Jewish War Veterans Respond

This press release is dated two days after Dr. Zitnay’s letter.

JWV Deplores Potential Budget Cut for Treatment of War-Related Brain Injuries

08/22/2006

The Jewish War Veterans of the USA  (JWV) condemns as immoral the reduction in funding for research and treatment of brain injuries in the 2007 Defense Appropriations bill.

At a time when so many of our troops currently fighting terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan and suffering grievous brain injuries from bomb blasts, the Pentagon has chosen to cut funds for these wounds. According to George Zitnay, co-founder of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, “Traumatic brain injury is the signature injury of the war on terrorism.”

While our brave service people are putting their lives on the line every day and being injured by mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, and improvised explosive devices, the Pentagon has seen fit to slash in half the funds for the diagnosis and treatment of such injuries.

It is unconscionable that our brave soldiers who are on the front lines protecting the values of freedom and democracy against the ravages of terrorism are not going to be treated properly for their brain injuries under this new proposed funding.

The JWV urges the Senate to restore these vital funds when they vote on the Defense Department appropriations for 2007. Our brave soldiers are giving their best for us; we must give them the best treatment possible if they are injured while protecting their fellow Americans.

© 2006 JWV. All rights reserved.