Supporting Military Veterans and Military Families

One of this week’s top news stories is, of course, President Obama’s plan to engage thousands of additional military personnel to Afghanistan. Pax Christi USA has been, and will continue to urge the President and Congress to scale back the escalation of troops in Afghanistan. Sign their petition and read about these efforts @ http://paxchristiusa.org/

Related to this news: a few months ago, Sr. Alana Gorski brought to my attention a story of a military mother who was struggling with depression and trauma while her son was deployed with the Army in Iraq. She is one of many military families who must make sacrifices and lack the resources necessary to live healthy lives.

The JPIC Office has been following legislation related to the military and war-funding, and in particular, I’d like to bring your attention to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA ). The IAVA’s mission is to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. To learn more we encourage you to visit http://iava.org/

From their website: “The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are in their seventh and eighth years respectively. Nearly two million American troops have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, and thousands have been deployed multiple times.

IAVA addresses critical issues facing new veterans and their families, including mental health injuries, a stretched VA system, inadequate health care for female veterans, and GI Bill educational benefits.

IAVA also provides valuable resources and empowers veterans to connect with one another, fostering a strong and lasting community.”

The JPIC Office will monitor the Action Alerts supported by IAVA and keep you informed. In the meantime, consider visiting their website for more information, and continue to keep the military and their families in your prayers, especially during the holiday season – when everyone wishes to be with their families and loved ones, safe at home.