As Americans nationwide reflect on the meaning behind the 4th of July holiday, Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio (Rep-Maryland) signed the Disabled American Veterans' "Stand Up For Veterans" Pledge in support of efforts to enact policies that will provide for the needs of veterans, including properly treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
 
            The National Foundation for Women Legislators' (NFWL) National Policy Committee on Veterans Affairs teamed up with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to encourage elected women nationwide wide to support new policies and laws that will meet the needs of veterans returning from deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
DAV recently launched Stand Up for Veterans (www.standup4vets.org) as a national grassroots initiative to improve health care for all veterans.  The initiative addresses four main areas in veterans' health care:
·        Traumatic brain injury
·        Mental health challenges (which includes women's health,
             PTSD, and substance abuse)
·        Family caregivers
·        Funding reform
 
"I would like to commend Delegate Haddaway for signing this Pledge to meet the needs of the heroic men and women in her state," stated Joe Violante, DAV's National Legislative Director and NFWL Board Member. "Thousands of our military service personnel and veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with serious wounds and permanent disabilities. Millions of veterans from prior wars also have been disabled in military service. 
 
            "I have pledged to take all actions necessary to ensure that veterans continue to have access to all the benefits and health care services they have earned through their sacrifice," said Haddaway.  "I will do everything I can to ensure that our National Guardsmen, Reservists, and active duty military personnel are properly cared for.  It's the least we can do, considering all they have done for us."  She also stated that she was very proud of the organizations in Maryland and on the Mid-Shore that are helping veterans with access to these services including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Mid Shore Mental Health Systems and the Mental Health Association of Talbot County.  "These organizations and agencies should be commended for their local and regional efforts and I will also work to support them in any way I can."

            Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio is a state representative for District 37B (Talbot, Dorchester, Caroline and Wicomico Counties).  She has been a member of the Maryland House of Delegates since 2003 and is a member of the Legislative Veterans Caucus.  She is a member of the National Foundation for Women Legislators and is their Education Coordinator for Maryland.