IAVA | June 28, 2021
IAVA Monthly SITREP
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:
Wednesday, June 30
IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force: If you or a veteran or family member you know needs help, reach out to QRF today by calling 855-91RAPID or connect with us digitally at www.quickreactionforce.org.
Thursday, June 24
IAVA Media: IAVA Hosts Live Event About Alternative Therapies for Veterans
“Among IAVA members, nearly 90% agree with further researching cannabis for medical uses,” said Travis Horr, Director of Government Affairs for IAVA…Watch here.
Yahoo News: Jared Golden presses for War on Terror Memorial in nation’s capital
By Steve Collins
Veterans of the war on terror that began nearly two decades ago in response to the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon are eager to see a memorial erected in the nation’s capital to honor their service and sacrifices. A number of organizations are pushing to put the memorial on the National Mall, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America and the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, which kicked off a $50 million fundraising campaign this year to pay for it…Read more.
Wednesday, June 23
IAVA Media: IAVA Hosts Live Event on Veteran Retraining Programs
“The Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) will help those who have lost jobs as a result of the pandemic,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…Watch here.
Air Force Magazine: Austin Recommends Removing Sexual Assault Cases from the Chain of Command as Chiefs Express Unease
By Brian W. Everstine
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III is recommending that the military remove the prosecution of sexual assault and related crimes from the chain of command amid a Congressional push to reform military justice and an independent commission’s review of Defense Department policies. In addition to the 30 cosponsors, the bill has been endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Protect Our Defenders, the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, SWAN, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Common Defense, and the Veterans Recovery Project…Read more.
*Also covered in NPR, CNN, and the Washington Post
Tuesday, June 22
“I could be dead tomorrow, I could live another six months, no one knows,” said Wesley Black, Former Army Staff Sergeant…Watch here.
People Magazine: Veteran, 35, Picks Out Coffin While Dying of Colon Cancer: ‘That’s What I Want to Be Buried In’
“88% of veterans who responded to a survey from IAVA said they are experiencing symptoms related to burn pit or toxic chemical exposures,”…Read more.
Sunday, June 20
USA Today: Veteran: Afghanistan’s toxic burn pits left me staring down the barrel of a death sentence
By Wesley Black
“I hope my lawsuit and the work of VSOs, such as the IAVA, which has helped promote my cause, ultimately results in the VA acknowledging the harmful health effects caused by burn pit exposure,” said Wesley Black, Former Army Staff Sergeant…Read more.
Thursday, June 17
(IAVA Media) IAVA Partners with Cybercrime Support Network to Host Live Event on Cybercrime
“The challenges of transitioning back into civilian life shouldn’t be compounded by cyber criminals taking advantage of military and veteran families,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…Watch here.
Wednesday, June 16
(IAVA Media) IAVA Condemns Senator’s Efforts to Block Confirmation of Top VA Officials
“It is irresponsible and harmful to our nation’s veterans for anyone to prevent these nominees from being confirmed,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Read more.
Monday, June 14
(IAVA Media) IAVA Partners with the League of Women Voters of the City of New York to to Discuss Civic Engagement
“Voting is an embodiment of the rights we fight for as servicemembers,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Watch here.
Thursday, June 10
U.S. Senator for Montana: Tester Introduces Bipartisan Bill Expanding Health Care Benefits for Children of Servicemembers to Age 26
65 years after the creation of the TRICARE program, Chairman Jon Tester of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee is joining his colleagues in introducing the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act, bipartisan legislation that would allow young adults to stay on their parents’ health insurance plan to age 26 without a premium increase — a critical lifeline as the nation works to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation received strong backing from numerous military and veterans service organizations including the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America…Read more.
Wednesday, June 9
(IAVA Media) IAVA Partners with Leidos to Host Live Event on Veteran Employment
“Preparing for life after service and helping veterans navigate transition related challenges has always been one of IAVA’s main focuses,” said Hannah Sinoway, EVP of Organization Strategy & Engagement for IAVA…Watch here.
WFMZ-TV: GovX and Born Primitive Raise $19,500 For Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
A fundraising effort organized by GovX—the online shopping site exclusively for current and former military, first responders, and federal employees—raised over $19,500 for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) the advocacy nonprofit serving post-9/11 military veterans…Read more.
Monday, June 7
Florida Daily: Florida Delegation Rallies Behind Proposal to Create Veteran Student Centers at Higher Ed Institutions
By Kevin Derby
Last week, members of the Florida congressional delegation–U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla.–brought back a proposal to help veterans attending colleges and universities across the nation. The bill has the support of the Student Veterans of America, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Mission United and Veterans’ Trust…Read more.
Tuesday, June 1
Associated Press: Vets Return to Memorial Day Traditions as Pandemic Eases
By Philip Marcelo
A pair of military vets navigate the hilly, meandering paths in a historic cemetery in Boston, searching out soldiers’ graves and planting American flags in front of them.
The isolation of the pandemic has also been particularly hard on veterans, many of whom depend on kinship with fellow service members to cope with wartime trauma, says Jeremy Butler, a 47-year-old Navy Reserve officer in New York who heads the advocacy group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America…Read more.
News Times: Hayes Bill Would Boost Monthly Benefits by $300 for Survivors of Veterans Who Died in Line of Duty
By Rob Ryser
A bill that would boost benefits by $300 per month for survivors of veterans who died in the line of duty and for disabled veterans who died from a service-connected condition has been introduced by U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes.
The legislation has the support of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Disabled American Veterans, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and the Gold Star Wives of America…Read more.
USA Today: Memorial Day Events Facing Fewing Restrictions this Year
By John BAcon and Jordan Culver
Americans will be able to pay Memorial Day tributes to fallen troops on Monday in ways that were impossible last year, when virus restrictions were in effect in many places.
The isolation of the pandemic has also been particularly hard on veterans, many of whom depend on kinship with fellow service members to cope with wartime trauma, says Jeremy Butler, a 47-year-old Navy Reserve officer in New York who heads the advocacy group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America…Read more.
Monday, May 31
(MSNBC) IAVA joins MSNBC to Discuss Extremism in the Military and Veteran Community
May 31, 2021: Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA joined MSNBC’s Deadline White House with Nicole Wallace to discuss extremism in the military and veteran community…Watch here.
(MSNBC) IAVA joins MSNBC to Discuss Congressional Legislation on Toxic Exposures
May 31, 2021: Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA joined Chris Jansing from MSNBC to discuss Congressional legislation to bring health care and benefits to veterans sickened by toxic exposures…Watch here.
(CSPAN) IAVA joins CSPAN to Discuss the Challenges Facing the Veteran Community
May 31, 2021: Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA joined CSPAN’s Washington Journal with Steve Scully to discuss the challenges facing the veteran community including the issue of visas for Afghans who assisted US troops…Watch here.
NBC: A Memorial Day Appeal to Congress: Help Service Members with Toxic Burn Pit Exposure
“The VA hasn’t acknowledged a definite connection between the burn pits and their ailments, limiting service members’ ability to get adequate treatment,” wrote Dr. David Shulkin, Interim Board Chair for IAVA, General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Ret.), Board Member for IAVA and Jeremy Butler, CEO of 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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