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.
On Wednesday, November 30, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff appeared on the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC and reacted to the news that several major U.S. banks illegally foreclosed on thousands of homes owned by U.S. service members. The foreclosures were particularly egregious because they occurred while the service members were deployed overseas.
“The idea that your serving in Fallujah while your house is being foreclosed back home is outrageous... it should force all Americans to ask hard questions,” Rieckhoff insisted.
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 11/11/11, hundreds of IAVA Member Veterans marched in the 2011 New York City Veterans Day parade. IAVA Founder and Executive Director talks about the energy surrounding the event and what Veterans Day means to the organization.
