For those who defend America's freedom and public safety, here's a wide variety of organizations that help you get the support and benefits you were promised, and much more.

Agent Orange Education Campaign provided by Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) for veterans who were exposed to toxic herbicides such as Agent Orange and other Dioxins.
Quotes below from the Wikipedia article on Agent Orange:
"During the Vietnam war ... the US military sprayed 77 million litres of chemical defoliants in South Vietnam as part of a defoliant program to deny cover for their Vietnamese opponents. ... The use of Agent Orange by the US Military, from the late 1940s through the 1970s, was extremely widespread. ... Agent Orange was probably used at all military bases located on foreign and domestic soil, at some time or other."
American Legion Chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans organization, the American Legion is a community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members -- men and women -- in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. Membership is open to active duty military personnel, as well as wartime-era veterans.
American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council is "a not for profit, non-political, independent American based organization which adheres to the teachings of the Holy Qu'ran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). AMAF and VAC was established to serve the spiritual needs and religious welfare of Muslims who serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces, their dependents, as well as veterans. This encompasses all branches of the US Military, including the US Coast Guard."
American Veterans Christian Alliance "Our Mission: To promote an inter-denominational alliance of Christian based military veteran groups, ministries and organizations, with the common goal of evangelization, acts of charity, preservation of religious liberty and freedom, and active involvement in the Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, through the exercising of our freedoms of religion, speech and assembly, in both a private and public manner."
AMVETS provides fellow veterans with the type of support they truly deserve. Since 1948, AMVETS has been in the forefront of public policy related to national defense, services for homeless veterans, adequate funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, concurrent receipt of retirement pay and disability compensation by disabled military retirees, veterans employment and training, POW/MIA accountability and flag protection. Membership in AMVETS is open to anyone who is currently serving, or who has honorably served, in the U.S. Armed Forces from World War II to the present, including the National Guard and Reserves.
Association for Service Disabled Veterans (ASDV) The ASDV mission reflects a basic philosophy of encouragement and expansion of opportunity to those persons who have specifically and individually sacrificed for the security and prosperity of the nation. ASDV's intent is to stimulate economic growth; to develop enterprises which can provide useful goods and services at competitive prices; to create employment for members of the service disabled veteran underemployed groups; and to bring service disabled veteran owned enterprises into the mainstream of the economy. In order to pursue this mission, ASDV established two (2) separate and now independent operating organizations; SERVICE DISABLED VETERANS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (SDVB) and SDVGROUP Inc. If you are a service disabled veteran or an employer with past military service seeking to employ disabled comrades. this is definitely the resource for you!
Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) is an organization of blinded veterans helping blinded veterans. Through service programs, regional groups, resources, and advocacy before the legislative and executive branches of government, they hope to make life better for blinded veterans. They also hope to be there with encouragement and support. There is no charge for any BVA service and membership is not a prerequisite to obtain help. All legally blinded veterans are also eligible for BVA's assistance whether they become blind during or after active duty military service.
Catholic War Veterans of the U.S.A. "The primary objective of the Catholic War Veterans is to make the entire nation acutely aware of the struggle and needs of many veterans, their widows and children. ... We, as survivors, have an obligation to our fallen brothers and sisters to inform the people of our country that many veterans and their families need asistance; that these veterans have made sacrifices for their country and deserve to be treated accordingly, with proper respect and support. ... As Catholics, we are bound to serve God. We can do this in many ways, such as demonstrating our love and respect to individuals without regard to race, creed, color or national origin. ... The family is the basic unit or building block in our society. May we ask the Lord's blessing in providing us with the strength and fortitude to achieve our goals."
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) With more than 1.2 million members, Disabled American Veterans is an organization focused on building better lives for disabled veterans and their families. DAV accomplishes this goal by providing Free Assistance to veterans in obtaining benefits and services earned through their military service. DAV is fully funded through its membership dues and public contributions. It is not a government agency and receives no government funds. DAV is the foremost representative of the interests of disabled veterans and their families, their widowed spouses and their orphans before federal, state, and local governments. DAV's National Legislative Program ensures that disabled veterans are not forgotten by lawmakers.
Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 324,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges. "We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. We are committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. No one knows the dangers and the difficulties faced by today's police officers better than another officer, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP."

Gulf War Veterans' Resource Pages have been a presence on the Internet since early 1994, aiding Gulf War veterans in their pursuit for the truth. The site is run privately by volunteers and is not affiliated with any government entity. If you are a United States veteran and are looking for general steps to seeking VA disability, you'll find a lot of helpful information here.
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs recommends legislation expanding, curtailing, or fine-tuning existing laws relating to veterans' benefits. The Committee also has oversight responsibility, which means monitoring and evaluating the operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). If the Committee finds that the DVA is not administering laws as Congress intended, then it is "corrected" through a hearing process and legislation. The Committee is the voice of Congress in dealings with the DVA.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America was founded in June 2004. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans.
Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America "We, citizens of the United States of America, of the Jewish faith, who served in the Wars of the United States of America, in order that we may be of greater service to our country and to one another, associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America; to foster and perpetuate true Americanism; to combat whatever tends to impair the efficiency and permanency of our free institutions; to uphold the fair name of the Jew and fight his or her battles wherever unjustly assailed; to encourage the doctrine of universal liberty, equal rights, and full justice to all men and women; to combat the powers of bigotry and darkness wherever originating and whatever their target; to preserve the spirit of comradeship by mutual helpfulness to comrades and their families; to cooperate with and support existing educational institutions and establish educational institutions, and to foster the education of ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen, and our members in the ideals and principles of Americanism; to instill love of country and flag, and to promote sound minds and bodies in our members and our youth; to preserve the memories and records of patriotic service performed by the men and women of our faith; to honor their memory and shield from neglect the graves of our heroic dead."
Military.com was started in 1999 to revolutionize the way 30 million Americans with military affinity stay connected and informed. Today, it is America's largest military and veteran membership organization 10 million members strong. Military.com's free membership connects servicemembers, military families and veterans to all the benefits of service government benefits, scholarships, discounts, lifelong friends, mentors, great stories of military life or missions, and more.

Military Order of the Purple Heart was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients, it is the only veterans service organization comprised strictly of 'combat' veterans. Their Mission is "to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans; promote patriotism; support necessary legislative initiatives; and most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their families."
National Center for PTSD focuses on "research & education on the prevention, understanding, and treatment of PTSD [also called post-traumatic stress disorder]." Their mission is "to advance the clinical care and social welfare of America's veterans through research, education, and training in the science, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and stress-related disorders." Launched in 1995, the National Center for PTSD website is provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
National Gulf War Resource Center (NGWRC) was organized by veterans of the 1991 Gulf War who began to experience an unexplained illness after returning from the war. Over 150,000 Gulf War veterans are now ill, most as a result of their military duty, and many report effects in their spouses and children. The National Gulf War Resource Center (NGWRC) is here to help veterans of recent and current wars and operations. They are an international coalition of advocates and organizations providing information, support and referrals for all those affected by the complexities of current and recent combat operations (1990 to current). They provide information about Gulf War Illness, other toxin-induced illnesses, traumatic brain injury, and post traumatic stress disorder. If you need assistance with any of these conditions, these people are real experts.
Paralyzed Veterans of America is a congressionally chartered veterans service organization. They have developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of their members -- veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction. Paralyzed Veterans use that expertise to be the leading advocate for: Quality health care for their members; research and education addressing spinal cord injury and dysfunction; benefits available as a result of their members' military service; civil rights; and opportunities which maximize the independence of their members.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Gateway is provided as a public service jointly by the Dart Foundation and the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, at the University of Washington, Seattle, for those who want to learn more about PTSD and similar trauma. Includes numerous resources for information and help for PTSD victims, and victims of crime.
Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, is the signature wound of the Iraq War. It can be caused by bullets or shrapnel hitting the head or neck, but also by the blast injuries that often result from mortar attacks or roadside bombs. This second kind of injury is especially prevalent in Iraq; about 65% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans wounded in action were injured by explosive devices. Overall, between 10 and 20% of Iraq veterans, or 150,000 and 300,000 people, have suffered a TBI during the war.
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"Our mission at Truthout is one of education aimed at perpetuating and strengthening our American democracy. We are committed to making available a broad range of political news and editorial analysis. This central theme is the driving force behind everything we do. And even though we acknowledge that not everyone will agree with all of the decisions we make, we have Jefferson's faith that a citizenry well-informed by an independent and free press will be better able to make wise decisions for themselves in the support of our democratic institutions and principles."
Victoria Harper, Managing Editor

Veterans' Medical Advisor Since 1986, Dr. Craig Bash has specialized in neuroimaging medical diagnosis through radiological imaging, second opinions, and independent medical evaluations (IMEs) for disabled veterans. An IME from Dr. Bash will correctly state the crucial information for filing claims or appeals with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, and other disability programs. Veterans need a recognized medical expert who knows the VA system. As a disabled veteran himself and a respected, board certified physician, Dr. Bash fits the need and adds even further insight as a VA-accredited service organization representative.

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)
The VFW's mission is to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense. The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. Many arrived home wounded or sick; there was no medical care or veterans' pension for them; and they were left to care for themselves. Over the years the VFW has been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical centers services for women veterans.

Veterans Today Network
Comprehensive online resource for the U.S. Military and Veterans Community providing a wide variety of helpful information, products, and services for Veterans and their families, including:
Veterans Today - online newsmagazine covering topics of special interest to Veterans and Military Personnel;
Hire Veterans - a Job Board Search Site for U.S. Veterans and Personnel returning to civilian employment;
Veterans Match - an online dating service for active U.S. Military, Veterans, and Civilians;
Employers 4 Veterans - news from Employers who recruit and hire U.S. Veterans;
Veterans Today Network Blog - a news blog for Veterans, covering a wide variety of topics;
Rx 4 Veterans - online pharmacy for Veterans committed to providing the best meds for the lowest prices;
Veterans Today at My Space - the official Veterans Today page on My Space, the Veteran's point of view;
The Veterans Business Directory - supporting Military Veterans with Products and Services;
Defense Supply Store - Defense, Protection and Home Security Products and Services, Apparel, and more;
VA
Home Loans Today - almost every veteran is eligible for VA benefits including Home Mortgage Loans;
VA Home Loan Tips - a blog resource for VA mortgages, with tips and resources; and
50 VA Home Loans for each U.S. State - directory of VA mortgage and refinance websites, by State;

Vietnam Veterans' Home Page provides an interactive, online forum for Vietnam Veterans and their families and friends to exchange information, stories, poems, songs, art, pictures, and experiences in any publishable form.
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA's goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans: To create a new identity for this generation of veterans; to change public perception of Vietnam veterans; to aggressively advocate on issues important to veterans; to seek full access to quality health care for veterans; to identify the full range of disabling injuries and illnesses incurred during military service; to hold government agencies accountable for following laws mandating veterans health care; to create a positive public perception of Vietnam veterans; to seek the fullest possible accounting of America's POW/MIAs; to support the next generation of America's war veterans; and to serve their communities.
VVA Guide on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder One of the clearest. most understandable books of its type. The purpose of this guide is to assist you, the veteran, or your survivor(s), in presenting your claim for benefits based on exposure to psychologically traumatic events during military service that has resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is always best to seek the assistance of an experienced veterans' service representative when presenting a claim to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For details about PTSD, see "Related Links" at the top of each page.
 
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