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Families of Wounded Iraq War Veterans Appear Before Senate Committee
Akaka brings families and experts to the table to discuss care for wounded warriors
March 11, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, held a hearing today on caring for families of wounded warriors. Akaka gathered a panel of family members of veterans wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and a panel of expert witnesses, to discuss the burden carried by the families of service members injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. "VA's motto, derived from the words of President Lincoln, is to ‘care for those who have borne the battle.' It is clear from today's testimony that wounded veterans' families also carry the burden of battle, and we must look after them," Akaka said. "Both DOD and VA must ensure that families are not alone in the care, rehabilitation, and recovery process. We must not fail the families of those who have given so much of themselves in service to our nation." The first panel consisted of the family members of veterans wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom, who shared their personal experiences with the Committee. The panel included: - Robert Verbeke, father of Daniel Verbeke. Mr. Verbeke detailed shortcomings in his son's care and case management, as he struggled to get his son the rehabilitative care he needed after Daniel sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other wounds during combat operations in Iraq. Mr. Verbeke's testimony focused on the demands TBI places on veterans and their families. He noted that his family paid for private medical care after he felt his son was not getting the care he needed from VA.
- Col. Peter Bunce (USAF, Ret.), father of Justin Bunce. Justin was injured by an improvised explosive device during his second tour in Iraq. Col. Bunce described the financial and personal sacrifices of his family as Justin made what he described as a "not-so-seamless transition" from DOD to VA care.
- Jackie McMichael, wife of Michael McMichael. Mr. McMichael returned from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other health problems. Mrs. McMichael, herself having a graduate degree in counseling, noted that she felt completely overwhelmed, like many veterans and their families as they work to cope with the invisible wounds of war such as PTSD.
"Veterans who return from the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan should not have to fight VA or DOD to receive care for their wounds, and neither should their families," said Akaka. The full witness list can be viewed by clicking here. The Chairman's opening statement can be viewed by clicking here. -END-
Year: [2008] , 2007 , 2006 , 2005 , 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999 , 1900
March 2008
- $17.7 Million to Private Hawaii Hospitals for Charity Care [March 19, 2008]
- Statement on 5th Anniversary of Iraq Invasion [March 18, 2008]
- Senate and House Veterans Committees Urge VA to Open Its Doors to Middle-Income Veterans [March 14, 2008]
- The Iraq Accountability Project: A Wrap-Up of This Week's Senate Oversight on Iraq [March 14, 2008]
- Senate Passes Budget Resolution with Billions More for Veterans [March 14, 2008]
- Akaka Seeks Improved Home Ownership Opportunities for Veterans [March 13, 2008]
- Army Studies Environmental Impact of Additional Support Units in Hawaii [March 13, 2008]
- Feinstein, Stevens, Akaka and Boxer Introduce Bill to Shut Down Facilities That Repeatedly Slaughter Downed Animals
[March 13, 2008]
- Akaka requests extention of "REAL ID" implementation date for all states [March 13, 2008]
- U.S. Senate to Examine New Report on D.C. Public Schools [March 13, 2008]
- "A+" for Akaka on Middle-Class Congressional Scorecard
[March 12, 2008]
- Democrats, Veterans Discuss How Budget Serves Nation's Service-Members [March 12, 2008]
- Akaka Reacts to Fallon Resignation [March 11, 2008]
- Democrats, Veterans to Discuss How Budget Serves Nation's Service-members [March 11, 2008]
- Families of Wounded Iraq War Veterans Appear Before Senate Committee [March 11, 2008]
- Akaka Praises Budget Resolution on Senate Floor [March 10, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Bill Allowing Veterans to Challenge VA Disability Rating Schedule [March 10, 2008]
- Akaka Announces VA Visits for Neighbor Island Veterans [March 7, 2008]
- Akaka Applauds Declining Number of Homeless Veterans [March 7, 2008]
- Veterans Organizations Reject Two-Tiered Disability System [March 6, 2008]
- Akaka, Veterans of Foreign Wars Agree: Mental Health Issues Must Be a Top Priority [March 5, 2008]
- Disabled American Veterans Underscore VA Health Care Funding Issues in Joint House-Senate Hearing [March 4, 2008]
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