State, Federal Agencies Commit to
Proactive Treatment of Georgia Troops

Lt. Gen. David Poythress, Georgia’s Adjutant General (seated front, right) signs the memorandum of understanding that will augment the ongoing efforts to ensure military service members and their families are honored for their selfless service to our country. Joining him is Retired General Pete Wheeler, Georgia Department of Veterans Service. Also pictured are (back row, left to right) Lynwood Bradley, Atlanta Vet Center;  Edward Gresham, U.S. Department of Labor; Dr. Mike Stapleton, VA Southeast Network; Grant Singleton, VA Regional Office; and Bobby Pack, Georgia Department of Labor. (Photo by PFC Adam Dean, Georgia Dept of Defense)

June 20, 2007 - The Georgia Department of Defense and

other state and federal agencies have taken a big step toward be more proactive in serving the state’s veterans.

A Memorandum of Understanding – signed today in the office of Georgia’s Adjutant General – will augment the ongoing, comprehensive effort to ensure military service members and their families are honored for their selfless service to our country.

“The purpose of this document to help us make sure our Soldiers and Airmen are returned, reunited and reintegrated with their families, employers and communities following their tour of duty in a combat theater,” explained Lieutenant General David Poythress, Georgia’s Adjutant General.

“We have a tremendous range of resources available from agencies at both the state and federal level and this will help us make sure we are all working together,” added General Poythress.  “We already have a very proactive program in place to help our service members as they return home, and this MOU will take it to the next level.”

This agreement is part of an initiative by the National Guard Bureau to enter MOUs in each state and territory with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the state Departments of Defense to support returning service members transitioning back to civilian life.

The Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs already provide world-class transition services to those returning from Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and other mobilizations in support of the Global War On Terror.  The services include treatment for medical, mental health and dental conditions, as well as the many employment issues associated with conflict. 

“The Georgia National Guard has a long and proud history of commitment to the Nation,” said Lawrence Biro, Director of the VA Southeast Network, “and VA will ensure that our Nation is equally committed to their wellbeing as they return home to their families and civilian lives.”

Agencies participating in this MOU are the Georgia Department of Defense; Georgia Department of Veterans Services; Georgia Department of Labor; the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, Readjustment Counseling Service Southeast Region; and the Department of Labor – Veteran Education and Training Services (VETS).

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