Blog Post

Statement on President Obama's visit to Afghanistan
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on May 1 2012

Today, as the country reflected on Osama bin Laden’s death one year ago, IAVA issued the following statement as the President Obama traveled to Kabul to sign a strategic agreement that could keep the U.S. in Afghanistan after combat troops withdraw in 2014:

“The President’s announcement reinforces that the war is far from over, and that the costs for our service members and their families will continue to endure. As our troops’ footprint shrinks in Afghanistan, our veteran footprint grows on American soil. At a time when veterans are facing unacceptable levels of unemployment, suicide and mental health injuries, our country can’t afford to forget about them. A recent report from the VA's own Inspector General on mental health care delays paints a grim picture for the VA's ability to deliver timely, quality care and support that meets the unique needs of this generation. Our country must fight to fix these issues before the surge home. Just as we support our troops overseas, we must continue to support them as veterans on the home front,” said IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff.

“American citizens and leaders must make our troops and veterans a priority every day - not just on holidays or during campaign season. For our community, today isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about the men and women, the brothers and sisters, that have carried America through the past 10 years of war. Our troops, veterans and their families have been asked to do so much, and they will continue to carry the load both overseas and here at home. Now is not the time to turn the page on these 2.4 million brave men and women who have served and sacrificed in Iraq and Afghanistan to keep our country safe. As all Americans reflect on today's importance, IAVA urges the entire country to stand united around our troops, veterans and their families.”

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