IAVA | January 15, 2021
IAVA Weekly 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 week:
Friday, January 15
VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE
Associated Press: Jill Biden names director for military families program
By Darlene Superville
Jill Biden took a step Thursday toward fulfilling a promise to revive a program for military families that she and former first lady Michelle Obama once led. Jill Biden named an executive of that program, known as Joining Forces. Mrs. Obama and Jill Biden, as the wife of then-Vice President Joe Biden, launched Joining Forces to encourage members of the public and the private sector to find ways big and small to support service members, veterans, their families and their caregivers. The program focused on education, employment and wellness.
Stars and Stripes: VA to vaccinate veteran caregivers after policy change
By Nikki Wentling
This week, the Department of Veterans Affairs decided it would administer coronavirus vaccinations to veteran caregivers. This population wasn’t initially included in the agency’s vaccination plan. To be eligible, caregivers must be enrolled in the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic downturn have had a profound financial impact on millions of Americans, including our nation’s veterans and military families. The Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) quickly pivoted their 2020 grantmaking plans to get critical funding into the hands of their partners, enabling emergency financial assistance (EFA) for veterans when and where it was needed most.
Beaver County Times: New year time for veterans to review, update benefits earned in service
The new year is a good time for veterans to review and update their military benefits, according to the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The DMVA is reminding veterans to meet with an accredited veteran service professional to ensure they are receiving or maximizing the benefits they have earned through their service and sacrifice.
Los Angeles Times: Why veterans of the military and law enforcement joined the Capitol insurrection
By Jaweed Kaleem and Kurtis Lee
The participants Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol included ex-veterans. People associated with the right-wing groups “are like dogs backed into a corner and have no option but to fight,” said Joe Biggs, an Army veteran and Florida-based organizer for the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group that counts white supremacists among its members and encourages violence.
Democrat & Chronicle: Why this Canandaigua veteran runs in memory of Marines
By Patrick Harney
While many people go for runs to clear their head or stay in shape, Eric Morehouse does it for a different reason. As a Marine veteran, the Canandaigua resident runs in honor of fallen Marines and to commemorate historic events and battles in which Marines have participated. “One of the best comments I ever got, a parent said her child asked about what he was doing with the flag,” he said. “She told me that after talking about it, some of the struggles veterans feel, including suicide awareness, he wanted to help vets too. Do donations or gather some stuff. So that was really cool.”
Military.com: Army to Review More Than 3,500 ‘Bad Paper’ Discharges for Post-9/11 Vets
By Patricia Kime
The U.S. Army plans to review all other-than-honorable discharges given between April 17, 2011, and Nov. 17, 2020, to soldiers who were diagnosed or had symptoms of a mental health condition or brain injury. The automatic review, announced Tuesday by the service, is part of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit brought by two veterans who say they wrongly received other-than-honorable discharges for behavior linked to a psychiatric condition, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Politico: Biden taps Trump appointee Norquist to be his temporary Defense secretary
By Lara Seligman
President-elect Joe Biden is tapping current Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist to temporarily run the Pentagon while the new team works to confirm a permanent DoD chief, according to four people familiar with discussions.Norquist, the Pentagon’s No. 2 since July 2019, will take over after the inauguration and be in charge until the Senate confirms retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin for the position.
Federal News Network: Former VA Secretary Shulkin lays out challenges agency will be facing
By Tom Temin
Joe Biden has picked former White House chief of staff Denis McDonough to become the next Veterans Affairs Secretary. For what challenges McDonough is likely to face and how to deal with them, Federal Drive with Tom Temin turned to former secretary Dr. David Shulkin. “I think that the VA needs significant reform of many of those longer term policies such as its disability programs, and examples of how we as a country deal with veterans who have had toxic exposures like with burn pits,” Shulkin said.
Thursday, January 13
IAVA NEWS COVERAGE
CNN: Military vets were among the Capitol Hill rioters, protesters say
By Rob Kuznia and Ashley Fantz
Among the mob of extremists and Trump supporters that invaded the US Capitol last week in a deadly riot were former members of the very institution that is supposed to protect America from invasion: the US military. “I would challenge the premise that veterans are any more susceptible to propaganda than anyone else,” said Paul Rieckhoff, the founder and former CEO of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “We are a slice of the population.”
*Also published in Newsbreak
VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE
Forbes: U.S. Military Leaders Slam Capitol Riots As ‘Sedition And Insurrection’ In Rare Statement
By Carlie Porterfield
The top officials of the U.S. military issued a rare joint statement Tuesday deploring last week’s riot at the U.S. Capitol and urging the armed forces to “embody the values and ideals of the nation” after reports service members took part in the protests.
Stars and Stripes: Army to review thousands of discharges of veterans who suffered from traumas
By Caitlin M. Kenney
The Army will review thousands of discharge records of veterans affected by military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and other behavioral health conditions following a class-action lawsuit, the service announced Tuesday.
WAVY: Several states reach settlement with deceptive veteran’s charity
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring joined a coalition of 11 states in securing a settlement with a Florida-based veterans’ charity called Healing Heroes Network, Inc. and its former directors. The settlement resolves allegations of deceptive sweepstakes mailers and telephone solicitations to help wounded veterans.
Associated Press: Deal calls for back pay for workers at charity for veterans
The Washington state attorney general’s office has reached a settlement in a lawsuit that calls for back pay totaling $1 million for about 100 veterans once employed by a charity organization serving homeless vets.
*Also published in Stars and Stripes and US News
Fox News: Sen. Tammy Duckworth demands probe of military members in Capitol riots
By Vandana Rambaran
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraqi War veteran who lost both her legs in an insurgent attack, is pressing acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller to investigate the involvement of any current or retired military personnel in last week’s riots at the Capitol.
Military.com: ‘QAnon Shaman’ Arrested for Storming the US Capitol Is a Navy Veteran
By Gina Harkins
A 33-year-old Arizona man who was caught on camera shirtless while wearing a fur-lined headdress with horns and face paint during last week’s siege at the U.S. Capitol served in the Navy for two years.
*Also published in Navy Times and Business Insider
Wednesday, January 12
VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE
AP: Illinois VA head quits in wake of COVD-19 outbreak at homes
The director of Illinois’ Veteran Affairs Department is leaving the post, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday.Pritzker said the departure of Linda Chapa LaVia was a “mutual decision” that comes in the wake of deadly outbreaks of COVID-19 at state veterans’ homes, including the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, where 39 residents died of the coronavirus.
FOX News: Veterans group members in Capitol riot to be purged from organizations
By Bradford Betz
At least two veterans’ groups will purge members who are found guilty of participating in the storming of the U.S. Capitol last week that resulted in five deaths, including a Capitol Police officer. Disabled American Veterans, which has 1 million members nationwide, released a statement Saturday condemning the riot as an insurrectionist act. Another veterans’ group, AMVETS, said it will take the same action.
KHQ: Veteran suicide prevention bill aims to improve mental healthcare for veterans
By Joee Taylor
In October a new bill passed through the United States Congress and the President’s desk has the VA working to save Montana lives.
Senate Bill 785 is working to improve the level of mental health care veterans receive and it includes partnering with organizations to help find those veterans who are contemplating suicide.
NPR: Since The Pandemic, Wyoming Veteran Uses Telemedicine To Treat PTSD
By Kamila Kudelska
Telehealth, where people interact with health care professionals over the video, has long been just over the horizon in rural America. Now, the pandemic has accelerated its adoption and use.
Military.com: Why Separating Veterans Shouldn’t Just Take Any Job They Can Get
By Blake Stilwell
Before the global pandemic changed American job markets in 2020, veteran unemployment was hitting all-time lows. In April 2020, the veteran unemployment rate was lower than the national average, sitting at 3.7% while the overall rate was at 3.9%. So while there was still work to be done (veteran homelessness is still an issue), finding a job wasn’t the biggest problem for veterans leaving the military — it was finding adequate work.
Tuesday, January 12
VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE
AP: Illinois VA head quits in wake of COVD-19 outbreak at homes
The director of Illinois’ Veteran Affairs Department is leaving the post, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday.Pritzker said the departure of Linda Chapa LaVia was a “mutual decision” that comes in the wake of deadly outbreaks of COVID-19 at state veterans’ homes, including the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, where 39 residents died of the coronavirus.
FOX News: Veterans group members in Capitol riot to be purged from organizations
By Bradford Betz
At least two veterans’ groups will purge members who are found guilty of participating in the storming of the U.S. Capitol last week that resulted in five deaths, including a Capitol Police officer. Disabled American Veterans, which has 1 million members nationwide, released a statement Saturday condemning the riot as an insurrectionist act. Another veterans’ group, AMVETS, said it will take the same action.
KHQ: Veteran suicide prevention bill aims to improve mental healthcare for veterans
By Joee Taylor
In October a new bill passed through the United States Congress and the President’s desk has the VA working to save Montana lives.
Senate Bill 785 is working to improve the level of mental health care veterans receive and it includes partnering with organizations to help find those veterans who are contemplating suicide.
NPR: Since The Pandemic, Wyoming Veteran Uses Telemedicine To Treat PTSD
By Kamila Kudelska
Telehealth, where people interact with health care professionals over the video, has long been just over the horizon in rural America. Now, the pandemic has accelerated its adoption and use.
Military.com: Why Separating Veterans Shouldn’t Just Take Any Job They Can Get
By Blake Stilwell
Before the global pandemic changed American job markets in 2020, veteran unemployment was hitting all-time lows. In April 2020, the veteran unemployment rate was lower than the national average, sitting at 3.7% while the overall rate was at 3.9%. So while there was still work to be done (veteran homelessness is still an issue), finding a job wasn’t the biggest problem for veterans leaving the military — it was finding adequate work.
Monday, January 11
IAVA NEWS COVERAGE
Military.com: 2 Days After Riots, VA’s Wilkie Is Last Cabinet Secretary to Respond to Capitol Siege
By Patricia Kime
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie issued a statement Friday morning addressing the invasion of the U.S. Capitol, two days after a mob breached the building and two military veterans were killed, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer bludgeoned in the assault, according to law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press. “This pathetic statement is weak, notably late and shows a loyalty not to veterans — but to Trump,” said Paul Rieckoff, host of the Angry Americans podcast, who founded the group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE
NY Post: Veteran Capitol cop reportedly commits suicide days after DC riot
By Aaron Feis
A veteran US Capitol Police officer has died by suicide, authorities and sources said Sunday, days after he responded to the riot that killed five people including another member of his department.
Cronkite News: The fight at home: Suicide rate is highest among younger military veterans
By Chase Hunter, Helena Wegner, and Lilia Stene
The suicide rate for young veterans swelled by 76% from 2005 to 2017, according to the Veterans Affairs’ 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Report, released in 2019. he suicide rate for young veterans swelled by 76% from 2005 to 2017, according to the Veterans Affairs’ 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Report, released in 2019.
The Hill:Veteran suicides — here’s how we help [Opinion]
By Craig Bryan
President Donald Trump recently signed into law Senate Bill 785, a bipartisan legislation aimed at improving health care for and reducing suicide rates among American veterans.
The Daily Independent: American Legion Post 76 gives $8,400 to suicide prevention organization
By Henry Culvyhouse
On Saturday, the Legion Riders — a motorcycle auxiliary group of the American Legion — did its part to help combat this tragedy by donating $8,400 to Mission 22, an organization dedicated to ending veteran suicide.
Military.com: ‘I Expected This as a Marine in Iraq:’ Veterans in Congress Voice Rage After Mob Storms Capitol
By Richard Sisk
Veterans in Congress from both sides of the aisle called the mob that took over the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday “domestic terrorism” and blamed President Donald Trump for promoting it.
*Also published in Business Insider and Yahoo
Associated Press: Army head says Nat. Guard may be allowed to carry guns in DC
Defense leaders are reviewing restrictions on the use of force by National Guard members and could allow troops to carry batons or guns in Washington, D.C., as they brace for more protests and possible violence around the Jan. 20 inaugural, The Associated Press has learned.
*Also published in Politico, Military.com, Washington Post
The New Yorker: An Air Force Combat Veteran Breached the Senate
By Ronan Farrow
As insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol this week, a few figures stood out. One man, clad in a combat helmet, body armor, and other tactical gear, was among the group that made it to the inner reaches of the building. Carrying zip-tie handcuffs, he was captured in photographs and videos on the Senate floor and with a group that descended on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office suite. In a video shot by ITV News, he is seen standing against a wall adjacent to Pelosi’s office, his face covered by a bandana. At another point, he appears to exit the suite, face exposed, pushing his way through the crowds of demonstrators.
USA TODAY: Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick who died after pro-Trump riot was veteran and war critic
By Grace Hauck,Courtney Subramanian,Michael L. Diamond,Susan Loyer, and Paul Davidson
U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, died Thursday from injuries he suffered during the pro-Trump riot that breached the Capitol. He had served overseas in the New Jersey Air National Guard in support of the war in Afghanistan, eventually attaining a lifelong goal of becoming a police officer.
The Washington Post: Outgoing Capitol Police chief: House, Senate security officials hamstrung efforts to call in National Guard
By Carol D. Leonnig, Aaron C. Davis, Peter Hermann and Karoun Demirjian
In his first interview since pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol last week, Sund, who has since resigned his post, said his supervisors were reluctant to take formal steps to put the Guard on call even as police intelligence suggested that the crowd President Trump had invited to Washington to protest his defeat probably would be much larger than earlier demonstrations.
NBC News: Biden picks veteran diplomat William Burns as CIA director
By Saphora Smith
President-elect Joe Biden announced Monday that he had chosen former career diplomat William Burns to lead the Central Intelligence Agency.
MSNBC News: Pentagon, D.C. officials point fingers at each other over Capitol riot response
By Julia Ainsley and Dan De Luce and Mosheh Gains
City officials here said it was the Pentagon that planned to keep the presence of National Guard troops at Wednesday’s pro-Trump rally small, unarmed and distant from the Capitol. But Pentagon officials said they were merely responding to the city’s wishes to “keep things de-escalated.”
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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