On Saturday, December 17, IAVA Senior Writing Manager Matt Gallagher appeared on CNN and spoke about what the end of the Iraq War means to him and the approximately 1 million veterans who served in OIF/OND. "It's a very surreal time... for all veterans of Iraq," Gallagher said.
On Thursday, December 8, IAVA Senior Legislative Associate Tom Tarantino appeared on CNN and spoke about the end of the Iraq War and war's legacy on service members and their families.
"Coming back from combat is a process for everyone," Tarantino said. The vast majority of service members are able to rise to the challenge with the support of family and friends. IAVA's new issue report "Unsung Heroes" is a critical first step in understanding what military families face after the service members come home.
In an interview with Howard Fineman for the Huffington Post, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff spoke about his work advocating for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Rieckhoff addressed the challenges facing the newest generation of veterans and the leadership lessons that can be gleaned from their experiences overseas.
On Saturday, October 22 IAVA Senior Legislative Associate Tom Tarantino appeared on MSNBC and reacted to the news that all U.S. troops will be out of Iraq by the end of the year. “It’s time that we as a country take this announcement as a call to action, to step up and serve those who have served us,” he said.
On October 21, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff went on CNN and reacted to the news that all troops will be out of Iraq by the end of the year. "It's a really poignant time," he said. "Many of us gave large parts of our lives—some gave all—in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom." Click here to read IAVA's statement on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
IAVA Member Veteran Jonathan Raab joined Last Call with Lawrence O'Donnell to discuss veteran unemployment. One of the main topics of discussion was Jonathan's recent New York Timespiece highlighting his own experiences with job struggles as a veteran. This fall, Jonathan will redeploy to Afghanistan.
IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and Membership Intern and Afghanistan veteran Nick Colgin spoke to CNN about President Obama's initiative to improve the private sectoe job outlook for new veterans. You can learn more about his plan here.
Veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan? Join the conversation and share your own experiences with fellow veterans inside Community of Veterans.
On Tuesday, July 26th IAVA's Senior Legislative Associate Tom Tarantino spoke about the recent improvements in the G.I. Bill with H.R. 1383. If passed, the bill would be a significant step towards addressing the educations needs of our newest veterans.
Veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan? Join the conversation and share your own experiences with fellow veterans inside Community of Veterans.
On Monday, July 25th, IAVA protested a change in the New GI Bill which would exclude hundreds of veterans from getting reimbursed for going to school. The change would exclude students who had begun school in the winter and spring of 2011.
Veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan? Join the conversation and share your own experiences with fellow veterans inside Community of Veterans.
IAVA Senior Legislative Associate Tom Tarantino joined Bob Barnard in Washington, DC to discuss invisible injuries on National PTSD Awareness Day. The day is inspired by North Dakota Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Joe Biel, who took his own life following two tours in Iraq. June 27th was Biel's birthday.
