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| How Will We Welcome Them Home? |
April 09, 2007 |
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Congresswoman Heather Wilson has issued a "call to service" to New Mexicans by proposing a plan for a strong support network for New Mexico`s returning war veterans.
"We will welcome them home; we will lift them up; and we will make sure they are cared for."
--Congresswoman Heather Wilson
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Heather wants to create a "New Mexico Blueprint", much like the Rhode Island Blueprint which has been implemented in that state and is being used as a model in several other states across the country.
"Let`s ask ourselves a simple but powerful question: How will we welcome them home?" says Heather of our military personnel returning home from Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. "New Mexicans have always served. Now is the time for those of us who enjoy the fruits of freedom to link arms and answer the call to serve and support the men and women who defend freedom for the rest of us."
Addressing the Needs of New Mexico`s Soldiers, Veterans, and their families
The Challenge
"Help New Mexico`s Veterans by joining the "New Mexico Blueprint." To join, call (505) 346-6781 or send an email to Rep. Wilson."
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Developing an easily accessible and knowledgeable system of care for veterans, returning soldiers, and their families
There are good services that exist to help our veterans and returning soldiers but they may be isolated
The community wants to help and show their appreciation for our veterans and soldiers, but don`t know how to help
The burden of finding the right services and navigating through the entire system is on the veteran or returning soldier
Addressing the Challenge
Establish a military-civilian partnership that focuses on:
Developing accessible systems of services for veterans, soldiers, and their families
Building strong communities for military families
Expanding screening, assessment, and referral activities
Increasing knowledge about available resources to assist veterans, soldiers, and their families
Developing a coordinated community effort to address veteran and soldier issues
Implementing a Plan of Action
Establish a military-civilian partnership with leaders in the community
Identify key community leaders to lead a task force to expand the role and capacity of organizations to effectively address the needs of veterans, soldiers and their families.
Identify key groups and organizations in New Mexico that are part of this larger ¡§system¡¨
Complete survey of existing services to gain an understanding about the current capabilities and gaps in the ¡§system¡¨
Facilitate communication, eliminate duplication of effort, and improve New Mexico-wide operations of services
To learn more about the Rhode Island Blueprint or how you can help call Rep. Heather Wilson`s Albuquerque office at 505-346-6781.
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"Now is the time for those of us who enjoy the fruits of freedom to link arms and answer the call to serve and support those 24-hour heroes who defend it for the rest of us."
--Congresswoman Heather Wilson
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