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 Senior Legislative Associate Tom Tarantino joined Tamron Hall on MSNBC to discuss the drawdown in Afghanistan alongside Col. Cedric Leighton. Tom argued that the the American public must be ready for the surge of new veterans coming home from from Afghanistan who will be facing unprecedented rates of unemployment, mental health challenges and suicide.
IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff joined The Rachel Maddow Show to discuss what the death of Osama bin Laden means for the miltary and veterans communities. Click here to read IAVA's release about this historic event.
IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and Member Veterans Phoebe Gavin, Maria Canales and Marco Bongioanni and their families joined The Gayle King Show to discuss the hardships on both the troops and the families during deployments. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden were both guests on the show as well, talking about their new program for military families, Joining Forces. Click here to read IAVA's release about the program.
Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan say it’s great when people thank them for their service, but even more valuable would be the country paying attention to the two wars and the hardships veterans face upon returning home. IAVA Deputy Executive Director, Todd Bowers, and spokesman Scott Spaulding comment on the receptions they received when they came home.
IAVA's Todd Bowers, Deputy Policy Director for Public Affairs, was among the marines cited in this AFP piece on recruitment shortages facing the Afghan National Police. Bowers was cited for his efforts to forge closer ties with local elders.
The Army Times recently quoted IAVA Executive Director and Founder Paul Rieckhoff in this article about the Department of Defense's 120-day deadline to launch a payment plan for nearly 185,000 stoplossed service members eligible to receive retroactive backpay for every month they served beyond their enlistment contract since September 10, 2001.
Following U.S. Comedian Stephen Colbert's unprecedented broadcast before U.S. troops in Baghdad, Newsweek published this special edition "My Turn" essay from IAVA Executive Director and Founder Paul Rieckhoff about the need to break "crazy veteran" stereotypes in America. Click here for the full article or to read Stephen Colbert's entire special guest edition Newsweekpreviewing his trip to Iraq.
The Associated Press spoke with IAVA Executive Director and Founder Paul Rieckhoff for this article about injured veterans who are being denied or forced to pay back their enlistment bonuses.
Join our growing movement. Sign up for your free membership today.
