Politicians are often “champions” for veterans and military families on the campaign trail, but will that carry over into the new Congress? CVA Executive Director Russ Duerstine recently argued veterans health care and foreign policy should matter to members of the 118th Congress. Russ wrote in The Hill: For too long, veterans who receive their… Read more »
While Americans were celebrating the holidays, many military families and friends were missing their loved ones deployed oversees. More than 20 years of continuous war have meant constant deployments and missed memories at home that can never be replaced CVA Senior Coalitions Advisor Jason Beardsley spent many holidays deployed, sacrificing special moments with his wife… Read more »
South Carolina is home to numerous military bases along with thousands of service members, military families, and veterans who choose to put down roots after they served. The state has a deep history of service and sacrifice. That’s why Coast Guard veteran Frank Bullock believes South Carolina is the right state to lead the way… Read more »
Jessica Villarreal knows the true cost of war. She and her husband deployed to the Middle East, bringing back injuries and illnesses they will carry for the rest of their lives. Jessica recently wrote in Stars and Stripes about her experiences and what war really means for those who serve: War is more than the… Read more »
When members of the U.S. military take the oath of service, we swear to “support and defend the Constitution…[and] bear true faith and allegiance to the same.” I made this promise some 30 years ago when I joined the Marine Corps and later the Army National Guard. My oath to defend the Constitution would come… Read more »
CVA Executive Director Russ Duerstine sees America’s endless wars from a unique perspective: that of a veteran, but also of a military parent. In a recent piece in Military Times, Duerstine, father to an Iraq and Afghanistan combat veteran, shared his thoughts on the Afghanistan withdrawal in August 2021. My mind went immediately to my… Read more »
When SSG Alex Conrad died in Somalia, he left behind many that loved him, including his sister Christie Palcisko and his fellow soldier Sam Rogers. Alex’s death was difficult to bear, especially given he died in combat in a country that the U.S. isn’t technically at war in. Following the recent anniversary of Alex’s death,… Read more »
