Texas Blue Mailbag: Week of 6/10/07

As you might guess, we've gotten a number of letters about the veterans' issues series we're running this month.

Lt. Col. Larry Romo, Chairman of the Texas Democratic Veterans, forwarded an email to me from the National Council For Community Behavioral Healthcare concerning the recent work they have done on VA mental health issues, like helping vets from rural areas get access to treatment. In mid-May, NCCBH President and CEO Linda Rosenberg testified before the House VA Committee on post-traumatic stress disorder and challenges faced by returning veterans.

Also included in that message was a copy of a recent bill introduced by Senators Obama and Domenici focused on providing mental health care for vets. Thanks for the information, Col. Romo.

Mr. Sullivan wrote:

Texas Blue, I thought you might want to know about a group of Blue Veterans here in Austin, Texas. Please check out our web site and let us know if you ever have any questions on the needs an concerns of Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan War veterans. Best, Paul.

Paul Sullivan
Executive Director
Veterans For Common Sense
Paul@VeteransForCommonSense.org
http://www.VeteransForCommonSense.org

Josh says:

We went and visited Veterans for Common Sense and it is another wellspring of useful information. They've got a blog, a community, and a non-profit arm, all of which works toward raising awareness and providing resources for returning vets. I spoke to Paul a few times over the last few days, and he was eager and ready to help us in our series, so thanks, Paul.

Mr. Leal wrote:

Thank You, I appreciate your articles and information on Texas Veterans; and on the status of Veterans period. It is nice to know that after a young man or young woman is discharged from military they are not forgotten. It takes organizations like yours to make sure Federal agencies provide the services promised to our Veterans.

Carlos A. Leal, Sr.
U.S. Air Force 70-76

George says:

Thank you! We've gotten an overwhelming amount of positive response on the veterans' issues series. Thanks for reading; we appreciate the feedback.

AS wrote:

FYI, I worked in Congressman Chet Edwards’ Cleburne office. His staff is great, and he is a veteran’s issues champion. They might be a good resource for you.

Thanks for doing what you do.

Josh replies:

Congressman Chet Edwards is a world-class heavyweight, and we are all thankful for him. It is weird to me, having grown up there, that there's a major Congressional power center outpost in Cleburne, of all places, but it is and it is. We've interviewed the Congressman and it'll be coming up during this month.

DW wrote:

The DFW USO needs donations to maintain the free snacks, cell phones, etc. for our troops coming and going to the war zones. Over 400 per day.

DSO Dallas/Fort Worth
P.O. Box 613306
DFW Airport, Texas 75261

George replies:

There you have it, folks. The USO runs the largest operation providing moral support for the troops in the country. Donate, and support our men and women in the line of fire. The White House won't; somebody has to.

The phone number of the DFW USO is (972) 574-8182. I'm sure they could use whatever time or money they can get.