Read Robert Merill's full piece in the Washington Post here

Robert Diamond served as an officer in the United States Navy, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. A Surface Warfare Officer by training, he was stationed onboard the guided missile destroyer USS BULKELEY (DDG-84) and completed deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

For Immediate Release

May 15, 2010

Contact: DNC Press – 202-863-8148

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Statement Recognizing Armed Forces Day

Washington, DC – Today is Armed Forces Day. In recognition of the occasion, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine released the following statement:

“Armed Services Day is an important opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of America's servicemen and women to secure our freedom, as well as the immense sacrifices they make in service to our country. When our military men and women put on their uniforms, they committed to putting our national safety above all else. In service of that commitment, they sacrifice the freedom of civilian life and valuable time with their families and loved ones. All submitted to the possibility of dangerous missions and harm. Some have sacrificed their lives. As we consider their bravery and sacrifices on this day, we know that they deserve far more than just this day of recognition. Our men and women in uniform have earned our thanks, our respect, and our deference throughout the year. But this day is a special one for our armed services, and in that spirit, I would like to join Americans across the country in recognizing our nation’s men and women in uniform.

“While it is impossible to take the full measure of the burdens carried by our service members, we should work to recognize their sacrifices and lighten their load wherever possible. To that end, President Obama and Democrats in Congress have worked hard to offer America’s men and women in uniform the resources and the support they need – on the battlefield and off. As our service members do the hard work – many in dangerous places – of building a safer and more peaceful world, I am certain our Democratic leaders will continue to ensure that our armed forces have the full support of our nation, as well as our thanks.”

DNC Veterans Council Commends President Obama On Support for Veterans

Washington, DC – Today, the Washington Times published a story highlighting President Obama’s progress in meeting campaign promises to America’s veterans. Specifically, the Washington Times notes, “All sides agree the President Obama has made big strides on promises he made in 2008 when competing for military votes against Republican nominee and Vietnam veteran Sen. John McCain - to fully fund the Veterans Administration, expand access to care in rural areas and improve treatment for mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.”

In response to the article, Lt. General Claudia Kennedy (U.S. Army, retired) and Col. Don Fowler (U.S. Army, retired), Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Committee’s Veterans and Military Families Council released the following statement:

“From day one, President Obama made it clear that he would stand with the men and women who have bravely served our country. While national news organizations are only now beginning to take note of the President’s commitment to military service members, his commitment is already yielding substantive benefits for military veterans and their families.

“President Obama and Democratic Members of Congress have worked hard not only to ensure that soldiers and service members have the resources they need on the battlefield – they have fought to ensure they have the care and services they deserve when they come home. The President and Congressional Democrats have vastly increased funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, allocating new funds for veterans’ health care – including treatment for PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other injuries too common among today’s veterans. Thanks to President Obama, last year the VA saw its biggest increase in funding in 30 years, and he is requesting another double digit increase for FY2011. The President has also implemented the Post 9/11 GI Bill, providing historic new educational benefits for America’s veterans.

“We would like to take this opportunity to commend President Obama for his ongoing efforts on behalf of America’s men and women on the front lines. The President’s efforts and achievements on behalf of American service members more than fulfill the President’s campaign promises to veterans. He has made it clear that America’s veterans have an ally and a friend in the White House.”

A parent's military service leaves its mark on an entire younger generation of military family members in a way that very little else in life can. Consider this: There are 1.7 million American children under the age of 18 who have at least one parent serving in the military, and nearly 1 million have endured multiple deployments by one or both parents – sometimes at the same time! Nearly 1 million children. Children in military families have had to endure months at a time when mom or dad, or both are not at home. Their parents are not just absent though, these children have had to deal with the weighty reality that their parents are putting their lives on the line and may not return home at all. Unasked, these children make tremendous sacrifices of their own right for our country.

In recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child, this administration has once again gone beyond the photo op when it comes to veterans, those serving, and their families, just as it has done countless times since President Obama took office last January. Like no other administration in the history of this country, the Obama Administration recognizes and calls on each of its citizens to recognize not only the sacrifices that veterans and those serving have made, but also those of their families. And thanks to First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, both champions of military families even before their husbands were sworn in, the sacrifices we military families have made and continue to make for our country remain in the public’s consciousness.

Heralding military families as her “signature issue” as First Lady, Michelle Obama has been front and center to ensure every American recognizes the service and sacrifice that military families make for our nation. As a military mother herself, Dr. Biden embodies the values of military families everywhere. The White House recognizes the special, and great, sacrifices made by military children in designating April for them. We as a nation need to move, to act and to ensure that these young people are honored for their special contribution to America’s well-being. Kudos to the First Lady and Dr. Biden for their strong support and public awareness campaign on behalf of the military family community. Kudos to administration for making this distinction, to America for stepping up, and to these wonderful, selfless children who will only realize years from now, when they have their own children, what a great and tremendous sacrifice they have made for our country.

Watch a video of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden talk about the important role military children play in the armed forces community:

Maura Satchell is an officer of the DNC’s Veterans and Military Families Council and currently lives in Tennessee.

To hear more from the President’s remarks at Bagram Air Base, here is more video footage: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/03/28/one-night-afghanistan

As a life member of the VFW and 24 year Army veteran I was disappointed in national commander's misrepresentation of the issue. The President, Congressional Leaders, Secretary Shinskeki, and Secretary Gates all issued statements and commitments that veterans healthcare is protected.

Within the past year more has been done to honor veterans than ever before--advance appropriations, new GI Bill implementation, new Agent Orange presumptions for three additional diseases, new Gulf War Illness presumptions for nine additional diseases, and a 16% budget increase in 2010 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, that is the largest in over 30 years, and which has been followed by a 2011 VA budget request that increases that record budget by an additional 7.6%.

Further, check out the national commander's 9 March 2010 testimony before the Joint Hearing of Veterans Affairs Committees where he praises the Administration and Congressional Leaders for all they have done to honor veterans:

http://www.vfw.org/PR/Legislative/Tradewell%202010%20Testimony.pdf

A half hearted apology is not enough the letter should be withdrawn. An honest debate on healthcare is one thing--distortion of the record is another.

John Medve was appointed by Governor Kaine to serve as the Mid-Atlantic Coordinator for the DNC's Veterans and Military Families Council

The $125 billion budget for VA marks the second year of large increases in the Department’s discretionary spending. This budget clearly reflects President Obama’s and Secretary Shinseki’s commitment to Veterans, and it continues priorities established to transform VA into an organization is veteran-centric, results-oriented and forward-looking.

In announcing the President’s 2011 budget for VA, Secretary Shinseki stated that “Our budget proposal provides the resources necessary to continue our aggressive pursuit of President Obama’s two over-arching goals for Veterans, First, the requested budget will help transform VA into a 21st century organization. And second, it will ensure that we approach Veterans’ care as a lifetime initiative, from the day they take their oaths until the day they are laid to rest.”

To see the Department’s full set of performance information, please visit: http://www4.va.gov/budget/report/

Here are a few Highlights and FAQs on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 2011 Budget Request:

Highlights

• Total Budget -- $125 billion
  
• Health Care -- $51.5 billion
  
• Medical Research -- $590 million
  
• Compensation and Pensions -- $53.5 billion
  
• Readjustment Benefits -- $10.4 billion
  
• Construction -- $1.6 billion
  
• IT -- $3.3 billion
  
• National Cemeteries -- $251 million
  

A Record of Growth

• Total discretionary budget up 7.6 percent
  
• VBA budget up 27 percent
  
• Medical care accounts up 8.5 percent.
  

What is the administration’s budget request for VA for fiscal year 2011:

VA’s $125 billion budget request for 2011 supports the transformation of VA into a 21st century organization, while ensuring that Veterans receive high quality care and timely delivery of benefits over their lifetime, from the day they take their oaths until the day they are laid to rest. The three priorities are:

• Easier access to benefits and services
• Reducing the disability claims backlog
• Eliminating Veteran homelessness

Health Care Highlights:

• Mental Health -- $5.2 billion
  
• OEF/OIF -- $2.6 billion
  
• Prosthetics -- $2 billion
  
• Spinal Cord Injury -- $538 million
  
• Rural Health Initiative -- $250 million
  
• Traumatic Brain Injury -- $288 million
  
• Women Veterans -- $243 million
  
• Long-Term Care -- $7.5 billion
  

Special Programs:

• Compensation for new Agent Orange conditions -- $15.8 billion (2010 & 2011)
  
• Homelessness -- $294 million
  

Lt. General Claudia Kennedy (Ret.)
Colonel Don Fowler (Ret.)

VMFC Vice-Chairs

Alex Cornell du Houx, Vice Chair for Next Generation Veterans and Recruitment
Robert Diamond, Vice Chair for Promoting the President’s Agenda
Saif Khan, Vice Chair for Veterans Issues
Christine Pelosi, Vice Chair for Campaigns and Elections

VMFC Regional Coordinators

David Boetcher (WI), Midwest
Asha Castleberry (NY), Tri-State
Jan Donnatelli (IL), Industrial
Bill Dooling (MA), Northeast
Paul Evans (OR), West
Rep. Joe Farias (TX), Southwest
John Medve (MD), Mid-Atlantic
Maura Satchell (TN), South

“Today, we honor those Americans who have served throughout our nation's history – from the wars on our own shores to the beachheads of Europe, from the rice fields of Southeast Asia to the deserts of the Middle East, and from across the world's oceans and seas to those who serve stateside - and take the time to thank them for their unflinching courage and service.

“In the wake of the tragedy at Fort Hood, and as we work to wind down our operations in Iraq and determine the way forward in Afghanistan, renewing our promise to America’s veterans is just as important as ever – not just today, but every day.

“Providing for our veterans is critical, not only because we have a moral obligation to recognize those who have sacrificed on our behalf, but because our servicemen and women are a tremendous resource who can help lead the way as we continue our pursuit of a more peaceful and prosperous world.

“President Obama and our Democratic Congress have demonstrated a strong commitment to our country’s veterans, taking several steps in just the last 10 months to expand economic opportunity, strengthen veterans’ health care services, and improve benefits for our troops and military families. Through the post 9/11 G.I. Bill – the most generous education benefit since the original G.I. Bill of 1944 – more than 250,000 veterans will attend college in just the next two years. President Obama and Congress have worked to strengthen the VA health care system by transforming it into a 21st century organization that prioritizes community-based services, promotes prevention and takes on the injuries unique to modern warfare, including post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. And President Obama requested, and Congressional Democrats approved, a 16 percent increase in the 2010 budget for the Department of Veterans affairs, the largest one-year increase in 30 years.

“Veterans and their families are the only ones who can fully understand the toll of their sacrifice. But we can, through our every day actions, do our best to see that they receive the very best service, care and respect from their country. Today we thank our brave men and women for heeding the call to duty, and we honor their selfless service.”

Too many times we have failed to fulfill our commitment to our veterans, with wounded warriors not getting the care they need and others not receiving the support they've earned. While we still have considerable work to do, under President Obama’s leadership we have made historic progress towards fulfilling our commitment to our country’s veterans.

• President Obama requested a 16 percent percentage increase in the 2010 budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the largest one-year budget increase in over 30 years.
• Under the leadership of General Shinseki, the VA has begun to institute the changes necessary to create a first-class, 21st century Department that will work towards modernizing and improving the way health care is delivered and benefits are administered. One example: the VA is implementing an automated paperless system that will help to alleviate the current backlog and bureaucratic delays, allowing the VA to more efficiently serve veterans and their families.
• We know that thousands of soldiers who served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, an all-to-common consequence of modern warfare. President Obama is committed to meeting our veterans’ mental health needs and his Administration will continue to improve services for cognitive injuries and ensure our veterans receive the on-going care they need.
• Like the generation of veterans that returned from WWII, service members who return from Iraq and Afghanistan and other far off places, deserve the same chance at an affordable college education. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is the most generous educational benefit for veterans since the original GI Bill of 1944. In the first two years of implementation, the VA estimates more than a quarter-million veterans will receive education benefits from this bill.
• Just this week, President Obama announced the launch of the Veterans Employment Initiative for the Executive Branch. This new program is designed to transform the federal government into the model employer of America's veterans, by increasing the number of veterans who are employed within the Executive Branch, and helping recently hired veterans adjust to service in a civilian capacity.

Tomorrow a grateful nation will thank our brave men and women who serve and have served with honor and courage to preserve and protect our nation, our way of life and our freedom. And we must use this opportunity to renew our commitment to them not only on the field of battle, but once they return home.

The DNC Veterans and Military Families Council will continue to be a strong voice for veterans within the Democratic Party and is committed to strengthening our outreach to our nation's veterans and their families.

Please take a moment today to stand with those who served our nation by getting involved with one of the following organizations: USO, Fisher House, and the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

The law, co-sponsored by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), will make it easier for American military service members and citizens overseas to vote and make sure that their votes are counted. By some estimates as many as one in four ballots requested by voters overseas was not counted during the 2008 election. The law takes effect in 2010.

Specifically, the legislation will make voter registration applications, absentee ballot applications and blank ballots available electronically, require that ballots are sent to overseas voters no less than 45 days before Election Day, and eliminate the requirement that military and overseas ballots be notarized (in the states that still require it). It will also give more Americans the opportunity to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, which is currently available online and can serve as a “back-up” measure, if a local absentee ballot does not arrive in time.

The Pew Center on the States has a good write up on the issue. Read it here.

New Hampshire
New Hampshire has seen 700 full time jobs created through funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. New Hampshire's Department of Transportation is creating these jobs for transportation projects across the state.

Virginia
Funds from the Recovery Act are going towards hybrid bus purchases in Arlington, Virginia. The grants are one of 43 projects across the country funding green projects. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood commented "Arlington Transit is showing how investing in green transportation not only helps the planet and strengthens our economy, but also creates jobs."

The following resolution was adopted by the Democratic National Committee on Friday, September 11th, 2009 in Austin, Texas.

Resolution Commending Democrats for Delivering a New Direction for America’s Servicemembers, Veterans and Military Families

Submitted by: Christine Pelosi, California; Don Fowler, At-Large/South Carolina; Alice Germond, DNC Secretary/West Virginia; Steven K. Alari, California; Belkis Leong-Hong, At-Large/Maryland; Barbara Easterling, At-Large/Virginia; Ben Jeffers, Louisiana; and James Zogby, At-Large, District of Columbia

WHEREAS, Democrats promised a new direction for America’s servicemembers, veterans and military families, who have demonstrated great patriotism and sacrifice in their commitment to keeping us safe and free; and,

WHEREAS, in the first 200 days of the 111th Congress and the Obama administration, Democrats have kept this promise, beginning with the FY 2009 Supplemenyal Appropriations bill that provides our troops with planning, equipment, and leadership to wind down the Iraq war, changes strategy in Afghanistan; and, makes retroactive payments to over 185,000 service members whose enlistments were involuntarily extended since the 9/11 terrorist attacks; and,

WHEREAS, Democrats directed specific aid to servicemembers, veterans and military families in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: the stimulus package provided veterans direct and indirect aid, adding up to $15.8 billion. Disabled veterans received direct benefits in the form of one-time payments of $250 and all businesses can now claim a tax credit for 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages paid to unemployed veterans. In addition, the stimulus included renovation to national cemeteries and veterans medical facilities, grants to build new veterans care facilities and money to improve VA benefits administration; and,

WHEREAS, Democrats have led the charge to successfully pass and implement the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and recently expanded the Post-9/11 GI bill benefits to cover the full cost of a college education for all children of fallen U.S. servicemembers; and,

WHEREAS, Democrats have passed, and President Obama has signed legislation that provides mental health screenings and more veterans healthcare resources than at any other time in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration; and,

WHEREAS, House Democrats have passed legislation to strengthen national security by bolstering State Department resources to prevent conflict and failed states around the world; authorizing a 3.4% pay raise for our troops; expanding support for military families such as health care and housing; investing 15% more than 2009 for medical care, benefits claims processors, and facility improvements; and permitting veterans medically retired from active service to receive both military retirement and Veterans Disability Compensation.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the DNC commends the successful leadership by President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress to provide a new direction for servicemembers, veterans and military families, and to deliver bipartisan results that make a real difference in their lives, and pledges that Democrats will never waver in our support for our servicemembers, veterans and military families.

Washington, DC--On the eve of the anniversary of our nation's founding, Lt. General Claudia Kennedy and Col. Don Fowler, Co-Chairs of the Democratic National Committee's Veterans and Military Families Council released the following statement lauding the efforts of the President and Democratic Congress to support our veterans:

"On the week of the anniversary of the birth of the United States, the President enacted into law the 2009 supplemental appropriations bill which extends new benefits to those Americans who, like their ancestors of 1776, have voluntarily put their lives on the line to protect the American people.

"The men and women serving in the armed forces of the United States deserve access to the highest quality health care facilities and mental health programs available to help with their transition to civilian life. The President's budget request includes the largest increase to veterans funding in 30 years, building on recent efforts to modernize veterans hospitals and facilities and improve care for those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.

"And the historic benefits provided by the New GI Bill, which ensures a bright future for our warriors returning to a civilian life, will now be available to the children of those who have lost their lives in active duty."

After September 11, 2001, tens of thousands of Americans answered the call of duty and signed up to serve their country. Since then, under the Bush administration's stop-loss policy, they have been asked to serve double and triple tours of duty - putting a huge emotional and financial burden on service members and their families. As enacted by the President and Democratic Congress, the supplemental compensates those veterans who were asked to bear the extra burden by providing a $500 allowance for every month served under stop-loss orders since September, 10, 2001.

The bill also includes important provisions to support family members of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and lost their life in service to their country. The Fry Scholarship, a new benefit included in the bill, provides extended GI Bill of Rights college education benefits for children of service members who die in active duty.

To support military families, the bill also provides $1.8 billion for defense health programs that provide family counseling and traumatic brain injury and psychological health research. The bill supports the construction of nine wounded warrior support complexes to help wounded soldiers recover and invests $488 million in military hospital construction, as well as investments to complete construction at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.