All posts during March 2012

In Memoriam: Clay Hunt
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 31 2012

Last year, as we marked the end of Storm the Hill, it was with unspeakable sadness that IAVA staff and members across the country mourned the loss of our friend Clay Hunt. Clay took his own life on March 31st, 2011. He served in the Marine Corps for four years before being honorably discharged in 2009. He served in an infantry squad in Iraq in 2007 where he was wounded in action, receiving the Purple Heart Medal, and then in Afghanistan in 2008 as a Scout-Sniper.

White House Officials Meet with IAVA to Cap Successful “Storm the Hill 2012”
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 29 2012

Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, met with key Administration officials in the Roosevelt Room at the White House.

Storm the Hill 2012: Meet the Teams
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 29 2012

Team Alpha

Journal of a Stormer: Day Four
Posted by John McGlothlin on March 29 2012

A large sign at the end of the hallway reads “I Hire Veterans.” I don’t need a job, but I needed to know which senator in the Hart Office Building had decided to make such a visible statement of support on the issue that was driving our Storm the Hill program. It turned out that the sign, with the silhouettes of a saluting man and woman, took up most of the window at the entrance of Sen. Joe Manchin from West Virginia.

Journal of a Stormer: Day Three
Posted by John McGlothlin on March 28 2012

Team Golf walked all over Capitol Hill on Tuesday, the first full day of Storm the Hill, holding meetings in both the House and Senate and with Republicans and Democrats alike. The conversations included the staff of legislators and, in two cases, the legislators themselves. It was a refreshing contrast to some of the frustrations from the previous day and was a valuable opportunity to shine a light on veterans’ problems and the legislation that could fix them.

26 vets vs. 12,000 lobbyists? It’s time to level the playing field.
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on March 28 2012

There are 12,000 lobbyists in Washington. They represent anything and everything from big tobacco to Styrofoam. And they have Congress’ ear every day of the year. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have that kind of political pull. And neither does our veterans’ community – even though they deserve it. That’s why, this week, IAVA is storming Capitol Hill.

Journal of a Stormer: Day Two
Posted by John McGlothlin on March 27 2012

When someone in the military notices a problem, they come up with a solution. If necessary, they present this solution to their boss. One of three things then happens:1. The plan gets approved. 2. The plan gets changed. 3. The plan gets scrapped because the boss is fine with the status quo.In politics, there is a fourth option:4. The plan gets obscured/debated/conflated/submerged in larger maneuvering based on party, fundraising, and other things that are unrelated to whether the problem needs solving.

IAVA Spearheads Crucial Legislation to Protect New GI Bill
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 27 2012

Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, stood with Senate Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Patty Murray, Senators Daniel Akaka and Mark Begich to introduce the GI Bill Consumer Awareness Act of 2012.

Alyssa Peterson: What Storm the Hill Means to Me
Posted by Jacob Worrell on March 27 2012

Originally posted on Alyssa Peterson's blog, From IU to DC, on Monday, February 26, 2012.Today is the start of Storm the Hill, a yearly push by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America on Capitol Hill for veterans’s issues.

Journal of a Stormer: Day One
Posted by John McGlothlin on March 26 2012

It’s not in a veteran’s nature to talk about himself. In the Army, at least the parts of it where I spent the last nine years, you don’t tell people about who you are - you show them through the quality of your work. Unfortunately, when you only have half an hour (or half a minute) with a busy legislator, there isn’t time to let a lesson sink in slowly – you need to get right to the point. And that means being direct about your story and the stories of those you served with.

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Success Stories

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

Meet the Press: The War's Toll on U.S. Troops

On Sunday, March 18th, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and…
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IAVA Helps President Unveil Veterans Jobs Initiative

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All posts during March 2012

In Memoriam: Clay Hunt Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 31 2012

White House Officials Meet with IAVA to Cap Successful “Storm the Hill 2012” Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 29 2012

Storm the Hill 2012: Meet the Teams Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 29 2012

Journal of a Stormer: Day Four Posted by John McGlothlin on March 29 2012

Journal of a Stormer: Day Three Posted by John McGlothlin on March 28 2012

26 vets vs. 12,000 lobbyists? It’s time to level the playing field. Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on March 28 2012

Journal of a Stormer: Day Two Posted by John McGlothlin on March 27 2012

IAVA Spearheads Crucial Legislation to Protect New GI Bill Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 27 2012

Alyssa Peterson: What Storm the Hill Means to Me Posted by Jacob Worrell on March 27 2012

Journal of a Stormer: Day One Posted by John McGlothlin on March 26 2012