FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
CONTACT: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or

IAVA Releases Groundbreaking Reports on the Most Urgent Issues Veterans Face
New Go-To Resource on Topics Including Mental Health, Traumatic Brain Injury and Military Readiness

NEW YORK -Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, today released a series of five in-depth reports on the most urgent issues facing America’s newest generation of veterans and their families. The comprehensive analysis and policy recommendations included in each report should become the go-to resource for lawmakers, journalists, activists, and the American public.

“These groundbreaking reports provide all Americans with comprehensive and easy-to-read overviews of the five most critical issues facing veterans in 2008. They should be mandatory reading for any journalist covering the Iraq War or veterans’ issues. Reporters, legislators and activists should print them out and tack them to the wall above their desks right now,” said Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Executive Director. “The recent tragedy at the VA Hospital in Marion is the type of shortcoming in veterans’ care these reports highlight. Providing new veterans with adequate care is one of the most significant challenges America faces and these reports offer a clear explanation of the most urgent issues.”

IAVA’s newly released reports explore:

• Mental Health Injuries: The Invisible Wounds of War
• Traumatic Brain Injury: The Signature Wound of the Iraq War
• Battling Red Tape: Veterans Struggle for Care and Benefits
• A Breaking Military: Overextension Threatens Readiness
• A New GI Bill: Rewarding Our Troops, Rebuilding Our Military

The full series of IAVA issue reports and accompanying Quick Facts can be downloaded at www.iava.org/issuereports.

Next week, IAVA will release its 2008 Legislative Agenda. During the week of February 11, IAVA Member Veteransveterans from across the country will meet with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to move that agenda forward. To arrange an interview with Paul Rieckhoff or to shadow IAVA veterans for any part of their Capitol Hill push, please contact Michael Houston at (212)-982-9699, or email .

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation’s first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A non-profit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 80,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states. For more information, please visit www.iava.org.

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