National Veterans Foundation

Los Angeles, Calif. – February 28, 2008 - A study released today by the National Veterans Foundation reports that the United States Government is shortchanging veterans benefits to the military veterans that have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The report, “Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans in Crisis,” compares the benefits received by WW II, Korean, and Vietnam War veterans to today’s veterans who have served in the middle-east in order to keep this country safe from terrorists.

Contact:
Jim Goyjer (310) 207-1524
Shad Meshad: (310) 339-0679

On _date_ _name_Goyjer interviewed current and former National Veterans Foundation employees Tyrone Ballasteros and Cameron White.

by Alysia Patterson
Dec 06, 2007

Imagine you went to war in Iraq. Now imagine you were injured in combat. Sound bad enough? The story gets worse. After returning home, your injuries prevent you from resuming civilian work full time, or at all, and your application for disability benefits appears to be gathering dust at the Department of Veteran Affairs.

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Coverage by the Sacramento News and Review of “The Road Home: From Combat to College and Beyond.” at Sierra College:

It looked like any impromptu party, but the group gathered in the Rocklin Park Hotel lounge recently wasn’t there to drink. They were getting acquainted between press interviews.

Shad Meshad, a Vietnam veteran and the president of the National Veterans Foundation, and Patrick Campbell, the legislative director for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, had come to town to speak at a Sierra College Veterans-sponsored forum, “The Road Home: From Combat to College and Beyond.”

They were joined by two people from Sierra College who have made that journey. Student Kyle Williams did two tours as a Marine in Iraq before a wound sent him back to civilian life. Catherine J. Morris, a Sierra College veterans counselor, served in three branches of the military.

The conversation varied from rowdy to serious, heart-wrenching to hilarious. What they all agreed on, though, is that the U.S. government needs to pay more attention to its returning veterans.

 

Los Angeles: Two decades ago, the National Veterans Foundation (NVF) launched what has become one of the most indispensable resources for veterans and families grappling with the lasting scars of war---a national toll-free helpline (888-777-4443, M-F, 9a.m.-9p.m.) staffed entirely by fellow veterans, trained to listen, counsel and guide those in need to whatever services they require, no matter where or when they are needed.

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Tahoe Daily Tribune
Jeff Munson - jmunson@tahoedailytribune.com

Two of America’s leading authorities on the Iraq War and veterans readjustment issues will visit the West Slope tomorrow to keynote an all-day event spotlighting area Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans making the often difficult transition back to civilian life.

“The Road Home…From Combat to College and Beyond,” will take place on the campus of Sierra College in Rocklin, where more than 350 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are already enrolled — with that number expected to grow by more than 20 percent in the next year.

According to the Lake Tahoe Community College admissions office there are 14 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans enrolled this semester, and it is expected to climb by next year. Nationally, colleges are now being told to prepare for a 20 percent increase in the enrollment of recent military combat veterans.

Loryll Nicolaisen of the Auburn Journal covered the Veteran's Forum at Sierra College, and provided a focus on the experiences of Veterans returning from Iraq, and their problems and successes while tranistioning into college. From the article:

Christa Hall, who sat on the student panel Friday, only recently got involved with the Sierra College Veterans Club, but said it has helped her a great deal.

"I just got out of the desert in July. I didn't want to deal with other military people," she said Friday. "It helps tremendously to be around other people who have the same experience."

Read the entire story.

Catherine Morris, Veteran Counselor at Sierra College in Rocklin, California, was interviewed on Friday, September 28th by KCBS-AM in San Francisco. Ms. Morris organized the Veterans Conference held that day at Sierra College. You can listen to the interview here.

Bruce Maiman of KFBK-AM Sacramento hosted NVF President Shad Meshad on his radio show. They conducted a wide ranging discussion of Veterans' & Active Duty Service Members' issues. Podcasts of the two hour show are available here:

Hour 1 Hour 2