Veterans For America has long been focused on issues surrounding our National Guard soldiers and assessing the problems that they face when returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq. Through VFA's nonpartisan National Guard efforts, the group has conducted reports and examined National Guard units on a state-by-state basis to determine their needs and analyze the issues they face.
National Guard units struggle nationwide, but the post-deployment challenges facing the Alaska National Guard are more daunting and widespread than any other I've seen as a Director of Veterans for America's National Guard Program.
As we have done in more than 12 other states, members of Veterans for America's National Guard Program recently completed an assessment of the needs of the Alaska National Guard, culminating with a week-long trip to Alaska, visiting a cross-section of the state to assess the needs of the Alaska National Guard. Despite the dedicated and relentless work many in Alaska, VFA's findings indicate that the post-deployment needs of Alaska National Guard members and their families remain largely unmet.
Much has been made in the past of President Bush's past 'service' in the National Guard and specifically the fact that when he joined the National Guard, he pointedly checked the box:
A few weeks ago, I wrote about our launch of the Purple Dog Tag and how the money raised will go to help returning wounded veterans get the care and help they so very much deserve. In fact, the first two beneficiaries are two great groups I encourage you to learn more about, Veterans For America and Fisher House.
Since we launched, we have seen more and more articles and stories about the crisis that is here, tens of thousands, in some estimates hundreds of thousands of returning veterans are in need of care and help and sometimes the need seems overwhelming and we all ask ourselves, what can I do? That's why we created Purple Dog Tag, anyone can buy one for just $5 or $10 and when you wear it, you're telling our wounded warriors - you are not alone and we, as a people and a country, are standing with you and will do so in the future.
We have been very grateful for all the help and support we have received, so many people have pitched in and while we appreciate all of the help, we wanted to especially thank our friends at The Gloucester Street Cigar Company on Gloucester Street near Newbury Street in Back Bay. They took 150 of the dog tags and they sold every one. While in the future we will be using some of the proceeds to cover our hard costs, we thought that this first check should reflect the spirit of help and generosity our friends at The Gloucester Street Cigar Company showed so here is the check I just sent down to Bobby Muller and everyone at Veterans For America. It's not much considering the need but it's a start. If you would like to help, please visit our site - we would love and need your assistance.
A new report on the mental health of Hurricane Katrina victims shows patterns in the Gulf Coast that are contrary to post traumatic stress disorder usually seen after major disasters. The mental health of Hurricane Katrina victims is worsening with the drawn out recovery time.
You can listen to a discussion of the report at subject link above.
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