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Notice: If you are a veteran in emotional crisis and need help RIGHT
NOW, call this toll-free number 1-800-273-8255, available 24/7, and tell them you are a veteran.
All calls are confidential.
Suicide Prevention: Suicide Prevention is everyone's business, and VA is enhancing its efforts in this vital area of veteran health.
During National Suicide Prevention Week Sept. 7-13, 2008 VA has released a nationwide Public Service Announcement featuring actor Gary Sinise, who portrayed a suicidal veteran that is saved in the movie Forrest Gump. Another announcement featuring newswoman Deborah Norville is being developed to reach the family members of veterans.
VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Michael J. Kussman sent a personalized letter to all veterans, asking them to call VA for help if they are undergoing an emotional crisis.
Bush Administration To Privatize Part Of GI Bill
The White House has announced that it will privatize parts of one of the most venerated federal programs for veterans: the GI Bill. The news has prompted criticism from several national veterans groups.
As we have learned from past hurricane events, the initial focus of relief by the government, Red Cross, and other such agencies is focused on those areas with the largest population, as well as locations where the storms come ashore with the most severe weather. However storms generally retain strength well inland, wreaking havoc with both torrential rains and high winds, leaving small and often rural communities suffering at the end of the emergency supply line. Aid is needed in these remote locations to repair infrastructure. Emergency assistance are desparately needed in these communities.
From lessons learned, both by other service organizations and agencies as well as VVA, there are some very valuable activities we can be doing that do not interfere with others' efforts. These do not require substantial expenditures but can provide much-needed services.
Before the U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health
Regarding H.R. 3051
September 9, 2008
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Miller, Distinguished
Members of this Subcommittee, and guests, Vietnam Veterans
of America (VVA) thanks you for the opportunity to present
our views on H.R. 3051, the “Heroes at Home Act OF
2007,” that is designed to improve the diagnosis and
treatment of TBI (traumatic brain injury) for service members
and veterans, and to review and expand the tele-health and
tele-mental health programs DoD and VA. With your permission,
I shall keep my remarks brief and to the point.
First, VVA thanks you, Mr. Chairman and Mr.
Miller as well as distinguished Members of this Subcommittee
for your active concern in regard to Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI) and related mental health problems of our troops and
veterans, and for your leadership in holding this hearing
today.
In general, Vietnam Veterans of America supports
the intent of H.R. 3051. However, medical experts say that
traumatic brain injuries are the “signature wound” of
the Iraq war in particular, a by-product of the explosions
caused by I.E.D. roadside blasts and suicide bombers. TBIs
have become so commonplace that they, in fact, form the basis
for today’s hearing.
Although TBIs may share some symptoms with
post traumatic stress disorder, it is markedly different
than PTSD, which is triggered by extreme anxiety, and permanently
resets the brain’s fight-or-flight mechanism. Battlefield
medics and corpsmen can often miss traumatic brain injuries,
and many troops don’t know the symptoms or won’t
discuss their problems for fear of being sent home stigmatized
with mental illness. The same is true for those who return
to the U.S. for garrison duty or exit their term of military
service and become veterans.
An email hoax, “Stats From One State,” has been circulating the Internet for more than a year. Unfortunately, someone has taken his/her personal initiative to attach the Vietnam Veterans of America logo to this flyer after it had been in circulation. The content of this email has nothing to do with Vietnam Veterans of America. We regret this egregious misuse of our logo and appreciate your efforts in setting the record straight.
Thanks so much for your assistance in dispelling this email hoax.
VVA Memorial List 2008
Each Memorial Day we honor our fallen dead from every branch of service and every war in which we have bravely fought. As members of Vietnam Veterans of America who have committed never to leave one of our own behind, we commemorate our fellow VVA members who have died.
To commemorate the anniversary and memorial events, Vietnam Veterans of America has teamed up with Boston Publishing Company, known to most of our members as the publisher of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated book series, The Vietnam Experience.
Harris Connect has started to contact our members, by phone and email, regarding the Membership Directory. This message is intended to assure our members that the calls from Harris Connect are legitimate. Members do not have to respond if they choose not to. The Directory is scheduled for completion in Fall 2008.
To order the new 2008 VVA/AVVA member directory with color photos please contact Harris Connect at (800) 558-7915.
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