FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 8, 2008 CONTACT: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or
Iraq
Veterans React to General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker's Reports Today's Testimonies Overlooked Critical Issues of Military
Readiness
NEW
YORK -
Today, General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker delivered reports on Iraq to
the Senate Armed Services Committee. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA),
the nation's first and largest nonpartisan group for Iraq
and Afghanistan
veterans, issued the following statement:
"General Petraeus is a well-respected and capable leader in
the Armed forces, but his report today failed to fully consider the readiness
and strength of the U.S.
military," said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America. "Thousands of our servicemen
and women are on their third, fourth, or even fifth deployments and our nation must
take more seriously its responsibility to support them and their families. It's
not just a matter of fairness, but of national security."
General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker's reports to the
Senate Armed Services Committee come as Congress faces a critical decision on
the emergency supplemental funding necessary to sustain military operations in Iraq.
"While Congress engages in robust debate over the emergency
supplemental, it must continually ensure that America is honoring its troops to
the greatest extent possible. Including
a World War II-style GI Bill in the supplemental is a critical step toward allowing
the military to recruit the most capable troops and expressing our nation's
gratitude for their service," said Rieckhoff.
"Pundits will cherry pick today's testimony to bolster arguments for or
against the war, but we must raise the level of dialogue to focus on the urgent
issues of national security and military readiness. This is the time for light,
not just heat."
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 85,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all
50 states. To arrange an interview with Paul Rieckhoff or any other IAVA member
veteran, please contact Michael Houston at (212)-982-9699, or email
.
