Veterans Respond to President Bush's Speech to the VFW

CONTACT: Chrissy Stevens (212) 982-9699FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Veterans Respond to President Bush’s Speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) President Bush Fails to Adequately Address Urgent Issues Facing Veterans Today    NEW YORK –Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, released the following statement in response to President Bush’s remarks to the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in Kansas City today:   “President Bush failed to adequately address many of the urgent issues facing veterans today.  The last thing these veterans needed was a history lesson.  They remember America’s wars because they actually fought them.  Instead of making references to previous conflicts, we need the President to take more seriously the myriad of issues facing veterans and their families right now.  There were glaring omissions in his remarks, including answering who will replace Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson when he steps down in October,” said Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Executive Director.  “Instead of offering a history lesson, President Bush should be specific about taking immediate action on the recommendations of the Dole-Shalala Commission to fix the deplorable conditions and poor care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  These are matters of life and death for America’s newest generation of veterans, but on these critical issues, President Bush came up short.”   IAVA Director of Government Affairs, Todd Bowers, attended President Bush’s address to the VFW.  “While IAVA commends the Veterans of Foreign Wars for hosting such an important gathering, we were disappointed by what President Bush said, and more importantly, did not say this morning.  It’s critical that President Bush place a higher priority on implementing the recommendations of the Dole-Shalala Commission to ensure that veterans receive the honor and care they deserve.”       IAVA, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, is the nation's first and largest organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, representing more than 60,000 members and civilian supporters in all 50 states. To arrange an interview with Paul Rieckhoff, Todd Bowers or any other IAVA member veterans, contact Michael Houston at (212)-982-9699, or email michael@iava.org. For more information, visit www.iava.org.   ###