The event's main panel includes director of Veterans for Common Sense Paul Sullivan, who will speak to the issues of returning veterans and the overburdened, under-resourced VA healthcare system. 

21st Century veterans' advocacy group addresses "Coming Home" issues PTSD, TBI, etc. at national conference in Arlington this weekend

It won't be the Bonus Army protests of the early 1900s, but more than 100 veterans and military family members from Seattle to Boston are amassing at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, Virginia this weekend for a "Coming Home" conference, hosted by the 21st Century national non-partisan advocacy group Veterans and Military Families for Progress.

"There's been a massive outcry for this type of effort for some time," Matt Cary, President of VMFP said. "It's a great opportunity to collaborate and work together with fellow organizations that want to address the needs of our battle weary veterans and advocate for our shared communities with one voice on these issues so important to service members, veterans, and their families."

The event's main panel, "Coming Home: Caring for Returning Veterans and their Families" Joshua Kors, the journalist who documented the DOD/VA efforts to reduce disability claims by citing claimants had pre-existing "personality disorders;" therapist and trauma specialist Madelyn Schrader who will discuss PTSD from the family's perspective; director of Veterans for Common Sense Paul Sullivan who will speak to the issues of returning veterans and the overburdened, under-resourced VA healthcare system; Annette MacLeod, wife of traumatic brain injured soldier Spec. Wendell McLeod who called attention to the disgraceful conditions at Walter Reed; and Tom Howe, Iowa Vietnam veteran who advocates yoga for PTSD and is spearheading VMFP's efforts to pass the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill. Other panels will explore grassroots and community advocacy, candidate endorsement and legislative sponsorship, and intergovernmental efforts on behalf of veterans. Dynamic advocate for wounded warriors Tonia Sargent will also be on hand, and Friday night, veterans and Congressmen Tim Walz (MN-1) and Patrick Murphy (PA-6) will be on hand.

VMFP expects representatives from state and county veterans' agencies, national veteran advocacy groups, national lawmakers, and VMFP members from more than 30 states.

"It is our intent that every one of our legislators, every American be mindful of the sacrifice made by those who serve, and by their families too, and to gratefully honor the debt owed them," said Cary, who with a number of Capitol Region Chapter VMFP members frequents Congressional Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee meetings to ensure legislators pay more than just lip service to our troops, veterans, and military families.

In 2006 VMFP endorsed and worked to elect three Senators and 13 members of the House of Representatives from across the political spectrum who support VMFP's mission and legislative platform. Within the 110th Congress, VMFP mentors 23 pieces of legislation on behalf of the veteran, service member and military family community.

Sponsors of the conference include International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; BB&T Washington, D.C. Region; Altama Footwear; Costco; Berkshire Inc.; Military Times; and a host of other organizations who recognize the value of VMFP's mission.

Veterans and Military Families for Progress (http://www.vmfp.org) is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(4) organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. and recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs among Veterans Advocacy Organizations. VMFP is dedicated to ensuring that the rights and needs of veterans, active-duty service members and their families are understood by the American public, endorsed by our elected officials, and
protected by legislation, regulation and public policy initiatives. Members come from every branch, and every rank, and - unlike within other such organizations - military family members have equal status and full voting rights.

CONTACT:  
Matt Cary, President
Tel: (202) 841-1687
E-mail: President@vmfp.org