The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
The Department of Transportation launches a national dialogue on strengthening transportation choices for America’s military veterans, wounded warriors, and their families.
Ed. note: This is cross-posted from fastlane.dot.gov
Yesterday, DOT helped launch a national dialogue on strengthening transportation choices for America’s military veterans, wounded warriors, and their families. This online conversation, “Strengthening Transportation Choices So We Can Serve Those Who Have Served Their Country,” is open until June 8, and we invite those interested in helping veterans and service members to participate by visiting veteransdialogue.ideascale.com.
The benefits Americans enjoy today wouldn't be possible without the courageous service of our nation's veterans. So when they return home, we must turn our sincere appreciation of the men and women who bravely protect and defend the United States of America into action. We must help them and their families find meaningful work, a good education, and quality medical care—none of which is possible without access to reliable, affordable transportation.
Secretary LaHood invites you to join the conversation online:
That's why the Federal Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility and the Department of Defense are sponsoring this first-ever online exchange of ideas about the transportation options veterans need and how we can help make those options available to our returning heroes and their families.
Managed by Easter Seals Project ACTION, this dialogue is open to:
- Veterans, service members, and their families
- Military and veteran service organizations
- Transportation providers (public and private)
- Human service providers
- State, city, and county officials delivering services and outreach to veterans
- County offices of Veterans Affairs
- VA hospitals
- Employers
- Colleges and universities
As Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff said, “We are thrilled to support a national conversation that will, for the first time, enable veterans and service members to engage in a frank and creative exchange about their transportation needs with a wide range of organizations that can ultimately deliver solutions.”
The FTA's Veterans’ Transportation and Community Living Initiative is already helping local agencies provide a one-stop shop for military families, veterans, and others searching for good transportation options in their own neighborhoods—whether it’s a bus, a van, a taxi, or another way to get around.
And now, we’re proud to broaden the conversation by giving those who have been on the front lines of military service a chance to communicate with those who are on the front lines of delivering transportation services. This online give-and-take will help us make better decisions about the transportation connections our military families need to pursue the opportunities they deserve.
So, if you’re a veteran, an active member of the Armed Forces, or the family member of one, we want to hear from you about your transportation needs. What can we do to help you and your family get back and forth to work, or to school, or to all the activities going on in your community?
And, if you represent an organization that’s helping our military heroes here at home, we want to hear from you on how we can better coordinate transportation services for these deserving individuals and their families.
We know that Washington doesn’t have all the answers. So, please, go online to veteransdialogue.ideascale.com and let us hear your ideas for getting America's veterans and their families where they need to go.
