"Today, President Obama showed that he understands and respects our nation's veterans."

[babylonsister]

From Paul Riekoff, IAVA, via e-mail...



I'm on the road in Washington, DC, but I wanted to send you a quick update on two big breaking news stories.

First, just a few minutes ago, the Pentagon officially announced they will be phasing out involuntary enlistment extensions, otherwise known as "stop-loss."

The Pentagon also agreed to pay $500 per month to servicemembers forced to stay beyond their original enlistment term, which is a policy that IAVA has been supporting for a long time.

Stop-loss has had an enormous impact on the lives of many of our nation's troops, veterans, and military families. As I mentioned last week, tonight's episode of MTV's The Real World, which features IAVA prominently, focuses on cast-member Ryan, an Iraq veteran who was stop-lossed. The information about that episode, which airs tonight at 10pm on MTV, is in the forwarded email below.

Second, on what has proven to be a huge day for veterans, there has been another major development in Washington, DC. President Obama listened to IAVA and the other major veterans organizations, and made a critical decision to not move forward with a proposal to bill a veteran's private insurance for the cost of caring for a service-connected injury.

Today, President Obama showed that he understands and respects our nation's veterans.

Later this week, I'll have much more to report about this whirlwind week in Washington, DC, which included meetings with the President, Speaker Pelosi and VA Secretary Shinseki.

In the meantime, be sure to tune in tonight at 10pm on MTV, and keep an eye on your inbox for more breaking news from the nation's capitol.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Paul

Paul Rieckhoff

[stevedeshazer]

1. Thank you Mr. President.

It's been a long time coming. Change has come.

K&R

[SemiCharmedQuark]

2. Wonderful!!!

[Cha]

3. Cool Cool!

This party's started:bounce:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

4. K. I. C. K.

[NYC_SKP]

5. I wondered why Hannity was quiet today about this matter, the asshole.

Beautiful news.

Recommended.

[TacticalPeek]

6. K & R

:kick:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

7. One last kick for Rieckhoff.

[politicasista]

8. Kick

Thanks Mr. President. :patriot:

[DevonRex]

9. Excellent news. This is a fantastic letter from Rieckhoff. As a veteran, I'm SO

glad Obama did this.

[jenmito]

10. K&R. I'm so glad that Obama made Paul Riekoff happy-he was on Rachel's show the other night

with concerns over the insurance issue. He was hopeful Obama would take his/their concerns into consideration and he DID. Thank you, President Obama!

[eridani]

11. I like it that he listened to the public on this

Would that he would do the same with our financial situation.

[FloridaJudy]

12. Thank you, President Obama! eom

:kick: