What is this Petition about? U.S. veteran care, economic wealth spread, and social justice. Not a smear campaign.

About the movement: "Every year, politicians take pictures and espouse the importance of honoring veterans, but many Americans believe they don’t actually do enough to take care of them. In the United States, the department of Veterans Affairs estimates that there are over 35,000 veterans experiencing homelessness on a single night. They’ve also acknowledged that over 120,000 veteran disability claims are blocked or completely lost in their system due to technical errors. This is all despite the fact that the U.S. spends more money on its military than the next nine countries combined. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are fighting for better care for veterans." - https://www.change.org/m/u-s-veteran-care?source_location=petition_page&source_event=movement_indicator&petition_id=13839278 Signing this Petition advocates for favorable policy changes in military benefits. 

Retirees & Veterans - The people and organizations listed below have exposed flaws in our vast benefit system. Having already fought for this country, now actively fighting for you and your families; benefits, rights, and social justice.

• Naomi Reynolds, 75 years of age, served during Vietnam-era. Listen to her on the "Living Ageless and Bold" podcast episode, speak on suffering silently for 44 years without her benefits claims being adjudicated properly. She is currently working alongside veterans and members of Congress for Woman's Rights and overall benefit improvements. "The Hidden Cost of Service: How The VA Is Failing Women Veterans"
  https://open.spotify.com/episode/4H3QVf7vlJ9ICUo5VMcfXa?si=tLvX3aDHQMW0Q4uD9765qQ Proposed Solution - Service members initial claims packages' adjudicated before termination of service.
• Kevin Reinholz, retired and receiving disability compensation, noticed through his own claims' process that the issues surrounding our military benefits went beyond his own frustrations. Since 2018 this Petition has accumulated 51,930 supporters. "Stop Penalizing Veterans Retired from the Military Due to Service‑Incurred Disabilities" https://www.change.org/p/senate-armed-services-committee-stop-penalizing-veterans-retired-from-the-military-due-to-service-incurred-disabilities?source_location=psf_petitions This further showcases that combating unjust or unfair policy may require individual efforts turned into a "combined spear head". 
• Veterans gathered to aide in protecting their benefits as well as future service members in Jan 2017. With assistance from Representative Maxine Waters, they were successful in introducing bill H.R.6362 - Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2023, to Congress in Nov.
  https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6362 Last action July, 2024, forwarded by subcommittee to full committee by voice vote. The Congressional Budge Office consistently recommends an age limit that would terminate TDIU payments at a specific age (e.g. 67 up)
  https://dav.quorum.us/campaign/55309/  11,382 severely affected families signed this Petition.
• Caregivers & veterans began Petition titled, "Disabled Veterans And Caregivers Need Lasting Protection" https://greatergood.com/blogs/petitions/veteran-caregiver-support-petition?_pos=3&_psq=disabled+veterans&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Senator Jerry Moran - Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Introduced  legislation, with 349 petitioners that have had enough. https://www.veterans.senate.gov/2026/1/chairman-moran-introduces-legislation-to-permanently-authorize-va-program-to-support-disabled-veterans-their-caregivers
• Petition starter James Humphrey, "Stop Failing Military Sexual Assault Survivors", currently 7,955 petitioners have signed up. https://www.change.org/p/pass-h-r-7976-stop-failing-military-sexual-assault-survivors?source_location=search Representative Salud Carbajal, on March 18, 2026 sponsored bill H.R.7976 - Moral Injury Recognition & Restitution Act. Last action April 2026, referred to the Subcommittee on Health. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7976 

Veterans, Family & Friends - In effort to help connect veterans with meaningful opportunities and support networks, listed are active event centers via https://www.usvetconnect.com/ 

AZ: BattlefieldtoBackwoods https://www.battlefieldtobackwoods.com/  Veterans participate in outdoor retreats, outdoor hunting, and fishing.

AK: Samaritan's Purse https://www.samaritanspurse.org/education-2/operation-heal-our-patriots/ Military couples must meet specific requirements such as PTSD or TBI or combat related experiences, and after a paid flight, willing to spend a week in Alaska. Over the week expect marriage resiliency training led by veteran chaplains. Additional opportunity to provide spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. 

CA: VetsBoat https://www.vetsboats.org/ Veterans can gain therapeutic experience and learn from basic seaman skills to advanced sailing.

Canada: 10Can Inc https://www.10can.org/ Veterans address physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, through relationship-focused outdoor adventure and therapeutic programs.

CO: 10Can Inc https://www.10can.org/ Veterans address physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, through relationship-focused outdoor adventure and therapeutic programs. & Veterans Expeditions VetEx https://www.vetexpeditions.com/ Veteran-led expeditions to include; mountaineering , mountain biking, backpacking, kayaking, fishing.

FL: 10Can Inc https://www.10can.org/ Veterans address physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, through relationship-focused outdoor adventure and therapeutic programs. & Operation Art of Valor https://moreanartscenter.org/operationartofvalor/ Veterans pop in Sunday mornings 8am-Noon to meet the group. The Morean Arts Center has expanded from glassblowing to include photography and ceramics, allowing veterans to creatively self-express outside of clinical care. & Soldiers Freedom Outdoors https://soldiersfreedomoutdoors.org/ Veterans can attend weekend retreats, woodworking, blacksmithing, bee keeping, horse riding, and more.

KS: War Horses For Veterans https://www.warhorsesforveterans.org/  Service members can join the DoD SkillBridge program. Veterans are offered one or five day programs to learn horse riding with encouraged comradery.

MA:  F.R.O.S.T. Call https://www.frostcall.org/ In state only veterans connect over common interest in video and tabletop games. They also conduct gaming events and for those not in state, a Discord community http://www.frostcall.org/discord

MD: Lucky and Blessed Fishing https://www.labfishing.org/ Veterans take this volunteer opportunity to help youth as well as adults with disabilities fish and participate within their program. & Valhalla Sailing https://www.valhallasailing.org/  Veterans here learn basic sail skills and can work towards their goals of racing, cruising, or living abroad.

ME: Pineland Farms https://pinelandfarms.org/  Veterans can hike, bike, ski, sled, skate, and more. Air travel reimbursement available. 

MO: The Healing Box via FB and Google, veterans in the program are gifted guitars and lessons. https://www.soundclick.com/davedunklee & Charlie 22 Outdoors https://charlie22outdoors.com/  Veterans participate in monthly bible studies, fish, and outdoor shooting ranges in collaboration with Black Rain Ordnance. & Peterson Outdoors Ministries https://www.petersonoutdoors.org/ Veterans offered faith-based outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, kayaking, nature walks and rest. Includes groups specifically tailored to woman.

MS: Soldiers Freedom Outdoors https://soldiersfreedomoutdoors.org/ Veterans can attend weekend retreats, woodworking, blacksmithing, bee keeping, horse riding, and more.

NC: Outdoor Wellness Group https://outdoorwellnessgroup.com/ Veterans-led, professionally guided, challenging outdoor rock-climbing expeditions for service members and veterans. These therapeutic adventures last five days total Mon-Fri. & Eagle Rock National Center https://eaglerocknational.org/ Veterans are provided with faith-based, family-centered retreats that address the hidden wounds of military service. Additionally they provide opportunities to volunteer.

OH: Boots on the Trail https://www.bootsonthetrail.org/  Veterans participate in ecotherapy, additional State Park lodging available. Find VFW posts, American Legion, and AMVETS chapters in Southeast Ohio via https://www.bootsonthetrail.org/traditional-veterans-organizations

OK: 10Can Inc https://www.10can.org/ Veterans address physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, through relationship-focused outdoor adventure and therapeutic programs.

PA: Side By Side With Veterans https://www.facebook.com/Sidebysidewithveterans/ Their organizations helps veterans with combat PTSD through our passion of Dirt Bikes and ATVs with Adrenaline Therapy. They can also assist with home repairs, medical bills, and job placement.

TX: Train a Dog Save a Warrior https://tadsaw.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/trainadogsaveawarrior Veterans gain occupational, physical, psychotherapeutic, and spiritual therapy. 

WY: 10Can Inc https://www.10can.org/ Veterans address physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, through relationship-focused outdoor adventure and therapeutic programs.

Multi-located: Vet Tix https://www.vettix.org/visitor/home They help military and veterans get tickets to all kinds of events. & One More Wave https://onemorewave.com/ Active duty and veterans are welcome to attend their nearest coastal location for varied surfing experiences. Such as participating in the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships https://usopenadaptivesurfingchampionships.com Disabled veterans with surfing experience are encouraged to apply for a gear grant, build a custom board, then join their community and partake. & Samaritan's Purse https://samaritanspurse.org/ This international relief program, founded in 1970, with veterans assistance, provides spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Heroes on the Water https://heroesonthewater.org/chapters/chapters-events/ Veterans, first responders, and their families first find the program located closest to you. Once attending you are provided with a community and means to wellness through kayaking, fishing, and nature. https://www.youtube.com/@HeroesontheWater/videos

Spouses - The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) provides financial support to military spouses and/or children when a military member dies while on duty or after retirement. The amount of the SBP benefit is a percentage of retired pay. The percentage depends upon whether the member chooses full or reduced coverage at the time of election (generally at retirement or at 20-year qualification). SBP provides up to 55 percent of a service member's retired pay to an eligible beneficiary upon the death of the member. Election to decline or reduce coverage at retirement is irrevocable, regardless of rationale. After the service member passes away, the SBP annuity is paid out monthly to the surviving spouse, or to the child or children of the member. Biannual newsletter https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/newsevents/news/Survivor-SBP-Newsletter/ It was only Jan 1, 2023 Congress enacted changes to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) that eliminated the offset (reduction) to SBP annuity payments for surviving spouses who are also receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). Further showcasing how out of date our total benefits packages' are.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monetary benefit offered by the VA to survivors of service members and retirees whose death results from only service-related injury or disease. DIC also punishes those who separated for any amount of time or if they remarried after age 55, payments will end. This does not consider long term compensation for the children of the deceased service member. These types of claims' are also included in the 100,00 - 600,000 "waiting room" requiring cleanup. https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/survivors/Understanding-SBP-DIC-SSIA/

When your family transitions/transitioned from out of military life, you may want or need to get back into the workforce. The Adecco Group U.S. Foundation created "It's My Turn - Veteran Military Spouse Career Program". This virtual program is free, 12 weeks long, led by a certified career coach from LHH, a global leader in this space. You will; discover values, interest, strengths, and learning how to upskill or reskill. Applications open July 8, 2026 and close August 7, 2026 and only 25 applicants will be accepted. https://www.adeccogroupfoundationus.org/its-my-turn/ 

Families & Supporters - Please share with anyone you know that has been displaced due to VA processing. 

The VA claims to; "... reduce processing times for both Veteran disability claims and pension and survivor benefits... VA work is paying off for Veterans" https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-announces-major-improvements-in-benefits-processing-and-delivery/

March 2013 - March 2026 At any given time between 100,000 - 600,000 veterans claims for financial compensation were long overdue. The majority of ailments claimed or not, are painful reminders of sacrifice, documented in medical records & vocational assessments. Veterans such as myself suffer immensely on all fronts - economically, socially, professionally, and personally. We are faced with a myriad of mental and physical injuries and request reform. https://www.benefits.va.gov/reports/mmwr_va_claims_backlog.asp

We ask the decision makers listed below to hear our voices and take our service seriously.  I ask that veterans/families who've applied for compensation under the "military benefits" umbrella, that had not experienced hiccups throughout their individual process, do not discount the unknown number of veterans/families who do. You thank them by signing up for this Petition Today!

@call_me_taijo

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