The Sanctuary for Veterans & Families is a non-profit initiative that provides advocacy, support, and Sanctuary Weekends for women veterans, wives of veterans, and their loved ones.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 2, 2009
SENATOR WYDEN AND STACY BANNERMAN, ARMY WIFE,
ANNOUNCE MILITARY FAMILY LEAVE ACT OF 2009.
Military wives applaud Senator Wyden’s sponsorship of landmark legislation to support military family members bearing the burdens of repeat deployments.
Medford, Oregon – On July 3rd, Senator Wyden (D-OR) will be joined by Stacy Bannerman, wife of a National Guard soldier serving his second tour in Iraq, to announce the federal Military Family Leave Act of 2009 at the Medford Armory. Ms. Bannerman spearheaded the national Military Family Leave campaign to amend title 38 in order to grant military family members two weeks of unpaid leave during the deployment of a loved one.
According to a statement issued by Senator Wyden’s office: “Despite current efforts to allow family members to spend time together in response to significant events including military deployment, many individuals - such as those who hold part time jobs and work for small businesses - do not have this privilege. The Military Family Leave Act of 2009 would make sure that everyone is given this right regardless of the hours they work or the size of the company that employs them.”
Stacy Bannerman said, “I have heard from too many spouses who had to choose between work and family while their soldier or Marine was serving this nation. I am one of them. I am delighted that Senator Wyden has championed this bill to support the families who support the troops, and have sacrificed so much over the past eight years of war.”
Earlier this year, Ms. Bannerman secured sponsorship of H.B. 2744 in Oregon to provide Military Family Leave. The bill had unanimous support in the House, and recently passed the Senate, and is now awaiting Governor Kulongoski’s signature.
Sanctuary WeekendsTM
The Sanctuary Weekend retreats are spearheaded by women veterans or wives of combat veterans, and co-facilitated by female counselors, advocates, and practitioners who are friends and family members of veterans, and have years of personal, professional, and practical experience supporting women with ties to the Armed Services. These gender-specific programs address the unique challenges and realities of women affected by war, who often struggle with a lack of peer and social support, secondary trauma or military sexual trauma, and the caregiver burden endured by wives of combat veterans.
We provide the women who serve at home and in harm’s way a refuge to rest, heal, and connect with other women who have walked in their shoes while learning self-care and stress-management skills, and gaining tools to help restore a sense of emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness.
If you would like to schedule a Sanctuary Weekend in your state, request a speaker, or have questions or comments, please contact our Project Director, Stacy Bannerman, at 253-217-2153 or info@sanctuaryvf.org.
Women veterans connect at Sanctuary Weekend.
Women who went to a Sanctuary Weekend said:
“This retreat would have given me a reason to live in my first year after the deployment.”
“My husband stated, ‘WOW, something happened over the weekend, you are relaxed and I don’t know how to describe it. It’s like you found yourself.’”
“I feel connected in a way I have not experienced prior to the military.”
Legislative Issues & Agenda
• Military Family Leave: After having successfully secured sponsorship for a Military Family Leave Act in the State of Oregon (H.B. 2744, introduced by Rep. Sal Esquivel), which passed in the House with unanimous support (vote of 57-0) on April 29, 2009, we are calling upon members of Congress to introduce similar legislation at the Federal level. A Military Family Leave Act will require employers to provide at least two weeks of unpaid leave to military spouses during the combat deployment of a spouse, thereby ensuring that military spouses are able to spend critical time with their loved ones before, during, and/or after a combat deployment.
• Women Veterans: We support the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009, introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and are advocating for an expansion of programs and services for women veterans, including gender-specific reintegration retreats and help for victims of Military Sexual Trauma.
• Health Effects of Burn Pits: According to a leaked military document, the Pentagon knowingly exposed US troops at Balad Airbase to cancer-causing toxic chemicals, while publicly downplaying the risks of exposure. The report details the health hazards posed to US troops in Iraq, and identifies various carcinogens released by burning waste in open-air pits. A military document revealed that chemicals routinely exceeded safe levels by two to six times. We are seeking a Congressional investigation into this issue, and demand that appropriate screening, care, benefits, and services be provided to our soldiers who were stationed at LSA Anaconda.
Thank you for helping us keep America’s promise to care for this nation’s veterans and military families by making a tax-deductible contribution today.
FFI: Contact Stacy Bannerman, Founder/Director, at info@sanctuaryvf.org
