Drowning Pool and IAVA first joined forces to launch the "This Is For The Soldiers" campaign and accompanying website www.thisisforthesoldiers.org, which continues to ask supporters to sign an online petition urging Congress to pass the Lane Evans bill. The group has been instrumental in involving their young fans in the political process and they challenge their fellow recording artists to show their support for our troops.
"It's exciting to be on Capitol Hill with a rock band to raise awareness about this urgent issue. Tens of thousands of people from across the country have stepped up to help us support the troops," said Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Executive Director. "More than 1.5 million Americans have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and almost a third of them will face a serious mental health issue, ranging from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to depression. It's critical that we get these troops the help they need now and the Lane Evans Bill is a major step in that direction. We are honored to work with Representative Murphy and Drowning Pool to get this important legislation passed."
Drowning Pool is a longtime supporter of the troops. The band's current single "Soldiers" pays homage to our Armed Forces and their current "This Is For The Soldiers Tour" donates one dollar of every ticket sold to IAVA and the USO, while encouraging young fans to support the cause. The band has been a favorite of U.S. troops, performing USO tours in Iraq, Kuwait and South Korea.
Drowning Pool's lead vocalist Ryan McCombs says, "It's an honor and a privilege to work on something as important as this legislation."
The Lane Evans Bill would help troops and veterans get mental health care in the following ways:
-Require in-person mental health screening for returning combat veterans
-Extend the window for Veterans Affairs mental health treatment
-Establish a registry to track Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to monitor their health and benefit use
-Improve the transferability of military records from Department of Defense to Veterans Affairs
IAVA, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, is the nation's first and largest organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, representing more than 60,000 members and civilian supporters in all 50 states. For more information visit www.iava.org.
For more information on Drowning Pool, please visit www.drowningpool.com or www.myspace.com/drowningpool.
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Comments: 6
13-Dec-08Message from Stevie
Recently, the Associated Press, has stated that Drowning Pool’s music (among a slew of other songs) has been used "to create fear, disorient ... and prolong capture shock".
I would like to set the record straight to say that upon our return from Baghdad (in 2006) and after visiting our injured soldiers at the Walter Reed Medical Hospital, I commented to Spin Magazine that I take it as an honor to think that perhaps our music could be used to quell another 9/11 attack as part of a longer comment. I sincerely regret if my statement was taken out of context as supporting any specific policy or agenda. My remarks were an emotional reaction to the band's personal experiences. The band’s intention has been, and will always be, to support our young men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day. Our performances for soldiers abroad led to the honor of being able to speak before Senate and Congressional leaders in support of extended health care rights for our returning veterans. We cherish this distinction and continue to maintain a close relationship with our military personnel and their families.
We would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday season.
Stevie Benton
Drowning Pool
thier last song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpjjHMxOseM
My fav song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1OXKp_sF1U