Our nation's veterans deserve our unequivocal commitment to ensuring that they receive the disability, health, education and other benefits they have earned.  I do NOT support increases in Tricare premiums, deductibles and co-payments and will support efforts underway to look at the cost of sustaining Defense health care over the long term.

For more information about the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (GI Bill), please visit:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/

The Department of Veterans Affairs has founded a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free access to trained counselors.  To learn more please visit
http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/

The Department of Defense has compiled a comprehensive handbook listing benefits for services members and their families upon separation or retirement as a result of serious injury or illness.  The handbook describes the disability eligibility process, various program qualifications, application procedures, and numerous resources.  For more information or an electronic copy of the handbook please visit the following link:
http://turbotap.org 

The Department of Veterans Affairs has created a new veteran health portal to optimize medical care.  For more information, please visit http://www.myhealth.va.gov/

While there are many resources for veterans and their families available through the federal government, there are two organizations I know of that recognize the deep commitment and sense of service reflected in the sacrifice that our nation’s heroes have given. 

For the families of fallen veterans, you can visit American Gold Star Mothers, Inc’s website to learn more information about what services they offer and what they can provide you. 

For the families of active duty members who are currently deployed, you can visit the website for Blue Star families and see what information that organization can provide you. 

It is important that we always recognize the true patriotism in not only our veterans but also in the families that support them – and for the sacrifices that they endure for those servicemen and women.