There are times when less words, say more.  Perhaps, the proper axiom is “Nobody does, or says it better,” than Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.  I know not which statement is most fitting.  However, I trust there is little I can say to introduce this request.  Please stop Congress; they plan to reduce the funding for veterans brain injury treatment.

Rarely can we act [express love] and react [articulate fear and pain] simultaneously. This is a unique opportunity. We, the people, have the power to do each with a single click.
Thus, I ask you, dear reader, to please, help our soldiers; they have suffered enough.  In a country where for the most part, the poor protect and defend the rich, where men and women in need of securing a more solid future sacrifice their lives and volunteer to serve during wartime, Congress is planning to slash the funds necessary for research and treatment of war-related Brain Injuries.  

Those that represent the citizenry of the United States are electing to eliminate one-half of the resources previously allocated to benefit our brain-injured troops.  Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, cut down in the prime of their lives, will receive no more than they had and will be given much less.  It makes little sense to me.  

America sponsors the war effort with billions of dollars.  Its citizens and Congress proudly proclaim “Support Our Troops.”  We affirm the troops are fighting to “keep us safe.”  Meanwhile, when an individual soldier can no longer serve, when his or her brain barely functions because they took a blow for US, we no longer care for them.  It is all so sad to me.  Therefore, Executive Director Rieckhoff and I ask you to assist.

Please Stop Congress’ Plan to Slash Funding for Treatment of Troops’ Brain Injuries

Dear IAVA Supporter,

In the midst of a war, politicians in Washington are cutting funding for the treatment of a serious injury affecting over 100,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.  Supporting the troops should be more than a sound-bite.  Go to www.iava.org to tell Congress to put their money where their mouth is.

When a Marine in Fallujah barely escapes a rocket-propelled grenade [RPG] attack, or an improvised explosive device [IED] explodes near a soldier’s Humvee, the blast can cause the Troop’s brain to slam against in the inside of his skull.  The result is Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, which can cause dizziness, problems with vision, hearing, or speech, memory loss, and even severe brain damage.  At least 100,000 troops serving in Iraq or Afghanistan have been affected by TBI.  

So, how does Congress respond?  By cutting in half the funding for the research and treatment center for traumatic brain injury, [TBI.]  Go to www.iava.org to send a letter blasting Congress for cutting funding for the treatment of America’s wounded veterans.

Veterans’ care is not the place to cut corners.  The Defense Authorization bills are spending about $400 billion of your money.  But TBI research requires only an extra $7 million.  Show your support for Troops suffering with Traumatic Brain Injury – go to www.iava.org to send a letter to your local paper today, to tell Congress to save funding for TBI research.

Sincerely,
Paul Rieckhoff
Executive Director
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
www.iava.org

Please Realize, Hiding Troop Brain Injuries has Long Been the Habit of the Pentagon . . .

Pentagon Policy is Now Broadened.  Congress Spending Cuts Are Planned . . .

Treatment of Brain Injured Troops . . .

Betsy L. Angert Be-Think

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