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DESCRIPTION:SFO Bay Area: Attendees Needed @ DOD Task Force Mtg. Tomorrow \nby ilona 
 [Subscribe] \nMon Nov 20, 2006 at 09:14:42 PM PST\nReceived the following 
 call for help tomorrow afternoon for anyone in the San Francisco Bay 
 Area:\n\nHello Ilona -\n\n...I will be testifying before the DOD Task Force 
 on Mental Heath tomorrow as will several family members and health care 
 providers.  We would like to have a good turn out to show support for 
 veterans and families living with PTSD and to shed light on the DOD's 
 inadequate response.  Please forward this to colleagues and friends in the 
 Bay Area.\n\nAmy N. Fairweather, J.D. \nDirector, Iraq Veteran Project 
 \nSwords to Plowshares \n\nGood time to review Sen. Barbara Boxer's 
 excellent work on the DOD Task Force on Mental Heath -- it has not been 
 smooth sailing. More...\n\nilona's diary :: :: \nMEDIA ADVISORY \nNovember 
 16, 2006\n\nCONTACT: \nAmy Fairweather  (415) 252-4787 ext. 356   (415) 
 505-6558   afairweather@stp-sf.org \nAnne Roesler    (408) 205-2199     
 docondeck@pacbell.net \nMichael Blecker    (415) 252-4787 ext. 321   (415) 
 823-0363    mblecker@stp-sf.org\n\nMILITARY FAMILIES AND VETERANS ADVOCATES 
 TO TESTIFY BEFORE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TASK FORCE ON MENTAL HEALTH  
 DESPITE DOD OBSTACLES\n\nWHO:  Military Families and veterans’ service 
 providers speak out on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental 
 health.  Anne Roesler, Advisory Board member of Military Families Speak Out 
 and mother of thrice-deployed Iraq veteran, Amy Fairweather, Iraq Veteran 
 Project Director, Swords to Plowshares, and other family members and mental 
 health providers will speak to the enormous unmet mental health need among 
 service members deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.\n\nWHAT: Sen. Boxer’s 
 amendment to the 2006 defense appropriations bill requires the DOD to 
 conduct public hearings throughout the country regarding mental health care 
 within the armed services.  \n\nThe DOD informed Senator Boxer’s office 
 on Friday November 17th that the public testimony portion of the open 
 hearing will begin at 4:35 pm, leaving just 25 minutes for families and 
 others to speak.  It has since assured advocates that they will extend the 
 meeting if necessary to receive testimony.  However, it has provided no 
 instruction for public participation on the Task Force website.  
 \n\nDespite these efforts to operate below the radar, military families and 
 advocates will attend the hearings and provide testimony regarding the real 
 life mental health impact of deployment and the barriers to care in the 
 military community.\n\nWHEN: Press conference Tuesday November 21st, 4:00 
 pm. \nDOD Open briefings,1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Public testimony, 4:35 
 pm.\n\nWHERE: Double Tree Hotel San Francisco International Airport, 835 
 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame.\n\nWHY: 450,000, one in three, Iraq veterans 
 return from deployment with post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental 
 health needs.  Suicide among active troops has skyrocketed.  PTSD and 
 Traumatic Brain Injury are the signature wounds of theses wars, and yet the 
 military has failed to ensure timely and adequate mental health resources 
 for those enduring the sacrifices of deployment.\n\nWar causes wounds and 
 suffering that last beyond the battlefield. Our mission is to heal the 
 wounds, to restore dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency to all veterans in 
 need, and to reduce homelessness and poverty among veterans.  Learn more 
 about the work of Swords to Plowshares, and ways in which you can help, by 
 visiting our website at www.stp-sf.org. \n\n\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/11/21/18331609.php
SUMMARY:Veterans Testify re: PTSD @ DOD Hearing
LOCATION:Doubletree Hotel, Burlingame
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/11/21/18331609.php
DTSTART:20061121T210000Z
DTEND:20061122T010000Z
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