WWII Memorial
Memorial Day Weekend Edition
Every year at this time, communities and families across the nation honor veterans and those who gave their lives in service for their country.
John Edwards has a message for you in how you can support our troops this Memorial Day Weekend.
A Memorial Day Weekend Message for You from John Edwards
Many, many people have decided to join in an activity that has been suggested. You can see the suggestions and the participation all across America at the Support the Troops End the War website.
Some of the suggestions of things you can do are:
- Send our troops a care package or greetings
- Have a prayer or a candlelight vigil with family or friends
- Help a vet through welcome back services or volunteer to work with the injured
There are others you can choose. Many people have posted their plans on the website map and you can check it out if there is an event you would like to join.
The Impact of the Iraq War on Our Troops and Their Families
Every day in the news we are reminded that we continue to have our young men and women in the military deployed around the world serving in dangerous circumstances and in places of war, particularly in Iraq. John Edwards has expressed deep concern with how our troops are provided with the resources they need in the field, and with how they and their families are looked after at home.
He recently launched an initiative to support our troops by encouraging Americans to take action and urge our government to end the war in Iraq. In a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, Edwards discussed how we can rebuild our military for this new century, starting by clarifying its mission and making sure the men and women in our armed forces have all the resources they need to meet it.
Edwards Proposes 'Sacred Contract' With America's Veterans And Military Families
"We can never fully repay our debt to the hundreds of thousands of men and women who are serving bravely. The scandals at Walter Reed were a shocking example of how we aren't even trying. We've neglected them, and we have a lot more work to do beyond fixing a hospital," said Edwards. "We need a new sacred contract with the members and veterans of our Armed Services. We can and should give them quality health care, support their families, and open doors for them when they return. Actually, we owe them no less."
Many veterans today are not getting the health care they need. The Bush Administration has consistently underfunded the VA and his budget cuts veterans' health in future years, while shifting burdens to beneficiaries. Additionally, nearly one out of every three veterans coming home are diagnosed with mental health issues.
The Edwards Sacred Contract with veterans would include these health care elements:
- Fully funding veterans' health care.
- Ordering a review of military hospitals to ensure that our service members are getting the excellent care they deserve
- Requiring that all service members returning to the U.S. or leaving the military be provided with a new "Plan for Coming Home" including thorough PTSD screenings
- Increasing the research and treatment of traumatic brain injuries, the "signature wound of this war,".
- Creating a new national "Chain of Care" to ensure that no veteran again falls through the cracks.
Some of the Educational and Economic Elements to the Sacred Contract:
Edwards had also developed further plans in his "sacred contract" to support our troops and veterans to have quality lives while they are in service and after they leave. He believes we need to provide access to the educational and economic opportunities to succeed in civilian life.
As president, Edwards will:
- Close the gap between military and civilian pay.
- Create a Military Families Advisory Board within the Department of Defense to give family members a voice in considering how to adjust family policies.
- Enact a new Total Force GI Bill that would give members of the Guards and Reserve benefits proportionate to the service they perform, and expand benefits for college or technical school tuition and fees.
- Provide student loan relief for mobilized Guard and Reserves troops.
- Restore vocational training for disabled and occupationally challenged veterans.
More details from Edwards plans are available at the website.
Other News from JRE on the Campaign Trail
On Wednesday, May 23rd, John Edwards delivered a major speech on A Strong Military for a New Century at the Council on Foreign Relations. As a followup Travis Smiley at the PBS did an interview with Edwards that can be heard here.
During this holiday weekend John and Elizabeth are visiting 13 towns in eastern Iowa. Yesterday they visited Fort Madison, Keosauqua, Fairfield, Mount Pleasant, and Washington. Today they will visit Marengo, Vinton, Independence, and Waverly. And tomorrow you can see them if you want when they visit New Hampton, Decorah, Oelwein, Manchester. Check the website for the events schedule and to sign up if you have time.
John Deeth blogs about Edwards Wraps Up Small Town Friday in Washington County
Two great podcasts to listen to are:
Vlogger NCDem Amy has documented on youtube Edwards remarks in his speech at the Council for Foreign Relations about Bush's misuse of the term Global War on Terror to the point that it distorts what is happening in reality. Do click through and rate up DC Dem Amy's work.
Edwards: "War on Terror" is a Bumpsticker, not a Plan!
Have a great weekend and let us Support our Troops in our hearts and do everything we can, in small ways or large, that will End the War.