Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Only two months to go before the gavel
drops and the 2010 Session of the General
Assembly swings into action. Do you have an
idea for how to make our state government
more effective, or want to discuss an issue
that affects our community? Stop by
Main Street Bagel this Saturday, November
14th between 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and
share your thoughts! This is my
last informal office hours for 2009. As
usual, the coffee is free and the format is
casual.
Thank You, Veterans!
This past Saturday, I had the honor of
participating in a Veterans Day Community
Fair, including a ceremony to recognize our
veterans, hosted by American Legion Post 177
and VFW Post 8469. To everyone who has
served our nation, thank you. I know that
it is through your sacrifices that I am able
to raise my family in freedom. I also know
that even after active service, you continue
to serve our community with enormous
distinction.
While the General Assembly has passed a
number of laws and programs to support our
veterans, I want to highlight one program
that I am very proud of - that is Virginia's
efforts to support our returning veterans
who have suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI) while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
For the past 13 years, I've served on the
Board of Brain Injury Services, which
provides services to those who have suffered
a brain injury. Approximately 1.4 million
people in the United States acquire a
brain injury each year through auto
accidents, falls, etc. Unfortunately, TBI
has also become the "signature" wound of the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. While it is
sometimes obvious - many times TBI is not.
TBI is often slow to manifest, or difficult
to diagnose. But in many cases, the
individual is too proud to admit something is
wrong and doesn't seek the help that he or
she needs. The impacts, however, can be
devastating to both the returning veteran and
his or her family.
In 2008, Virginia decided that it wanted
to do more - and we passed our own Wounded
Warrior Program to supplement federal
efforts. As a result, Brain Injury Services
and the Commonwealth have worked with the
Veterans Administration and other military
resources to make sure that no one falls
through the cracks. It is a work in
progress, but I can think of few efforts
that are more worthy.
So again, thank you for what you do for
our community - both in defending our
freedom and enriching our quality of life in
your ongoing service!
I hope to see you on Saturday at
Main Street Bagel!
Sincerely,
David Bulova
© 2009 David
Bulova
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