Suffolk demographically provides for a large percentage of these patriots.April 11, 2009 SUFFOLK VA NEWS -- Hampton Roads possesses the largest concentration of active, reserve, and veteran military personnel in Virginia, and it is common knowledge that Suffolk also demographically provides for a large percentage of these patriots. The evidence can be plainly seen in both social and economic functions throughout the community of Suffolk. Moreover, community oriented businesses' recognize the impact and contributions that this social group provides socially, politically, and economically, which can be viewed in Suffolk's construction, retail trade, entertainment, and service sectors. Many of these businesses provide discount programs to show their appreciation and support for active and veteran military service personnel and their families sacrifice to our nations defense. In addition, community oriented businesses' recognize the benefits of having a readily skilled labor pool at their disposal. By far, United States veterans provide the best labor force for any business. These individuals process proven discipline and real world experience, and all come ready trained in first aid and safety. Furthermore, the majority of these individuals are skilled in technical and administrative occupations (49% and 35% respectively), which means they can easily assimilate new technology as needed when companies acquire new equipment assets. However, the sacrifice made by this newest generation of active and veteran American service personnel has taken its toll. So, now more than ever we need to recognize their sacrifice and help these people in as many ways as we can. Yesterday, in Richmond, Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine announced the award of $1.7 million in grants to veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves not on active duty who are suffering from combat-related head injuries and stress disorders. The funding is provided by the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program to coalitions of community programs. Approximately 20% of military service personnel who have returned from deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan, reported symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, and roughly 19% may have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI). The most common brain injury among military service members, TBI occurs from a blow or blast wave to the head as a result of IED explosions in the battlefield. According to the U.S. Army, between 45,000 and 90,000 troops have been treated for traumatic brain injury symptoms which range from headaches and vision problems to a comatose state. Other symptoms include loss of balance and short-term memory, difficulty concentrating, ringing in the ears, headaches, seizures, irritability, and sleep problems. Symptoms can last for hours, days, or years and re-injury often causes permanent brain damage. Furthermore, left untreated, these injuries can worsen, affecting the veteran's ability to function, impacting work performance and family life. Therefore, employers need to pay special attention to their U.S. veteran military employees for symptoms of these injuries and bring attention to this problem affecting our veteran military service men and women. Suggested methods for employers to covey post traumatic stress disorder or TBI information awareness is through health & safety bulletins focusing on these two illnesses. An alternative method is by promoting available U.S. Military Veterans programs:
Finally, I cannot emphasize enough the debt we owe our country's U.S. Military personnel and veterans. Furthermore, we encourage Suffolk VA, businesses to develop your own form of reward programs to honor our brave active military and veterans who substantially contribute to Suffolk, Virginia's community. # # # |
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