Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

VA Helps Vets Reengage with Life

July 18, 2008

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“The American Veteran” Focuses on Rehabilitative Arts and Sciences

WASHINGTON – From the laboratory to open air, making medical and mental miracles are the focus of the July edition of “The American Veteran,” the monthly half-hour news magazine from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

“VA brings together the best minds and hearts in many professions to help veterans reclaim their place in the world,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “These stories spotlight the deep reserve of healing within each veteran and their desire to embrace life head on.”

The top story highlights the Atlanta VA Medical Center Restoration Clinic where art and medicine come together to create amazing prosthetics allowing veterans to face the world anew.

A second feature looks at one group of veterans at VA’s Medical Center in Loma Linda, Calif., who have found an unusual – and effective – way of dealing with their pain.  These combat veterans have turned to the healing powers of the arts in a unique poetry therapy workshop.

In another story, “The American Veteran” travels with Project Healing Waters, a partnering organization that takes veterans and active duty service members facing mental and physical difficulties on a fly fishing trip to the Yellow Breeches River in Pennsylvania.  Here veterans develop new skills and experience the restorative power of nature.

The series is designed to inform active-duty members, veterans, their families and communities about the services and benefits they have earned and to honor them.  VA’s Office of Public Affairs and the VA Learning University/ Employee Education System (VALU/EES) produce the program and broadcast it to VA facilities around the world on The Pentagon Channel and to community cable outlets.

Aimed at veterans of all eras, VA also tells stories of heroism and sacrifice, and relives moments in history with those who were there, reminding veterans of the bond of service they share.

VA’s Office of Public Affairs offers the program to local broadcasters and cable outlets and makes it available for viewing on the VA Web site, www.va.gov.  Just click on the “American Veteran” icon at the bottom of the page.

“The American Veteran” schedule on The Pentagon Channel is available at  http://www.pentagonchannel.mil.  The Pentagon Channel has more than 1 million military viewers and is delivered domestically via DISH, EchoStar, T-Warner and Cox cable systems.  (Check for service in your area.)

Additional stories on the July edition of “The American Veteran” include:

• Robotic Stroke Therapy - The VA Medical Center in Baltimore is one of four medical centers participating in an innovative three-year study using robots to test the ability of repetitive motion to restore limb movement in stroke patients. 
• Keeping a roof over their head - VA Loan Counselors are working to help veterans avoid loan foreclosure on their homes.
• Added benefits of community clinics - VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics are providing local medical service and helping veterans save gas. 

For information about “The American Veteran” program and how to obtain it for local programming, contact VA at 202-461-7502.

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