Good morning and I would like to thank the members of City Council,
Honorable  Anna Verna, Council president, Councilman Darrell Clarke,
Councilwoman Donna Reed-Miller for their support of the Women
Veteran's Annual Tribute on Veteran's Day of 2006 which demonstrated
the need for women veterans in the city of Philadelphia to have
outreach and a platform to be recognized, appreciated and to heal; and
to City councilwoman Jannie Blackwell for her ongoing support of
veterans of Standdown and her many efforts in addressing homelessness
in the city of Philadelphia; Veterans groups: Delaware Valley Veterans
for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, CodePink, NOW and all of the
supporters for peace and to those who support bringing our troop home
from Iraq.

The National Alliance of Women Veterans is an advocacy group that
addresses veteran's issues, most specifically women who have suffered
sexual assaults while serving on active duty.  Over the past 15 years,
advocacy has included correspondence with the Veterans Affairs
Committees and Senate Judiciary committee, related sub-committees, and
many other elected officials at every level of government.  Most
recently addressing the issue of the Patriot Act and the Domestic
Spying Program, the Department of Defense instituting the Sexual
Assault Data Management System and the war in Iraq which has increased
the awareness and revealed many other problems that exist within the
military as we deal with the issue of terror; also as an activist on
Capital Hill in support of stopping the War in Iraq along with other
veterans for peace organizations and activists.

The purpose of my testimony is to discuss the present state of the
Iraq war which brings much controversy including whether to bring the
troops home; or to increase the numbers to stabilize the war and
depending on which government official that speaks you will find many
conflicting opinions.  Our president invaded Iraq based on what has
been clearly proven as erroneous or misleading information.  The Iraq
War Study proved that innocent lives are lost and are at risk as a
result of the President's decision to fight terror and to locate
weapons of mass destruction.  Since 9-11, it is still not clear what
we're fighting for and there was no findings of weapons of mass
destruction neither has there been any progress on the capture of
Osama Bin Laden, who was identified as the perpetrator of the attack
on the Twin Towers and central to international terrorism.  Now after
3,115 deaths as of Feb. 7, 149 from Pennsylvania; 69 women and 23, 409
wounded, we are in jeopardy of escalating the war by increasing the
numbers by another 21,000.

The forced resignation of Donald Rumsfeld and the stir within this
present government would suggest that there needs to be careful
consideration in alternatives to settling the conflict in the Middle
East.  The lives that are being sacrificed are too valuable with there
being no immediate strategy for ending or resolving this conflict.  So
do we bring the troops home and most importantly when they are brought
home what can our troop expect to come home to?

It is my belief and experience that the veterans that are returning
from Iraq are not receiving the level of care that the conditions they
complain warrant.  However, I spoke with Dr. Gintos, Chief Orthopedic
Surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania on Friday, who also was a
surgeon during the Vietnam war; and he informed me that, "the best
medical care possible is being given to the wounded, the best
technology is being used and mothers of these veterans can be
comforted of that"; Dr.  Gintos' informed me that his son is now
serving in Iraq as a surgeon to the wounded soldiers there.  However,
this care doesn't negate the tremendous amount of suffering or
diminish the deaths and severity of the war.

The initial 144,000 with the increased 21,000 veterans being deployed
to Iraq has the potential for a tremendous impact on our economy and
citizens. This phenomenon could be overwhelming particularly when many
are being told by VA medical personnel that their conditions are in
fact "non-existent" and in "their heads"; as well as other mind
control and psychological manipulation methodologies, thereby
resulting in denial or ignoring their need for treatment.  Based on
the history of illnesses relating to war from WWI to the present Iraq
War, many are undiagnosable and ultimately leaving individuals
suffering endlessly.  According to Ed Lowry, director of the
Philadelphia Veterans Multi-service and Education Center he says, "We
see a great deal of vets come to our center who are recently
discharged back to WWII and they all have a real magnitude of needs;
he stated to me that the VA has limited resources due to a cut-back of
funding and services which is resulting in veterans suffering and in
many unfortunate situations."

Further, Colonel Barnes, Chaplain of Delaware National Guard and 1st
LT. Warda, Chaplain Assistant of New Jersey National Guard, who
presented at a seminar at the Society Hill Sheraton on Friday, on the
War on Iraq, shared information from deployment to reunion, and the
procedures specifically outlining every detail that a soldier
experiences to include the many concerns of their dependents left at
home. I questioned why there was no Pennsylvania military
representative present and I am concerned that the lack of presence is
symbolic to the level of participation of the Pennsylvania National
Guard and related services and agencies that results in veterans not
receiving the resources that could be made available to them.  Dr.
Barnes was adamant in his comments that "there is no need for the
amount of homelessness and problems that veterans face", when I
questioned him on these particular problems in Philadelphia.

It is my belief that the commitment of the military to those who have
served isn't being realized.  The eligibility for veterans' benefits
and healthcare is in question; however doesn't negate the fact that
this war has produced mass healthcare concerns and people are
suffering.

·      PTSD as commonly known for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which is a
common condition of post war service.  The Iraq War has encountered
many younger victims between 18- 25 who have being diagnosed with this
unpredictable and often times disabling illness.  According to an
recent  study by Harvard and Boston University by the Associated Press
of January 2nd, 2006 "It's not enough to simply welcome them home and
do some immediate evaluation or help with reintegration...They need to
be tracked and watched carefully."  Symptoms were described as the
body's normal hormonal response to stress becomes trigger-happy,
scientists believe. Long after traumatic events, people remain edgy,
fearful and prone to nightmares and flashbacks. The continual release
of adrenaline prompted by these symptoms may wear down the
cardiovascular system." "It's not enough to simply welcome them home
and do some immediate evaluation or help with reintegration," she
said. "They need to be tracked and watched carefully."

·      Brain Injuries- What is called the "Iraq's signature wound" is brain
injury which can be go undiagnosed when shrapnel enters the skull or
the Kevlar is impacted from suicide bombings and other projectiles and
causes brain damage that goes undetected for several months and the
behavior of an individual is identified as something other than what
it is.

·      Loss of limb, another critical concern because many of those who are
injured are brought home without the ability of their families to care
for them and they suffer from injuries that require constant care and
intense rehabilitation.

Studies by the Veteran Integrated Service Network which began
reporting in 2005 with a commitment to report each year continue to
demonstrate the marginalization of women of disproportionately African
American women.   Recently stated on the Department of Veterans
Affairs website "African American women are treated differently due to
other life conditions"; while Lebanese, Asian American, Latinas,
Alaskan, American Indians are given specific areas of consideration
for their treatment and subsequent transition from the military.
Comments made by members of these nationalities during a forum on
"Military Women Speaks' on a recent trip to Washington, DC,
referenced African Americans as Muccocas and stupid.

Homelessness and PTSD are a major consequence to women who have
suffered sexual assaults and continue to be an ongoing problem in the
military, particularly amongst women in Iraq.  According to a recent
article of April 19, 2006 in the Philadelphia Inquirer, there are 1100
homeless veteran women in the city of Philadelphia.  Many of the women
too are being imprisoned, on drugs and victims of conditions that if
the Philadelphia Veterans Medical Facility were operating at a full
level of performance, could provide the services needed to assist
these women. These women have children and families who depend on them
for their care.

My question is how does a person enter into the military fully capable
to fulfilling their military duties and intense training and are
suddenly upon discharge incapable of caring for themselves and
nonfunctioning.  However, the military is not taking responsibility
for many of these soldiers but are weeding them out forcing them into
the normal population where their conditions are unfamiliar and go
untreated.

Much of this "weeding out' process is to eliminate disproportionately
minorities from the process that would allow them to benefit from the
services that they are eligible.  Medical documentation that would be
crucial for providing the paper trail to support these benefits are
being manipulated nd in many cases misrepresented by the medical
professionals; which I believe would be medical malpractice and
criminal if investigated vigilantly and holding those medical
professionals involved responsible.

Identifying these discrepancies within the Veterans Administration are
necessary for ensuring that all veterans regardless of their
nationality are era of service; receive the care that they deserve. I
am thankful to this panel of council members for the opportunity to
share this information and to speak on behalf of these veterans who so
need assistance.

Furthermore, it is my belief that with the burdens of the existing
problems on the city of Philadelphia as it relates to gun violence,
poverty, teen pregnancy, truancy, drug use and distribution,
immigration, lack of jobs, racial issues and major health care
concerns amongst the citizens of Philadelphia, it imperative that the
veterans organizations that provide services to veterans be given much-
needed funds and resources.  The veteran's population is at a huge
disservice when their eligibility is in question after having served
and sustained injuries while on active duty that guarantees quality
and available treatment through veteran's medical facilities.
However, when the veteran is being denied these services, through this
"weeding out" they are absorbed in the regular population and they
suffer as a result.  The unfamiliarity with the issues of veterans
among the civilians, further alienates them and in many cases causes
increased trauma and psychological challenges which may lead to those
factors that result in homelessness, drug use, imprisonment, and the
many conditions that relate to undiagnosed and/or untreated mental
illnesses and other concerns that causes tremendous burdens on the
city of Philadelphia and its residents.

The National Alliance of Women Veterans would like to recognize The
Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center, IMPACT,
Delaware Valley Veterans for Peace, Disabled American Veterans,
American Legions, and the many other service organizations for their
ongoing advocacy and services they provide to offset many of the
problems veterans face and are being denied or ignored though normal
channels at the Philadelphia Veterans Medical Center.  Philadelphia
can and should do better for these individuals.

The expected return of the  war heroes from the Iraq war and the war
in Afghanistan will impact the healthcare and related services to
veterans that are already impacted profoundly by prior wars:  WWII,
The Korean Conflict, The Lebanese Conflict, Vietnam, Persian War,
Grenada, Panama, Operation DesertShield Desert Storm, Operation
Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch, Operation Joint Endeavor
and Operation Joint Guard - (Republic of Bosnia and Hernigovina,
Operation Restore Hope - Somalia; Operation Enduring Freedom - 911;
Operation Iraqi Freedom; all of which have individuals who are
eligible for health care and many other benefits; however the Iraq War
Veterans by increased attention and awareness are given preference in
their treatment.

We must take advantage of our recently elected Senate representative,
Bob Casey who is on the foreign relations committee accompanied by
Senator Barack Obama who introduced a bill to withdraw troop by 2008,
and Senator Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer and the other concerned
members who can represent this issue before the Senate as well as
speak on behalf of the veterans community in Pennsylvania; giving us
the hope for providing the much needed resources and funding for his
constiuents.  We must have a balance with the desire to have our
freedom and to give those to who sacrifice their lives for our freedom
much deserved respect and dignity.

 Bring home the veterans, but let us bring them home with respect and
dignity to demonstrate an appreciation for their commitment of service
and sacrifice.  Let us bring them home where they can get the services
and treatment that they so greatly deserve and that these veterans can
have an expectation of hope and sense of appreciation by those to whom
they have sacrificed their lives.  Can we afford to minimize the
impact of the negative circumstances that are associated with the
coming home and can the wholeness of their coming home include the
psychological and emotional component of "being home".  Dr. Barnes
referred to what is commonly known as the "1000 mile stare" or PTSD,
which many veterans face.  Many returning veterans don't have
recognizable signs of these conditions in some cases within the first
90 days to a year of returning home, which according to Dr. Barnes is
the most critical period for returning veterans.  The rise in suicide
is a major concern within the Department of Defense and has revamped
its mental health screening methodologies to include an online
assessment to hopefully rule out serious mental illnesses.  It is
stated that many veterans will not get help if they do not seek help
on their own; however I strongly believe that if the system becomes
more user-friendly and these resources were more readily available
through outreach and broader distribution, more veterans would come
forward without the fear of intimidation and fear of retaliation and
terror; or the concern of being denied services they deserve or being
treated unfairly.

In conclusion:  Yes we should bring them home, but "can we bring them
home psychologically" is more in question.   I recommend that their be
resources and funding  available to existing organizations and that
their be initialized immediately a Veterans Oversight Committee that
would monitor and be an on-going "watchdog" for the Philadelphia
Veterans Facility and the treatment of veterans in this city, which
would greatly minimize the problems that they face; which would also
serve as a reporting agency to the Department of Veterans Affairs in
Washington, D.C. and the Veterans Affairs Committees in the House and
the Senate; as well as to provide regular reporting to a centralized
reporting agency within the state of Pennsylvania that would ensure
that the veterans facilities are maintaining a level of operation and
performance of care for all veterans  in their services and that these
veterans so greatly deserve. Dr. Barnes of the Delaware National Guard
informed of us the many programs they have instituted; for example the
"FRP"s, which is the Family Readiness Programs, acknowledging that
there are 600 in the United States.  He also mentioned that there was
established under his auspices a 501c3 which is being sponsored by the
government of Delaware and has many corporate sponsors.  We want to
unite with these institutions ensuring that these facilities and
agencies are being made known and utilized by the veterans of the city
of Philadelphia.  We believe that the Philadelphia Veterans Medical
Facility has begun to address some of these issues, recently
instituting a Homeless Coordinator, and a Starbucks within the
hospital; however there a great deal of work to be done by the
Veterans Administration.  These hearings are just the tip of the
iceberg to resolving the many issues that have gone unaddressed over
the past 15 years; however this is a beginning.