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Photo credit DoD |
In the final hours of the days of the First Session of the 110th Congress, lawmakers are working to complete the Federal funding for FY 2008.
Earlier this year, both the House and the Senate supported an increase in VA funding that meet The American Legion National Commander’s budget recommendations. Unfortunately, that legislation never reached the White House and is among the remaining appropriations bills to be completed.
This would be a good time to call lawmakers and remind them that America is still a nation at war. Veterans, both young and old, are turning to VA for timely access to quality health care. Recently separated military veterans are seeking timely adjudication of their service-connected disability claims, using their Montgomery GI Bill educational benefits, and trying to reenter the civilian workforce.
VA needs funding to meet the health care needs of those veterans currently enrolled in the VA health care delivery system, to hire PTSD counselors to work with returning OEF/OIF veterans, and to hire claims adjudicators to help reduce the unacceptable claims backlog.
All veterans - past, present, and future - need a Department of Veterans Affairs that meets their needs. That is the ongoing cost of war - the price of freedom.
Call today and tell your lawmakers - both senators and your representatives to keep veterans and their families a national priority. If you cannot get through to the Washington, DC offices, I would recommend contacting local congressional offices within your state. Emails and letters may not be read until it is too late.
Please encourage other Legionnaires in your local posts to take time to make a call as well.
