As the leading voice for the post-9/11 community, IAVA continues to create awareness on issues and topics impacting our community. Below are articles and news sources from the past month:

IAVA In the News:

(Newsy) Pres. Biden Full Withdrawal From Afghanistan

April 29, 2021: “In terms of partnering with Afghans, mentoring Afghans, I’ve personally seen the advances that our efforts have brought over there, and I’d hate to lose those, and I’m very, very concerned with the possibility that they may lose all of that,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…Watch here.

(Military.com) Emptiness, Anger, Relief: Afghanistan Veterans Wrestle with Coming End of ‘Forever War’

April 21, 2021: “There are many different perspectives but we can all agree that we need to take care of veterans when they return,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…Read more.

(The Washington Post) Post-Riot Effort to Tackle Extremism in the Military Largely Overlooks Veterans

April 20, 2021:  “It’s going to take involvement of all levels of society to solve this problem including government, nonprofits and individuals,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Read more.

(The Washington Times) Veterans Express Fears and Mixed Emotions as Afghanistan Final Troop Withdrawal Nears

April 19, 2021: “There are no perfect solutions to the vexing question that is Afghanistan, but, there are solutions to protect and support the millions of veterans left in its wake,”  said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Read more.

(West Hawaii Today) Senator Brian Schatz Reintroduces Legislation to Prescribe Medical Marijuana to Veterans

April 19, 2021: “Eighty-eight percent of respondents to IAVA’s most recent member survey approved of cannabis use for medicinal purposes,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Read more.

(Reuters) ‘Forgot-astan’: Vets and Afghans on the Withdraw

April 15, 2021: “Many lives have been sacrificed over there in Afghanistan and so many veterans have come back with various wounds of war,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…Watch here.

(The Washington Post) Police Encounter with Black Army Officer is a Hurtful Reminder that ‘Service is Not Going to Save You’

April 13, 2021: “The video shows how even a Black military officer feels the police inherently see him as a threat,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Read more.

(Military.com) Advocates for Veterans Sickened by Burn Pits are Taking Their Biggest Stand Yet on Capitol Hill

April 13, 2021: “If you were to ask veterans if they want research, they’ll tell you no. They want to be treated for their injuries; they want to be compensated for their injuries,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…Read more.

(CVN) Cohen Veterans Network Marks 5-Year Anniversary

April 6, 2021: “The Cohen Veterans Network has been a trusted partner to IAVA as we work in tandem to meet the needs of veterans and eliminate obstacles that stand in the way of receiving care,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Read more.

(Military Times) VA COVID Cases Rising: Vets Groups Tapped by White House for Vaccination Outreach

April 2, 2021: White House officials will tap numerous veterans groups, including IAVA, to act as “trusted voices” in communities across the country in administration efforts to convince Americans to get coronavirus vaccines as soon as they’re available…Read more.

(USA Today) Female Veterans Served America, But the VA System Doesn’t Serve and Protect Them

March 31, 2021: “IAVA is calling to change the VA motto to be gender-neutral, fully recognizing all veterans that have served and ensuring that women feel VA is also a place for them,” said Kaitlynne Hetrick, Associate of Government Affairs for IAVA…Read more.

IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 400,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s The Vote Hub is a free tool to register to vote and find polling information. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.

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