Military Life

Depression Seriously Affecting Vets Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:07:00 GMT

According to an Aug. 17 press release by the American Psychological Association (APA), depression may be an unrecognized readjustment problem for returning veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. The findings of a recent study were reported on Friday during the 115th Annual APA Convention being held in San Francisco, Calif., Aug. 17 - Aug. 20, 2007. The results came from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the Mental Illness, Research Education, and Clinical Center at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. The researchers worked with veterans who'd been referred for psychiatric evaluation from a primary care service. In their study, they found clear evidence that both major and minor depression were associated with domestic abuse and other family problems.

Dr. Steven L. Sayers of the Philadelphia VA Medical Center lead the researchers. He noted that although there has been very little empirical research focused on the family problems of veterans in the first year or two following their return from a major military conflict, family problems among those with partners are common. In fact, noted Dr. Sayers, the rates of problems found in this study were similar to those in longer-term studies of Vietnam veterans diagnosed with PTSD. The study considered the family problems of 168 veterans who were referred for behavioral health evaluation and who had served in either Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001. Of those veterans, more than 40 percent were currently married or cohabiting, 21 percent were recently separated or divorced, and nearly 55 percent had at least one child.

About 66 percent of the married or cohabiting vets reported some type of family readjustment problem or conflict occurring several times a week. Specifically, some 42 percent said they felt like a guest in their home; nearly 22 percent said their children were not acting warmly or were afraid of them; 36 percent said they were unsure about their role in regular household responsibilities. Also, about 56 percent of the vets with current or recently separated partners reported severe family conflicts involving "shouting, pushing or shoving," and 35 percent of these vets reported that their partner was afraid of them.

The study found that vets with depression or PTSD were more likely to experience these readjustment problems. Further, family problems may limit the effectiveness of depression or PTSD treatment because positive family relationships are extremely important to a vet's recovery. The researchers found that specific role-related readjustment problems were related both to depression and PTSD. For example, whereas about 20 percent of the veterans reported that their children were afraid of them or did not act warmly, 36 percent of those with PTSD had this experience.

There was a difference noted between veterans diagnosed with PTSD and depression, however. In their report, the researchers wrote: "In the current study, however, we did not find that PTSD was associated with overall rates of family problems. In contrast, depression was most consistently related to the presence of both readjustment and domestic abuse problems." Many of the veterans at the Medical Center with PTSD were already in treatment in the Behavioral Health Service and were therefore not part of the sample referred for evaluation.

Source:
Press release, Depression May Play a Bigger Role in Readjustment Than Previously Thought in Troubled Vets; http://www.apa.org/releases/vetdepressionC07.html

Robotic Ankle Newest Development in Ankle-Foot Prosthetics

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:49:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have announced the development of the world's first robotic ankle, which will initially be used on war veterans.

The new ankle-foot prosthetic is the first in a new family of artificial limbs. The device will propel the amputee forward, similar to natural motion, by using multiple springs that work like tendons powered by a small electric motor. Conventional walking devices use a passive spring response that produces an unnatural gait and causes the amputee to use significantly more energy to walk than a non-amputee. The new ankle-foot prosthetic is also light and flexible.

Jim Nicholson is the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In that agency's press release he said: "Veterans are entitled to the best this nation has to offer, and at VA, we're constantly redefining the meaning of best. This new ankle-foot prosthetic is another example of VA's medical innovations for veterans that will benefit all Americans."

The research for the device was funded by VA. MIT Media Lab Professor Hugh Herr and a team of researchers created the ankle-foot prosthetic device through the Center for Restorative and Regenerative Medicine (CRRM), a partnership between the Providence VA Medical Center in Rhode Island, Brown University and MIT.

Herr is also a double amputee who had the opportunity to test his invention. In the MIT release, he said: "This design releases three times the power of a conventional prosthesis to propel you forward and, for the first time, provides amputees with a truly human-like gait. It's wild, like you're on one of those moving walkways in the airport."

Dr. Joel Kupersmith is the chief research and development officer for VA. He is quoted in MIT's release: "The robotic ankle is a sterling example of how our leading-edge research improves veterans' lives. Up to now, prosthetic devices have not been able to duplicate the complex functions of our feet and ankles as we walk and run. The ingenious computerized design of this new prosthesis changes all of this, as it constantly 'thinks' and responds, allowing the person to walk or run in a more natural and comfortable way."

Dr. Michael E. Selzer is the director of Rehabilitation Research and Development for VA. He echoed Kupersmith's comments: "Hugh Herr and his Media Lab group are well-known for their scientific ingenuity and creativity on behalf of amputees. This new technology represents rehabilitation research at its finest, and is yet another milestone in VA's long history of outstanding achievements in this area."

In addition to funding the research that developed the ankle-foot prosthetic, VA has given an additional $6.9 million to construct a state-of-the-art rehabilitation research building on the campus of the Providence VA Medical Center. MIT's release says construction will begin in the fall of 2007.

According to its release, the VA anticipates spending more than $1.2 billion in 2007 on prosthetics and sensory aids, including hearing aids and glasses, for veterans.

Sources:
Press release,VA Researchers Develop New Prosthetic Ankle; http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1361

News release, Joint effort: Robotic ankle research gets off on the right foot; http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/robot-ankle-0723.html

Homes for Our Troops

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:02:00 GMT

Service to our country is extremely important. It is wonderful that Homes for Our Troops gives back to the men and women that have provided such a great service to our country. The Homes for Our Troops charity provides military resources to men and women that have come home with disabilities or major injuries.

The organization uses resources to create brand new homes for these veterans or to modify a current house for easier handicap accessibility. The veterans with disabilities who are served do not pay for any of the services provided for them and their families by Homes for Our Troops.

Approved by the American Institute of Philanthropy
According to the American Institute of Philanthropy, the Homes for Our Troops organization is in a top-rated category for charities. The American Institute of Philanthropy is essentially a watchdog for charitable groups and organizations. It is very difficult to reach their top-rated category. You can feel confident that Homes for Our Troops is a very reputable and worthy organization.

New Homes for Veterans without Cost
Homes for Our Troops provides brand new homes for veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. In some instance, where the cost of land is expensive, the organization will purchase a home and modify it to meet the veteran's needs.

There is no cost to veterans for these handicap-accessible homes. Never will the veteran or their family be faced with mortgage charges, closing costs or monthly home payments. The Homes for Our Troops organization provides this military resource completely from their funds and is a nonprofit organization.

Founder of Homes for Our Troops
According to the Homes for Our Troops website, John Gonsalves is the founder of the organization. He began the non-profit group in 2004 after viewing a news report on television about a service member coming home from Iraq.

Gonsalves had a contractor job and wanted to give his experience in the building industry to help service people returning home. He searched for an organization to volunteer with, only to find out that none existed. Instead of giving up hope, Gonsalves created and built Homes for Our Troops.

Privacy is Important to Homes for Our Troops Organization
Homes for Our Troops is extremely good about keeping information private. The information about the veteran that will be using their service is never disclosed to others. Information about applicants or members that receive services or apply for services is never shared with any other organizations.

Offering Support for Homes for Our Troops
If you would like to help with Homes for Our Troops you can visit their Get Involved page on their website. You can raise awareness through writing a letter to inform your community, business or affiliation about Homes for Our Troops.

There are also fundraising ideas, street team flyering outings, golf events and more for increasing awareness and providing support for Homes for Our Troops.

PGA Programs Utilize Golf as Recreational Therapy For Vets

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:18:00 GMT

As military veterans return from conflict, they often find that their various injuries make it difficult to engage in the sports they previously enjoyed. Recently, the PGA has teamed up with a number of philanthropic organizations to utilize golf as a tool for rehabilitation, recreation, fundraising, and fun for returning veterans.

The Give Program
One such partnership is the GIVE (Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere) program. A collaborative effort between the Iowa PGA, the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iowa City, and the Riverside Casino & Golf resort, the program is designed to improve the mental, social, physical, and emotional well being of veterans through golf.

The program was conceived by former veteran Louis King. Attendees receive training in all facets of the game, from dress code to driving, in addition to free rounds of golf, their own set of clubs, and shot analysis from PGA professionals. A pro-am fundraiser held in August of 2007 raised approximately 65,000 dollars for the foundation, and GIVE graduated its first class of golfers in January of 2008.

Response from participants has been positive; with many veterans stating that getting onto the links has helped them combat the mental, physical, and emotional effects of war. "This program has brought me closer to my wife," says Joe Corso, a 63-year-old former Sergeant with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. "The professionals I've met are not just going through motions. They look you in the eye; they care about you. I've started building a little more trust; I feel born again," he added.

PGA professionals volunteering as instructors also feel strongly about effects of the foundation. "We're not here because we're getting paid," said former Iowa PGA President Ken Schall of Des Moines. "We're here because of the veterans, and what they've done for us."

The PGA of America/DSUSA Military Golf Program
A partnership between Disabled Sports USA, the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, America Supports You, and the PGA, this program provides golf instruction for severely wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

A total of seven weeks of instruction, the program is held at various locations across the country and consists of two hours of instruction per week. Instruction covers everything from fundamentals to rules, and also touches on the use of adaptive equipment and using golf as rehabilitation. At the end of each seven-week session, a three-hole golf scramble tournament is held for participants.

Patriot Golf Day
Held between August 29th and September 1st, the Patriot Golf Day debuted last year at over 3,200 golfing facilities worldwide. The fundraiser, conceived by PGA professional and F-16 pilot Dan Rooney, raised more than $1.1 million for the families of veterans who have been injured or perished in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. The money was raised by golfers at public facilities who added an extra dollar to their greens fee, and private facilities asking for donations.

For more information on the GIVE program, visit http://www.playgolfamerica.com/

Veterans Receive Wounded Warrior Scholarships from Colorado Technical University

Tue, 13 May 2008 22:59:00 GMT

On March 8, 2008, 25 military veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center were awarded full Wounded Warrior Scholarships from Colorado Technical University (CTU Online). The recipients were picked for the scholarship by a committee of educators and military officers.

Of the 25 recipients, 19 intend to enroll in associate’s degree programs, five will pursue bachelor’s degrees, and one will enter a master’s program. Full tuition costs, course fees, and a laptop computer are included for each scholarship winner. The funding comes from a variety of sources. CTU Online and the Helping Our Heroes Foundation will cover tuition costs, while Pearson Learning Solutions will underwrite any education material costs. Apple computers has agreed to provide a MacBook computer to each student.

“Soldiers who have pledged to serve and protect their country are now faced with yet another challenging set of circumstances, and it is our hope that the education they receive from CTU will provide them with new skills to reach their goals,” said Dr. Wallace Pond, CTU Online Chancellor.

Colorado Technical University was founded in 1965 and offers degree programs in a variety of fields of study. It’s virtual campus offers classes that are 100% online. For more information about the university, visit www.ctuonline.edu .

VA Programs Help Families Move Through the Difficult Times After a Disability

Fri, 02 May 2008 19:00:00 GMT

A disability such as a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, illness or amputation changes an individual’s life in an instant. The effect it can have on family members is often equally as traumatic. A disability not only changes the physical dynamic of a family but also reshapes the emotional and psychological status, as well. And if the injury was sustained in combat, the added dimension of possible combat-related stress can have lingering repercussions if not diagnosed and treated properly.

The Veterans Administration (VA) understands the difficulties that follow the onset of a disability and has developed a series of programs to rehabilitate, educate, and train families for their new life ahead. These programs include the physical, psychological, social and vocational rehabilitation required for a successful return to the community. VA has also implemented assistance and grant programs to help families in areas such as health care and post secondary education for children in the years following onset.

Certain VA programs begin during the acute stages of disability and are offered on an ongoing basis following discharge. In addition to offering acute medical care and comprehensive case management, many rehabilitation programs offer educational programs that provide informal classes for the individual, family and/or primary caregiver. Peer mentoring programs offer support from other veterans with similar disabilities who are living successfully in the community. Therapy programs such as adaptive driver training, recreation, day trips, community reintegration, independent living, and aquatic therapy are also available at many VA medical centers.

Eileen Craffey, MS, M.Ed, is an aquatic therapist at the VA Medical Center in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, who has worked with newly injured veterans as well as outpatients since 1984. She believes the VA’s unique therapy programs such as aquatic therapy are beneficial to an entire family. “I have seen how a sport such as swimming brings veterans and their families together. There is a social aspect of this type of therapy where spouses, children, and friends grow and learn together. It is a part of the normalization process that relieves the pains of the injury and teaches families that they can still experience lifetime activities together even years after a trauma,” Craffey explained.

The VA also offers other programs for veterans and their families at the time of discharge. Psychosocial support assistance exists in the form of individual, couple, family therapy, and caregiver support groups. Sex education assists with sex therapy and fertility counseling. And social workers assist in identifying needed community resources and providing emotional support to patients, families, and caregivers. Post discharge services assist with referrals to community agencies such as vocational rehabilitation, visiting nurses, and short and long-term accessible housing options.

Depending on the veteran’s disability, other benefits are available following discharge. A disability pension should be established and may change if the veteran marries. Housing grants and home loan guarantees may be available to qualified veterans. In certain cases, Commissary and Exchange privileges exist for veterans and family members. Lifetime medical coverage may extend to spouses and children through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of VA (CHAMPVA) or Department of Defense programs such as TRICARE. Life insurance policies, such as Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI), may extend to the family and offer security in the event of death. Burial and memorial benefits, as well as a death pension, are also available.

VA also provides educational assistance to qualifying dependents of veterans. A monthly stipend is paid for full-time post secondary school attendance with lesser amounts for part-time training. Children must generally be between the ages of 18 and 26 to receive educational benefits, though extensions may be granted.

No one ever plans on having a disability. But like so many other things in life, nothing is ever certain. The VA offers numerous opportunities for individuals and families to live full and complete lives following the onset of disability. It’s up to you to take advantage of these programs. Work with your VA counselors to learn what is available to you and your family!

VA Care is Here!: An Overview of the VA Health Care System

Fri, 02 May 2008 18:45:00 GMT

One of the strategic goals of the Veterans Administration (VA) is to ensure a smooth transition for veterans from active military service to civilian life. An important component of this transition is the transfer of health care. VA’s health care mission covers the continuum of care providing both inpatient and outpatient care. They provide a wide range of services including pharmacy, prosthetics, and mental health as well as long-term care in both institutional, non-institutional settings, and other health care settings such as CHAMPVA and Readjustment Counseling.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) network is one of the most extensive in the nation and operates as a “hub and spoke” system. VHA delivers care through 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) that manage 153 medical centers, 731 community-based outpatient clinics, 135 nursing homes, 209 readjustment counseling centers (Vet Centers), and 47 domiciliaries. In 2007, VHA provided health care services to approximately 5.5 unique patients.

For most veterans, entry into the VA health care system begins by applying for enrollment. To apply, a veteran must complete VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits, which may be obtained from any VA health care facility or regional benefits office. Once enrolled, veterans can receive health care at VA facilities anywhere in the country.

During enrollment, each veteran is assigned to a priority group. VA uses priority groups to balance demand for VA health care enrollment with resources. Veterans who are 50 percent or more disabled from service-connected conditions, unemployable due to service-connected conditions, or are receiving care for a service-connected disability receive priority in scheduling of hospital or outpatient medical appointments.

Some veterans must make co-pays to receive VA health care. Veterans with income above the means test threshold and below a certain VA geographically based income threshold, as well as non service-connected veterans and non-compensable, zero percent service-connected veterans with certain gross annual household incomes will be charged deductibles. Co-pays do not apply to publicly announced VA health fairs and certain outpatient visits for preventive screenings, immunizations, smoking cessation counseling, laboratory, flat-film radiology, and electrocardiograms.

In the event that a veteran is unable to be seen at a VA health care facility, or approval is given for care at a private facility, VA is required to bill private health insurance providers or pay for medical care, supplies and prescriptions. All veterans applying for VA medical care are required to provide information on their health care coverage, including coverage provided under policies of their spouses.

Veterans receiving VA care for any condition are eligible for a variety of aids and services. Approved prosthetic appliances include home respiratory therapy, artificial limbs, orthopedic braces and therapeutic shoes, wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers, and other durable medical equipment. VA will also provide hearing aids and eyeglasses to qualified veterans based on service-connection or former POW status. Blind veterans may be eligible for services at a VA medical center or for admission to a VA blind rehabilitation center. A full spectrum of diagnostic, surgical, restorative, and preventive dental services are available to veterans who meet certain criteria, while special services such as PTSD and substance abuse treatment are available as well.

Most major VA health care facilities operate a full-service outpatient pharmacy. VA provides free outpatient pharmacy services to veterans who meet certain eligibility criteria, including service-connection, former POW status, income levels, and certain conditions. Other veterans are charged a co-pay of $8 for each 30-day or less supply of medicine (certain groups have a maximum annual co-pay limit).

It is also important to know that VA may reimburse or pay for medical care provided to enrolled veterans by non-VA facilities only in cases of medical emergencies where VA or other federal facilities were not readily available. In these cases, to initiate a claim, the veteran must contact the VA facility closest to where the emergency service was provided.

To learn more about eligibility for VA health care and benefits, call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visit www.va.gov. Information is also available through the VA guide entitled Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, available at www.va.gov or at most VA facilities.

VA Equipment Grants Help Veterans with Disabilities Stay Active

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:07:00 GMT

Army veteran Orlando Gill is an athlete. It’s safe to say that if Gill is not on the slopes snowboarding or skiing, he’s golfing, kayaking, climbing or cycling. You might even find him in SCUBA gear. As a program assistant with the Wounded Warriors Disabled Sports Project, Orlando Gill introduces other veterans to the benefits of sports on a regular basis. You might say being active is a way of life for Gill.

Orlando Gill’s life took a difficult turn when, in October of 2004, he took a direct hit from a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) near Ramadi during his second tour of duty in Iraq. The explosion amputated one of his legs at the knee. He was introduced to sports during his rehabilitation at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and was excited to learn that he was eligible for sport-specific gear and equipment through the VA because of his designation as a disabled veteran.

“The VA got me a wheelchair and a leg and also bought me my first handcycle,” explains Orlando Gill. “They told me I would be eligible for additional equipment and legs to help me become active in sports again.” He adds, “They stressed that becoming active was a part of my rehabilitation and before I even left active duty, I knew what I’d be eligible to receive for the rest of my life. It really helps.”

Gill is not alone. Since the Iraq War began over four years ago, there have been more than 27,000 injuries, although that number may be as high as 53,000, says the Associated Press. An estimated 7,500 of the wounded have suffered serious head and spinal cord injuries and an additional 500 are amputees, with nearly a quarter having lost more than one limb.

The majority of these veterans are eligible for the same grants as Orlando Gill. Veterans who sustained injuries in the past are eligible for the same grants as those who are recently injured. To be eligible for sports grants through the VA, a veteran must be enrolled in the VA Healthcare network and be receiving routine care from a VA facility. Eligibility for grants is not dependent on a veteran’s service connected rating.

VHA Handbook 1173.06 details the wheelchair and special mobility aids that disabled veterans are entitled to receive. According to this document updated and released January 15, 2008, a veteran is eligible to receive an everyday (or commercial source) wheelchair as well as a spare wheelchair. These chairs may be manual, motorized, pushrim-activated, enhanced function, or scooters.

Additionally, a sport-model wheelchair (or sport-specific limb) may be furnished after approval by a VA Major Medical Committee or physician who specializes in rehabilitative medicine. This equipment might include a racing wheelchair, sit-ski, water ski, off-road wheelchair, basketball or quad rugby chair, C-leg, etc.

Realizing that certain veterans participate in more than one sport, the VA recently expanded coverage to authorize eligible veterans to receive an additional sports-specific piece of equipment (such as a handcycle or cycling leg) in addition to the sports model wheelchair or limb. These allotments must be approved on a case-by-case basis by a VA Major Medical Committee.

While the VA does not offer preventive maintenance on chairs and equipment it prescribes, it does offer maintenance and repair services through prosthetic services departments. Certain veterans may also be eligible for a “Prosthetic Services Card” which authorizes preapproved service on equipment by private vendors in the case of an emergency breakdown or when VA repair services are not immediately available. The card covers repairs up to $400.

For veterans who might want to try out a new sport and may not be ready to purchase new equipment, the VA has loaner equipment like handcycles, sit skis, basketball wheelchairs, and tennis wheelchairs available for use.

“I made the choice not to spend the rest of my life sitting on the couch and doing nothing in a wheelchair,” concludes Orlando Gill. “I’m glad I’ve got the resources out there to make it possible for me to play sports again. They are a valuable part of my life.”

To learn more about available grants, veterans should consult their local VA medical center or visit www.va.gov.

Photos courtesy of the Rex Foundation and DS/USA.

EEOC Addresses Employment of Veterans With Service-Connected Disabilities

Thu, 01 May 2008 22:53:00 GMT

In March 2008, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued two question-and-answer (Q&A) guides providing technical assistance for employers and veterans on workplace issues affecting veterans with service-connected disabilities. Both documents are available on the agency’s Web site at www.eeoc.gov.

“Injured veterans, like everyone else, deserve the freedom to compete in the workplace on a fair and level playing field,” said Commission Chair Naomi C. Earp. “Members of the military who have bravely sacrificed for America should never have to come home and face unlawful employment obstacles because of a service-related disability.”

The new guide for employers explains how protections for veterans with service-connected disabilities differ under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The document further describes how the ADA in particular applies to recruiting, hiring, and accommodating veterans with service-connected disabilities. The EEOC enforces Title I of the ADA, which prohibits employment discrimination against people with disabilities in the private sector and state and local governments.

The U.S. Department of Labor enforces USERRA, which applies to the reemployment of veterans with and without service-connected disabilities.

The other new publication answers questions that veterans with service-connected disabilities may have about the protections they are entitled to when they seek to return to their former jobs or look to find their first, or new, civilian jobs. The document also explains changes or adjustments that veterans may need, because of their injuries, to apply for, or perform, a job, or to enjoy equal access to the workplace.

EEOC Legal Counsel Reed L. Russell said, “Thousands of veterans have returned home from serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and surrounding duty stations with service-connected disabilities. The EEOC wants to help our nation’s wounded warriors and employers alike understand their respective workplace rights and responsibilities under federal laws. These new guides will provide valuable assistance in this effort.”

Russell noted that each guide includes a list of resources on where to find more information on USERRA and the ADA; public and private organizations that can assist employers who want to recruit and hire veterans or can help veterans who are seeking employment; and organizations and agencies that can help identify specific reasonable accommodations for veterans with service-related disabilities.

The EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.

Former Marine to Help Congress Hire Wounded Vets

Thu, 01 May 2008 22:42:00 GMT

Former Marine Patricia Orsini has been named director of the House’s Wounded Warrior Program. The position was created to facilitate the hiring of 50 veterans to work for House leaders. Employment in the personal offices of members of Congress will continue to be controlled by each member, but Orsini will have hiring power for administrative jobs and support jobs that are under the authority of House leaders or the House Committee on Administration.

Orsini, who retired from the Marine Corps in 2002, is a 24 year veteran of service and former Master Gunnery Sergeant.

“[She] understands the needs of wounded warriors, and understands that many veterans want to continue to serve their country,” said Dan Beard, chief administrative officer for the House of Representatives.

Orsini’s first assignment will be to identify positions that those with disabilities are capable of filling. According to House officials, many of the jobs will begin as part-time work with the potential of becoming full time positions later.

Stars Ride Bikes to Support Wounded Veterans

Thu, 01 May 2008 22:18:00 GMT

A group of Hollywood celebs, bicycling legends and veteran advocates have joined forces with the Pentagon to organize the “Road 2 Recovery” bike series to raise funds for veterans with disabilities. The series kicked off March 4, with an informal fun ride at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. D.C. The first of two large fundraising rides will start on May 17 in Philadelphia and end eight days later in Charlotte, NC. According to organizers, the ride will conclude with participants completing a lap on the track of the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.

One of the leading advocates of the benefit is Mike Vogel, the Chairman of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans. Vogel is also a Hollywood movie star, who recently played a lead role in the 2007 hit horror film Cloverfield.

“The first day of production on Cloverfield, I got the news that a cousin had been killed in Iraq,” said Vogel. “I knew I had to do something to help.”

Vogel found a sympathetic partner in John Wordin, a former pro cyclist who was already working on a plan to assist the VA in improving its cycling facilities. Wordin believes that bicycling has numerous positive effects on veterans.

“Cycling is a very effective method of helping these men and women achieve a sense of normalcy and pride,” he says.

Famous riders participating in the events are Olympic silver medalist and world champion Mari Holden, Olympian Wayne Stetina, and former pro racer Saul Raisin. Raisin, who suffered a serious brain injury in a French race in 2006, knows firsthand about the effect of cycling on recovering.

“Cycling does something wonderful and healing to your brain. It gives you more stamina to heal and helps you get over the depression that occurs.” he said.

Future “Road 2 Recovery” events are already scheduled. A second ride is planned from September 28 to October 4 from San Francisco to West Los Angeles along the Pacific Coast Highway. The U.S. Air Force is hosting the first Air Force Cycling Classic on May 4th in Arlington, VA. All proceeds will go towards VA cycling programs, with a focus on those with traumatic brain injuries.

Battle Waged over New Bill Offering Increased Education Benefits for Veterans

Thu, 01 May 2008 20:19:00 GMT

As of February 2008, Capitol Hill was in the midst of considering changes that could greatly assist veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In an overhaul of the GI Bill, education benefits would be increased to mirror the generous post-World War II Bill that not only enabled veterans to pay for education but was also credited with spurring broad economic growth in the U.S.

Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of the nonpartisan group, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), said, “Momentum is finally building across America for the new GI Bill. This is something we can and must get done in Congress this year.” Jim Webb, Democratic Senator from Virginia, added, “I hope the Senate leadership and my Republican colleagues take note of the overwhelming support for this initiative and will put partisanship and politics aside to address this national problem.”

Currently, the most a veteran can receive is approximately $9,600 a year for four years. Those who served combat tours with the National Guard or Reserves are eligible for even less — typically just $440 per month, or $5,280 a year. By contrast, the average four-year public college costs more than $65,000, about $16,250 a year, for an in-state student. A private university costs on average about $133,000 for four years.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have relied heavily on the Reserve forces. The new bill would ensure that reservists who served at least two years of active duty would receive the same benefit as the active-duty troops.

Key Veteran and Reservist Entrepreneurship Bill is Passed

Thu, 01 May 2008 20:08:00 GMT

In February 2008, new legislation passed that will expand business opportunities for veterans and help reservists keep their businesses afloat during and after deployment. The Senate unanimously cleared the Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2007 and has sent it to President Bush to be signed into law.

The passage of this legislation came on the heels of another large victory for veterans when the panel approved an amendment to ensure disability payments received by the nation’s 250,000 service-disabled veterans’ are considered “income” for the distinct purpose of making veterans eligible to receive tax rebate checks.

More specifically, the legislation Congress approved will:

Increase the authorization of appropriations for the Small Business Administration’s Office of Veteran Business Development
Create an Interagency Taskforce on Veteran Small Business to focus on increasing veterans’ small business success, procurement and franchising opportunities, and access to capital
Make permanent the Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs
Allow the SBA Administrator to offer loans up to $50,000 without requiring collateral from a loan applicant
Improve the Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program by providing a longer application deadline, creating a pre-application loan approval process, and expanding outreach and technical assistance
Require a Government Accountability Office report on the needs of service-disabled veterans and a separate report on how to improve relations between employers and reservist employees
Create a loan participation program in which veterans can receive 7(a) loans while paying 50 percent of the fees
Require Veteran Business Outreach Centers to increase their participation in the Transition Assistance Program
Create a grant program to improve Small Business Development Centers’ outreach to the veteran community
Instruct the Associate Administrator of the Office of Veterans Business Development to create and disseminate information aimed at informing women veterans about the resources available to them

Military Families and Veterans Recieve Housing Assistance

Thu, 01 May 2008 19:57:00 GMT

Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership, today proudly announced in February 2008 that Sears customers raised $3.8 million in 2007 for the charitable program 'Heroes at Home.' 'Heroes at Home' is a joint effort between Rebuilding Together and Sears Holdings. The program was created to assist military families and veterans in need across America by making necessary repairs, improvements or modifications to their homes.

Over the holidays, Sears customers were able donate in stores or online to 'Heroes at Home' raising $1.4 million during the second fund-raising campaign. Sears also made a donation of $1 million to the program for credit card purchases made at any of its Sears stores during the same period of time. Combined, two fund-raising cycles generated $3.8 million.

"Through its partnership with its customers, Sears has been able to make the work of Rebuilding Together come to life, preserving affordable housing for our nation's military heroes," said Gary A. Officer, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. "Our Affiliate Network is committed to serving America's veterans nationwide to make sure they get the help they need to remain in their own homes in safe and comfortable conditions."

Nearly 50 families and veterans were assisted in 2007 through 'Heroes at Home' and there are already plans to help hundreds more in 2008. A fund-raising campaign in the spring of 2008 is expected to increase the number of veterans and military families who will be assisted in 2009.

'Heroes at Home' projects range from veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam unable to complete necessary repairs, to a blended family of nine struggling with the sudden deployment of their husband and father to Iraq forcing him to leave their home renovation project unfinished.

To find out more about Heroes at Home or to refer a military family to the program visit www.RebuildingTogether.org or call 1-800-473-4229.

About Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve homeownership and neighborhoods by providing rehabilitation services free of charge to those in need. Through the support of corporate sponsors, local businesses, and the hands-on work of a quarter-million volunteers, Rebuilding Together rehabs and repairs more than 9000 homes each year.

The market value of this work is in excess of $100 million annually. In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together rehabs community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on elder home safety, energy efficiency, veterans housing, and disaster recovery and reconstruction. Rebuilding Together has grown to 225 affiliates nationwide since its founding in 1988, and is now preserving safe and healthy homes in 1800 communities nationwide. Rebuilding Together celebrated the rehabilitation of its 100,000th home in 2006. For details, see http://www.rebuildingtogether.org or call 1-800-REHAB-9.

Battle Concussions Linked to Stress Disorder

Thu, 01 May 2008 18:27:00 GMT

A recent report in February 2008, indicates that one in six troops returning from Iraq has suffered at least one concussion. Typically considered temporary conditions, research is now suggesting that mild head injuries could heighten the risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. A study in the January, 2008 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine notes that concussions may be causing an array of undiagnosed neurological problems.

Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said the study in brain trauma was long overdue. The new report found that soldiers with concussions were more likely than those with other injuries to report a variety of physical and mental symptoms, including headaches, poor sleep, and balance problems. But they were also at higher risk for stress disorder, or PTSD, with symptoms that include irritability, sleep problems, and flashbacks.

On a positive note, Richard A. Bryant, a psychologist at the University of New South Wales, cautioned that troops “should not be led to believe that they have a brain injury that will result in permanent damage.” On the contrary, it’s believed that the link to post-traumatic stress suggests that mild brain injuries have a psychological component that responds well to treatment.