Veterans For America

Long and repeated deployments are wearing America’s fighting force down, and also eroding the spirit of our military families. Gen. Richard Cody, the Army’s vice chief of staff, has told Congress about his concerns over the health of the nation’s fighting force as it continues to be stretched over the festering problems in Iraq. When Cody says the strain is taking a toll on the all-volunteer force, his remarks offered a professional assessment on the burdens faced by the families of troops – the families that have, for generations, raised those who have volunteered to serve our nation’s military.The Honolulu Advertiser spotlights the toll on families at the Schofield Barracks in their latest edition.

The use of powerful and multiple drugs on soldiers returning from Iraq has taken on life-threatening importance in the wake of at least one soldier’s death. Sgt. Robert Nichols’ widow has begun a campaign to bring attention to the use of drugs and concerns the interactions may have on a patient. When Nichols, before he died, expressed concern about so many medications being given to him, “not one person gave him the help that he needed to save his life,” his widow Susan told the San Antonio Express-News. Officials at Brooke Army Medical Center deny any negligence and are investigating. As many as three other similar deaths at Army posts have been identified, according to the paper.

 While debate on the success of the surge continues, as does the debate on the pause, Iraqis suffered at least two bombings Tuesday that killed as many as 53 people in Baquba — a city U.S. officials had considered cleared of Sunni insurgents last summer.  Another bomb exploded in Ramadi, killing at least 13, including 4 police officers.