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 The last day for Massachusetts residents to register to vote in the Nov. 4 presidential election is Wednesday, Oct. 15. Out of town that day? Apply for an absentee ballot at your town or city clerk's office.
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Williamstown Town Clerk: 413-458-9341 |
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State Commission to Study War Effect on Returning Servicemen - April 18, 2008
BOSTON – Gov. Deval Patrick has signed legislation creating a panel to
study and investigate the mental health effects of war residents returning from active duty.
A study released this week by the Rand Corp. estimates that 300,000 U.S. troops are suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We cannot allow the brave men and women who serve our country to struggle with treatable mental health problems," said Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, who chairs the Governor's Advisory Council on Veteran Services. "This administration is committed to ensuring that our veterans are cared for completely. We have already started to put the necessary supports in place including the recent launch of the Statewide Advocacy for Veterans' Empowerment program, and now, through this commission."
The Commission to Study the Hidden Wounds of War on Returning Massachusetts Service Members will also establish a mental health treatment program for National Guard members, a state military family leave policy for caregivers and a statewide education training program to assist first-responders in recognizing the early warning signs of the disorder. The Department of Veterans Services SAVE team is currently in the early stages of training first-responders.
"At a time when our Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans are returning not only with physical injuries, but with many unseen, hard to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorders and traumatic brain injuries, we will stand with our veterans and their families to ensure the veterans are treated with the dignity and respect they have earned," said Department of Veterans Services Secretary Tom Kelley.
The Patrick-Murray administration worked collaboratively with Rep. Anthony Verga, D-Gloucester, and Sen. Thomas McGee, D-Lynn, as well as other legislative leaders to establish the commission.
The governor will appoint five members to the15-member panel. Other members will include Kelley, the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, the commissioner of probation and representatives from the state Senate and House, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Massachusetts Veterans Service Officers Association, the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association and the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.
"I applaud the governor for recognizing the need to take legislative action to provide the best possible mental health care to soldiers,” said Rep.Anthony Verga, D-Gloucester, House chairman of the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee and chief sponsor of House Bill 4526.
"Our men and women returning from war in Iraq and Afghanistan have faced incredible challenges abroad, and will also be faced with incredible challenges at home," said Sen. Thomas McGee, D-Lynn. "We know that many soldiers coming back struggle with emotional and psychological wounds, in addition to physical ones." |
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