David Gregory, the host of NBC's Meet the Press, moderated the discussion, which featured Lee Woodruff, author and wife of severely wounded war correspondent Bob Woodruff; Barbara Banaszynski, senior vice president for VOA; retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey; and Dr. Betty Moseley Brown, associate director of VA's Center for Women Veterans.
Much of the discussion centered on the unique issues veterans of the current conflicts will face for years after the wars have ended, as a result of the kinds of injuries sustained on the modern battlefield. Woodruff, whose husband survived a severe brain injury from an improvised explosive device, pointed out that many wounded service members who experience injuries like the one sustained by her husband would not have survived in past conflicts. She went on to say that while advances in technology have saved lives, the rehabilitation process can be long and difficult for both the wounded warrior and his or her loved ones.
Panelists said that VA was making a concerted effort to improve its services for today's veterans, but acknowledged that the job was entirely too daunting for the agency to handle alone. Banaszynski called for improved public/private partnerships between VA and non-profit organizations in communities across the country that have competencies to fill gaps in veterans' services. McCaffrey went so far as to suggest that VA restructure itself from a direct care provider to more of a care manager, allowing veterans to seek out resources in their communities.
Brown highlighted VA's efforts to change the ways in which they reach out to veterans, acknowledging that today's veterans will not stand for long wait times on toll-free phone numbers. She said today's veterans expect immediate access to the goods and services they use in their every day lives, and they expect no less from VA.
At one point, McCaffrey unintentionally highlighted an issue with which many veterans express continued skepticism -- misunderstandings about mental health issues and the negative stigma associated with those who seek treatment. While discussing long-term recovery processes and combination injuries many wounded warriors face today, McCaffrey said that PTSD was usually "cured within a year" after returning. Veterans in the audience balked at the comment. One attendee, Iraq War veteran and PTSD blogger Max Harris, later wrote on his blog, www.combatveteranswithptsd.com, that he would be writing to McCaffrey directly, seeking an explanation of the comment.
As the panel drew to a close, Gregory pointed out that national media would need to play a critical role in ensuring that veterans' issues remain at the forefront of the public conscience once the wars end. The VFW has long echoed these concerns, pointing to historical examples of how Americans can quickly forget that the cost of caring for veterans is a true cost of war.
Overall, attendees said the discussion was productive and that the discourse will give high-level decision-makers the kinds of input they will need to affect positive change as the current wars draw to a close. VOA has already scheduled a follow-up panel for next spring at the National Press Club, and your VFW plans to once again join in the discussion.
(Image: NBC's David Gregory introduces the panel assembled by Volunteers of America to discuss veterans' transition issues yesterday at the National Press Club. Panelists, left to right, included Lee Woodruff, Barbara Banaszynski, retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, and Dr. Betty Moseley Brown. Photo by Ryan Gallucci.)
