Nonprofit Dedicated to Troops & Vets of Iraq and Afghanistan

Soldiers and veterans return home and find hope in IAVA, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

A nonprofit formed in 2004 is dedicated to helping America's heroes.

By Lori Denman, National Veterans Foundation

When soldiers return home, they turn to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the nation’s first and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the soldiers and veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and their civilian supporters.

IAVA not only assists soldiers and veterans when they return home, they also serve as a reliable news source that has a mission to educate the public about the war and its affect on our military and our country.  IAVA, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization formed in 2004, gives the troops and veterans a voice that deserves to be heard.

IAVA is always keeping a watchful eye out for tending to soldiers and veterans needs. They work with legislative officials to enact veterans’ rights and needs including the endorsement of the “Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline Act of 2007,” while they remain active in helping returning soldiers with finding jobs and homes. This information is found upon IAVA’s Web site. The site also holds up to the minute news information, including news appearances by founder, Paul Rieckhoff.

Rieckhoff, an Iraqi war veteran, created philosophies for IAVA that state that a healthy, well-equipped and properly used military is vital to our national security; that our troops must always be provided with a clear mission and exit strategy, be properly trained and not overextended; that the troops should be given adequate equipment and operating conditions; and that veterans must be provided for properly.

Rieckhoff and the IAVA hope that with these principles in mind, our government will properly enact strategies and policies to keep our military strong, our country safe and our veterans properly cared for.

For more information, log onto http://www.iava.org.