Veterans For America

The suicide rate in our ranks is a national tragedy and there’s no relief in sight. There are those still wondering why so many of our Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are taking their own lives. But for those paying attention, which should be every one of us, the toxic burdens of too much stress, too little rest, too little medical care and a persistent stigma against seeking help are obviously continuing to pile up on our troops. We shouldn’t have to hear about another suicide nearly every day.

Meanwhile, our troops are deploying to war nearly every day — many of them for their second, third, or even fourth, tours. This includes our National Guard members, who continue to deploy to war at a pace that recalls World War II.  And remember: we need our Guard ready and rested on the homefront for whatever may strike, from Mother Nature to human catastrophe.

Are we poisoning our troops with the use of burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan? Lawsuits against the contractor that operates many of the burn pits are piling up. Turning to contractors continues for the military, this time closer to home: the Army is privatizing temporary lodging facilities at 10 installations around the country.

Funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan moves closer to final approval in Congress.

Is the VA still mishandling potentially infectious medical gear, even after dozens of veterans contracted serious diseases due to the VA’s mishandling of medical gear?

The state of Nevada runs afoul of the Justice Department — and common sense — when it fired an Army Reservist from his job upon returning from his deployment last year and then backdating his firing when he complained. “The law is clear: Unnecessary delays and reprisal will not be tolerated,” said one Justice Department official who announced the filing of a lawsuit against Nevada.