Wednesday, September 17, 2008

America Supports You: Groups Plan Wounded Warrior Forum

By Sharon Foster
Special to American Forces Press Service

Sept. 16, 2008 - The
Military Officers Association of America and the U.S. Naval Institute will host a one-day forum titled "Measuring Success: Keeping Faith with Wounded Warriors and Their Families" tomorrow at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill here. Michigan U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, will start the day, which also is scheduled to include remarks from Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. James B. Peake.

"Our wounded warriors deserve the best care and support that we can muster, and the American people rightly insist on no less," Levin said in a statement issued by his office. "I am hopeful that this conference will aid in our efforts to ensure that the men and women of our armed forces are well cared for while they remain in
Military service, during the transition from the Military to the VA, and after this transition while in the care of the VA."

At the forum, key uniformed service and administration leaders, legislators, health care providers and wounded warriors and family members will join fellow concerned professionals to discuss subjects such as traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and the progress to date on various pilot projects to improve programs and support for wounded warriors.

The forum also will include panel discussions on key wounded warrior issues, and questions from the audience will be taken, organizers said.

MOAA officials said the symposium will assess a report card measuring progress in wounded warrior issues, highlighting problems encountered and assessing additional options to sustain momentum and achieve common objectives.

Online registration for the forum is closed. Attendees will need to register in person beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow. The forum, including lunch, is free to active-duty
Military members. The cost is $20 for MOAA and USNI members, and $35 for nonmembers.

No comments: