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Announcements
We are very proud to announce that our National President, Carissa Picard, is going to be representing our organization, Military Spouses for Change, at both the Democratic (8/25-8/28) and Republican National Conventions (9/1-9/5). She is also going to be writing about these Conventions for Military Spouse Magazine.
As you probably already know, Senator Barrack Obama (D-IL) has chosen Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) as his Vice Presidential running mate. Senator Biden is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and his son, Beau, is a member of the Deleware National Guard which is scheduled to deploy to Iraq in October.
Since Carissa is going to the Democratic National Convention today (August 24th), she is wondering what your top concerns were (as military family members and spouses) for the Democratic party and candidates. Please email her at csp@militaryspousesforchange.com ASAP and she will try to get some answers while at the Convention.
Media Inquires can be directed to that email as well.
Military Spouses for Change (MSC) is a non-profit (with 501(c)3 status), non-partisan membership organization created to promote the rights, interests, and needs of service members, veterans, wounded warriors, and military families by educating the public and empowering military spouses.
Let Our Veterans Vote !
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) refuses to allow non-partisan voter registration at VA hospitals and nursing homes for our wounded, injured, ill, and disabled veterans. MSC agrees with Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) and believes the VA is wrong; thus this policy must change immediately. Senator Diane Feinstein has introduced a bill, S3308, entitled the "Veteran Voting Support Act." We urge you to pick up the phone today and tell your Senators and Representatives to pass S 3308 and restore our veterans' voting rights.
Read the VCS's endorsement letter.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Military and Veteran Advocates Forced to Cancel Presidential Town Hall Near Fort Hood, Texas Organizers Could Only Secure a Commitment from Senator McCain
28 July 2008
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Carissa Picard, Managing Director, 2008 Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall Consortium, 254.554.1513, hoodtownhall@gmail.com.
2008 Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall
Monday August 11, 2008, 9:00 pm (EST)
Hosted by the 2008 Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall Consortium
To be carried live on the CBS Television Network
A diverse group of non-profit organizations dedicated to serving active military, veterans, their families and their survivors came together to invite Senators Obama and McCain to the Bell County Expo Center (near Fort Hood, Texas) for an in-depth discussion of the increasingly complex issues facing America's military and veteran community. The CBS television network agreed to produce and broadcast the town hall meeting, nationally, during prime time that evening.
Fort Hood is the largest U.S. military installation in the world and deploys the most soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan as part of our continuing Global War on Terror. Consequently, the Consortium could not imagine a more appropriate audience—or a more compelling location—for this event.
Although Senator McCain accepted the Consortium’s invitation, Senator Obama did not. According to Senator Obama’s advisors, there was a scheduling conflict. The Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall Consortium believes that both candidates care a great deal about our troops, veterans, and military families. The Consortium plans to work closely with both campaigns to encourage a discussion regarding a possible rescheduling of the event.
"We believe if there is one more debate or town hall before the general election, it should be before an audience comprised of the men and women whose service and sacrifice ensure that these events continue through their defense of our country and of our Constitution," said Carissa Picard, lead organizer and military spouse whose husband is currently deployed for fifteen months in Iraq.
“One of these candidates will be our next Commander-in-Chief, during a time of war, and we believe that this audience, in particularly, will be extremely interested in knowing what they each have to say about the future of an all-volunteer military force and the needs of our veterans and military families under their leadership,” said Bob Handy (USN Ret.) and part of the Fort Hood Town Hall Consortium’s leadership team.
In November 2004, the President was elected by a majority of 126 million votes. Today, approximately 27 million American adults are veterans. If we assume half are married, then there are approximately 40 million voters intimately aware of the issues affecting veterans and their families.
Meanwhile, there are approximately 2.6 million Americans currently serving in our Armed Forces, either full or part-time. If you include their spouses, then you have an additional 4 million voters sensitive to the needs of our veterans, wounded warriors, and military families.
In all, the veteran and military communities total approximately 44 million Americans—almost a quarter of the overall voting population and more than one- third of the total voting participation in 2004.
MEDIA ADVISORY
MILITARY AND VETERAN ADVOCATES INVITE SENATORS MCCAIN AND OBAMA TO FORT HOOD TEXAS
Presidential Town Hall to Focus on Military and Veterans
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Carissa Picard, Managing Director, 2008 Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall Consortium, 254.554.1513, hoodtownhall@gmail.com.
2008 Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall
Monday August 11, 2008, 9:00 pm (EST)
Bell County Expo Center
301 West Loop 121
Belton, Texas 76513
Hosted by the 2008 Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall Consortium
To be carried live on the CBS Television Network.
A diverse group of non-profit organizations dedicated to serving active military, veterans, their families and their survivors has come together to invite the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates to Fort Hood, Texas, for an in-depth discussion of the increasingly complex issues facing America's military and veteran community. The CBS television network has agreed to produce and broadcast the town hall meeting in prime time that evening.
Fort Hood is the largest U.S. military installation in the world and deploys the most soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan as part of our continuing Global War on Terror. Consequently, the Consortium cannot imagine a more appropriate audience—or a more compelling location—for this event.
This Consortium represents organizations that provide services and support to our service members, veterans, wounded warriors, and their families. "We believe if there is one more debate or town hall before the general election, it should be before an audience comprised of the men and women whose service and sacrifice ensure that these events continue through their defense of our country and of our Constitution," said Carissa Picard, lead organizer and military spouse whose husband is in Iraq.
"This forum is NOT about being for the war in Iraq or against the war in Iraq. This is about the fact that there is a war in Iraq, as well as Afghanistan, and there are consequences to that war—consequences for our service members, for their families, for our country. These candidates are asking to be elected the next Commander-in-Chief and we believe that our audience, as well as the American public, will be extremely interested in knowing what they have to say about these issues."
In November 2004, the President was elected by a majority of 126 million votes. Today, approximately 27 million American adults are veterans. If we assume half are married, then there are approximately 40 million voters intimately aware of the issues affecting veterans and their families. Meanwhile, there are approximately 2.6 million Americans currently serving in our Armed Forces, either full or part-time. If you include their spouses, then we will have an additional 4 million voters sensitive to the needs of our veterans, wounded warriors, and military families.
In all, the veteran and military communities total approximately 44 million Americans—almost a quarter of the overall voting population and more than one- third of the total voting participation in 2004.
"The sacrifices these families endure are not abstract; they are borne out in illness, injury, post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, economic hardship, the daily agony of separation from family and friends; and finally, the ultimate sacrifice of our Gold Star families. Furthermore, those citizens who are not themselves members of the military and veteran community are eager to see that those who shoulder the enormous strain of wartime service are afforded the meaningful thanks of a grateful nation." adds Amy Fairweather, director of the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, a group of organizations dedicated to improving services for military, veterans, families and survivors, many of whom have joined to invite the candidates to this historic forum.
The Consortium includes a diverse group of veteran and military service organizations including Disabled Veterans of America, the Brain Injury Association of America, and Sentinels of Freedom. These groups are working in partnership with the military, the Department of Veterans Affairs, state and local governments, and faith and community based organizations to deliver services and support to our military, veterans and families.
Picard adds that, "We sincerely hope the candidates will accept our invitation. We hope this event will remind American voters in November that his or her choice will have a significant impact on the lives and well-being of millions of service members, veterans, wounded warriors, and military families—including children."
Consortium Members
American Veterans (AMVETS) |
Brain Injury Association of America |
Disabled Veterans of America (DAV) |
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States |
Fleet Reserve Association |
Military Officers Assn. of America |
Military Order of the Purple Heart |
Military Spouse Corporate Career Network |
National Spinal Cord Injury Assn (NSCIA) |
The Sanctuary International |
Veterans for Common Sense |
Veterans United for Truth |
Vietnam Veterans of America |
Veterans Village |
WELLsville Veterans Project |
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Members of the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
Air Compassion for Veterans |
American Pain Foundation |
Armed Services YMCA |
Brave New Foundation |
CA National Guard |
Cause |
Coming Home Project |
Dallas Foundation |
Homes for Our Troops |
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund |
New Directions |
One Freedom |
Pathway Home |
Project: Return 2 Work |
Salvation Army Liberty Program |
Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation |
Swords to Plowshare |
TAPS |
TIRR Foundation Project Victory |
Vets 4 Vets |
Babette Maxwell, co-founder and Executive Editor of Military Spouse Magazine, is graciously donating her time and talent as the Town Hall's Military Family advisor. |
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"To see MSC President, Carissa Picard, on PBS NOW with Maria Hinojosa, watch this on-line soldier's story here: http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/424/video-webex.html?i=2. MSC was able to successfully intervene on behalf of this soldier as well as several others at Fort Hood, Texas, who needed to be placed in the Warrior Transition Unit.
Unfortunately, due to the high volume of demand for help and the lack of funds, MSC has to temporarily stop its case management component. Our 501c3 application has been submitted to the IRS recently but it may take up to 3 more months to get approved and MSC cannot begin applying for grants until it is. MSC is currently operating on exclusively on donations. Any contribution, even as little as $5 can make an enormous difference in the lives of our Military and their families.
If you are outraged by what you see in this video, we encourage you to tell others about MSC and have them join. You do not have to be a military spouse to join, you simply have to support our mission of empowering a movement of advocates within the active duty community. Someday we would like to have an advocate on every installation who could help families and soldiers like Sgt. Chavarria and Specialist Norrell (MSC's role was profiled in his story on the actual PBS show).
Your ally in change,
Carissa Picard
President
Military Spouses for Change
Involve. Inform. Inspire."
"Tune in to PBS NOW on Friday evening to see the President of MSC discuss personality disorder discharges and PTSD/misconduct discharges and the cases MSC has been involved in:
Next Week on NOW
Is the military wrongfully discharging soldiers in order to deny them benefits?
http://www.pbs.org/now/
As we honor those who have fallen in service to our country, we must also remember those who returned from battle with the physical and psychological scars of war.
At www.standup4vets.org, concerned Americans can sign a petition urging Congress and the President to take action so the men and women who fought to defend our nation don't have to fight to get the medical care they need and deserve.
For far too long, tight budgets and political posturing have kept some veterans from getting proper medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Disabled American Veterans is demanding that Congress enact new laws to require improved screening and treatment for psychological wounds, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injuries; increase support for family caregivers; and reform veterans health care funding so that it is sufficient, timely and predictable.
Thanks for any help you can provide in getting the word out to those who may want to get involved in our online mobilization and call for our government to stand up our veterans.
David E. Autry
Deputy National Director of Communications
Disabled American Veterans
THE UNITED FEMALE VETERANS OF AMERICA WILL HAVE IT'S FIRST CONFERENCE ON JUNE 26-29, 2008 AT THE ST LOUIS MARRIOTT WEST, ST LOUIS, MISSOURI. DETAILS ARE IN THE LINK BELOW. WE ARE MAKING UP POSTERS AND DISPLAYS FOR THE CONFERENCE AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR PICTURE, IN MILITARY UNIFORM, TO BE USED SEND A COPY OF IT AS AN ATTACHMENT TO MYSELF AND WANDA STORY ALONG WITH A RELEASE STATEMENT FOR USE OF THE PHOTO. PLEASE SEND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. ALSO, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME, RANK AND BRANCH OF SERVICE, ETC.
PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING OUR ORGANIZATION AND PASS THIS ON TO ANYONE THAT WOULD BE INTERESTED.
IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO BE A SPONSER, PLEASE CONTACT WANDA STORY.
AGNES M "IRISH" BRESNAHAN CAPTAIN US ARMY WAC/SIG C/MI 10 SEP 71- 10 JUN 1977
10 MARBLEHEAD RD
WINDHAM NH 03097
603-894-5788
100% SC FOR STATESIDE AO CHEMICAL EXPOSURE DATE OF CLAIM 11 JUN 1977
LIFETIME MEMBER VVA, DAV, AMERICAN LEGION AND UFVA
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST THIS EMAIL ON OTHER LINKS. www.ufva.us
AGNES M "IRISH" BRESNAHAN
NPR NEWS CONTINUES INVESTIGATIONS INTO TREATMENT OF SOLDIERS SUFFERING FROM PTSD ON ALL THINGS CONSIDERED ON FRIDAY, MAY 16
AUDIO TO BE AVAILABLE AT 7:00PM (ET) AT www.NPR.org
May 16, 2008; Washington, D.C. – In its continuing coverage of military treatment of soldiers returning from war, NPR News reports that spouses of troops with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other serious mental health problems have made it their mission to force the military to give the troops the help they need. The report from NPR National Correspondent Daniel Zwerdling is airing today, Friday, May 16 on NPR News' All Things Considered.
In this piece, Zwerdling profiles Tammie Lecompte, whose husband became so severely depressed when he returned from his second tour in Iraq that doctors feared he would die.
In 2006 and 2007, Zwerdling's six-part series on the mistreatment of soldiers at Fort Carson helped prompt Congress to focus on the issue and earned a 2008 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award and George Foster Peabody Award. Earlier this year, NPR News reported that Department of Veterans' Affairs staff at Fort Drum in upstate New York had been instructed to stop assisting injured soldiers with their military disability paperwork, used to determine annual disability payments, which led to congressional leaders asking the Army to investigate these charges and to a national soldiers' advocacy group announcing plans to seek an official military Court of Inquiry probe into the situation.
All Things Considered, NPR's signature afternoon news magazine, reaches 12 million listeners weekly, and is hosted by Melissa Block, Michele Norris and Robert Siegel. To find local stations and broadcast times, visit www.NPR.org/stations
-NPR-
NPR Media Relations: Laura Perloff 202.513.2310 / lperloff@npr.org
CNN is currently working on a story about military families facing foreclosure. They are reaching out to military families that are struggling to make their mortgage payments. They would also appreciate feedback on whether there are additional stresses placed on military families (v. civilian families) in the current sluggish real-estate market.
They are looking to interview a service member and/or spouse for a taped piece to to air within a CNN special hour on the military to air on memorial day.
If you are interested, please contact Carissa Picard.
Please contact me soonest.
Thank you; your help is invaluable and appreciated.
Dear Friends and Members:
Our main policy goal for 2008 is to prevent the continued abuse of "personality disorder" discharges and the failure of Commanders to recognize post-deployment misconduct as possible indications of untreated PTSD and/or TBI. Since 2003, at least 28,000 servicemembers have been involuntarily separated from the military for personality disorders and post-deployment misconduct.
We are sharing with you the preliminary/minimum changes we would like to see the DoD make.
Returning Warrior Mental Health Protection Act
Purposes:
- To effectively identify service members in crisis upon return from a combat zone.
- To provide a means by which returning warriors exhibiting signs of post-combat stress can receive mental health care, treatment, and evaluation before their behavior escalates to the point of involuntary separation from the military.
- To create uniformity among military units in the management of service members engaging in misconduct or otherwise exhibiting signs of mental health distress upon return from a combat zone.
Definitions
- Military mental health provider -- anyone licensed to provide mental health care and recognized by the Commander of the military treatment facility (MTF) as capable of administering such care.
Post-deployment Misconduct
- a. If a service member engages in misconduct within two years upon his or her return from a combat zone AND has no history of misconduct prior to his or her deployment, the Commander shall suspend disciplinary action and/or administrative discharge pending the following:
- Service member must undergo a comprehensive mental health evaluation and TBI screening and be given 30 days to participate in any recommended programs offered by the MTF or otherwise recommended by the mental health provider.
- Upon completion of the initial mental health evaluation and recommendation by a military mental health provider, the service member will be given the option of continuing with treatment and/or care at the MTF or approved civilian mental health provider for up to 180 days (from the date of the referral).
Referral to Warrior Transition Unit
- Upon recommendation of a military psychiatrist and agreement by the service member, the service member must be released from his or her current unit and transferred to the WTU for further care, treatment, and evaluation.
- Any pending or suspended disciplinary actions and/or other charges may be forwarded for disposition by the WTU Commander.
Personality Disorder Discharges
- If a service member meets the following criteria, the diagnosis of a personality disorder shall qualify for compensation as a recognized disability by the DoD and VA:
- Has been active for at least 2 yrs;
- Has served in a combat zone; and
- Has no history of such disorder noted upon his or her entrance into service.
Donate Now
We are trying to raise money to support MSC and the services we provide.
Any help you could give would benefit the entire community.
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We are a non-profit organization with 501(c)3 status, all donations are tax deductible.