From Falluja to Washington, DC: Iraq Veteran Unveils New Roadmap for Congress

I barely recall what I ate for breakfast yesterday let alone what I was doing four years ago. But ask Staff Sergeant Todd Bowers where he was and what he was doing on October 17, 2004 at 11:34am, and he'll start rattling off the details.

Bowers was on a civil affairs mission in Falluja, Iraq when sniper fire hit the scope on top of his rifle and exploded in his face. Suffering shrapnel wounds and hearing loss in his left ear, Bowers survived the attack because of the rifle scope his father had purchased for him and sent to him overseas. He now marks every October 17th as his "Alive Day," the day he narrowly escaped death and an anniversary he'll never forget.

This week, Iraq veteran, Purple Heart recipient and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America's (IAVA) Director of Government Affairs, Todd Bowers, will go before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to present IAVA's 2009 Legislative Agenda. It's pretty miraculous to watch a guy who was shot in the face just over 4 years ago testify before Congress to advocate for his fellow veterans--and it's an honor to stand by his side.

2009 will be a crucial year for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, many of which are returning from war only to bear the brunt of the economic crisis. Congress has already taken some steps to help veterans expand their economic opportunities - including the passage of the "Post-9/11" GI Bill. But more efforts must be made to ease the transition home. And this includes, first and foremost, prioritizing the needs of veterans in the proposed economic stimulus package.

As the House of Representatives is expected to vote on the stimulus package today, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have a lot at stake. Unemployment numbers are bad across the board, but new veterans are being especially hard-hit. Foreclosures in military towns are increasing at four times the national average. And hundreds of thousands of veterans who may be relying on disability benefits as a source of income have been left waiting by the massive backlog of claims. As President Obama and Congress continue to wrangle over details, the final plan must keep the needs of generations of veterans in mind.

But the work doesn't end after the stimulus package is complete. Since 2007, Congress has provided record budget increases for the Department of Veterans Affairs, but 19 of the past 22 VA budgets have been passed late and hospitals have been forced to ration care. Funding the VA one year in advance would go a long way towards helping the largest health care provider in the nation plan critical new programs--and it wouldn't cost a dime. Among other top veteran priorities for 2009, Congress must also act to ensure better screening for invisible wounds such as PTSD and TBI; end the passive culture within the VA; and guarantee correct implementation of the new GI Bill.

We've given the 111th Congress and the new Administration a clear plan of action. Now it's your turn to help. To make sure that Congress is hearing our message loud and clear, we're bringing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from across the country to DC to take part in our Storm the Hill advocacy week. You can support their efforts in DC so that more veterans, like Todd Bowers, can share their stories.

From Falluja to Washington, DC, we've come a long way. But there is still much more to do. With your help, we can make sure Congress finally listens to our newest generation of veterans - and gives them the heroes' welcome they have earned.

Crossposted at IAVA.org.

Comments

[schatsie]

We have health care from the head down...yes we have surgery and pills...but neuro difficulties such as Autism and Alzheimers and PTSD are just essentially ignored,,,,what a mess.

[SueMVetforObama]

Please see Title X of the Stimulus -

For example -

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE
For an additional amount for ""Military Construction,
Defense-Wide"", $3,750,000,000, for the construction of
hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers

Vets, Take a look at all of TITLE X - A promise kept to Vets by Obama!

And Repugs voted against this? SHAME!

[Berettasskeeter]

The corollary to this is that tens of thousands of vets will likely be adjudicated mentally/psychologically disabled. This will result in their inability to ever own/possess firearms.
A promise kept by Obama!
And Democrats voted for this? SHAME!
Semper fi

[Hajji]

Far, far better to have untreated, disavowed and unstable mentally/psychologically disabled vets who are LOCKED AND LOADED, but homeless, and ignored by society.

[Luvial]

Seek professional help, Dude.

[Luvial]

Republicans like to talk about the "sacrifice" made by veterans. They mean it literally. Veterans are supposed to sacrifice their lives and not ask for handouts.

[Berettasskeeter]

I'm a vet. Not only do I not want a handout, I resent the implication that vets as a group want handouts. Further, I'm a Republican because, like the military, Republicans stand for personal responsibility and self-discipline. The fact that members of the party have betrayed that is due more to the fact that power corrupts than that the ideal is in any way wrong.
But thanks for your demeaning comments.
Semper fi

[VET613]

Hello Paul,

I wholeheartedly agree that many VETERANS from all conflicts require special help with the demons of PTSD. Too little is being done. As a combat disabled Vietnam veteran I strongly support the full inclusion of ALL veterans not just Iraqi and Afgan vets in any government assistance.

My best to you & yours,

[demfriend]

Thanks once again Paul for your work that you do for "Our soldiers". PTSD is a huge issue and even though I see firsthand where I work, a Naval Medical Center, some being treated, not enough soldiers are getting the help they need. There has to be a whole lot more of soldiers not being, or not getting treatment, because that is what I am told by those I see seeking treatment. The soldiers being treated are coming in because they have to. Something happened that they no longer could conrol the demons brought on by PTSD. The military should be taking a more serious look at who is potentially suffering but they won't now. Those who come in say the numbers who need the treatment but won't get it until forced to are huge and the need too great for those bodies to be counted on to be in the war to have the military worry about their minds working with those bodies as they should be. The active duty guys and gals say a lot of soldiers get medication, not treatment, to keep them active and not where I work....

[Luvial]

Memory is associative. When you experience a trauma it is imprinted indelibly on your memory along with everything associated with the traumatic event. Reexperiencing any of the mundane associated aspects of the event will retrigger the entire traumatic event along with the exact emotions associated with it. It turns your life into a broken record and can be devastating if you do not know what is happening. You can learn to deal with it, but it never goes away. Paul's lead sentence captures this.