FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, October 1, 2008 CONTACT: Chrissy Stevens (212) 982-9699 or
IAVA Executive Director to Speak
at San Diego International Book Fair Rieckhoff Discusses Iraq War and
Vets Issues, Recognizes Schwarzenegger's Work on Behalf of Veterans
NEW YORK - This Saturday, October 4th, Paul
Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
(IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will participate in the San Diego City
College International Book Fair.
Rieckhoff will speak from 4-5pm (P.S.T) on Saturday October 4th
on the main campus of San Diego City College (1313
Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101). The event is open to the media.
"I am honored to be in California participating in the
San Diego City College International Book Fair. Under the leadership of Governor
Schwarzenegger, California has taken the lead on implementing important
legislation for veterans, so I can't think of a better place to discuss these
issues," said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America (IAVA). "It is so important
that we keep the most pressing issues facing the 1.7 million Americans who have
served in Iraq and Afghanistan at the forefront of our national dialogue and
continue to advocate for our country's newest generation of veterans and their
families."
Rieckhoff served as a First Lieutenant and infantry rifle
platoon leader in Iraq from 2003-2004, and is widely recognized for his
critically acclaimed book, "Chasing Ghosts: Failures and Facades in Iraq",
which chronicles his time in Iraq. His lecture will focus on his experience in
Iraq, his perspective on the current situation there, and how the war and
veterans issues figure into the current presidential election.
Rieckhoff will speak after author Tom Frank who recently
released his new book "The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule" and before
Carolyn Forche, a prominent poet who has released several anthologies. The
other speakers that day include Li-Young Lee, Helena Viramontes, Mike Davis,
Bob Hine, and Juan Williams.
On Tuesday September 30th Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation that increases veterans'
access to confidential screenings for Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD)and
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The billrequires the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a comprehensive plan for reaching out to Guard
members or veterans returning to California from combat and assist them in
obtaining a screening for PTSD and TBI. In its 2008 legislative agenda IAVA
identified the need for better and increased mental health care for veterans
from Iraq and Afghanistan. For more information on IAVA's full legislative
agenda please visit: (http://www.iava.org/2008-legislative-agenda).
The 3rd Annual International Book Fair is
committed to promoting both local and national authors, artists, and musicians
who have made significant contributions to the academic and arts
communities. All lectures are free and
open to the public. For more information please visit: http://www.sdcitybookfair.com/.
To arrange an
interview with Paul Rieckhoff, please contact Chrissy Stevens (212)-982-9699 or
.
IAVA is the country's first
and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 125,000 active veteran members and
grassroots supporters nationwide, including 1,500 in the San Diego area. Its mission is to improve the lives of this
country's newest generation of veterans and their families. For more
information, please visit www.IAVA.org
