Veterans For Common Sense

Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) was formed in August 2002 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization by war veterans who believe that we, the people of the United States of America, are most secure when our country is free, strong, and responsibly engaged with the world. Our mission, based on the pragmatic ideals of the American patriot Thomas Paine, is to raise the unique and powerful voices of veterans so that our military, veterans, freedom, and national security are protected and enhanced, for ourselves and for future generations.

"We owe a debt to all who served and when we repay that debt to those bravest Americans among us, then we are investing in our future."
~ Barack Obama, August 3, 2009

What's New

VCS Adds "VCS on TV" News Clips to Web Site

Television News Coverage of VCS Advocacy

VCS now posts links to television news broadcasts featuring Veterans for Common Sense and our highly successful advocacy efforts on issues you care about.

Disabled Iraq War Veteran with Service Dog Beaten by McDonalds Employee

October 30, 2009, Brooklyn, New York (Courthouse News Service) - A disabled Army captain who was wounded in Iraq claims McDonald's employees beat him with garbage can lids after he brought his service dog to the restaurant. Luis Montalvan says the attack came as he was photographing the restaurant after he repeatedly complained about the treatment he received there.

Deployment at All Costs: Military Arrests Mom, Sends Child to Protective Serivces

Soldier mom refuses deployment to care for baby

November 16, 2009, Savannah, Georgia (Associated Press) – An Army cook and single mom may face criminal charges after she skipped her deployment flight to Afghanistan because, she said, no one was available to care for her infant son while she was overseas.

Fort Hood Fallout: Camp Lejeune Whistle-Blower Fired

A psychiatrist who tried to prevent Fort Hood-style violence among Marines about to "lose it" instead loses his job

November 16, 2009 (Salon) - Last April, two Marines at Camp Lejeune predicted to a psychiatrist that some Marine back from war was going to "lose it." Concerned, the psychiatrist asked what that meant. One of the Marines responded, "One of these guys is liable to come back with a loaded weapon and open fire."

New York Times Profiles VA and Secretary Shinseki

No Longer a Soldier, Shinseki Has a New Mission

November 11, 2009 (New York Times) - It was a sad homecoming of sorts. On Tuesday, Eric Shinseki, the secretary of veterans affairs, returned to Fort Hood, Tex., where he was a division commander in the mid-1990s, to pay tribute to two veterans affairs employees who died in the shootings there last week.

Main Menu

Veterans for Common Sense Fights Discrimination Against Veterans in Taylor, Texas

Written by Claire Osborn

Saturday, 10 October 2009 22:35

Taylor residents oppose proposed veterans center in their neighborhood

October 11, 2009, Taylor, Texas (Austin American-Statesman) — A California company wants to convert an empty facility formerly used as nursing home into a trauma assistance center for as many as 88 female veterans, including those who have been sexually assaulted by fellow soldiers.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 11 October 2009 00:22 )

Dallas Morning News Highlights VCS Support for "Essential" Gulf War Illness Research by Dr. Robert Haley

Written by Scott Parks

Sunday, 04 October 2009 05:43

Loss of VA Funding Threatens University of Texas Southwestern's Gulf War illness research

October 4, 2009, The Dallas Morning News - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' cancellation of a $75 million contract with UT Southwestern Medical Center could mean the end to the Dallas university's research into treatments and cures for Gulf War illnesses.

VCS on CNN: Long Lines for Veterans for Emergency GI Bill Education Payments

Written by Adam Levine

Saturday, 03 October 2009 05:35

October 2, 2009, Washington, DC (CNN) — Millions of dollars in emergency checks were issued to veterans Friday in an effort to help them pay for school expenses while they await a backlog in processing of their education claims.

“This is Shinseki’s first true test under fire and it looks like he got the money into veterans’ hands and that is the most important thing,” said Paul Sullivan, executive director of Veterans for Common Sense.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 03 October 2009 05:49 )

VCS Praises Secretary Shinseki as He Takes Charge and Fixes Post-9/11 GI Bill Fiasco

Written by Bob Brewin

Friday, 02 October 2009 16:38

Student Vets Get Pay -- and Pizza

NextGov, October 2, 2009 - Here's a real "Hooah" for the top leadership at the Veterans Affairs Department, who decided early on Friday to keep all 57 of the department's 57 regional offices open until every veteran waiting in line picked up an emergency GI bill check valued at up to $3,000.

Last Updated ( Friday, 02 October 2009 16:51 )

VCS in Newsweek Magazine: PTSD - New War on An Old Foe

Written by Jamie Reno

Thursday, 01 October 2009 15:10

Big changes underway at the VA could mean better treatment for thousands of vets. A bureaucracy in transition.

Veterans for Common Sense says VA Secretary Eric Shinseki is "a breath of fresh air at VA. But VA isn't out of the woods yet...."

Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 October 2009 15:58 )

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