Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki announced Aug. 14 that 28 additional vet centers will be established next year across 19 states and American Samoa to address the growing need for readjustment counseling and other assistance for combat veterans. “VA is committed to providing high-quality outreach and readjustment counseling to all combat veterans,” said Shinseki. Already, the VA operates 232 community-based centers across the 50 states. They provide veterans with mental health screening and post-traumatic stress disorder counseling as well as counseling for veterans and family of fallen veterans on employment, family issues, and education, all at no cost. (VA release, including list of locations of the new vet centers)
The U.S. sent Air Force F-16s over central Syria in a show of force following the Dec. 13 killing of two U.S. Army Soldiers and one American civilian interpreter by a gunman linked to the Islamic State group.
