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{ timecode: 0, handler: 'blob', id: 1, data: {text: 'REPRESENTATIVE JOE ARMSTRONG: Good afternoon to our afternoon session. We’re going to be dealing with veterans and veterans affairs but at this time we have a word from our congressman '}},
{ timecode: 13, handler: 'blob', id: 2, data: {text: 'congratulating us on our conference here. First we would like to show those clips. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES E. CLYBURN: Hello. Thank you so much for allowing me to visit with you in this manner. I regret '}},
{ timecode: 28, handler: 'blob', id: 3, data: {text: 'not being there with you but as you may know things here in Washington are such that we’ve to work hard to get this healthcare reform bill done and have not been able to find the time to spend '}},
{ timecode: 46, handler: 'blob', id: 4, data: {text: 'with you all this year. I want to thank Calvin Smyre for inviting me and thank all of you for the good work you do on behalf of constituents, many of whom are constituents of mine as well. I think '}},
{ timecode: 63, handler: 'blob', id: 5, data: {text: 'that you all know that this year the federal budget for veterans was hailed by the American Legion as, and I quote ”cause for celebration.” End of quote. That was reflective of the '}},
{ timecode: 82, handler: 'blob', id: 6, data: {text: 'feelings coming from veterans about the President’s budget which as many of you know call for a nearly 12% increase. Now there is an interesting backdrop to all of that. Since January 2007, when '}},
{ timecode: 100, handler: 'blob', id: 7, data: {text: 'Nancy Pelosi became the Speaker of the House, she has insisted that whatever we do that we do right by the men and women who have made such significant sacrifices so that all of us can enjoy the '}},
{ timecode: 118, handler: 'blob', id: 8, data: {text: 'bounties of this great country. We have in that period of time increased federal spending for veterans by 17.7 billion dollars. Included in that increase is the largest increase for veterans’ '}},
{ timecode: 143, handler: 'blob', id: 9, data: {text: 'benefits in the entire history of the Veterans Administration. We are very proud of that. But then if you start drilling down into these numbers you will see some other very interesting things. We are '}},
{ timecode: 162, handler: 'blob', id: 10, data: {text: 'recognizing that so much that is needed by veterans today is totally different from what was needed in years past. We are placing a particular emphasis on the mental health conditions that so many of '}},
{ timecode: 184, handler: 'blob', id: 11, data: {text: 'our young men and women are suffering as a result of current service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places around the world. So we are emphasizing the kind of services that they will need. We have '}},
{ timecode: 201, handler: 'blob', id: 12, data: {text: 'many of them already, but many more we\'ll need in the months and years ahead. And so we are strengthening our programs in this area. I am particularly pleased with the fact that included in all of '}},
{ timecode: 217, handler: 'blob', id: 13, data: {text: 'this is a suicide prevention element. We have set up a 24-hour toll free suicide hotline and it is estimated that this hotline alone has already prevented over 1,200 suicides in its first year. That '}},
{ timecode: 238, handler: 'blob', id: 14, data: {text: 'to me is phenomenal. Now as we go about the business of trying to do in the days, weeks, months ahead and also to undo some of the things that were done over the past 12 years, to include trying to '}},
{ timecode: 258, handler: 'blob', id: 15, data: {text: 'increase copayments for TriCare. We stopped that in this Congress and we are not going to add that back. In addition to all of that we are looking for ways to also be of assistance to the families of '}},
{ timecode: 280, handler: 'blob', id: 16, data: {text: 'our veterans and our current military people. That’s why we are working as hard as we are working to get a healthcare reform plan that will benefit everybody in this country. I call it the '}},
{ timecode: 298, handler: 'blob', id: 17, data: {text: 'triple A health care plan. One that is accessible, affordable, and accountable. We are going to make sure that in doing all of this we keep insurance companies honest and competitive in offering their '}},
{ timecode: 318, handler: 'blob', id: 18, data: {text: 'products to the American public. All of this will work to ensure that our men and women in uniform, as well as their family members, can all begin to enjoy healthcare as a fundamental right in this '}},
{ timecode: 336, handler: 'blob', id: 19, data: {text: 'great country of ours. I want to thank all of you for participating in this conference today. Once again I thank its sponsors for allowing me to visit in this way and I hope maybe next year to be with '}},
{ timecode: 351, handler: 'blob', id: 20, data: {text: 'you in person. Thank you so much and Godspeed. REPRESENTATIVE JOE ARMSTRONG: We are fortunate to have the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi. '}},
{ timecode: 367, handler: 'blob', id: 21, data: {text: 'CONGRESSMAN BENNIE THOMPSON: This is Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District. I am honored to bring greetings to you during the 16th Annual National Black Caucus '}},
{ timecode: 380, handler: 'blob', id: 22, data: {text: 'of State Legislators Mental Health Conference. As you know, in this country, people of color are less likely to have access to quality healthcare. Poverty, race, cultural barriers and poor healthcare '}},
{ timecode: 396, handler: 'blob', id: 23, data: {text: 'facilities are just a few factors that contribute to this country’s broken healthcare system. In fact, a vast majority of those without healthcare live in underserved areas throughout this '}},
{ timecode: 409, handler: 'blob', id: 24, data: {text: 'country, and many of them suffer from mental illness. In Mississippi, while over 35% of the state’s population is African American, only 6.1% of the physicians are African American. Nationally '}},
{ timecode: 426, handler: 'blob', id: 25, data: {text: 'African Americans account for only 8% of mental health professionals. In an effort to confront disparities like this, I introduced a Minority Health and Healthcare Disparities Act. This legislation '}},
{ timecode: 442, handler: 'blob', id: 26, data: {text: 'was signed into law in 2000 and created the National Center on Minority Health and Healthcare Disparities. The Center’s mission is to reduce and eliminate healthcare disparities among racial and '}},
{ timecode: 457, handler: 'blob', id: 27, data: {text: 'ethnic minorities. As lawmakers, it is our priority to address all facets of the healthcare system. The Congressional Black Caucus has accepted that charge and introduced a Health Equity and '}},
{ timecode: 472, handler: 'blob', id: 28, data: {text: 'Accountability Act of 2009. We are 100% committed to working with President Obama to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities that exist and fix the healthcare system in this country. As we discuss '}},
{ timecode: 488, handler: 'blob', id: 29, data: {text: 'healthcare reform, it’s imperative that we speak to the mental health impact of soldiers returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Studies have suggested that long periods away from '}},
{ timecode: 502, handler: 'blob', id: 30, data: {text: 'families and soldiers risking their lives and seeing others killed or wounded, can be daunting and take a toll on the mental health of military veterans. Recently, legislation was introduced in '}},
{ timecode: 515, handler: 'blob', id: 31, data: {text: 'Congress to improve and expand healthcare for veterans. HR745 directs the Secretary to carry out a four-year pilot program to provide covered outreach and training services on the mental health of '}},
{ timecode: 531, handler: 'blob', id: 32, data: {text: 'Operation Enduring in Iraq Freedom veterans to covered mental health centers, which include counseling centers, student health or wellness centers or student service centers at colleges or '}},
{ timecode: 544, handler: 'blob', id: 33, data: {text: 'universities with large enrollment for such veterans. The outreach and training services for covered mental health centers include training for commissions on treatment for common mental health '}},
{ timecode: 556, handler: 'blob', id: 34, data: {text: 'illnesses and training on assisting veterans in assessing VA mental health care and services among other programs. Like the National Caucus on State Legislators, I too will continue to champion '}},
{ timecode: 570, handler: 'blob', id: 35, data: {text: 'adequate and accessible healthcare on behalf of military veterans and Americans across this country. Thank you, and keep the faith. REPRESENTATIVE JOE ARMSTRONG: First, we would like to thank the '}},
{ timecode: 586, handler: 'blob', id: 36, data: {text: 'people of Mississippi for electing such a great congressman there. We also have greetings from Congressman André Carson, who represents the Indianapolis district and the great folks of Indianapolis. '}},
{ timecode: 605, handler: 'blob', id: 37, data: {text: 'CONGRESSMAN ANDRE CARSON: Hello! I am Congressman André Carson, and I am pleased to welcome all of you to the National Caucus of Black Legislators 16th Annual Mental Health Conference. As you know, '}},
{ timecode: 621, handler: 'blob', id: 38, data: {text: 'millions of Americans, including a disproportionate number of African Americans are being denied the right to quality, affordable healthcare. Many simply can’t get health coverage because of '}},
{ timecode: 633, handler: 'blob', id: 39, data: {text: 'pre-existing conditions, including mental illness, while others pay huge costs for health plans that don’t cover even the basics. Too often in these situations, those with mental health '}},
{ timecode: 646, handler: 'blob', id: 40, data: {text: 'conditions suffer because their insurance won’t pay for necessary counseling services or vital medications. It is time we had a medical system that focuses on the mental health of Americans, not '}},
{ timecode: 660, handler: 'blob', id: 41, data: {text: 'just physical health. That’s why I am working with my colleagues to push for health reform that requires insurance to cover a number of baseline services. These standard benefits would apply '}},
{ timecode: 675, handler: 'blob', id: 42, data: {text: 'across the nation and include mental health care as well as preventative services to help people fend off serious diseases before they take hold. While we press forward on the policy front, we also '}},
{ timecode: 689, handler: 'blob', id: 43, data: {text: 'must win the battle in our communities to end the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Unless we develop a greater understanding within our homes, neighborhoods and work places, mental illness will '}},
{ timecode: 702, handler: 'blob', id: 44, data: {text: 'remain taboo. And many will continue to go without the services and treatments they need to live healthy and productive lives. As someone who has seen friends and relatives struggle with mental '}},
{ timecode: 714, handler: 'blob', id: 45, data: {text: 'illness, I understand the critical need to unite as a nation to insure that everyone suffering from mental illness has the care and support they need. Thanks to leaders like you, we are closer than '}},
{ timecode: 728, handler: 'blob', id: 46, data: {text: 'ever to achieving this goal through comprehensive healthcare reform. I look forward to continuing our work together, and I hope that next year at this time we can be talking about a new system of care '}},
{ timecode: 743, handler: 'blob', id: 47, data: {text: 'that leaves no Americans behind, especially our brothers and sisters dealing with mental illness. Best wishes on another successful conference. Thank you, God bless! REPRESENTATIVE JOE ARMSTRONG: '}},
{ timecode: 756, handler: 'blob', id: 48, data: {text: 'Let’s thank the great folks of Indiana for electing the newest congressman to the Congressional Black Caucus there. And I think they have already set the tone for the afternoon. I think the '}},
{ timecode: 772, handler: 'blob', id: 49, data: {text: 'morning has set the tone for the afternoon. The judge was right on it at lunch, and now we are moving into a part - we talked about this last year. I think that it is very important and critical '}},
{ timecode: 785, handler: 'blob', id: 50, data: {text: 'because we only touched on it - we didn’t dive into it. Well, this afternoon we are going to dive into this issue of talking about military and veterans affairs. We\'ve got some experts who have '}},
{ timecode: 800, handler: 'blob', id: 51, data: {text: 'not only talked the talk but have walked the walk, because they are veterans and we’re looking forward to their presentations. Let me introduce first, Natasha Allen. She is the Outreach '}},
{ timecode: 814, handler: 'blob', id: 52, data: {text: 'Coordinator Counsel for all the vet centers in the state of Indiana. The vet centers provide readjustment counseling to combat veterans and their families. Ms. Allen served active duty in the United '}},
{ timecode: 830, handler: 'blob', id: 53, data: {text: 'States Army from 2002 to 2005 with the Fort Campbell 101st Airborne Assault Division. While serving in the army, she completed two tours in Iraq – Operation Iraq Freedom - before she separated '}},
{ timecode: 847, handler: 'blob', id: 54, data: {text: 'from the service in 2005. She has earned her bachelor’s degree in social work and her master’s degree in public administration from one of our HBCUs [Historically Black Colleges and '}},
{ timecode: 861, handler: 'blob', id: 55, data: {text: 'Universities], Grambling State University. Ms. Allen is an advocate for veterans, their families and loved ones. Next we have Ms. Laura Malone who is also a veteran of the United States Army. She is '}},
{ timecode: 879, handler: 'blob', id: 56, data: {text: 'married to a retired army drill sergeant. No…or she used to be a drill sergeant, one of the two. She is the coordinator of the military army Sexual Traumatic Unit at Roudebush VA Medical '}},
{ timecode: 901, handler: 'blob', id: 57, data: {text: 'Center. She has 30 years of military and VA service. Also, she is the coordinator of the Minority Veterans Program. Our third presenter is the Reverend Michael Montgomery. He also is a veteran of the '}},
{ timecode: 920, handler: 'blob', id: 58, data: {text: 'Iraq war and has 17 years of service in the army as a chaplain’s assistant. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Outreach Ministries here in Indianapolis. He is a graduate of '}},
{ timecode: 937, handler: 'blob', id: 59, data: {text: 'Ball State University, has a master’s in philosophy and is an ordained minister. Let’s welcome our panelists. NATASHA ALLEN: I just want to thank the National Black Caucus of State '}},
{ timecode: 957, handler: 'blob', id: 60, data: {text: 'Legislators for allowing me to be here. I have pretty much a slide show that we’re going to go through just to have a better understanding as far as what the Vet Center is. Hopefully everyone '}},
{ timecode: 972, handler: 'blob', id: 61, data: {text: 'can see. We are the people at the VA who welcome home all of our combat veterans. So, today as well as yesterday, meaning Iraq, Afghanistan, people from Viet Nam as well as Desert Storm and the other '}},
{ timecode: 987, handler: 'blob', id: 62, data: {text: 'previous wars. This is pretty much a photo of myself when I was in Iraq in 2003, and a current picture in 2008 before I was pregnant, just pretty much showing we had a support, support of our female '}},
{ timecode: 1006, handler: 'blob', id: 63, data: {text: 'veterans recognition that day. To have an understanding of the Vet Center, we started back in the late 1970s, and the Viet Nam veterans are pretty much the people that, I really feel, established the '}},
{ timecode: 1022, handler: 'blob', id: 64, data: {text: 'Vet Center. They created the Vet Center as an environment for when people may not want to go to a hospital, go to the VA maybe because of the size, the number of people coming back from different '}},
{ timecode: 1036, handler: 'blob', id: 65, data: {text: 'deployments, coming back from any type of combat environment. To be around a lot of people may be an uncomfortable situation, so what the Viet Nam veterans did was found something on a smaller scale. '}},
{ timecode: 1050, handler: 'blob', id: 66, data: {text: 'So, with our vets – and we are a small facility – we have a 4 or 5 people staff as far as clinicians. I am the outreach counselor as well as the office manager. There is, right now, in the '}},
{ timecode: 1066, handler: 'blob', id: 67, data: {text: 'state of Indiana, 4 vet centers in Indiana. There’s over 230 Vet Centers nationwide. We have mobile units as well that reach out to rural communities – over 50 mobile units. So, one in '}},
{ timecode: 1079, handler: 'blob', id: 68, data: {text: 'every state. There’s Vet Centers in every state as well. So no one there—all of you represent various states. I’m hoping you are aware of a Vet Center. If you’re not, please '}},
{ timecode: 1091, handler: 'blob', id: 69, data: {text: 'contact the Vet Center. You can go to the web site, you can contact me and I would be happy to give you the information, telephone number, whatever you need to get in contact with a representative at '}},
{ timecode: 1103, handler: 'blob', id: 70, data: {text: 'a Vet Center that supports the veterans as well as the family members. Our goal at the Vet Center is to provide just a broad range of counseling to our veterans. We provide from individual counseling '}},
{ timecode: 1116, handler: 'blob', id: 71, data: {text: 'to group to family counseling for all those who have came back not just to the veteran but also to the family members as well. Some of the other things that we offer at our Vet Centers, sexual trauma '}},
{ timecode: 1128, handler: 'blob', id: 72, data: {text: 'counseling. A number of people have experienced some type of sexual trauma while in the service. I am not saying you have to be deployed to experience sexual trauma; you don’t have to be just a '}},
{ timecode: 1140, handler: 'blob', id: 73, data: {text: 'female, you know. My sexual trauma therapist, her case load at one time, she had a 20% case load of men, and it has steadily increased with the war still going on, with the current war going on. We '}},
{ timecode: 1155, handler: 'blob', id: 74, data: {text: 'are starting to see more and more men coming to our facility that may need some type of sexual trauma counseling. And it’s not saying that’s just from people who have been to Iraq or '}},
{ timecode: 1166, handler: 'blob', id: 75, data: {text: 'Afghanistan. We are even talking about people from the past that have been the Viet Nam era or Desert Storm. As long as the Vet Center is still up and running five years from now, 10 years or 20 years '}},
{ timecode: 1177, handler: 'blob', id: 76, data: {text: 'from now, we are able to provide the services to the combat veteran and the family member at no cost. So, there is no excuse. No one should say, I can’t find a Vet Center or the resource is not '}},
{ timecode: 1193, handler: 'blob', id: 77, data: {text: 'there or I don’t have the financial means to do it because we don’t charge. The only thing we do require of that person, you have to have an honorable discharge to receive the services. '}},
{ timecode: 1208, handler: 'blob', id: 78, data: {text: 'But the family members are also able to receive the services as well. At our Vet Center at our Indianapolis location, we’ve even been seeing some of the teenagers. We are trying to hopefully '}},
{ timecode: 1223, handler: 'blob', id: 79, data: {text: 'establish at a point in time to be able to have a marriage and family counselor to provide services to also not just the teenager but to the young children as well, the adolescents. I have a 3 year '}},
{ timecode: 1235, handler: 'blob', id: 80, data: {text: 'old, a 4 year old. I have people that have come back from deployments that their child although maybe 5 or 6 is going through emotional trauma because now their parent is back – their mother is '}},
{ timecode: 1248, handler: 'blob', id: 81, data: {text: 'back and because that person has been out of their lives for the past year or so. I spoke to a soldier who has twins, I want to say about a day ago. He has been deployed twice. The first time, 12 '}},
{ timecode: 1263, handler: 'blob', id: 82, data: {text: 'months from 2005 to 2006, and then he deployed again from 2007 to 2008 for 15 months. That is a total of 27 months – too long! Going through a whole lot. And now he has to come back and be a '}},
{ timecode: 1277, handler: 'blob', id: 83, data: {text: 'father again. Those are situations, when I hear them my heart goes out to them because I somewhat relate to them, but I definitely make sure to make them aware of a Vet Center. Hopefully, I believe in '}},
{ timecode: 1291, handler: 'blob', id: 84, data: {text: 'letting the spouses know because just to tell a vet - we can somewhat be hardheaded. So at least if maybe their spouse, their significant other is aware of a Vet Center they will be able to bring them '}},
{ timecode: 1303, handler: 'blob', id: 85, data: {text: 'into a Vet Center. Some of the things that veterans may experience when they come back from different deployments... I spoke to another soldier yesterday: marriage. You know, they come back, they are '}},
{ timecode: 1318, handler: 'blob', id: 86, data: {text: 'married, and they see now may be divorced. You know, the wife, husband, who knows, decided to file papers while they were deployed. They come back and they are in shock because now they have divorce '}},
{ timecode: 1333, handler: 'blob', id: 87, data: {text: 'papers. You have people that come back from combat experiencing medical issues. Financial hardship. You come back and you really expect you have a nice banking account because you put your money up or '}},
{ timecode: 1349, handler: 'blob', id: 88, data: {text: 'you helped your family member put your money up, but I have definitely come across people – whether it is a mother, a husband, a wife – they leave, they are deployed, they come back, they '}},
{ timecode: 1362, handler: 'blob', id: 89, data: {text: 'check their bank account and it is depleted. So, those are some of the things that soldiers/troops are experiencing having been deployed. Lack of structure, definitely a lack of structure because '}},
{ timecode: 1379, handler: 'blob', id: 90, data: {text: 'having been in the military you are so groomed, you know, everyone is telling you what to do, when to do it, how to do it, everything: do the mission, follow the mission, carry it out, but when you '}},
{ timecode: 1396, handler: 'blob', id: 91, data: {text: 'finally get out of the service—I meet so many people that they get out of the service, they may be out of the service for 3 to 4 months, maybe 6 months and they are ready to reenlist again. They '}},
{ timecode: 1411, handler: 'blob', id: 92, data: {text: 'are ready to sign back up because the civilian world is not what they expected. They can’t find the employment they’re looking for or the type of money that they were making when they were '}},
{ timecode: 1423, handler: 'blob', id: 93, data: {text: 'in the service – they are not making that now being a civilian. I just spoke to a girl yesterday who was ready to go back into the marines, and she has only been out of the service a couple of '}},
{ timecode: 1435, handler: 'blob', id: 94, data: {text: 'months. I really want to tell her to wait, you know, give it some more time. But there is only so much I can do in my power: just make sure you know about our Vet Centers so if you decide that '}},
{ timecode: 1445, handler: 'blob', id: 95, data: {text: '“I may be rushing it,” maybe you just need to speak to someone. Put your feelings out on the table and allow someone to know what is going on because when you got out of the service, you '}},
{ timecode: 1456, handler: 'blob', id: 96, data: {text: 'got out for a reason. So to say you want to get back in - it\'s not going to change like that. Everything is not going to be all peaches and cream going back into it. Those are some of the things that '}},
{ timecode: 1470, handler: 'blob', id: 97, data: {text: 'happen as well. Some people may have nightmares, isolation. You come back—when people come back, they tell me they decide to stay in their apartment for 3 to 6 months. You know, they don’t '}},
{ timecode: 1482, handler: 'blob', id: 98, data: {text: 'really socialize a lot. For me, that is normal. I could tell them, it is normal. To tell a parent that or to tell their mother that, their father that, there is something wrong. But, for me, it is '}},
{ timecode: 1492, handler: 'blob', id: 99, data: {text: 'normal because those are just some of the adjustments they are going through. Everyone may not understand, but for people to get some type of education and become a little more aware of it. You can '}},
{ timecode: 1505, handler: 'blob', id: 100, data: {text: 'come to a Vet Center, you can go to a va hospital and speak to people that work with veterans on a daily basis. They have a better understanding as far as why does my child prefer to stay home in '}},
{ timecode: 1517, handler: 'blob', id: 101, data: {text: 'their apartment compared to come over for a Sunday dinner? It is things like that people are concerned with, but if you are really concerned, there are people who work with veterans on a daily basis '}},
{ timecode: 1532, handler: 'blob', id: 102, data: {text: 'that you can find out why so many things are happening like it is. At the Vet Center, we pride ourselves because we are confidential. We are part of the Department of Veteran Affairs and we work '}},
{ timecode: 1544, handler: 'blob', id: 103, data: {text: 'closely with the VA hospitals, but we are still confidential. As far as our information, we don’t share it with the VA Hospital. We are still separate. The only way anyone can receive any '}},
{ timecode: 1560, handler: 'blob', id: 104, data: {text: 'information because you still have people that may decide to go back into the military so they do not want their information to be leaked out. So with that, the only way they can receive it is a '}},
{ timecode: 1573, handler: 'blob', id: 105, data: {text: 'written consent from the veteran. Some of the facts, this is an article in the New England Journal back in 2004 as far as some of the things that some of the soldiers experience; 86% artillery fire; '}},
{ timecode: 1591, handler: 'blob', id: 106, data: {text: '93% were shot at with small arms; 77% fired at the enemy; 95% may have saw dead bodies or remains. So when I speak to soldiers and when I speak to troops, I always say you never know what you have '}},
{ timecode: 1606, handler: 'blob', id: 107, data: {text: 'seen and what all you experience, you know, whether you are a truck driver, you\'re a cook, a chaplain, you don’t know what a person may have seen having being deployed. If you have any '}},
{ timecode: 1619, handler: 'blob', id: 108, data: {text: 'questions, we do have a website. It is www.vetcenter.va.gov and we also have our local telephone number as well, area code 317 988-1600. Thank you. LAURA MALONE: Good afternoon! My name is Laura '}},
{ timecode: 1649, handler: 'blob', id: 109, data: {text: 'Malone. I am from the Roudebush VA Medical Center where I am the Minority Veterans Coordinator as well as the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator. I can remember back when – first of all, let me '}},
{ timecode: 1662, handler: 'blob', id: 110, data: {text: 'thank you for inviting me to come to this; it is indeed a pleasure and I know my Director, Mr. Tom Tice, will be very appreciative to know that you were willing to involve us in this great program. I '}},
{ timecode: 1677, handler: 'blob', id: 111, data: {text: 'remember back when I was stationed at Fort Campbell – just as Natasha was, but I am a lot older than she is – when the 101st brought their back flag from Viet Nam, it was indeed an '}},
{ timecode: 1690, handler: 'blob', id: 112, data: {text: 'experience. I was a farm girl who was now in the military and was asked to be there to search the stewardess for marijuana. Well, I didn’t know what it looked like! I didn’t have a clue. '}},
{ timecode: 1701, handler: 'blob', id: 113, data: {text: 'But, when the soldiers got off that plane, I knew something was wrong. So I told one of my superiors that we needed to do something, because these young men are certainly experiencing some problems '}},
{ timecode: 1714, handler: 'blob', id: 114, data: {text: 'that we are going to have to deal with later. Well, they were throwing grenades into the clubs, stealing the jeeps, and we put them on the back part of the installation and didn’t deal with the '}},
{ timecode: 1727, handler: 'blob', id: 115, data: {text: 'problem. So I can remember speaking with Mr. Harris here who - my husband served two tours in Viet Nam - and he said, “Well, your husband probably has some post-traumatic stress,” because '}},
{ timecode: 1737, handler: 'blob', id: 116, data: {text: 'to this day my husband still does not talk about Viet Nam very much. But, there are some times when he isolates himself and that is certainly one of the things with dealing with post-traumatic stress. '}},
{ timecode: 1749, handler: 'blob', id: 117, data: {text: 'The new troops that are coming home, one of the things they talk about is going into their rooms and staying as Natasha and some other people have mentioned. They just want to get away because it '}},
{ timecode: 1762, handler: 'blob', id: 118, data: {text: 'doesn’t seem that they are normal because of the things that they have been doing. They’ve been shooting, they’ve been killing. We look back at Viet Nam as well. I can remember doing '}},
{ timecode: 1771, handler: 'blob', id: 119, data: {text: 'comp and pension evaluation. This was when we put the veteran in the hospital and kept them for 3 days and many disciplinary groups would evaluate the person. I can remember a young man who was '}},
{ timecode: 1783, handler: 'blob', id: 120, data: {text: 'running point for a while and being his best friend took point. Well, he stepped over something and his head was decapitated. This young man had to go retrieve the head of his best friend. So, when we '}},
{ timecode: 1799, handler: 'blob', id: 121, data: {text: 'got him, he was going through a lot of emotional baggage and nobody really understood. Now, we did look at treating him. We did the evaluation, we sent him out, we recommended that he go and get '}},
{ timecode: 1812, handler: 'blob', id: 122, data: {text: 'treatment. We didn’t really look at the family though. So now I am happy to say we are looking at families and getting them involved. The Vet Centers have been a group that I have worked with '}},
{ timecode: 1823, handler: 'blob', id: 123, data: {text: 'throughout the years. They have provided great support to the veteran as well as to the hospital when we were dealing with these issues. We also look at how these things get turned into a medical '}},
{ timecode: 1838, handler: 'blob', id: 124, data: {text: 'problem. You know, a lot of stress, you get ulcers and all these different things, so we have to look at making sure our providers provide treatment for the medical part of it as well and making sure '}},
{ timecode: 1847, handler: 'blob', id: 125, data: {text: 'that we keep a clear line of communication between the Vet Center and the medical center. Chaplain services is one of the things that we are working with closely now. They were there before. I '}},
{ timecode: 1860, handler: 'blob', id: 126, data: {text: 'don’t know that we have done the best job, but we are striving to do better now. I am trying to think of some of the things – I don’t want to be redundant and repeat a lot of the '}},
{ timecode: 1868, handler: 'blob', id: 127, data: {text: 'stuff that Natasha had said, but a lot of the people are easily startled. They will be walking with you some place and maybe a car will backfire, and you will see them try to take cover. Well, that is '}},
{ timecode: 1879, handler: 'blob', id: 128, data: {text: 'one of the signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Feeling like they don’t fit in, being depressed. Now, I am talking about combat stress now. But there is also military trauma stress. '}},
{ timecode: 1895, handler: 'blob', id: 129, data: {text: 'There are men and women who were in the recent war who were raped or sodomized while on active duty. Along with dealing with the combat part of it, they had to deal with the military sexual trauma '}},
{ timecode: 1908, handler: 'blob', id: 130, data: {text: 'part of it as well. So, for men it is very embarrassing to come back and tell someone that I was gang raped or I was raped by men. It doesn’t make them feel like they are manly. What they have '}},
{ timecode: 1923, handler: 'blob', id: 131, data: {text: 'done is they have requested that we provide female providers for them; they don’t want to see a medical person that is male. They don’t want to see a counselor that is male. My job is to '}},
{ timecode: 1932, handler: 'blob', id: 132, data: {text: 'get out and try to find those resources for these people as well as to try to help their families if they are willing to share that information, help the families understand as well. So, as you go '}},
{ timecode: 1944, handler: 'blob', id: 133, data: {text: 'back to your local communities, we ask that you look at the Vet Centers, look at the VA Hospitals, and support them. We need dollars to help to have more counselors available for these individuals. '}},
{ timecode: 1959, handler: 'blob', id: 134, data: {text: 'One of the things with us is that – I don’t know for those that live here in Indianapolis – there was a young man that was involved in a stand-off near IUPUI Campus this week. One of '}},
{ timecode: 1974, handler: 'blob', id: 135, data: {text: 'things that triggered him was, according to this article, that he had just found out that his wife wanted a divorce. So there was going to be a divorce, and he was carjacked. So on top of - he had '}},
{ timecode: 1987, handler: 'blob', id: 136, data: {text: 'served 2 tours in Iraq – or Afghanistan, and now I come back after doing all this service – just like Viet Nam – you step off the plane and people spit in your face. You know, '}},
{ timecode: 1998, handler: 'blob', id: 137, data: {text: '“I go and I represent the country and I come back and the thanks I get is that you spit in my face or you carjack my car.” So, he decided to – he had been drinking, I guess, '}},
{ timecode: 2012, handler: 'blob', id: 138, data: {text: 'according to the article, I don’t know him personally – and he just decided he was going to kind of maybe end it. But, some friends went in and technology also went in, so if you get a '}},
{ timecode: 2024, handler: 'blob', id: 139, data: {text: 'chance, read this article because they sent in a robot to pull the cover off his head and see that he was there and he did have one weapon. So he is not one that has been brought to the VA Medical '}},
{ timecode: 2036, handler: 'blob', id: 140, data: {text: 'Center. There are a lot of things involved in that because certain federal laws and certain state laws that he doesn’t come directly to us because of having a gun and the SWAT team was involved. '}},
{ timecode: 2048, handler: 'blob', id: 141, data: {text: 'So, those are some things that maybe we need to look at, too. When we have people that have this post-traumatic stress disorder, what do we need to do so that we can provide better services to them '}},
{ timecode: 2061, handler: 'blob', id: 142, data: {text: 'when it comes to getting involved in police actions or different things of that nature? I challenge you. What is in your heart that you can do to help us be a better country that supports our '}},
{ timecode: 2074, handler: 'blob', id: 143, data: {text: 'veterans? And if you have any questions, I will be available. We certainly have Miss Lucretia McClenney who is the head of the Minority Veterans Program in Washington D.C. if you want to contact her '}},
{ timecode: 2086, handler: 'blob', id: 144, data: {text: 'about what we do as minority veterans, and our military sexual trauma person is Margaret Bell (sp), she is also located in Washington D.C. Again, I thank you for your time and your patience. Please '}},
{ timecode: 2099, handler: 'blob', id: 145, data: {text: 'continue to support the Veteran Affairs. MICHAEL MONTGOMERY: Good afternoon! As you know, my name is Michael Montgomery. I am Chief Executive Officer and founder for Eagle Outreach Ministries. I ask '}},
{ timecode: 2116, handler: 'blob', id: 146, data: {text: 'that you please bear with me; this is always a tough topic for me as an Iraqi veteran. If you see me shed a tear, bypass that and hear my voice. First of all, I am going to give honor to God who is '}},
{ timecode: 2130, handler: 'blob', id: 147, data: {text: 'the Keeper and Creator of my life, to my pastor in his absence, Deacon…oh, I’m sorry! I’m not at church. Forgive me, forgive me! I am sorry. I am sorry. I want you to know it was '}},
{ timecode: 2142, handler: 'blob', id: 148, data: {text: 'your fault for saying Amen all day! Seriously, to the established protocol, President/Representative Calvin Smyre and Representative Joe Armstrong, to all of you that are here, allow me to say thank '}},
{ timecode: 2157, handler: 'blob', id: 149, data: {text: 'you for allowing me to be here and a special thanks to Mr. Harris who invited me to come and speak to you. I only have a few minutes, so I ask that you please bear with me. Roll with me because I am '}},
{ timecode: 2169, handler: 'blob', id: 150, data: {text: 'going to speak pretty quickly because I know we don’t have a lot of time. There are two things that I have to do. That\'s one, is educate, empower and then encourage. So I am going to do my best '}},
{ timecode: 2180, handler: 'blob', id: 151, data: {text: 'to try to make sure that happens today. Also, I don’t know who had the slide, but there is a statistic that says people with mental illness tend to live 25 years less than average. I am going to '}},
{ timecode: 2195, handler: 'blob', id: 152, data: {text: 'break that statistic, I promise you! Look me up in about 35 or 40 years, and you will still see me standing, all right? Allow me to tell you a story if I could. I would typically ask you to close your '}},
{ timecode: 2207, handler: 'blob', id: 153, data: {text: 'eyes, but I don’t want the syndrome to kick in because I know we just got done eating and some of us already have it, a little dazed. But that is all right. Please bear with me. I am going to '}},
{ timecode: 2217, handler: 'blob', id: 154, data: {text: 'tell you a story about a young man that joined the United States Army Reserves. Actually he did a few years on active duty. We are going to start with his tour. His tour started to Iraq. He ended up '}},
{ timecode: 2231, handler: 'blob', id: 155, data: {text: 'in Kuwait with a unit as the only black man or woman to go in this unit. He was brought together with different other personnel that he did not know. In Kuwait, he was injured where he broke his '}},
{ timecode: 2249, handler: 'blob', id: 156, data: {text: 'wrist. At the same time, having to look forward to the fact that he had to go to war not able to fire a weapon. His wallet was stolen from his own peers, and the word n-i-g-g-e-r was written on Social '}},
{ timecode: 2263, handler: 'blob', id: 157, data: {text: 'Security and driver’s license. Now, imagine on your way to war with a broken arm or broken wrist and the fact that you feel on the inside that your enemy is not the Iraqis but those that you are '}},
{ timecode: 2277, handler: 'blob', id: 158, data: {text: 'going to war with. That some young man goes to Iraq, and imagine – I am asking you to imagine with me – having to wake up every morning at 5:00 or 6:00 with mortar rounds landing just a '}},
{ timecode: 2291, handler: 'blob', id: 159, data: {text: 'hundred feet down the street. Imagine that you’re fighting a war and you have to get in a humvee or get in a vehicle, and as soon as you get outside the gate you’ve got bullets hitting '}},
{ timecode: 2303, handler: 'blob', id: 160, data: {text: 'your vehicle. Imagine a helicopter going down, and you have to be the one as a combat medic to go out and pick up the remains of the deceased. Then imagine having to come back to the FOB where you are '}},
{ timecode: 2318, handler: 'blob', id: 161, data: {text: 'living only to find out that a mortar round hit just in the next shoe back behind you. Imagine that you have to go to the mess hall or to the chow hall to get something to eat only to hear a big'}},
{ timecode: 2331, handler: 'blob', id: 162, data: {text: 'boom, and the only thing that you can do is dive underneath the table and hope and pray that it’s not you. Do I have your attention? Imagine that you have to get up at 2:00 in the morning to go '}},
{ timecode: 2349, handler: 'blob', id: 163, data: {text: 'to another shoe where a soldier’s head had just been blown off, and you have to not only help pick up the remains, but you also have to help clean it up. Imagine that you have to sit next to a '}},
{ timecode: 2361, handler: 'blob', id: 164, data: {text: 'young soldier who is actually of the opposite sex only to find out that she was molested by another soldier in her own company. Imagine waking up day in and day out wondering if God is going to call '}},
{ timecode: 2377, handler: 'blob', id: 165, data: {text: 'your name. And then you come home. Can you imagine that? Imagine you get home and the only thing that you can do to try to cope with what’s going on is find yourself drinking alcohol or find '}},
{ timecode: 2399, handler: 'blob', id: 166, data: {text: 'yourself trying crack cocaine. You’re separated from your family because you are in the Wounded Warrior Program and you are in that program for 15 months. Add 15 months onto the 9 months that '}},
{ timecode: 2412, handler: 'blob', id: 167, data: {text: 'you were already deployed in Iraq plus the other 2 months that it took before you even got to Kuwait. And you find yourself wondering if anybody cares. You come home on a C130 and the only thing that '}},
{ timecode: 2427, handler: 'blob', id: 168, data: {text: 'surrounds you are young men and women who have been injured in war, who have been burnt up by IED blasts, who have been shot, and you’re the one that has to try to stick your hand in their chest '}},
{ timecode: 2440, handler: 'blob', id: 169, data: {text: 'to try to find the bullet to see if the bullet is still there. Can you imagine that? Now imagine that while you’re at home, you are on the brink of a divorce, losing the one whom you fell in '}},
{ timecode: 2455, handler: 'blob', id: 170, data: {text: 'love with, because you don’t know how to cope with everything that is going on. And imagine that when you get home, the only thing that you can see on the television are stories about other men '}},
{ timecode: 2467, handler: 'blob', id: 171, data: {text: 'and women who have served for their country who are committing suicide. Wait a minute! Just in the room next to you while in the Wounded Warrior Program you find that one of your good friends is now '}},
{ timecode: 2480, handler: 'blob', id: 172, data: {text: 'on drugs, who lost his wife, and is now being put out of the military. Trying to find a coping mechanism. You have another friend that is now pregnant by someone not her spouse because she found '}},
{ timecode: 2495, handler: 'blob', id: 173, data: {text: 'someone to help her deal with what she’s going through because her spouse is not there. Men and women, that soldier that I told you about, you’re looking at him. You have now come in '}},
{ timecode: 2511, handler: 'blob', id: 174, data: {text: 'direct contact with someone who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, who was diagnosed with severe anxiety and severe depression. The problem that many of us have is that it doesn’t '}},
{ timecode: 2525, handler: 'blob', id: 175, data: {text: 'bother us because we are not directly related to anyone that it is affecting. So we don’t take it as important, but believe me, that young man who just committed suicide or lost his life in '}},
{ timecode: 2538, handler: 'blob', id: 176, data: {text: 'April, who found out that his fiancé – who had a fiancé but found out that things weren’t going too well, who needed a family member and no one was there to support. He just lost his life. '}},
{ timecode: 2552, handler: 'blob', id: 177, data: {text: 'And guess what? We have to live with it. I have to live with that, and that hurts. It bothers me to see that when I came home, no one even bothered to say thank you for your service. And yet I come '}},
{ timecode: 2565, handler: 'blob', id: 178, data: {text: 'home and I look at the television, and all I see is murder. We’re taking purses from women and dragging them down the streets. Is this what our men and women fight for? They fight for our '}},
{ timecode: 2579, handler: 'blob', id: 179, data: {text: 'freedom. We sacrifice our lives that you might have the right to live, to vote, to eat, to sleep, to raise children. Can you imagine how that feels? I wanted to educate you and empower you because '}},
{ timecode: 2596, handler: 'blob', id: 180, data: {text: 'education, information is empowerment. But now I want to encourage you. Do not – you cannot afford to turn your back any longer. We cannot afford to close our eyes and act like it is not '}},
{ timecode: 2610, handler: 'blob', id: 181, data: {text: 'happening. We have to get to the point; you have to get to the point, ladies and gentlemen, where you stand up for your men and women who fight for you to be here. We need you! We need you! I have now '}},
{ timecode: 2627, handler: 'blob', id: 182, data: {text: 'made it a vow – I started Eagle Outreach Ministries, and this is not about me, but I started an organization so that I can make a difference. If I can just reach one soldier, one service member, '}},
{ timecode: 2639, handler: 'blob', id: 183, data: {text: 'black or white, to help make sure that they do not take their lives, that they can get off of drugs, that they can get off the alcohol, that they can save their marriage. We have to help at least one. '}},
{ timecode: 2652, handler: 'blob', id: 184, data: {text: 'I have to do my part. This is what we are trying to do, but I can’t do it alone. We all have to put our hands to the plow. My time is up! I only had a few minutes, but I hope I have done three '}},
{ timecode: 2669, handler: 'blob', id: 185, data: {text: 'things. I hope I have encouraged you, I hope I have educated you, and I hope, I hope and I pray that I have empowered you. Please, get involved. Make a difference. We need you. Do you hear me? We need '}},
{ timecode: 2686, handler: 'blob', id: 186, data: {text: 'you. If you will, please remember this address. There is information on the back table about my organization because I don’t have time to go through it. www.eagleoutreachministries.org. We are '}},
{ timecode: 2716, handler: 'blob', id: 187, data: {text: 'taking an abandoned house, and we are housing homeless veterans. Not only that we have made it a vow because of what I’ve been through where I was stationed to build an apartment complex so that '}},
{ timecode: 2729, handler: 'blob', id: 188, data: {text: 'we can bring the families together with the wounded service member so that not only the service member is getting support, which is the number one medicine that anybody needs is support. Thank you, '}},
{ timecode: 2740, handler: 'blob', id: 189, data: {text: 'yes, we need the medicine, but we need support. We need people to – we need to know that the ones that love us are there to help us. We have to bridge the gap. Do research. I’m telling '}},
{ timecode: 2752, handler: 'blob', id: 190, data: {text: 'you, it is out there. If you need information, I am taking my baby’s diaper money and I am traveling the United States of America to empower, to educate and to encourage. I have to. I '}},
{ timecode: 2767, handler: 'blob', id: 191, data: {text: 'don’t have any children, by the way. Not yet. But this is what I vow to do because we have to make a difference. Are you following me? www.eagleoutreachministries.org; you may contact me through '}},
{ timecode: 2781, handler: 'blob', id: 192, data: {text: 'there if you need information or if there is anything that I can say or do to help, please do not hesitate to give us a call. I encourage you also, as you’re doing what you’re doing where '}},
{ timecode: 2792, handler: 'blob', id: 193, data: {text: 'you can, help these small organizations to make a difference that are reaching out to our veterans. Do not overlook them just because they are just now getting started. They’re trying to make a '}},
{ timecode: 2803, handler: 'blob', id: 194, data: {text: 'difference, and they can do it with your help. God Bless You! REPRESENTATIVE JOE ARMSTRONG: Let’s thank this panel. I mean…! We are going to allow for questions, but first, we’re '}},
{ timecode: 2821, handler: 'blob', id: 195, data: {text: 'going to go to our satellite to allow them an opportunity. We can start with Representative Howard in South Carolina. REPRESENTATIVE HOWARD: Thank you. We now have time for one question and Miss Ava '}},
{ timecode: 2837, handler: 'blob', id: 196, data: {text: 'Brumfield will read that question. AVA BRUMFIELD: Yes, Ms. Malone and Mr. Montgomery talked about this a little bit. How does one get the mental facility or the VA and Vet Center to understand the '}},
{ timecode: 2852, handler: 'blob', id: 197, data: {text: 'importance of true family counseling when treating the patient or veteran? Especially when that patient or veteran lives with the family. Typically there are only family conferences to discuss the '}},
{ timecode: 2865, handler: 'blob', id: 198, data: {text: 'diagnosis and that tends to vary from what is seen by the family. Thank you. LAURA MALONE: I would suggest that you, whomever you are speaking with at the VA Medical Center, to request that your '}},
{ timecode: 2879, handler: 'blob', id: 199, data: {text: 'family members come with you to counseling. You can ask for family counseling. It doesn\'t just have to be about your medical diagnoses. You can request that. Use your rights and tell them you want '}},
{ timecode: 2892, handler: 'blob', id: 200, data: {text: 'that. If you don’t get what you need to go with the provider, go to your Patient Advocacy Office or see the Minority Veterans Coordinator. MICHAEL MONTGOMERY: One thing that we have to keep in '}},
{ timecode: 2905, handler: 'blob', id: 201, data: {text: 'mind is—is we have already heard that a lot of us, we come back and we won’t tell you that we need help. I’m telling you now, not only do we need the assistance and we need help but '}},
{ timecode: 2915, handler: 'blob', id: 202, data: {text: 'we need family support. So there it is. VA hospitals, we need family support. Get the family involved. Don’t allow it to be an option, make it necessary. It has to be because if not then we are '}},
{ timecode: 2930, handler: 'blob', id: 203, data: {text: 'not only going to lose our families but our children and our children’s children. We can’t afford to do that. REPRESENTATIVE JOE ARMSTRONG: Okay, we are going to move on to Mississippi, to '}},
{ timecode: 2943, handler: 'blob', id: 204, data: {text: 'Jackson Mississippi with Representative Billy Brumfield. REPRESENTATIVE BILLY BRUMFIELD: Thank you very much Mr. Chairman. We have one question. And that question is: what processes does the NBCSL '}},
{ timecode: 2961, handler: 'blob', id: 205, data: {text: 'have to assure that through the federal legislature that there are rehabilitative programs or debriefing-type programs set up for those who serve in Viet Nam, Iraq, and all of the other conflict areas '}},
{ timecode: 2987, handler: 'blob', id: 206, data: {text: 'where our young men and women have put their lives in harm\'s way. REPRESENTATIVE JOE ARMSTRONG: What I gather from the question is what type of debriefing programs possibly are in effect for people '}},
{ timecode: 3002, handler: 'blob', id: 207, data: {text: 'coming back in and also I think there’s a two part question asking what are we doing here at NBCSL in order to promote and to look at issues. I guess I can answer the first part of that is that '}},
{ timecode: 3015, handler: 'blob', id: 208, data: {text: 'we do have a resolution that’s in, that we will be looking at to adopt that has been proposed that is dealing with veterans affairs and PTSD. NATASHA ALLEN: On the veterans\' side, when the '}},
{ timecode: 3038, handler: 'blob', id: 209, data: {text: 'military personnel come back, there is a—for National Guard as well as they are creating it for reservists. It is called PDHRA, Post Deployment Readjustment Assessment. With that, is going '}},
{ timecode: 3055, handler: 'blob', id: 210, data: {text: 'through a mental health as well as a physical health assessment when their soldier is stateside, is back from deployment and has been back 30 days, 60 days, 90 days increments is when they provide '}},
{ timecode: 3072, handler: 'blob', id: 211, data: {text: 'pretty much these assessments for every troop that is returning. Right now, as I know of it, it\'s on the National Guard side as well as they have just started it with reservists. So as far as the '}},
{ timecode: 3089, handler: 'blob', id: 212, data: {text: 'other component, speaking about the Marines, or Navy, as well as Air Force I am unaware, as far as what is being done when they return back as well from deployment. LAURA MALONE: And with that there '}},
{ timecode: 3106, handler: 'blob', id: 213, data: {text: 'is also state and federal involvement in those programs. REPRESENTATIVE JOE ARMSTRONG: We are going to entertain one question from here. Do you recognize? Can you state your name for the record. '}},
{ timecode: 3117, handler: 'blob', id: 214, data: {text: 'THOMAS HARRIS: Yes, my name is Thomas Harris I am with the CBC Veterans Brain Trust and this question is to everybody, in particular the two VA employees. I would like to know, Dr. Stewart touched it '}},
{ timecode: 3132, handler: 'blob', id: 215, data: {text: 'briefly this morning, but I would like to know what part religion plays in the readjustment of the veterans that come through your organizations. Because I really feel that veterans are spiritually '}},
{ timecode: 3145, handler: 'blob', id: 216, data: {text: 'disconnected as well. And, I think that reconnection is important in their readjustment. NATASHA ALLEN: With the Vet Center, as far as we are - we have done some outreach at the various churches. I '}},
{ timecode: 3163, handler: 'blob', id: 217, data: {text: 'will be at your church next month. But just various churches to make people aware, the veterans aware, as well as, as I said the civilians as well about the services in general. The veterans benefits, '}},
{ timecode: 3179, handler: 'blob', id: 218, data: {text: 'whether it is claims, whether it is medical as well as psychological. Just letting them know what services are out here for them and to please seek it. Because if they don’t utilize it, I mean, '}},
{ timecode: 3195, handler: 'blob', id: 219, data: {text: 'it is just being wasted. And if anything, if the veteran, because I do mean veterans that choose it, they just do not want to deal with the federal government at all and the one thing I will tell '}},
{ timecode: 3206, handler: 'blob', id: 220, data: {text: 'them, if you don’t want the benefits at least allow your family members to receive those services. So that is what I can say as far as the Vet Center. LAURA MALONE: I do think there is a '}},
{ timecode: 3218, handler: 'blob', id: 221, data: {text: 'disconnect and I agree with you Mr. Harris. We have not done our best work with dealing with that part. But we do have a Chief of Chaplain Service now that is very involved in counseling. I see that '}},
{ timecode: 3233, handler: 'blob', id: 222, data: {text: 'as being a big change from what we have been doing in the past. And I, too, collaborate with VBA, VCA and the Vet Center to go out to the different churches to educate and make people aware. Not only '}},
{ timecode: 3247, handler: 'blob', id: 223, data: {text: 'the veteran but the family members. We were at an outreach a week or so ago and daughters of a Viet Nam veteran who was service connected but still having problems. They stood by their dad and made '}},
{ timecode: 3260, handler: 'blob', id: 224, data: {text: 'sure he filled out another application for service connected disabilities. By going out to these churches, we are educating and family members are taking advantage. MICHAEL MONTGOMERY: If I may make '}},
{ timecode: 3271, handler: 'blob', id: 225, data: {text: 'one comment on that. Even as an ordained minister, as well as a veteran, we have to get to the point where we step outside of the four walls of the church and do outreach, because a bit too often too '}},
{ timecode: 3287, handler: 'blob', id: 226, data: {text: 'many churches are too busy having church and they forget the purpose and the mission of the church. A lot of us, we\'re not gonna go to church and say "Hey, I need assistance, hey, I need counseling, '}},
{ timecode: 3297, handler: 'blob', id: 227, data: {text: 'hey, I need help.” That\'s why we have to get to the point where we soon take the church outside the four walls and go out in the byways, the highways, and the hedges and reach out to these '}},
{ timecode: 3306, handler: 'blob', id: 228, data: {text: 'veterans. LAURA MALONE: But I would like to add, I think I do that somewhat because I am a pastor\'s wife and before I became a pastor\'s wife, we were trying to educate not just from the job '}},
{ timecode: 3321, handler: 'blob', id: 229, data: {text: 'perspective but as a veteran we want to let veterans know, as many as possible, what they\'re entitled to. Certainly, all of my brother-in-laws I\'ve made sure that they know everything that I know '}},
{ timecode: 3332, handler: 'blob', id: 230, data: {text: 'about benefits and resources and I try to tell as many people as I can tell. I\'m nobody trying to tell everybody about veteran benefits and about somebody. REPRESENTATIVE JOE ARMSTRONG: All right, '}},
{ timecode: 3344, handler: 'blob', id: 231, data: {text: 'let\'s give this panel a hand, Natasha Allen, Laura Malone and Reverend Michael Montgomery, thank you so much.'}},
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