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 Friday, December 16, IAVA Membership Director Jason Hansman appeared on NY1 and commented on the challenges some veterans face as they come home. Earlier that day, Defense Secretary Panetta attended a ceremony in Baghdad which officially concluded the American war in Iraq.
"The biggest issue that we're seeing right now is veteran unemployment," Hansman said. New veteran unemployment reached 11.1 percent in the month of November, nearly two points higher than the national average.
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.
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 Board Member Wes Moore and TIME columnist Joe Klein discussed Klein's cover story on new veterans being leaders on Morning Joe. RMoore and four other IAVA Member Veterans, including IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, were featured on the cover. See the cover here and read the piece here.
IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and TIME columnist Joe Klein joined CNN American Morning to discuss Klein's cover story on new veterans being leaders. Rieckhoff and four other IAVA Member Veterans were featured on the cover. See the cover here and read the piece here.
IAVA's Senior Policy Advisor Todd Bowers, a Purple Heart veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and Nick Colgin, an Afghanistan veteran and currently working in IAVA's Membership Department, joined Rachel Maddow to discuss veteran unemployment and Nick's story being shared by the President. You can see the President's speech on combating veteran unemployment here.
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.
IAVA's Senior Policy Advisor Todd Bowers, a Purple Heart veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, had the opportunity to represent IAVA's more than 100,000 members at the closing ceremony today in Washington, D.C. Afterwards, Todd spoke to CNN about the unique role that the doctors, service members and caregivers at Walter Reed have played over the past decade in the lives of the thousands of wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
