Article about Mass. Vets Care program to prevent suicide. Kerry attends launch of program.. [View All]

[beachmom]

http://media.www.dailyfreepress.com/media/storage/paper87/news/2008/02/12/News/Program.To.Give.Vets.Extra.Care-3203545.shtml

Program to give vets extra care

Patricia Klien Vega

Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: News

A new program launched yesterday by the state Veterans' Services and Public Health departments promises there will be more than yellow ribbons and financial aid to welcome home Massachusetts veterans returning from active duty with emotional problems.

About 60 war veterans and advocates, including state officials and U.S. Sen. John Kerry, gathered in the hallway of the State House Grand Staircase to learn how the Statewide Advocacy for Veterans' Empowerment program aims to prevent suicide through community advocacy, mental health awareness and treatment referrals.

Veterans' Services Secretary Thomas Kelley said SAVE will act as a liaison between veterans and their families and agencies within the federal and state governments.

Though suicide rates for returning active-duty soldiers are at an all-time high, Massachusetts has more funding for suicide prevention than any other state, said Executive Office of Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby.

...

Public and private figures shared their stories during the conference, with Kerry addressing the audience to explain how veterans of the Vietnam War, in which he served as a gunboat commander, were the first U.S. soldiers to speak about the realities of war and advocate for the creation of outreach service programs.

"We're making an effort to reach out and break through the warrior culture," he said. "What we're doing here today is not new, but an extension of what came before."

Kerry said soldiers are not a representation of a war itself and they need help to overcome any trauma that results from their service.

"Never confuse the warriors with the war," he said. "There are difficult burdens and scars."

This is the Senator Kerry we know and love. He ALWAYS has our veterans' backs when they come home from war.