Supporting the Troops

[Zen Curmudgeon]

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0605/062805cdam1.htm

Bush administration weighing amendment to cover VA budget shortfall

By Peter Cohn, CongressDaily

The Bush administration might advise lawmakers as early as Tuesday that it intends to ask Congress for an additional $1 billion or so in fiscal 2006 for the Veterans Affairs Department, following last week's disclosure of a gap in healthcare funds that has caused the agency to dip into money set aside for other projects to meet the needs of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?...&article=30063

‘Doonesbury’ comes to aid of Fisher House
Trudeau donating profits from new book to military charity

By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, June 30, 2005

Sgt. Travis Stoddard, seen when he received his Purple Heart, said he liked what he read of “The Long Road Home” during his recovery at Landstuhl. “That book is all right,” said the 25-year-old from Greenville, S.C.

Love him or hate him, Garry Trudeau, the man responsible for the “Doonesbury” comic strip, is doing his part to help wounded troops and their families.

Trudeau is donating all his proceeds from the sale of his newly released book “The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time” to the Fisher House Foundation. Also, Andrews McMeel Publishing, the book’s publisher, is contributing 10 percent of its take from the book to Fisher House.

Considering that the $9.95 book has been out less than a month and already has sold thousands of copies, the financial benefit for the Fisher House could be substantial.

Fisher House offers family members of wounded troops temporary housing at little or no cost during their loved one’s hospitalization. With locations at 32 veterans and military hospitals throughout the United States and in Landstuhl, Germany, Fisher House is largely funded through private donations.

Take Care -

ZC