Monthly Archives: January 2009

After Campaign Push, Obama Cultivates Military

January 30, 2009 – The outreach began more than a year ago when Barack Obama, the antiwar candidate who had never served in the military, turned to a group of young officers just out of active duty for a fresh … Continue reading

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Homelessness Surges as Funding Falters

January 30, 2009, Seattle, WA – As snowstorms blew into this Northwest city and the economy iced over in December, the occupants of a shelter nestled among industrial buildings on the north side prayed for divine intervention. “We were hoping … Continue reading

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When War’s Violence Comes Home

January 29, 2009 –  The Army reported Thursday that at least 128 soldiers took their lives last year – the most since they started keeping records, three decades ago. But sometimes soldiers direct their anger at others – cases of … Continue reading

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Study: Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans Feel Disconnected Upon Returning Home

January 31, 2009, New Britain, CT – Some of the veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are feeling disconnected from their loved ones, having trouble readjusting to work or school and failing to seek medical care for fear of being … Continue reading

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Editorial Column: U.S. Veterans Need Good Care

January 30, 2009 – The recent article about yet another foul-up within the Veterans Administration system was met with no surprise by many of the veterans who use the V.A. as their health-care provider. The phrase “fumble, stumble and regroup” … Continue reading

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Military Investigates West Point Suicides

January 30, 2009 – Two West Point cadets have committed suicide since December and two others attempted suicide in the past two weeks, prompting the military academy’s leaders to summon an Army surgeon general’s suicide team to the campus today … Continue reading

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Senator Wants Substance-Abuse Program Review

January 30, 2009 – A Missouri lawmaker wants service members who seek help for substance abuse problems to be shielded from disciplinary action. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is pushing for a review … Continue reading

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Scott Gould Named VA Deputy Secretary

January 30, 2008, Washington, DC – Today, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki praised President Barack Obama’s intent to nominate W. Scott Gould as next Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Gould is currently vice president for public sector strategy … Continue reading

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Jan 29, VCS FOIA Campaign News: Iraq, Afghanistan VA Patients Exceed 400,000

January 29, 2009 – As the number of veterans seeking health care continues to rise, the VA is straining to meet demands. Amid talk of a drawdown of troops in Iraq, new statistics from the Department of Defense (DoD) and … Continue reading

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Jan 30, VCS in Contra Costa Times: Suicides in Army at Record High

January 30, 2009 – A record number of active-duty soldiers killed themselves last year, top Army leaders reported Thursday, acknowledging that they are losing a battle to reverse a years-long rise in suicides, many of them by soldiers deployed to … Continue reading

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