Earlier this summer, we told you about how Congress was poised to let the Special Immigrant Visa program die, and thus, abandon America's allies to be killed by the very enemies we asked them to help us fight. As Americans and Veterans, we knew we could not let such a dishonor occur. We decided to fight back. Over the summer, we have worked with an alliance of veterans and veteran organizations to help organize a letter to Congress. It is my honor today to inform you that earlier, we delivered the letter to Congress, urging them to renew and extend the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. Hundreds of thousands of veterans, representing every branch of service in every American conflict dating back to World War II have joined Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, former Chairmen and members of the Joint Chiefs, numerous wartime commanders, and other general and flag officers in adding their signatures to the following letter: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9eVxgGidT3UTXFyM0ZhTHZkUXJNOVpENHhCSXJMZTlURHZJ Additionally, several joined together to make the following video to help educate Congress and the American people on our obligation to our wartime allies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwmMviIBpwg&feature=youtu.be Please help us spread awareness our cause by telling people to go to nooneleft.org/savethesiv . Together we will honor our obligation and keep America's promise.  -Cheers, Matt   Below, please find the associated Press Release:   PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Veterans call on Congress to renew and extend the Special Immigration Visa Program.   Washington, D.C. – An alliance of veterans and veteran organizations sent a letter to each Member of Congress today, urging them to renew and extend the Afghanistan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. Hundreds of thousands of veterans, representing every branch of service in every American conflict dating back to World War II have joined Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, former Chairmen and members of the Joint Chiefs, numerous wartime commanders, and other general and flag officers in adding their signatures to the letter. Additionally, several joined together to make the following video to help educate Congress and the American people on our obligation to our wartime allies:ou translators left behind. They also deserve to be here. People who served our nation in wartime should be welcomed home as veterans and heroes,” said Matt Zeller, co-founder and CEO of No One Left Behind, a non-profit dedicated to getting America’s military translators and other wartime allies their promised visas and helping them resettle in the United States with housing, employment, language, and cultural integration assistance.   Signatories of today’s letter include:   Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America   International Refugee Assistance Project   No One Left Behind   Truman National Security Project   Veterans for American Ideals   Vietnam Veterans of America General John R. Allen, USMC (Ret.) General Bryan D. Brown, USA (Ret.) General George W. Casey, Jr., USA (Ret.) General Peter W. Chiarelli, USA (Ret.) General Richard H. Cody, USA (Ret.) General James T. Conway, USMC (Ret.) Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, USN (Ret.) General Montgomery C. Meigs, USA (Ret.) General Stanley A. McChrystal, USA (Ret.) Admiral William H. McRaven, USN (Ret.) General Richard B. Myers, USAF (Ret.) General H. Hugh Shelton, USA (Ret.) Lieutenant General David W. Barno, USA (Ret.) Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV, USA (Ret.) Lieutenant General Charles T. Cleveland, USA (Ret.) Lieutenant General Frank Helmick, USA (Ret.) Lieutenant General Mark P. Hertling, USA (Ret.) Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. USN (Ret.) Vice Admiral Joseph McGuire, USN (Ret.) Lieutenant General Charles Otstott, USA (Ret.) Lieutenant General William P. Tangney, USA (Ret.) Major General Juan G. Ayala, USMC (Ret.) Major General John batiste, USA (Ret.) Major General Kenneth R. Bowra, USA (Ret.) Major General Paul D. Eaton, USMC (Ret.) Major General David L. Grange, USA (Ret.) Major General Edward M. Reeder, Jr., USA (Ret.) Major General Sydney Shachnow, USA (Ret.) Major General Leroy N. Suddath, Jr., USA (Ret.) Brigadier General Rhonda Cornum, USA (Ret.) Brigadier General Gary M. Jones, USA (Ret.) Brigadier General Murray G. Sagsveen, USA (Ret.) Sergeant Gary Beikirch, USA      Medal of Honor Recipient Captain Florent Groberg, USA (Ret.),      Medal of Honor Recipient Ambassador James F. Jeffrey  Since 9/11, the U.S. has relied upon local nationals to support its overseas operations. These interpreters, contractors, and other allies are a critical component to military and diplomatic efforts. They have saved Americans lives and kept Americans safe here at home.  An estimated 30,000 Afghan and Iraqi allies are threatened and killed because of their support of the U.S. Currently, their only option for safety is the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). Unfortunately, this is the first year where Congress has not approved enough visas for Afghan interpreters waiting to come to the U.S. The State Department has reported that 7,800 of our allies are currently waiting and the visas will run out unless Congress takes action.    As concerned veterans, we urge Congress to act now. Our allies can’t wait, and they need our help.    © No One Left Behind P.O. Box 3641, Merrifield, VA 22116Tax ID: 47-125-1659 http://nooneleft.org/  |  info@nooneleft.org