Assisting Service Members and Their Families

Congreswoman DeLauro is tremendously proud of those in our armed services who heed the call to serve their country.  But she recognizes the toll that the extended deployment facing many military personnel has taken on our soldiers and their families – particularly our reservists and members of the National Guard who have voluntarily left their families and their jobs to play a vital role in our military operations in Iraq. 

The Congresswoman met with the families of the 439 th Quartermaster Company, then the second-longest serving unit in Iraq, headquartered in New Haven.  Family members told her how their loved ones had seen their tour extended twice, leaving the unit on active duty for more than 16 months. In 2004, recognizing the persistent difficulties families of reserve personnel find in accessing the necessary facilities and support networks, Congresswoman DeLauro facilitated a counseling session for family members of the 439 th , with the Yale Child Study Center. 

Today, with over 1,000 Connecticut National Guardsmen currently deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, Congresswoman DeLauro has created a website for the family members of all servicemen and women to improve access to phone cards, legal and other services they may depend on during this trying time.

In addition, Congresswoman DeLauro successfully fought to pass legislation to conduct a comprehensive study of mental health services available to service members and their dependents during and after deployments to combat theaters.  Congress also passed a 3.5% pay raise for our troops, a measure the Congresswoman strongly supported in honor of their sacrifice to the country. 

Read Congresswoman DeLauro's Message to the Troops of the 439th Reserve Quartermaster Unit on Their Return Home