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In Their Words

Michael Day
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on November 1

In December of 2002 I found out that I would be deployed to Iraq. I was newly married and by the time I stepped foot on Kuwaiti soil I was married for six months. The buildup to my deployment was quite chaotic. First Name:  Michael Last Name:  Day Who You Are:  Iraq Veteran Image: 

Cara Hammer
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on November 1

I was stationed in Germany when I was redeployed from Iraq; we got off a C-130 from Ballad and were greeted on the tarmac by three Vietnam vets. These three guys were so happy to see us, one would have thought they were waiting for us the entire year to return. They had food for us, hugs, and well wishes for our return. They mentioned later that they were determined to have each individual soldier know their service was appreciated and not in vein. It’s amazing how a stranger can genuinely care and make such a big impact on you at a time when you’re not even aware that you needed it. First Name:  Cara Last Name:  Hammer Who You Are:  Iraq Veteran Image: 

Chris Roberts
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on November 1

I remember a time when a family friend asked me how it felt to be a father of someone at war in Iraq. He then stated that he would be out of his mind with anxiety and worry. I thought about his question briefly and then answered that I was OK with it, that my son wrote us and continued to assure us that he was fine. First Name:  Chris Last Name:  Roberts Image: 

Jennifer Burress
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on November 1

Army vet. I married him right after his first return from Iraq, and I've been married to him through his second deployment to Iraq, including his getting medevaced home with combat damage--thankfully not as severe as some. First Name:  Jennifer Last Name:  Burress

Meghan Meade
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on November 1

My name is Meghan Erin Meade, from East Moriches, New York I served In Kirkurk Iraq From 2006-2007. Prior to serving overseas I was serving under title 10 at my Base (active duty) and attending Stony Brook University as a full time student. Since my return I have not returned to school and am no longer full time at my base. I spend the majority of my time working a number of jobs and spending time with family and friends. First Name:  Meghan Last Name:  Meade Who You Are:  Iraq Veteran Image: 

Ashling Ganes 2
Posted by admin on October 19

My name is Ashling Ganes and I am currently a Construction Superintendent living in New York, NY. I completed my service in the Army at the beginning of 2008 after six and a half years as an Engineer Officer. In March of 2003, I deployed to Tikrit, Iraq as a member of the 299th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas. I spent a long, physically and emotionally grueling year in Iraq, but my best memory is when I first stepped back onto U.S. soil. First Name:  Ashling Last Name:  Gaines Who You Are:  Member of 299th Engineer Battalion Email:  a@test.com Image: 

Fran Dudding
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on November 11

My husband Wayne Dudding, then a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army reserves, volunteered for duty after 9/11. He was assigned to Central Command at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL. He was on active duty from 2002 to 2004. First Name:  Fran Last Name:  Dudding

Joseph L. Burris
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on November 8

My name is Joseph L. Burris. I am a recently discharged veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was deployed twice as a Combat medic. I crossed the line in the initial attack, and deployed a second time during 2004-2005. First Name:  Joseph L. Last Name:  Burris Who You Are:  Iraq Veteran Image: 

Bryan Adams
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on November 8

My name is Bryan Adams, I am 24 years old and currently a Business student at Rutgers University in New Jersey. I was deployed to Iraq as part Operation Iraqi Freedom II with the First Infantry Division where I served in Tikrit, Iraq from February 2004-05 as an Army Sniper. Serving in Iraq has had a lasting impression on me; it has undoubtedly shaped me into the man I have become today.  First Name:  Bryan Last Name:  Adams Who You Are:  Iraq Veteran Image: 

Baldwin Yen
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on November 7

My name is Baldwin Yen, I served as a sergeant in the US Army reserves, and was deployed to Iraq in November 2003 until November 2004.  I served as a broadcast operations NCO, and got to travel the country interviewing my fellow service members and making stories for tv. Think of Full Metal Jacket or Good Morning Vietnam and you sort of get the idea. First Name:  Baldwin Last Name:  Yen Who You Are:  Iraq Veteran Image: 

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Success Stories

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

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