certainly my honor to joint leader policy and senator leno, the veterans administration, the doctor, chief suhr, and are homeless coordinator for the city. bobbi, i wanted to make sure that you knew this city and county of san francisco, my administration, we're absolutely not firmly committed to ending homelessness for our veterans by 2015. no doubt here. no doubt here. [applause] i am here in ottawa celebrate the additional beds, which are absolutely needed, but they're also want to make sure i say this -- people who have served in our armed forces, thank you very much. to wipe everything you have done but you have been there for us. it is a return to be here for you. -- thank you for everything you have done. thank you for your service to our country. [applause] our work at the local level, as dr. jesse mentioned, is in coordination with our regional partners, our federal partners, and we all, as mentioned earlier, have to do this together. that is why we have had great partnerships with our social service teams, our state -- are salvation army, and our chinese community developmen

cathy cooke, is a veteran's case manager. john, the administrative assistant. then we have lainie and judy. lainie and judy ar ethe the p.r people for the va incidents -- and the salvation army. thank you. we have people from the state department of veterans affairs. please stand. thank you. [applause] then we have the d.a. case workers, the chief of social work, joanne peters. please stand. we cannot do this without you. [applause] i want to do a special shop out -- shoult out to john walter, our outreach worker at the va. some job descriptions set all other duties as assigned, he got the assignment of our reach as well. margie from the va and jeff joseph, thank you for being here. [applause] oh, wow. i am so used to my boss, the visiting director, sheila c ohen. we traveled together for three days. she is the visiting director. [applause] we were doing and out each event in hawaii. i think announced to as a homeless coordinator. we also have the chief operating officer for the division here. [applause] last but not least is my deputy. thank you for being here.

reduction of department of defense survivor benefit plan annuity offset dollar-for-dollar by the veterans administration's annuity amount coming from the dependency and indemnity compensation which comes from the department of veterans affairs. now, senator inhofe has joined us and he had filed a stand-alone bill, and i joined him on that, s. 260, and it's cosponsored -- get this -- by 49 senators. the senate has supported eliminating this offset for years and i hope that in the senate on this defense authorization bill, we're going to remain steadfast in support of the military widows and the family members. why? because the survivor benefit plan is an optional program for military retirees offered by the defense department it's like an insurance plan. military retirees pay premiums out of their retirement pay to ensure that their survivors will have adequate support when that retired military person passes away. for many retirees, reasonably priced insurance from the public marketplace is not available due to their service-related disabilities and their health issues, and, thus, the reason for this insu

are the people to talk to. >> but the influx of veterans returning home from the war the veterans administrationirs medical centers across the country provide specialized medical care to more than 8.3 million veterans. robin homes as a veteran in this on the va patients advisory committee. >> having a dramatic head injuries pt esty, they're coming back with so many service connected issues that they have to be traded. this is a service that we put our lives on >> the va is home to the largest health-care system and the u.s.. the current economic conditions provided veterans no other choice of where to receive care so they are choosing to come to the va more than they happen to pass pierre >> and army base in atlanta for mcpherson recently closed and there now converting the base into a new medical facility, an atlanta the v.a. medical center is packed with people, a process of building their second parking garage in just the past two years, he described his first visit to the va center as a nightmare appeared after driving around for more than one hour trying to find a parking spaces car was eve

for children and families, the department of defense, the department of justice, and the veterans administration, and hrsa, so that we deal with trauma across the board. we want it to be in primary care settings. we want people asking about it. and then we want to make sure we have a workforce that's skilled enough to begin to do something about it. and we are very glad that you have enlightened our audience related to this topic. i want to remind our audience that national recovery month is celebrated every september, and we're hoping that you engage and be visible and vocal during this month by hosting events and also be engaged, not only with the family, but with those that are in recovery. i want to thank you for being here, and it was a very good show. thank you. for a copy of this program or other programs in the road to recovery series, call samhsa at 1-800-662-help, or order online at recoverymonth.gov and click multimedia. every september, national recovery month provides an opportunity for communities like yours to raise awareness of substance use and mental health problems to highligh

, we were told -- at first, the veteran's administration was a source of hostility of the vietnam veteransresenting them. they were part of the problem, but eventually, they came under much more enlightened leadership in relationship to vietnam veterans, and a very talented man crated it, and it turned out to be extremely helpful, and he had the kindness to say iraq groups were a model for that larger program. we couldn't reach many people, but he could reach hundreds of thousands of people, and so i think with -- you know, i have no great -- i have not worked presently with veterans of afghanistan and iraq, and i deeply feel for them in terms of what they have been through, and i think they probably require, to put it generally, some combination of that kind of therapeutic work. their symptoms shouldn't be swallowed in medication entirely. they need to speak out about what they have been through, and they need not only understanding voices, but voices committed to combating the destructiveness of what they have been through. i don't mean people who have to be as antiwar as i am, but you d

and, yes, in the veterans administration we were told that -- first the veterans administration was a source of hostility of the veteran -- vietnam veterans resented them. they were part of the problem but eventually they came under much more eplightened leadership in relationship to vietnam veterans and a man i knew at yale, sierra talented man took over a outreach program and really created it and it turned out to be extremely helpful and he had the kindness to say that our rap groups had been kind of a model for that larger program. we couldn't reach very many people but he could reach hundred dollars of thousands of people. so i think with -- i have no great -- i haven't worked directly with present veterans of afghanistan and iraq. and i deeply feel for them in terms of what they've been through. i think they probably require at least to put it generally some combination of that kind of therapeutic work. their symptoms shouldn't be swallowed in medication entirely. they need to speak out about what they've been through. and they need not only psychologically understanding voices

. >> the veterans administration says 23 million veterans are living in the united states. >>> in contrata county a few dozen people marked veterans' day at the lafayette crosses. with a vigil that included candlelight, music and speeches. this was the fifth veterans' day vigil sense the crosses were erected on the hillside. >>> north carolina celebrating this weekend after historic veterans' day basketball win against michigan state. the win is historic because it happened on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier carl vinson in san diego. it's being called the carrier classic and it's the first ever college basketball game played on an aircraft carrier. 7,000 people attended the game, including president obama, the first lady and several others. >>> fun to watch! and glad to see the rain stayed away from that game. there was a threat of some precipitation down in san diego. we did receive it here yesterday but it's all clearing out? >> we did, and it took awhile to clear out. even the overnight hours still a little light rain but it has moved south giving you a live look at san jose t

. >> former loems veteran started the shelter in a partner swhip a veteran's administration providingbuilding and grant money. now, va says 150 residents here must move out by the end of december. the building will be torn down because it is unsafe. those close-knit veterans don't want to leave. ed mack fought in vietnam. >> this is a clean and sober environment. we're going to lose that. that is the worst thing that can happen now. >> among these here, a world war ii veteran, 95 years old. >> it's real hard to beat the procedure that they have get people that are really in desperate need. >> today, social workers visited to begin relocating them to other facilities. >> none of them, none of them will end up on the street. >> veterans are skeptical. >> promises are made to be kbrong. now, it's been broken. >> the va spokes spernz they've extended a deadline over several years. now, this is it. but there is one ray of hope for the residents. er win says he's found an apartment building could house most of the vets. he's hoping to close the deal by march. we asked him if the va could ex

mortgages backed by the veterans administration. line, it's expected to pass the house later next week. >>> it is 6:44. a veterans group says more and more vietnam veterans are returning for visits. the emotional story is coming up. >>> that's worth sticking around for. plus, lp you keepewice to help you ke aeye onepr home y. . >> we are tracking the storm for you. spotty showers still continue in oakland through san francisco and san bruno. take ha look at what's headed our way through the next couple of hours. deep band of moisture moves onshore. right now starting to see that push onshore at the immediate coast of marin county. expect the next few hours to get dicey by the coast. the cut-off low we've been telling you about is starting to dig south. as it pushing south, it's pushing a deep band of moisture along the coast, so as we head throughout the next couple of hours, starting to get dice sigh around here. could pick up half an inch to an inch of rainfall before we wake up saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. the good news is as we

then it works with the veterans administration to give them away at no cost. texas, ooze one of the houses that just got donated. kris? >> reporter: they are beautiful, harris. this is a four-bedroom, 270-square foot home donated to a very deserving soldier by the group called homes for our troops. now, former marine daniel ghastca and his family received the keys to their brand new house just last night. he is a husband, and a father. he's also a double amputee who lost both of his legs while serving in fallujah, iraq in 2008. he and his fellow marines were hit with an i.e.d. out on patrol there. here is how he described his new home. >> this is my little mention. it's my place. it's not only my family's, my wife and my kids. a place where i can see my kids grow up in this house and bring independence back, go in the kitchen, go in the closet, go in my kids' room which i couldn't do before in my wheelchair. >> keep in mind, homes in the market are rarely if ever handicap accessible. homes for our troops actually builds houses with wider door frames for exampl

when they are asking for the purposes of the veterans ad -- administration, they want you to confirm information, these military families need to not give it. you have to remember, they are not going to call and ask that ainformation. another big one is making things too good to be true, and that would be potentially alone, potentially a job. because you are a veteran, a government contractor wants to give you that. >> so what should people do then? >> it is so simple. protect your identity. don't give information. protect your finances. meaning, safe card your credit report, et cetera. companies and charities. charities also collect information and then the name of veterans. put a firewall, anti-virus all kinds of things on there. >> when in doubt, don't give any information over the phone. >> it is sad. >> thank you for joining us this morning. i appreciate it. if you would like more information, go to our web site at www.wbaltv.com. up next, we have answers to your pet questions. don't go away. switching to progressive could mean hundreds more in your wallet year after year. feed

the obama administration said veterans who served after 9/11 are unemployed. >>> herman cane used lat night's debate to defend himself about the accusations. >> the american people deserve somebody better than being tried based on unfounded accusations. >> they should not help u.s. banks at risk of losing millions. >> texas governor rick perry needed help when he was asked about three level cabinets he would like to see cut. >> commerce, education and the -- what is the third one, let's see -- >> well, mitt romney i will nateed -- eliminated them. he said he has no plans on dropping out of the race. >>> microsoft will hope a web bond cutting ceremony. microsoft will also get software to some profit legislation. >>> there is a glimmerrer of hope the lock out may soon come to an end. negotiations resume after meeting for nearly 12 hours yesterday. the commissioner david stern says the league has now stopped the clock. the mood has changed dramatically since the allot made tim or they would get 'offer that with in -- that would be a lot worse. >>> wilson ramos was reportedly kidnapedfrom

i've been going to the veterans administration for a long time with my father. d the honor to talk to a lot of iraqi and afghanistan veterans. the other day i talked to a double amputee. we do not go in our discussions anywhere they do not want to go. it's incredibly sad what these young people have been through and that the american public are basically in the dark about what they have been through. for me, personally, i was against both innovations -- both invasions. at the same time, i do support our troops. i know young people get sent to wars often -- in this case, based on false allegations in regard to iraq. i do think the american public needs to have compassion, really needs to go out there and find out what they've been through and really support them, if they can. host: kathleen, a question for you. if you believe americans do not pay attention, what are the consequences for us from a national debate or policy perspective? caller: in talking to these it keeps the rest of the american public in a bubble about what really went on. and media, not c-span,

according to the veterans administration, there are more than 3,500 primary caregivers in the countryr own lives on hold to take care of others. at the event that is very close to my heart, the stand up for heroes celebration here in new york, we had a chance to give back to some of the remarkable families who have all sacrificed so much for their country. it was a rare moment of indulgence for some of these women, who are ordinarily away from the spotlight. >> she gets to feel beautiful and just have some normalcy back. >> reporter: for sisters carla and bernadette, this week's stand up for heroes event in new york city, rolled out the red carpet for wounded veterans and their caregivers. >> normal chores are a hassle. and it becomes very difficult to function on a daily basis. >> if she needs me to remember for her, then that's what i'm here for. >> reporter: 140 veterans and their families rubbing elbows with stars like bruce springsteen. ♪ we're going to rock this joint ♪ >> reporter: ricky gervais. and jon stewart. >> what's happening? >> reporter: many getting the star treatment

according to the veterans administration, there are more than 3,500 primary caregivers in the country hold to take care of others. at the event that is very close to my heart, the stand up for heroes celebration here in new york, we had a chance to give back to some of the remarkable families who have all sacrificed so much for their country. it was a rare moment of indulgence for some of these women, who are ordinarily away from the spotlight. >> she gets to feel beautiful and just have some normalcy back. >> reporter: for sisters carla and bernadette, this week's stand up for heroes event in new york city, rolled out the red carpet for wounded veterans and their caregivers. >> normal chores are a hassle. and it becomes very difficult to function on a daily basis. >> if she needs me to remember for her, then that's what i'm here for. >> reporter: 140 veterans and their families rubbing elbows with stars, like bruce springsteen. ♪ we're going to rock this joint ♪ >> reporter: ricky gervais. and jon stewart. >> what's happening? >> reporter: many getting the star treatment themselves.

. >> reporter: the veterans administration says that they expect that 10% to 20% of people who are serving for a long time and what they're seeing now is that people with ptsd can you actually see the changes in the brain when you do imaging studies. and the problem here is that sometimes these symptoms don't show up immediately. it can take months or years for these symptoms to show up so veterans are returning from iraq an afghanistan, what kinds of things do their families look for? here are some signs that your loved one might be suffering from ptsd. if the veteran is reliving the trauma, feeling that horror over an over again, that's a sign. but so is avoiding any reminders whatsoever of the trauma. also, feeling numb or feeling jittery, both of those are signs of ptsd. certain people are more likely to get ptsd than others. having been in a combat situation is one of them, having come from a dysfunctional family in childhood, also lack of emotional support when you get home, that's another risk factor that a veteran can develop ptsd. unfortunately, 4 out of 5 veterans don't seek help

under an interpretation by the department of veterans administration, veterans who have a fiduciary appointed are often deemed -- quote, unquote -- "mentally defective" and are then consequently reported to the f.b.i.'s nics system and, consequently, prohibited from purchasing a firearm. under the nics improvement act -- and that was a bipartisan bill with unintended consequences, this happened: around 114,000 veterans and their beneficiaries have been automatically denied their second amendment rights. it is a terrible irony that veterans, who have served their country on the battlefield, who have been entrusted with our national security and have been provided firearms by their very government, are the same people that the nics improvement act harms by taking away their second amendment rights, all without a hearing or formal adjudication. now, we just honored -- celebrated veterans day last friday. yet we are possibly going to be debating new legislation to restrict the second amendment rights of citizens without fixing the unintended consequences of our last major gun law -- that nics imp

veterans. the obama administration estimates 200,000 troops. the big is part of obama's jobs package. >>> tomorrow veterans all across the country will be honored but tonight there was an emotional preevent. lloyd lacuesta is in san jose and tells us how all of the veterans who were in tonight shared one thing in common. >> i'm at the veterans veterans memorial where a number of events is planned for tomorrow. but there are some veterans who can not guilty march in our parade. >> these are the wounded warriors, some have lost wind, some have lost their sight. all sack fied for their country. >> 20 years later i've lost my left leg. >> what is next? this may says he's treated them to a dinner, a shaw juriture but appreciated by vietnam. >> we weren't the most welcomed people. i hope the heros over there fighting today are being welcomed back good. >> those younger veterans chose not to come tonight. the oldest veterans appreciate them. >> when you're in the hospital and you see some of these wonderful children from my rack and i ran after fan sta

veterans. the obama administration estimates 200,000 troops. the big is part of obama's jobs package. >>> tomorrow veterans all across the country will be honored but tonight there was an emotional preevent. lloyd lacuesta is in san jose and tells us how all of the veterans who were in tonight shared one thing in common. >> i'm at the veterans veterans memorial where a number of events is planned for tomorrow. but there are some veterans who can not guilty march in our parade. >> these are the wounded warriors, some have lost wind, some have lost their sight. all sack fied for their country. >> 20 years later i've lost my left leg. >> what is next? this may says he's treated them to a dinner, a shaw juriture but appreciated by vietnam. >> we weren't the most welcomed people. i hope the heros over there fighting today are being welcomed back good. >> those younger veterans chose not to come tonight. the oldest veterans appreciate them. >> when you're in the hospital and you see some of these wonderful children from my rack and i ran after fan sta

for example, the explicit government guarantees that the federal housing at veteran administration provide preflight policymakers judgment as to the public benefits from targeting certain eligible borrowers with those programs. acknowledging that there will be a role for government, next question is what type of structure is necessary to replace the activities currently undertaken by the enterprises. there's seems to be relatively broad agreement that the government-sponsored enterprise model of the past or private sector companies for providing certain benefits in charge but achieving certain public policy goals did not work. that model relied on investors providing funding of preferential rates based on a perception of government support. this perception proved true in the cost of the american taxpayers is now more than $170 billion. in place of the system, the chairman's discussion draft would establish a functioning mortgage-backed securities market by replacing some of the standards that need at the enterprise has provided today with the regulatory regimes that sets the standards. thi

in the veterans administration, there secretary can negotiate lower prices so you have about a 50% reductionor veterans for buying pharmaceuticals, while the millions of people on medicare do not get any reductions. by giving the pharmaceutical companies that protection, we have simply loaded onto people and it is wrong. i am opposed to it. host: mildred, a republican, welcome. caller: i think you are fantastic. i think you should run for president. i do not agree with the people that somebody called in and said that they just put people on to tell us what we want to hear. you are the first person i have heard who makes sense when you talk. i am very pleased with cs been listening to all the different people on their. host: any questions? caller: that is about 8. he just needs to run for president. guest: thank you very much. i think i will let other people do it. host: your colleague of vermont said last week "progressives must be in the middle of this debate if they want to protect our priorities." you mentioned earlier that not too many people are sure what is going on with these 12 peopl

ask them how they feel about the veterans administration and health care that they get. know what they will tell you? it is a pretty good system. they are proud to walk in and get good, quality health care because they have fulfilled their responsibilities to the people in this country and we are providing them the benefits that they earned. talk to people on social security, medicare, medicaid. talk to the kids out there getting pell grants to enable them to be able to go to college. are there government programs which are wasteful? you bet there are. we recently did a study that shows -- what was it? 37 of the top 100 defense contractors were involved in fraud. they were either found guilty of fraud or reached a settlement after charges were brought against them. the top three paid fines in hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars. do we need to make the federal government more cost-effective and more responsive to people? absolutely. but to simply say let's get rid of social security, medicare, and medicaid -- the senator does not agree with that. host: democrat f

question goes back to the end of the bush administration about returning veterans and how they were running into certain roadblocks in housing and jobs, et cetera. it's good the administration is doing this. i applaud the program. but i think it has more political theater to it than it does substance. >> 850,000 vets unemployed right now. of course, veterans day on friday. there some are who have said on the internet who have raised the question, should the white house be giving preferential treatment to unemployed veterans when you have millions of other americans who are looking for work as well. >> oh, yeah. absolutely think that there's no question about making sure that our returning veterans have a pathway to keeping their homes, keeping their jobs. we've got to do all that we can. look. a lot of these veterans were working men and women, part of our communities who were pulled out of their jobs to go serve. many of them injured. they've returned home. it's the least the country can do is to make sure that when they return home either their job is still there or ther

all told, the veterans administration estimates that there are 107,000 homeless veterans nationwide. among a population that has devoted themselves to the service of our nation, these numbers are unacceptable. the national cemetery of washington crossing is located in my congressional district in bucks county, pennsylvania, and serves as a final resting place for many veterans. the location of the national cemetery is in the heart of pennsylvania's eighth congressional district and places the plight of all veterans, homelessness or not, in the collective psyche of my community. bucks county takes a solemn measure of pride in guarding both the mortal remains and honor of veterans across the nation. while bucks county is honored and proud to provide a final resting place, a final home to our nation's veterans, our nation must ensure all veterans are are honored and sheltered while they are living as well. today i would like to share one of their stories. this past flag day i was handed a pouch could be taining spent shell casings from a memorial service at the national cemetery. the ca