We, the undersigned, call upon Gov. Pat McCrory and the NC General Assembly to repeal legislation that results in a reduction of services and benefits for North Carolina\u2019s 766,000 veterans.<\/p>\n
Led by Speaker of the House Thom Tillis, a regressive legislature has cut unemployment benefits and eliminated the Earned Income Tax Credit. The Legislature voted against benefits for returned and disabled veterans, and opposed funding for veterans\u2019 health care.<\/p>\n
Incidences of Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD, homelessness, and suicide are increasing annually. More than 500 NC veterans died by suicide from 2009-2011. The Veterans Administration remains in crisis.<\/p>\n
Cuts in veterans\u2019 entitlements undermine their re-integration into civilian life. We urge the Legislature of \u201cthe most military friendly state\u201d to move forward, together, with our veterans, by revising public policy to support our veterans and their families.<\/p>\n
Support Our Troops – Bring Our War Dollars Home – backup material<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0(PDF)<\/p>\n How We Can Help Our Service Members and Veterans<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Sen. Burr Draws Veterans\u2019 ire, but he\u2019s been their friend, too<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n In February, 2014, Sen Richard Burr led the Republican opposition to the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014.The bill would have expanded a caregiver program for disabled post-9\/11 veterans. Other provisions provided for better access to mental health care and treatment for veterans who suffered sexual assaults while in the military.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s Make 2014 About Veterans: Thom Tillis Puts Outside Special Interests Ahead Of North Carolina Veterans<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Tillis voted against a bipartisan budget in 2008 that would have given tax breaks for North Carolina\u2019s disabled veterans.<\/p>\n North Carolina by the Numbers\u2026Governor\u2019s Working Group<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Total number of Service member dependents in North Carolina: 190,896<\/p>\n Families\/Service members with children: 43%<\/p>\n Number of Uninsured Veterans in North Carolina: 54,000<\/p>\n The Situation: Homelessness, Suicide, Unemployment;\u00a0<\/strong>Veterans Leadership Council-Cares of North Carolina<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n North Carolina is home to nearly 800,000 veterans and has the greatest number of active duty troops on the East Coast. Currently it is estimated that 20% of all homeless individuals in North Carolina are Veterans.<\/p>\n The Burden of Suicide in North Carolina\u2026 NC Division of Public Health Injury and Violence Prevention<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Military veterans are prone to suicidal behavior, as demonstrated by the overall veteran suicide rate 1.5 times the suicide rate in NC. The \u201cVeteran Suicide\u201d section provides statistics for NC veterans.<\/p>\n Mental health care found wanting at North Carolina VA hospital-LA Times<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n For new mental health patients, the average wait time is 104 days at the Durham VA Medical Center. North Carolina’s four VA hospitals struggle amid one of nation’s largest veteran communities<\/p>\n Joe Burton: War means wounded vets<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Armchair warriors in Washington who send young people to war must be willing to appropriate the funds needed to care for the wounded when they return.<\/p>\n The Grunts: Damned if They Kill, Damned if They Don\u2019t<\/a>, <\/em>\u00a0David Wood for Huffington Post:<\/p>\n \u201cWar and its aftermath belong to all of us, and are our responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral Injury after War<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0\u00a0Rita Nakashima Brock and Gabriella Lettini<\/p>\n \u201cTo violate your conscience is to commit moral suicide.\u201d<\/p>\n Rev. Herman Keitzer, Jr, Colonel and Chaplain, U.S. Army, Ret.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We, the undersigned, call upon Gov. Pat McCrory and the NC General Assembly to repeal legislation that results in a reduction of services and benefits for North Carolina\u2019s 766,000 veterans. Led by Speaker of the House Thom Tillis, a regressive legislature has cut unemployment benefits and eliminated the Earned Income Tax Credit. The Legislature voted … Continue reading Support our Troops – Bring Our War Dollars Home<\/span> Additional Sources<\/h1>\n
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