Top AFAP Issues Focus On Wounded Warrior Care

AW2 delegates gather with the Honorable John McHugh, Secretary of the Army, holding Starsky, an AW2 Veteran’s service dog after the AFAP closing ceremony.

By Sarah Greer, WTC Stratcom

Today, is a great day for AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families. Delegates to the Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) Worldwide Conference voted on the five most pressing issues facing the Army community, and the top three of these issues directly affect wounded warriors.

“Today’s results go to show that there is a consensus behind taking care of wounded warriors,” said AW2 Veteran Jared Hatch. “This is absolutely fantastic, because it shows that things will get better for wounded warriors.”

“This is exactly what we wanted to do this week,” said AW2 Veteran Melissa Cramblett. “We stood for our brothers and sisters in AW2, and we’ve come through for them.”

The top five 2010 AFAP issues included:

1. Monthly Stipend to Ill/Injured Soldiers for Non-Medical Caregivers
2. Funding Service Dogs for Wounded Warriors
3. Behavioral Health Service Shortages
4. Family Readiness Group External Fundraising Restrictions
5. Exceptional Family Member Program Enrollment Eligibility for Reserve Component Soldiers

AW2 Veteran Vivica Stokes attended the conference with Starsky, her service dog. “Starsky is ideal with my PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder),” she said. “He’s able to sense when I’m about to have an anxiety attack, and he’ll start licking my hand so I focus on him. Seeing service dog funding as a top AFAP issue is a great feeling because I know how much it will help other Veterans.”

AW2 Soldier SGT DeKeither Stamps addressed the delegates and Army leadership on both the caregiver stipend and service dogs issues. “The average caregiver gives up $28,000 a year to take care of a Soldier so he or she is not institutionalized,” Stamps explained. “Parents and spouses love their Soldiers, and it’s important that the Army help them take care of Soldiers who are wounded.”

Senior leaders attending the report-out included:

• Secretary of the U.S. Army John McHugh
• Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army General George W. Casey
• Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army General Peter W. Chiarelli
• Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Kenneth O. Preston

Each of the issues will be assigned to an action officer, and the General Officer Steering Committee will track progress on a regular basis in the months and years ahead.