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Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Print E-mail
Thursday, 08 December 2011

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Over 3 Million Americans Have Had a Spouse or Parent Deploy Since 9/11

For ten years, these unsung heroes--your neighbors, coworkers and friends--have shouldered the burdens of war with the same strength and resilience as their loved ones fighting overseas. As the last U.S. troops leave Iraq this month, their families especially need our urgent support this holiday season to face the challenges that still lie ahead.

That’s why today IAVA is launching a new program for military families inspired by the findings in our latest issue report Unsung Heroes: Military Families After Ten Years of War. Be the first to read the report online and spread the news to your friends and family.

Amid two wars, military families are facing daunting unemployment, housing and health challenges at home:

  • Over 26 percent of military spouses were unemployed as of June.
  • Over a third of spouses whose partner deployed report being diagnosed with a mental health disorder according to a recent study.
  • More than 20,000 service members lost their homes to foreclosure last year.

IAVA is committed to helping our members and their families navigate these challenges on the home front, and we need your help to get ahead of the surge home from Iraq and Afghanistan.  

In Washington, we’re pushing legislation like the Military Spouse Continuity Act to secure benefits for military families long after these wars end. Across the rest of the country, we’re partnering with Citi, Veritas Prep and others to provide free education and job resources for service members, vets and their spouses.  And we’re enlisting the help of prominent military spouses like Holly Petraeus (wife of General David Petraeus) to host live online chats about financial protections and more for military families.

This holiday season, IAVA wants all Americans to appreciate the service and sacrifice of our military families. Share the report with someone who needs it and help us provide these programs and resources completely free for our vets and their families.

Strengthening our military families strengthens America—and that's a mission we can all get behind this holiday season. Your help will make it happen.

Thank you for your support.

Paul Rieckhoff
Founder and Executive Director
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 December 2011 )
 
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