WASHINGTON, DC (September 24, 2015) — Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and Defense One are once again teaming up for a special event on September 29 to discuss the future of veterans in the United States. The event, “Continuing the Conversation – Veterans: The New Battleground,” will bring together top military, political, civic leaders and experts working on essential issues facing today’s veterans.

From Congress’ assessment of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to women in combat, ​this event will explore challenges and examine the way forward for the new greatest generation. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will be the keynote speaker for the event and joined by Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) and Representative Jeff Miller (R-FL), Chairman, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

The IAVA community will be represented by Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO of IAVA, who will be providing opening remarks at the event. In addition, IAVA Board Member Scott Feldmayer will serve as a panelist as well as IAVA Legislative Associate Lauren Augustine and IAVA Chief Policy Officer Matt Miller will provide closing remarks.

WHAT: “Veterans: The New Battleground”
Panel sessions include:
VA Oversight – Congress’ Scorecard
Vets in the Brave New Tech World
State of Veterans Affairs: Benefits
After Women in Combat

WHO:
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn), Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), Co-Chair, Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus
Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Rep. Scott Perry (R-Penn), Co-Chair, Post-9/11 Veterans Caucus
Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Scott Feldmayer, Partner, Barbaricum
Andrew Chang, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Eastern Foundry
Dr. Frances Murphy, Former Under Secretary for Health Policy Coordination, Department of Veterans Affairs and Co-Author, Women Veterans: The Long Journey Home
Danny Pummill, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration
Elisa Basnight, Director, Center for Women Veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs
Veronica Lancaster, Director of Standards Programs, Consumer Electronics Association and   USTechVets.org
Dr. Keith Salzman, Federal GBS Chief Medical Information Officer, IBM
Leo Shane III, Congressional Reporter, Military Times

REGISTRATION: Admission is free to all IAVA members and other interested participants can register at no cost here.

WHEN:
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Registration and networking breakfast: 8:00 – 8:30 am ET
Event: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm ET

WHERE:
Naval Heritage Center
701 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004

Note to media: To RSVP email press@iava.org.