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		Mission Statement

	Over 1.3 million men and women have served in the “War on Terrorism”. To date over half a million have been discharged. One in four have applied for disability benefits, This has resulted in over 150,000 disability cases filed with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), with 50,000 still outstanding. Claims from veterans of other wars have resulted in a backlog of over 600,000 pending cases, at the VBA. Veterans applying for disability benefits must wait up to six months to receive a decision on their application for benefits, and an appeal of an adverse decision can take an average of two years for the appeal to be resolved. A lack of adequate funding and manpower at the VBA has resulted in many veterans facing astronomical medical bills and other financial difficulties. Some disabled veterans are ending up homeless, unable to hold a job. Over 194,000 veterans are homeless on any given night according to the Veterans Administration. * Disabled Veterans awaiting benefits decisions need immediate help to bridge the gap between applying for and receiving benefits. Moreover, there are thousands of veterans who have been denied benefits who are in need of assistance. First Aid’s plan of action is as follows: 1. Establish an office in Northampton, Massachusetts, to provide: Financial assistance in the form of grants and low interest loans to veterans in need of immediate assistance. A legal assistance program providing education and reduced cost legal representation for disability claims. 2. Raise public awareness of the need for increased funding for veterans benefits programs to speed up and reduce the backlog of disability claims. 3. Work with existing veterans programs, and other non-profit groups to identify and help veterans in need of assistance. 4. Hold a series of concerts and other fundraising events across the country to establish additional centers. Northampton Massachusetts is home to the Northampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and has a large veterans’ population. Northampton, with a rich history of progressive thought is the ideal place to start. First Aid, featuring Jefferson Starship, will take place on July 1, 2007 at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Northampton Massachusetts. * The facts cited above were cited in an excellent article entitled “Support our EX- Troops” by John Goff in CFO Magazine, March 2007.
About First Aid Emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be obtained. Webster's Dictionary First Aid has also been defined as emergency care given immediately to an injured person. Historically, the purpose of first aid is to minimize injury and future disability. First Aid For Our Troops is non-profit and non-political. Our mission is to help returning soldiers and their families, who are in need of immediate medical or financial assistance due to circumstances beyond their control. First Aid is currently holding a series of concerts to raise money for those who have risen to the call. First Aid.....Protecting those who protect America. Over 1.3 million men and women have served in the “War on Terrorism”. To date over half a million have been discharged. One in four have applied for disability benefits, This has resulted in over 150,000 disability cases filed with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), with 50,000 still outstanding. Claims from veterans of other wars have resulted in a backlog of over 600,000 pending cases, at the VBA. <READ MORE