This week, President Bush went for a jog around the White House track with a veteran who lost both legs to an IED in Iraq. BushCo use such photo ops to show his 'caring' side. But there's the other side to this president and this war -- the side that has put our military in harm's way without the necessary equipment or training to do the job with which they are faced and to help save their lives and limbs.
IAVA is highlighting yet another way that this Administration has let our troops down -- but more importantly, they are not just talking--they are doing!
I'm presenting the email I just received from IAVA in its entirety here -- go to their website
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America to learn more about this organization, and to get a better sense of what our military--active, reserve and veterans--face daily.
(Please note that the links embedded in the original email aren't working right now. I'm working on getting the articles cited but they seem to be by subscription only so I'll update this once I get them and put them where I can link to them.)
Dear IAVA Members and Supporters --
This Fourth of July, we're celebrating a remarkable example of real patriotism. Please take a minute to read this story of a group of IAVA members whose recent work helped save lives on the ground in Iraq. Then find out what you can do to help.
Late last month, an email came into the general mailbox at IAVA headquarters from an Army Lieutenant in Iraq whose unit was experiencing a shortage of bandages called "QuikClot," that have been crucial in preventing wounded Troops from bleeding to death on the battlefield.
A nine-month old Army order specified that all Soldiers were to be issued the bandages, but apparently someone didn't get the memo, and Troops were dying because of this latest example of military supply problems.
Click Here to read the first news article on the issue, in the "Kansas City Star," which quotes IAVA member veteran Greg Papadatos.
IAVA staff forwarded the email to Mike Zacchea, a Marine Reservist and IAVA member veteran who was wounded in Iraq and treated with those same bandages.
Mike, in turn, contacted Dorine Kenney, a Gold Star Mother whose son Jacob was killed in Iraq in 2003. Dorine now runs the Jacob's Light Foundation, which sends supplies and care packages to Troops in Iraq. Within days, Dorine's group had mailed 200 packets of QuikClot to the Lieutenant in Iraq.
Click Here to read the second article, in Long Island's "Newsday," which quotes Mike Zacchea and Dorine Kenney.
Responding to the ongoing media coverage, more than 100,000 QuikClot bandages have been ordered by the Army, and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) attached an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill providing $20 million for more of these critical bandages.
Click Here to read the third article.
BUT WE'RE NOT STOPPING THERE: We need all our IAVA members and supporters to get in touch with friends and family serving in Iraq, and find out if they have the QuikClot bandages they need. If not, let us know by writing to info@iava.org, and we'll continue working with the Jacob's Light Foundation to make sure our troops don't have to go without any longer.
Thanks for continuing to really support the troops.
Paul Rieckhoff, Iraq War Veteran
Founder and Executive Director, IAVA