Vacations for Veterans

Vacations for Veterans is a non-profit organization created to provide recently wounded veterans of the United States Armed Forces with a week of free lodgings donated by a vacation homeowner. The Washington-based organization's focus is to get veterans wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan and their families on a much-deserved respite. Homeowners who would like to participate can sign up through the Vacations for Veterans website, which is also where eligible veterans can express interest. Veterans must provide a copy of their Purple Heart documentation to establish eligibility. For more information, visit the Vacations for Veterans website.

Find more ways to support and honor U.S. military servicemembers and veterans who protect our security and freedom. Visit the Military.com Support our Troops webpage.

Counselors Offer Free Services

Thousands of private counselors are offering free services to troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mental health problems because the military is short on therapists.

Read the full story at Military.com

Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act

Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2007 - Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reimburse certain veterans without a service-connected disability enrolled as active participants of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care plan for the cost of emergency treatment received in a non-VA facility until such time as such veterans are transferred to a VA facility.

Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary to reimburse certain veterans with a service-connected disability or a non-service-connected disability associated with or aggravating a service-connected disability for the value of emergency treatment for which such veterans have made payment from sources other than the VA.

For the complete information on this Bill click HERE

The Truth About Veteran Suicides

The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, led by Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA), recently held a hearing to learn the truth about veterans' suicides. Lawmakers questioned whether bureaucrats at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have attempted to manipulate suicide data to portray a lesser problem. Chairman Filner called for VA Secretary Peake to remove Dr. Kussman and Dr. Katz from their positions at the VA for their role in obfuscating veteran suicide data.

Military.com for the whole story

State Veteran Benefits

Veterans pursuing their educational goals are usually eligible for "educational assistance for students" in most states. Educational benefits for veterans and their dependents, particularly the children of deceased and disabled veterans, are also available in some states. Military.com has developed an on-line general summary of educational benefits for veterans and their dependents.

Full view on Military.com here

Military Debates Purple Heart Awards For Mental Stress

WASHINGTON -- Centuries before Iraq and Afghanistan, George Washington created the Purple Heart to honor troops wounded in combat.

But with an increasing number of troops being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, the modern military is debating an idea Gen. Washington never considered -- awarding one of the nation's top military citations to veterans with psychological wounds, not just physical ones.

Read the full story at Veteranstoday.com

Fighting the VA Compared to Fighting Between David and Goliath

Fighting the VA could be compared to the story of David and Goliath in the bible. The only difference is David (meaning you and I) rarely win the battle. In 1987 I filed for VA help and was turned down. I was told I wasn’t disabled enough to receive help. Once again I’m fighting the VA for help and it’s a real eye opener. The only reason why I’m receiving medical help now is I’ve been out of work for 13 months. I’ve been rated a Priority 5 because I’m unable to work.

Read the full story at Veteranstoday.com

Click here to go to our Veteran News Archive page