Blog Post

Here are some of today's top stories and happenings at IAVA. Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom.

Here are some of today's top stories and happenings at IAVA.  Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom and click here to get the News Brief delivered to your inbox every morning.

MUST READS

1) Veterans of Iraq War Also Deserve Parade in City, Some Argue

As the Super Bowl champs line up to march in New York City, a group of post-9/11 veterans is on the ground with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff to ask Mayor Bloomberg when Iraq veterans will get a parade. “Celebrating the Iraqi vets doesn’t negate a future celebration for the Afghan vets or deny that we’re still at war,” said IAVA board member Les Gelb.

2) Still Scarred By Two Wars, American Hero Daniel Rodriguez Chases His Football Dream

After his best friend was killed during an RPG attack in Iraq, Sgt. Daniel Rodriguez returned home wounded but determined to fulfill a promise. Tonight on HD Net, watch a documentary that follows Rodriguez’s struggle to overcome his invisible injuries and become a college football player.

3) Veterans bond with horses in therapy program

Of the 2.4 million veterans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, approximately 20 percent suffer from depression, traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. The VA and the private sector have turned to unorthodox treatments for these wounded warriors, including a pilot program that connects veterans with horses.

 AFGHANISTAN

• The U.S. military dropped a record 80 million pounds of supplies in Afghanistan in 2011.
• Five Afghans were killed and four were wounded by a shooting incident in the southern city of Kandahar Monday night.

IRAQ

• Sunni members of the Iraqi cabinet have returned to the government, ending a tense political stalemate.
• As part of its push for more reliable electricity, Iraq is awarding $3 billion to foreign contractors this month.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

• According to health experts, a small portion of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan come home with chronic illnesses caused by burn pits and other service-related pollutants.
• Human Resources Command, which offers information on personnel policies and programs, has upgraded its website.
• The President has nominated Air Force Lieutenant General Janet Wolfenbarger to become the nation’s first female four-star general.

NEW GREATEST GENERATION

• Service members in Japan created a sculpture of ‘The Lone Sailor’ at the annual Sapporo Snow Festival.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

• The White House will hold a black-tie dinner for 200 veterans of Iraq and their families on February 29.
• Congress passed a bill that will require the FAA to open U.S. skies to drones.