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