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Opinion   

As Michael Vick Awaits Hail Mary, Vets Tackle a New GI Bill
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on July 29

Somewhere high in the Afghan mountains, Staff Sgt. Todd Bowers is shouting for joy, dancing, and quite possibly, crying all at once. And I assure you, it’s not because Michael Vick is coming back to the NFL.  In less than five days, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will finally take effect –ushering in the education dreams of hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops and veterans, like Todd, who have put their plans on hold to serve for our country.

GAO: VA Failing to Serve Our Women Warriors
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on July 17

If you blinked, you could’ve missed it. With the media’s obsession over Michael Jackson’s death and Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings plastered across cable news shows, an important story might have skipped your radar.

A 7-Step Guide to Navigating the VA Home Loan Process
Posted by Matthew Marsh on July 9

The VA home loan is a program established to help veterans purchase a home with little to no money down, no private mortgage insurance, the ability to pre-pay without penalty, and a low fixed interest rate. It is an especially great program for first-time veteran home buyers, who may not have the money saved up for the 20% down payment that most conventional loans require.  Interested in learning more? Click here for details.

Coming Home from War Is No 4th of July Picnic
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on July 4

I'll never forget my Independence Day at war. On July 4, 2003, I was in Baghdad, preparing to return home with my infantry platoon after six months fighting Saddam's Army and an insurgency that was just beginning to exact its toll on coalition forces. On that day, however, my expectations were thwarted, as my men and I were notified that our combat tour would be extended indefinitely. So instead of enjoying fireworks stateside, my unit watched AK tracer trails zip across the sky, walked patrols instead of parades, and ate MREs instead of hot dogs.

A 7-Step Guide to Navigating the VA Home Loan Process
Posted by Matthew Marsh on July 2

The VA home loan is a program established to help veterans purchase a home with little to no money down, no private mortgage insurance, the ability to pre-pay without penalty, and a low fixed interest rate. It is an especially great program for first-time veteran home buyers, who may not have the money saved up for the 20% down payment that most conventional loans require.  Interested in learning more? Click here for details.

Marine Finds Unlikely Reinforcements Online: Nerds
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on June 30

These past few years we’ve seen self-proclaimed, highly-influential nerds using the power of online technology to play a huge role in driving public policy, political campaigns and organizing grassroots engagement.  But social networking isn’t just for electoral battles.  It’s transforming the way communities organize for the public good. And now, nerds--and I say that with the utmost respect-- are changing the lives of thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.

Moonwalking in Baghdad: Discovering the King of Pop on Foot Patrol
Posted by Don Gomez on June 30

On Monday, IAVA Member Veteran Don Gomez spoke to National Public Radio for a special interview about whether the media's coverage of the death of pop culture icon Michael Jackson is detracting from focus on U.S. troops' withdrawal from Iraqi cities this week. Click here to listen to the interview and read Don's original column about the debate.  

Remembering A Former Commander: Major General David Wherley
Posted by Patrick Campbell on June 26

With the nation’s attention focused on mourning Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett and Ed McMahon I want to take a second to remember a little known national hero who died tragically this week. Major General David Wherley, my former commander with the DC National Guard, and his wife, Ann Wherley, were killed in the DC metro accident on Monday.

From Fallujah to Fatherhood: A Reflection on Balancing the Invisible Wounds of War
Posted by Reynaldo Leal Jr. on June 21

Four years ago today, I was kicking in doors and clearing houses in Fallujah with the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines.  Now, retired from the Corps, I spend most of my days driving trucks and tanks with a toddler – my 19 month old son Reynaldo Leal, III.

Hey Lindsay Lohan! Did You Hear About the Major Victory for Thousands of Stop-Lossed Troops?
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on June 19

This week, we’ve seen Jon and Kate inch closer to divorce, the President stand trial in the court of public opinion for fly-homicide, and another Washington elite publicize infidelity via press release.  

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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…