Media |

IAVA | July 7, 2016

IAVA Daily News Brief – July 7, 2016

Screen Shot 2016-07-06 at 5.21.31 PMMarines with Maritime Raid Force, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, approach a simulated enemy vessel during a visit, board, search, and seizure mission off the coast of San Diego, Calif., June 28, 2016. Lance Cpl. Devan K. Gowans/Marine Corps | Military Times >>

Today’s Top Stories

Congress created the 15-member commission in 2014 after approving a landmark law overhauling the VA in the wake of the scandal, which also revealed that VA employees were covering up chronic delays with false paperwork and secret waiting lists. As many as 40 veterans died while awaiting care at the Phoenix VA hospital, according to an investigation by the VA’s inspector general. | The Associated Press >>

President Obama called on Congress Wednesday to spend $1.1 billion to fund new efforts to stem prescription drug abuse and encourage patients to seek treatment, including a new policy at VA that will require doctors to check state prescription monitoring databases before prescribing a controlled substances to a patient. | Military Times >>

“The Women’s Health Initiative offered an unprecedented opportunity to characterize postmenopausal health in a large, nationally recruited group of women Veterans, and to evaluate their health and mortality risk relative to their non-Veteran peers.” | VA Palo Alto Health Care System >>

Iraq and Afghanistan 

At least four persons were killed on Wednesday in a suicide attack in north Afghanistan’s Sar-e-Pul province, an official said. The incident took place around 10.00 am (local time) in Sancharak district after the suicide bomber targeted Rahim Ayoubi, a former Jihadi leader, Khaama Press reported. | The Business Standard >>

Iraqi Muslims traditionally mark the end of Ramadan with an outpouring of joy, excitement and good wishes — kids and adults don new clothes and families gather for feasts after weeks of fasting. This year is different. | NBC News >>

“Some of my friends question what is the benefit of fasting,” said one of two women who had settled into a corner at a busy cafe recently, a university student with bright lipstick, a pink pastel head scarf and manicured fingernails. “The belief in Islam among the youth has been weakened.” She wasn’t willing to be quoted by name. | The Wall Street Journal >>

Military Affairs

Sanofi SA has formed a partnership with the U.S. Army to expand research and development of an experimental Zika vaccine that has shown promise in early laboratory studies and is among a few candidates expected to be tested on humans in the coming months. | The Wall Street Journal >>

“I strongly believe that it is in our national security interest, especially after all the blood and treasure we’ve invested in Afghanistan over the years, that we give our Afghan partners the very best opportunity to succeed,” he said. | Military Times >>

A San Diego County medical examiner report has concluded that SEAL trainee Seaman James Lovelace died at the hands of instructors who violated training rules, according the report obtained by Navy Times. | Navy Times >>

#VetsRising

Nevins, who lost both of his legs and suffered a traumatic brain injury when an improvised explosive device, or IED, detonated beneath his vehicle in Iraq in 2004, lives with the emotional wounds of war. He had been an adaptive athlete since 2007, and accomplished such feats as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and riding an adaptive bike around the country. | Plymouth-Canton Patch >>

Costabile had a busy vascular surgery practice in Cherry Hill, Pa., and was a reservist in the Navy when he was called to duty in 2005. He served nearly 12 months in Kuwait and eight in Iraq three years later with the First Medical Battalion serving the 1st Marine Division. | Stars and Stripes >>

Following the Arena Football League game, the Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team (WWAFT) will take on a team of NFL alumni and Lehigh Valley personalities led by Soul owner and former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski. The wounded warriors team will be coached by former Whitehall, Penn State and NFL star Matt Millen. | Lehigh Valley Live >>

Media |

SUPPORT VETERANS TODAY

Our country has an obligation to fulfill its promise to honor and support vets. Make a donation today to help IAVA fulfill its mission to connect, unite, and empower post-9/11 veterans.

Charity Navigator Four-Star RatingExcellence in GivingCharityStateRegistration.orgGuidestarAmerica's Best

DONATE