VIDEO: MSNBC Countdown (Sept 5)--McCain Speech Skips Vets

McCain speech skips vets

Sept. 5: Paul Rieckhoff of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of American talks with Countdown's Rachel Maddow about McCain's poor record on veteran's issues and the curious absence of those issues amid the RNC convention.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/2656720826567208

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Top Ten Actions the New President Must Take to Support Our Troops and Veterans

In this election year, the presidential candidates disagree over everything from the economy to the Iraq war to how many houses they can remember to own. But one issue that should be bridging the partisan divide is the importance of caring for our veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Both Senator McCain and Senator Obama have pledged their support for our troops and new veterans -- but will they put their money where their mouth is? IAVA is working to make sure they do.

Over the past two weeks, IAVA has been on the ground in Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul for the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. We have brought a team of our top veterans from around the country to meet with delegates and convention guests to raise awareness about the most critical issues facing the 1.7 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and highlight our historic fight for the new GI Bill.

IAVA is nonpartisan, and does not endorse political candidates. Instead, we're making sure that our message is being heard -- veterans' issues must be at the top of the agenda for both political parties and the new Administration.

This week, we released our list of the top 10 veterans' issues that the next president, Democrat or Republican, needs to address starting Day One. IAVA's number one priority for the next president is to ensure mandatory and confidential mental health screenings for all returning troops. Other critical actions include providing adequate care to wounded service members and ending homelessness among veterans. For the full list of actions, click here.

But we could use your help getting the word out to the presidential candidates. Please take a minute to sign IAVA's open letter asking Senators Obama and McCain to pledge that, if elected, they will enact the recommendations we've made.

Honoring our nation's veterans is not a partisan issue. No matter who the next President is, there will be nearly 2 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan that are owed the best from us. And together, we can send a strong message to both candidates to make veterans' issues a top priority.

Update: Last week, we held a care package event in Denver with our local IAVA members, and were joined by Michelle Obama and her family, Jill Biden, Colorado First Lady Jeannie Ritter, Iraq veteran Tammy Duckworth, and Medal of Honor recipient Paul Bucha.

All those in attendance showed real commitment to our men and women serving overseas, devoting several hours of their time to sending hundreds of our troops a little piece of home. On behalf of all the troops in Iraq who will be receiving these care packages, I would like to say thank you.

We'll be conducting a similar event here in Minnesota today, and we're expecting the same level of support from the GOP. Keep your eyes on www.iava.org for all the latest info on our presence in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

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Top Ten Actions Next President Must Take for Veterans

09/02/08: Top Ten Actions for the Next President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
CONTACT: Michael Houston, media@iava.org
Top Ten Actions Next President Must Take for Veterans
IAVA Sponsors RNC Care Package Event for Troops Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan

NEW YORK - Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans group, released the top ten most important actions the next president must take to support America's newest generation of troops and veterans. IAVA's highest priority for the next president is to ensure thorough, professional and confidential mental health screening for returning troops. Other critical actions include providing adequate care to wounded servicemembers and ending homelessness among veterans. The full list can be found at www.iava.org/topten. IAVA is calling on supporters to sign an open letter asking Senators Obama and McCain to pledge to care for our nation's veterans.

"This presidential election offers America the opportunity to turn the page on how its veterans have been treated since Vietnam," said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). "From improving mental health care to ending homeless among these heroes, there are specific actions IAVA is calling on the next president to take in support of our veterans. These urgent issues rise above partisan politics."

IAVA will also sponsor a service event this Wednesday, September, 3, at the Republican National Convention to offer local veterans, military families, Twin Cities residents and convention delegates an opportunity to assemble care packages for troops serving overseas. The event will take place from 12:00pm-3:00pm CT at the Marriot Minneapolis City Center (30 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN) and is open to the press. Please RSVP to michael@iava.org.

IAVA veterans are attending the Republican National Convention throughout this week and are available to offer their opinions on the veterans vote this election and Wednesday's service event. They include: Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff (New York, NY), Chief Legislative Counsel Patrick Campell (Camarillo, CA), Veteran Membership Associate Andrew Roberts (Suffern, NY) and Policy Associate Tom Tarantino (San Anselmo, CA). To arrange an interview, please contact Michael Houston at (212) 982-9699 or media@iava.org.

IAVA veterans also attended last week's Democratic National Convention and sponsored a similar service event.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A non-profit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 100,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states.

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Our Message in Denver and Minneapolis

We need your help.

I'm writing you from Denver, Colorado, at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. IAVA is here with several Member Veterans, making sure that veterans' issues are at the top of the agenda for the Democratic Party. Next week, we head to Minneapolis to do the same at the Republican National Convention.

Please take a minute to sign IAVA's open letter asking Senators Obama and McCain to pledge that if elected, they will make every day in their administration Veterans' Day.

Together we can send a strong message to both candidates that tens of thousands of Americans want to make veterans' issues a top priority in the White House.

IAVA is non-partisan, and will not be endorsing any candidates. We're traveling to the conventions to hold politicians on both sides of the aisle accountable to our issues. No matter who the next President is, there will be nearly 2 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan that are owed the best from us.

We've put together a list of the top 10 issues that need to be addressed at the beginning of the new administration. Sign the open letter and ask Senators Obama and McCain to address these issues immediately after the election.

Honoring our nation's veterans isn't a partisan issue. After serving so bravely, it's what the men and women of our armed forces deserve.

Thank you for making your voice heard.

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McCain and the POW issue. VIDEO: Rieckhoff on Countdown with Olbermann (Aug 22)

Here is the video from last night's appearance on Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC.

Aug. 22: Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Paul Rieckhoff, discusses whether some war veterans may have had enough of John McCain playing the P.O.W. card.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/2635508126355081

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What You Missed at the VFW Convention Yesterday

Yesterday morning, I had the honor of addressing the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in Orlando, Florida. (You might not have gotten the chance to see me speak -- a couple of famous folks also stopped by.)

I was very proud to be there, and to meet a room full of veterans of all generations, going back to World War II and Korea. These brave warriors remember not only the beaches of Normandy, but also a time when Americans made sure that troops coming home from war got a fair chance at a first-class future. Thanks to the original GI Bill, the World War II generation had their educations paid for, whether they went to Harvard or flight school.

The World War II generation included some of our strongest supporters in the fight for a new GI Bill, and the VFW has been one of IAVA's major allies in Washington. Together, we ensured today's veterans would get the same opportunities afforded to the Greatest Generation. Thanks to the new GI Bill, hundreds of thousands of troops sitting in Humvees and walking the streets of Iraq can afford to dream bigger dreams.

We are very proud of what we achieved -- but now it's time to take the next step.

As part of my remarks yesterday, I announced IAVA's relaunch of www.GIBill2008.org. The website, which served as a critical hub of online activism during our fight for the new GI Bill, is now a resource center for veterans and members of the military to learn about their hard-earned education benefits.

Starting this week, www.GIBill2008.org will provide America's newest generation of veterans with the tools they need to access the new GI Bill. It includes an interactive benefits calculator based on your zip code, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and the latest news and information about the new GI Bill as it goes into effect.

The GI Bill became such a hot issue this year that every single major Presidential candidate spoke about it. Some deserve more credit than others. But our victory will not mean a thing if Iraq and Afghanistan veterans do not use their new benefit. IAVA has begun extensive community outreach with ads in newspapers across the country, urging veterans to visit www.GIBill2008.org.

You can help -- check out the site and tell your friends and family. It may not always be obvious, but the Iraq War has touched every community in this country -- help make sure the veterans you know, learn about their benefits.

P.S. IAVA is auctioning off two Tampa Bay Buccaneers season tickets to benefit the family of Spc. Raymond Boutwell, a decorated Army National Guardsman who served in Iraq with the 3ID and was shot and killed in Pensacola earlier this summer. Ray is survived by his longtime girlfriend, who is pregnant with their first child due later this year.

The tickets were graciously donated to us by one of Ray's fellow soldiers, and IAVA will donate all proceeds from the auction to a fund for Ray's girlfriend and their unborn child. Thank you for your support and please keep Ray and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

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Navy Times: Vets Group Launches New GI Bill Website

Great hit yesterday in the Military Times about our new outreach efforts. Please spread the word.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/08/military_gibill_081908w/

Vets' group launches new GI Bill Web site

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Aug 20, 2008 10:02:28 EDT

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is launching a national outreach program to help veterans prepare for the big increase in GI Bill education benefits that takes effect next year.

This includes an online calculator, at an IAVA Web site, that gives veterans an idea of how much money they will receive when the Post-9/11 GI Bill takes full effect on Aug. 1, 2009, with full tuition for people attending four-year public institutions, plus a monthly living expense and annual book allowance.

Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA executive director, says the Web site should help answer basic questions about the new program, which has spawned a fair amount of confusion because the details underwent many changes before the final plan was enacted.

Interest in the program remains high, Rieckhoff said, which is why IAVA is trying to get out the word on what to expect.

"Over a million men and women are now dreaming bigger dreams," he said. "Right now, they are sitting on Humvees and standing at checkpoints in Iraq, thinking about a brighter future."

Rieckhoff appeared Tuesday at a Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Orlando, Fla., where he announced that IAVA, the first and largest group of veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, also will launch an advertising campaign to spread knowledge about the new college benefits.

"Passing a new GI Bill opened the doors of higher education to an entire generation of veterans, but now they need to know how to access the benefit," he said.

A 20 percent increase in GI Bill benefits that took effect this past Aug. 1 was just a small first step under the new plan. Full tuition payments, the living stipend, book allowance and other changes will not take effect until next summer so that the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs have time to plan for the big increases.

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Breaking: The Next Big Step

We fought for a new GI Bill, and because of you, we won. Now it's time to take the next step.

This morning, I had the honor of addressing the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Convention in Orlando, Florida. The VFW was one of our major allies in the fight for the new GI Bill, and we wouldn't have succeeded without their support. As part of my remarks, I announced IAVA's relaunch of www.GIBill2008.org. The website, which served as a critical hub of online activism during our fight for the new GI Bill, is now a resource center for members of the military to learn about their hard-earned education benefits.

Starting this week, www.GIBill2008.org will provide America's newest generation of veterans with the tools they need to access the new GI Bill. It includes an interactive benefits calculator based on your zip code, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and the latest news and information about the new GI Bill as it goes into effect.

IAVA is committed to helping eligible veterans access their new benefit, and we've begun community outreach with ads in newspapers across the country, urging veterans to visit www.GIBill2008.org. The original GI Bill made education affordable for millions of veterans during the 20^th century. Thanks to your help in fighting for the new GI Bill, millions more will have the same opportunity in the 21^st century. None of this would be possible without your continued support.

Thank you.

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IAVA’s Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff to Address VFW Convention

8/18/08: IAVA's Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff to Address VFW Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 18, 2008
CONTACT:media@iava.org

IAVA Executive Director Rieckhoff to Address VFW Convention Following Senators McCain and Obama and Prior to President Bush
IAVA Announces Major GI Bill Outreach Campaign

NEW YORK -This Tuesday, August 19, Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan Iraq and Afghanistan veterans group, will address the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) convention in Orlando, FL. As part of his major speech on veterans' issues, Rieckhoff will announce the launch of an extensive outreach campaign to help veterans take advantage of their new GI Bill benefits. President Bush and Presidential hopefuls Senators Barack Obama and John McCain will also speak at the national gathering. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) will accept the VFW Gold Medal and Citation of Merit for his leadership on the GI Bill.

"I am honored to address the thousands of VFW members assembled. The VFW has demonstrated a clear commitment to our country's newest generation of veterans," said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). "This gathering is about showing appreciation for all of the men and women who have proudly served our country and IAVA is thrilled to be a part of it."

IAVA and the VFW worked together closely to pass the World War II-style GI Bill that was signed into law in June 2008. As part of his address, Rieckhoff will announce the launch of IAVA's new national GI Bill outreach campaign.

"Passing a new GI Bill opened the doors of higher education to an entire generation of veterans, but now they need to know how to access the benefit," said Rieckhoff. "During the fight for the GI Bill, GIBill2008.org served as IAVA's hub of online activism and helped us mobilize tens of thousands of our members. Now, we're relaunching the site to help veterans take advantage of the benefit they worked so hard to achieve."

www.GIBill2008.org provides America's newest generation of veterans with the tools they need to access the new GI Bill. It includes an interactive benefits calculator that veterans can search by zip code, answers to the Frequently Asked Questions that IAVA has received from thousands of its members across the country, and the latest news and information about the new GI Bill as it goes into effect. As part of its major outreach campaign, IAVA is running a national print advertising campaign in more than 10 newspapers targeting veterans. The ads encourage Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to visit www.GIBill2008.org to find out about how they can benefit from the new GI Bill.

The VFW convention takes place from August 16-21 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Paul Rieckhoff will deliver his address on Tuesday, August 19 at 10:30am. Additional speakers include Senators Obama and McCain and President Bush. For more information, please visit www.vfw.org. The convention is open to registered and credentialed media. To inquire about covering the convention or arranging an interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff or any other IAVA veterans, please contact media@iava.org.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A non-profit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 100,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states. For more information, please visit www.iava.org.

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One Thousand More!

99,000 Americans have joined IAVA in less than four years. 99,000 Americans have shown their support for our newest generation of veterans.

With your help, we can make it 100,000.

IAVA continues to achieve victories for our nation's veterans because of the growing number of Americans, like you, who support us and our work.

Because of your generosity, we raised $20,000 for Scott Winkler and Carlos Leon, two wounded veterans who are competing in the Paralympics next month. Because of your dedication, a new generation of veterans will be able to attend college on the new GI Bill. And because of your commitment, we will continue to keep the issues faced by veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan at the forefront of the public dialogue.

Can you take a minute and ask a friend to join IAVA? Our goal is to have 100,000 supporters before Congress gets back from their summer recess at the beginning of September.

We've made it quick and easy to ask a friend or family member to join IAVA- just click here. Help us continue to prepare for another year of legislative victories in Washington, DC and exciting local events around the country. With 100,000 Americans behind us, we can accomplish almost anything.

You don't have to be a veteran to support the new veterans' movement. Let's get 100,000 Americans involved and show the troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan that we have not forgotten them.

Thank you for your support.

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