On Monday, March 19, the CEO of Mission Continues Eric Greiten and the Executive Director of IAVA Paul Rieckhoff appeared on the Charlie Rose Show and spoke about the state of the U.S. military. There's been major strain on American forces after ten years of war, including strain on military families. Less than one percent of Americans have served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
On Sunday, March 18th, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and Board Member and author Wes Moore joined NBC's Meet the Press for a special roundtable discussion on the strain the war in Afghanistan is placing on U.S. troops in the region.
On Thursday, March 15, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff appeared on MSNBC and spoke about the "crazy vet" stereotype that has reemerged after last Sunday's incident in Kandahar, where 16 civilians were killed allegedly by an Army Staff Sergeant.
On February 7, IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff discussed why veterans of Iraq should be celebrated with a 'Welcome Home' parade. The Mayor of New York City and the Department of Defense have opposed a parade while U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan. The White House is honoring 200 Iraq veterans and their city with a state dinner on February 29.
On Tuesday, February 7, IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff appeared on MSNBC Mitchell Report and discussed the White House state dinner. The White House's decision to hold an event for 200 Iraq vets on February 29 is admirable, says Rieckhoff, but Iraq veterans deserve an event that everyone can participate in.
On Friday, January 27, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff appeared on The Rachel Maddow Show and discussed the upcoming "Welcome Home Our Heroes" parade in St. Louis. The first of its kind in the nation, the parade was held on Saturday, January 28 and celebrated America's newest generation of veterans. IAVA local leader Angela Peacock was on hand, organizing a local cohort of IAVA vets.
Help give every Iraq and Afghanistan vet the welcome home they deserve. Join IAVA in calling for a national event to honor the 2.4 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Add your name to our petition.
On January 8, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff was featured in Rolling Stone as one of twelve leaders who "gets it done" in Washington, D.C.
In 2011, Rieckhoff was part of a coalition that championed the VOW to Hire Heroes Act to near unanimous passage in Congress. It was the only jobs bill that passed all year.
On Thursday, December 15, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff appeared on CB'S The Early Show and discussed the end of the Iraq War. The end of the war doesn’t necessarily mean the fight is over for those who served. Many veterans are facing a second battle as they come home to record levels of unemployment and a difficult transition.
Rieckhoff emphasized the pressing need to support new veterans as they reintegrate into civilian society. "The wars are over but the battles continue," he said, referring to the high unemployment rate among new veterans.
IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff was recently featured in the Fall 2011 issue of USAA Magazine. A veteran of Iraq, Rieckhoff has been a leading force in the new veterans movement since he returned home in 2004.
