For Those Left Behind: An Afghan American Marine Veteran Reflects On His Homeland
Marine veteran Ajmal Achekzai fled Afghanistan during the onset of the Soviet–Afghan War in 1980, leaving his birth city of Kabul behind. He was only five years old. The next time he would return would be in November of 2001. U.S. Marines were the first major ground forces sent to Afghanistan after 9/11. Ajmal was […]
Biden Administration Formally Launches Effort To Return Deported Veterans To U.S.
The Biden administration unveiled plans Friday to bring hundreds, possibly thousands, of deported veterans and their immediate family members back to the United States, saying their removal “failed to live up to our highest values.” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas ordered his department’s immigration agencies to “immediately” take steps to ensure that military families may […]
Busting 12 Military Benefit Myths for US Vets
Myth: Don’t know what to believe about transition assistance, Veterans Affairs benefits and entitlements for vets? Read through the myths below to reveal the true story. Myth #1: After I return from Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom, I need to have my dental work (as part of my VA benefit) completed before the end of […]
Veterans unemployment well-below national levels, matches pre-pandemic levels
The veterans unemployment rate fell last month to pre-pandemic levels. This is parallel to national jobless rates continued their steadily decline of recent months According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday, the unemployment rate for all veterans dropped from 4.0 percent in July to 3.6 percent in August. That’s the first time the mark […]
US should plan ahead for the long-term costs of care for vets
A recent report, published by Watson Institute of Brown University, estimates that the costs of care for post-9/11 war vets will reach between $2.2 and $2.5 trillion by 2050 – most of which has not yet been paid. The report warns that the U.S. may shortchange its promises to these veterans if the government does […]
US vets calling the crisis line help with increased numbers, as Afghanistan collapse
With the end of US operations in Afghanistan in recent weeks, vets calls and messages to the Veterans Crisis Line have increased significantly. But Veterans Affairs officials say this is good news, not bad. “The more that we can do to normalize discussions about crisis and about suicide and how it’s okay to reach out […]
US VA eyes more focused employment help with future education, benefits efforts for vets
There were recent reforms to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. There is a systematic effort to broaden the bill, i.e. the eligibility for both what individuals (including vets) and what types of education opportunities it covers. But the head of Veterans Affairs’ Education Service service said the future of the benefit may be focused on narrowing down some of […]
Some CA Veterans may be struggling with events in Afghanistan
The current situation in Afghanistan is distressing for many veterans. There are resources to help you cope. The current situation in Afghanistan is distressing for many Canadians, Veterans and their families but especially for those Veterans who served there. During this time, Veterans may be asking themselves difficult questions or revisiting experiences and relationships formed […]
US WWII Veteran Reunites With Italians He Saved As Children
BOLOGNA, Italy (AP) — For more than seven decades, WWII Veteran Martin Adler treasured a black-and-white photo of himself as a young American soldier with a broad smile with three impeccably dressed Italian children he is credited with saving as the Nazis retreated northward in 1944. Recently the 97-year-old veteran met the three siblings — […]
Coronavirus resurgence could cause major problems for GI Bill user vets next spring
US Veterans Affairs officials are confident that class disruptions due to resurgent coronavirus cases won’t cause significant challenges for student vets and other GI Bill users this fall. But next spring’s semester could be a different story. That’s because a host of emergency authorities approved by Congress last year to deal with potential pandemic problems are set […]