, Ad Council Debut New PSA

On Veterans Day, IAVA and the Ad Council launched the second phase of a national… 

IAVA Spearheads Passage of Advanced Funding for VA Healthcare

On October 22nd, IAVA joined lawmakers and the nation's leading Veteran Service…